1788
In the south of Astoria, there was the beautiful land of Rosenia. The lush gardens and rolling hills were dotted with flowers and trees. The air was filled with the sweet scent of roses, and many different types of birds were singing. The river was clean and clear, and it flowed through the land like sparkling crystal. The people of Rosenia lived in harmony with each other and with nature, and it was a land of peace and beauty.
Princess Anna loves her sister Sophia dearly and is very protective of her. She is nineteen years old and has a feeling that her parents are going to marry her off soon, which makes her anxious and nervous. Anna knows that she will be expected to make an heir and carry on the family name, but she feels pressured to find "the one." Anna has been very sheltered and hasn't been given the opportunity to explore the world beyond her kingdom's walls. As she walked through the garden, she could feel the breeze through her blonde hair as she took deep breaths, taking in the rich scents of roses and feeling the sunshine on her skin. The garden was a place she had always known and felt at ease in, and she enjoyed the quietness and peace of being here. Anna's dress was made from pure silk and lace, with sleeves that were loose around her slender arms. The bodice was fitted tightly to her frame and fastened with golden buttons. Her dress had a square neckline, which allowed her to show off her swan-like neck. Anna's skin was fair and free of blemishes, and her blonde hair was curled just below her shoulders in soft waves. She wore a small hat on top of her head, which was adorned with a small pink rose. On top of her shoulder was a pearl necklace, which had a small ruby pendant in the middle.
As she walked, her feet made an almost silent noise. The ground was green and lush, and it was covered with fresh grass. Her elegant heels clicked as she walked along the soft earth.
As she walked, she heard a familiar voice call her name, and she turned her head to see her lady in waiting. Alina "Yes, Alina?" said Anna as she turned to look at her lady in waiting. The lady curtsied politely and looked at her with her olive-toned skin and brown eyes. "Princess," she said, "your mother wishes to see you." "Mother?" That is odd. she thought. Anna had a strong bond with her mother and was close to her, but it was unusual for her to ask to see her alone without the presence of her father. Anna took a deep breath and smiled. "Very well, I shall go to her." "Of course, your highness," Alina said with a dip of her head. The two women then began to walk towards the royal chambers.
The two women walked through the gardens, past the sparkling fountains, and up the marble steps that led into the palace. They continued through the corridors, past the murals. that decorated the walls, and finally arrived at the doors to the queen's chambers. As they approached the doors to the queen's chambers, Alina touched Princess Anna's hand for comfort. "Don't worry, your highness," she said softly. "Your mother just wants to speak to you; I'm sure everything will be fine." Princess Anna felt reassured by Alina's touch. She had always been close to her lady-in-waiting,who had been there for her throughout her entire life. "Thank you," she said, giving Alina's hand a squeeze.
Alina knocked on the grand entrance of the queen's chamber, and the door was quickly pulled open by a servant. "Princess Anna is here," she said, and the servant opened the door wide enough for her and Anna to enter. Once they were inside, Alina was asked to wait outside as the queen greeted her daughter. The queen's chamber was full of luxuries and decorations, filled with soft couches and elegant chairs. The walls were decorated with beautiful paintings, and light poured through the many windows of the room, illuminating the rich fabrics and furniture. The queen often spent her time here entertaining noble ladies for tea or having embroidery sessions with her ladies-in-waiting. As Princess Anna entered her mother's chamber, she quickly asked, "Mother? Is something wrong?" Her mother, Queen Eleanor, looked up from her embroidery and smiled. "Oh, dear," she said, "nothing is wrong." The queen motioned for her daughter to come sit next to her. Queen Eleanor is an elegant and regal woman. Her hair is a soft blonde and is swept up into an elaborate updo. Her eyes are a bright blue, and her skin is fair and tanned. She is dressed in a rich gown of silk and velvet with an intricately embroidered pattern of flowers. Anna walked over to her mother's side, moving her dress up as she did. She sat down next to the queen. The queen sighed, setting down her needlework, and turned to look at her daughter. "Dear," she said softly, "me and your father have been discussing something very important, and we need to speak with you about it." Anna felt a wave of worry wash over her as she heard her mother's words. She had an idea of what her parents were going to reveal to her, and she was not looking forward to it. Anna looked down at her hands, focusing on her long, slender fingers and the jewelled ring that she wore on one of them. She felt the stone digging into her skin, and she slowly moved her thumb back and forth over the cold metal. "Anna," she said softly, "as you know, you have reached a certain age, and now it is time for you to fulfil your duties as a princess and future queen. Your father and I have been discussing the matter of your marriage, and we have decided on a match that we hope will be suited to you." The queen continued, "We had planned to marry you off when you turned seventeen, but Sophia was against the idea." The queen took a moment to look at Anna, who was waiting patiently to hear the name of the man her parents had chosen. "His name is Prince William, and he is the son of King Harold of the neighbouring
kingdom of Zorro." Anna's heart sank as the queen spoke the name of the prince she was expected to marry. Upon hearing the news, her first reaction was to protest. "P-Prince William?" she said with disbelief. "b-but mother, he's a rakehell!" The queen was surprised by her daughter's sharp reaction, and her face became flush with anger. "Watch your language, Princess," she said in a sharp tone. "Prince William is the son of our closest neighbour and ally, and we have found him to be the ideal match for you. I will not have you speak of him in such a way. Do you understand?" Anna was now feeling more than just disappointment, but also anger towards her mother's decision. She was not going to back down from her stance. "I will not marry a man who enjoys creating bastards for fun," she said firmly, "and you cannot force me to do so." Anna stood up from her seat, determined to make her point clear. The queen got out of her chair and approached her daughter, gripping her arm tightly. "You will marry Prince William, and that is final," the queen said, looking at her daughter with fierce eyes. Anna stood her ground, meeting her mother's fierce stare with her own. "And does Father approve of this as well?" "Yes, your father has agreed to this," the queen said as she gripped Anna's arm even tighter. "We have made a diplomatic arrangement with the King of Zorro, and you are to marry their son to bring our kingdoms closer together. This has been decided, and there will be no further discussion." Anna felt a shattering feeling inside her heart as she realised her parents were not going to budge on their decision to force her to marry Prince William. The princess was now feeling desperate, and she ran out of the chamber without another word. She was hurt and angry, and she felt like her world was crashing down around her. She was met with curious looks from the servants. She sprinted up the stairs and locked herself in her chamber, The princess heard Alina knocking on her door and calling her name. She sat in silence and didn't reply. She didn't want to talk to anyone right now. She just wanted to be alone in the quiet of her chamber.
After a while, the princess finally grew too exhausted to stay alone with her thoughts and allowed Alina to enter the room. She sat down on her bed, and Alina approached her with a concerned look on her face. Alina walked up to the princess and sat down beside her. She looked at her with a mixture of guilt and concern in her eyes. "Are you okay, princess?" she said softly. Anna remained quiet, and for a few moments, there was only the sound of their breathing in the room. The princess looked at Alina with a defeated expression, "What I feared happened. My parents want me to marry Prince William of the Zorro Kingdom. They are not willing to back down from their decision, even though I vehemently protest." The princess sighed deeply and looked down at her hands, her breathing becoming uneven. "Him," she reiterated, "of all people. The arrogant, self-serving, womanising prince of Zorro." The princess suddenly sat up and turned her attention back to her lady in waiting. "Gossip!" Alina exclaimed, her eyes widening. "You can't possibly believe that all the rumours and stories about Prince William are just gossip. He has a terrible reputation, and everyone knows it." Alina watched with empathy as her dear friend paced back and forth across the room. She knew how Anna was feeling; she understood her anger and frustration. She wanted to try to soothe her, but she didn't know what else to say other than what she had already stated. Alina walked over to Anna and held her hands in hers, trying to reassure her. "Maybe he has changed," she said softly. "You know he is the heir to the throne and is under much more scrutiny than he was when he was younger. Perhaps he has learned to moderate himself." Anna sighed deeply, her frustration and disbelief growing with each passing moment. She didn't know what she could do to prevent her parents from making this dreadful match. The princess heard a knock on the door, and she looked up from her thoughts. A servant was standing outside, bowing his head in respect, speaking in a polite manner. "Lunch is ready, your highness. His majesty has also arrived and is waiting for you downstairs." The princess was overwhelmed with a feeling of helplessness, but she knew she would have to face her parents and this dreadful issue once again. The princess took a deep breath and looked at Alina with a fearful expression. She didn't want to face her father right now, but she knew she had to. She stood up and walked towards the door, and her lady in waiting walked by her side with a reassuring smile.
The princess walked into the dining hall, her heart beating swiftly in her chest. The dining hall was decorated with all the opulence that one would expect from a palace, and the tables were piled with delicious food. Her father was already present, seated at the head of the table, and she could see the disappointment in his eyes as soon as she walked in. The princess felt a sudden fear overtake her as she realised the gravity of the situation. The table was piled with an amazing spread of food: roasted poultry, stuffed vegetables, savoury puddings, and delicate pastries. It was the sort of meal that would make anyone's mouth water with just a glance. The servants were constantly in motion as they brought out the different courses and refilled cups with wine. They were adept at their tasks and moved silently around the room, keeping their presence unobtrusive. The queen was seated next to her husband, who had a stern expression on his face as he watched the princess enter the dining hall. Sophia sat next to her mother, and the princess noticed that her younger sister had a sympathetic expression on her face as she looked at her. Anna walked towards the table and took her seat across from her mother, and it took all of her willpower not to show her fear and helplessness. The servant finished placing the final dishes on the table and stepped to the side. The queen gave a slight tilt of her head in appreciation, and the servant nodded in response. The princess watched as her lady-in-waiting excused herself and quietly left the dining hall. She felt a sudden wave of loneliness and sadness wash over her. The king took a sip of his wine and looked at his daughter with a deep sigh. He leaned forward in his chair and spoke softly, his voice full of sympathy. "Anna, I know this situation is difficult for you, but I hope you can understand why we feel this match is the best choice for our kingdoms." "But Father..." she began, trailing off and looking down at the table. The king's face filled with concern as he watched his daughter struggle to speak. The princess opened her mouth as if to say something but only managed a silent breath. "But...the prince is..." The king took another sip of his wine and said sharply, "The prince's character is not so important; what matters is the union of our two families. This marriage will strengthen our bond with the Zorro Kingdom and ensure a peaceful future for both of our kingdoms."
The princess was defeated. She was aware that she could not argue with her father; he was the king, and she needed to do as he commanded. This made the princess feel even more hopeless and sad, as she had no choice but to accept the proposal and marry Prince William. The queen glanced at the princess with sympathy, knowing that this arranged marriage was not what her daughter wanted. If her parents wanted her to marry Prince William, then that's what she would do. Princess Anna Rios resolved that no matter how charming or handsome Prince William might be, she would never fall for his tricks. She would stay true to herself and resist any advances he might make towards her.