Two • The Crowned Prince

•Heather•

Servants rushed around the manor in panic as the search for Diane continued. Despite my mother’s efforts to keep the incident secret, it spread like a wildfire and it was only a matter of time before the neighboring manors caught wind of it. My hands tightened on my dress as I tried to think of solutions.

How could we save the royal family from this humiliation? What kind of compensation would lessen the burden of this shame?

Even if we found something to make them feel better, our family would never be trusted. We would become outcasts amongst the nobles and even the middle class. But that would be better than death, right?

I looked up at my mother, who was deep in thought as well. She would probably rather die than be pushed down the societal ladder. After all, being better than those around her is something that she loved and tried to instill in her children.

Suddenly, the door swung open and my blood turned cold at the sight of the person who walked in. The tense atmosphere grew even thicker as the maids straightened themselves and Mother quickly wiped away her tears.

“Is what I’m hearing true?” Father asked and my mother stood up and approached him.

“It is true,” she answered with a lowered head. “Diane has gone missing.”

“Was she kidnapped? Is someone trying to ruin our credibility?”

“If you don't mind me speaking, I don’t think that's the case,” I answered quietly. “She was acting strange when I was here. I should have been more observant.”

He looked at me in surprise then back to my mother. “Lily, what’s going to happen now? Everything is ready and the royal family are already on their way to the chapel.”

“I don’t know. W-we don’t even have time to think of a proper explanation.”

He hummed in thought. “We promised to give them one of our daughters, isn’t that so?” She nodded and he continued, “We didn’t specify which daughter, did we?”

Her eyes flew wide and she looked at me with hope lighting up her eyes. It didn't take a genuis to understand what they were saying but I still couldn't believe my ears. Were they serious?

“Of course! We did not specify anything” Mother exclaimed excitedly before putting my greatest fear into words. “Heather, you must fill in for your sister.”

“No!” I quickly objected. “I can’t. I don’t want to. Father-” I looked at my father for help but the angry look on his face stopped me from uttering another word.

“Heather,” he began before slowly walking towards me, “I need you to understand that you don’t have a choice. We all don’t have a choice here.”

“B-but won’t deceiving the prince cause an even greater uproar?”

“He has never seen Diane's face because it was always covered as per tradition when people get engaged. I’m not sure if they talked much, but that’s a risk we are willing to take.”

These liars. What risk? They probably know that if anything went wrong, I would be the one to be killed. The one to be blamed and humiliated.

Was that the compensation? Better have this rebellious daughter killed than us? If something did go wrong, would they deny being aware of it? Was…. Was this how much they didn’t care about me?

“Get the dress ready and start preparing her!” My mother ordered before grabbing my arm and forcing me to sit down. “Be an obedient girl for once.”

I nodded weakly as I tried my hardest to hold back the tears that filled my eyes. Why was I so surprised? These people never cared about me. I noticed the maids occasionally glance at me like I was a pitiful soul while others stared in judgment.

I glanced at my father as many questions filled my mind but I didn’t bother to question him. He looked back at me as if I was being dramatic before turning to leave the room. A choked sob escaped me as my heart broke to a thousand pieces.

•

The carriage drew closer to a beautiful chapel in the middle of Dionu, the richest city in the kingdom. This was a hotspot for nobles and tourists and the place I hated the most because of the heavy discrimination.

Dionu had the prettiest buildings and the largest trading facilities. It was a good place for business owners and there were stores on every street where most houses were upstairs. River Samaria flowed just near the park down to the other kingdoms and held great historical significance.

Today, the area was bustling and people kept staring in awe as they pointed at the magnificent carriage that I was in. Everybody far and near knew of the prince’s wedding. Even children stopped to stare and smile. This must look like a fairytale to them but to me, my life was basically over.

I looked down at the paper in my hands. I had to memorize the schedule for both ceremonies and Diane’s vows. Today, we would have the wedding then the after-party that only consisted of royals.

Tomorrow was the day of the coronation when the prince would be crowned king. There was a lot to memorize and with all the misfortunes of today, my brain was having a hard time retaining all the information.

“Don’t forget to smile,” Mother instructed. “Look happy and say your vows properly.” I rolled my eyes and she frowned when she noticed. “Why are you being stubborn? You should consider yourself lucky. A girl like you would never even lock eyes with the prince, much less marry him. Diane has done you a favor.”

Her last sentence made me scoff internally. Even now Diane’s decisions were being supported.

“We are here!” The coachman announced, making Mother to fix her dress and help me out of the carriage.

I kept my gaze down as two maids from the castle escorted me into the chapel. The knots in my stomach tightened when the wedding march began and I slowly walked down the aisle that had white rose petals on it.

My legs shook and the sudden urge to turn around and run away hit me like an angry wave but unlike Diane, I didn’t prefer running away. I rose my gaze, ready to fight through this the best that I could, but my heart skipped a beat when a pair of fierce green eyes from across the room met mine. Was that the prince?

I immediately dropped my gaze as my fighting spirit abandoned me. I have neither met the prince personally nor have I seen him so close. In fact, I cared little about the king’s children especially the rumoured murderer in front of me.

Reaching the front, the prince offered his hand to me and I took it. I stood in front of him but kept my gaze low as the music stopped and the ceremony began.

Everything moved in almost a blur. I said as much of my vows as I could remember and didn’t pay attention to his. I flinched slightly when I felt my veil being lifted off my face and my eyes met his once again. I had to tilt my head back a little because of his height. Or maybe, I was the small one?

Saying that the prince was breathtaking would be an understatement. Apart from those captivating eyes, he had long lashes, and a clean shaven face. His black hair was neatly combed back and he wore a white suit with golden cuffs, buttons and shoulder tassels. His entire aura showed dominance and it almost made me quiver in fear at this intimidating man.

“Don’t look so absent minded,” he whispered with a rough voice before holding my waist and suddenly kissing me.

The action took me by surprise and I felt like I was being suffocated. I pressed my hands on his shoulders and almost pushed him away, but the light squeeze that he gave me reminded me of where I was. He pulled away from me and looked into the crowd with pride, like he had won something.

“By the power invested in me,” the priest declared, “I now pronounce you husband and wife.”

Cheers and claps filled the room as people celebrated happily. The prince offered his arm to me and I took it before he led me down the aisle and outside the chapel. A beautiful white carriage was waiting for us and it had the royal seal of a shield with a flame at the center and each quarter represented by the four districts of Reechidre, on its door.

We both got in and the coachman rode off in the direction of the castle. The after-party was to be held in the ballroom of the castle and it was only for the sake of introductions and berloida, a special tea drank on weddings and special occasions because of its ridiculous pricing and belief of giving you prolonged happiness.

“I was told that I was going to marry the Harlow’s most beautiful daughter,” the prince began and I tensed up, “but you’re not that pretty.”

I hummed, trying to keep myself indifferent. “I apologize for not meeting your expectations, your Highness.”

He looked at me. “What is your name?”

I froze and my heartbeat quickened when I realized that I was pushed into this situation with little to work with. Mother and Father were so happy that they didn’t specify but nobody knew if they even exchanged names when they met.

“Do you Harlows take me for a fool?” He asked impatiently although he kept his voice down. “You’re not the woman I met.”

Willing my heart to calm down, I lied, “M-my sister hasn’t been well for some time. Since my parents offered you a bride, I decided to stand in her place. I hope you don’t mind.”

“The castle wasn’t informed of this.”

“We didn’t expect it to get worse.” He gave me a skeptical look and this time, I turned to face him. “If you knew that I wasn’t her, why did you continue with the wedding?”

“I wasn't left with much of a choice, was I? Anyway, this is not a marriage of personal interest and your family is favoured by my father." He sighed in annoyance. "I remember asking a question and I don’t like repeating myself.”

“My name is Heather Harlow.”

He nodded. “Well, Heather, I hope that you understand the position that you’re in.”

“I do, your Highness.”

“That makes things even better. I'll tell you this in advance. Don’t expect any love or attention from me. This is a marriage of formality so, your duties as a wife and future queen will be necessary.”

I dropped my gaze to my hands and could almost see them being bound by the chains of this situation. The royal family is so conceited, how could I expect anything from them?