Amelia

I was fifteen when I found myself thrust into the mysterious world of Wantra and now it has been five years since I came here. Now I'm twenty years old. I learnt fencing, diplomacy, leadership skills, to become a prominent queen.

One day, I heard about the Celestia Bloom flower and I decided to go to Aetheron and take the Celestia Bloom flower, as it can only be found in Aetheron, the capital of Aetheria; I wanted to have that flower because no one could ever pluck it, and I wanted to gift it to my father on his birthday. Father doesn't know why I suddenly wanted to go to Aetheron. I just lied that I want to explore the Capital of Aetheria.

Now, I and Julie reach our palace as soon as we can; it takes a few days for us to reach Wantra from Aetheron through the royal ship.

Julie is my special court lady and my best friend too, she became my court lady at the age of fifteen; our friendship is genuine even when one is princess and the other is court lady.

Julie turns her face to me as we enter the palace. "Elara, you should have thanked him, at least. He saved your life."

I don't even glance at her as I say, "That scoundrel doesn't deserve my gratitude. I am a princess and I'm soon going to become a queen.” I clench my jaw as I continue, “I don't need to show gratitude to a mannerless person like him who touched my body inappropriately, making an excuse that he was saving me."

I recall how his green hazel eyes were piercing my soul, how he was caressing my earlobe and my waist; I couldn't do anything to him as he made excuses that he was saving me from the snake. How can a worthless man dare to touch me? I'm a princess.

Julie furrows her brows and says, 'But I didn’t feel that. He was just mesmerized by your beauty…anyone could be. And there were truly dangerous snakes. That snake could have bitten you.”

“So, you're saying I'm wrong. You're taking that ridiculous man's side.”

“No, Elara…”

I gasp in fury as I turn. “He ran his hand all over my waist. If I didn't have a heart and no compassion for people, I would have severed his head from his body right then and there for touching me like that.”

"This level of arrogance isn’t good, Elara. Apologizing doesn’t make you a bad person," Julie says.

“You…”

"What happened, Elara?" my mother's voice catches my attention. I turn, my mother (The queen of Wantra) and my aunt (Margaret) standing together in front of us. My expressions soften as I bow in front of them in obeisance, looking down. My aunt approaches me and cups my face.

"Your daughter is really beautiful. No wonder everyone considers her as the most beautiful princess alive in the world."

I flash my most winning smile for the compliment I got just now. Tears well up into my eyes, as I glance up into my aunt's eyes. Aunt, you always cared for me, in that world. I'm grateful that I had the pleasure to meet you again in this mysterious world.

My mother chuckles and takes steps toward us as she says to my aunt, "Yeah, that's why I told you to come here to Wantra for her father's birthday celebration. Now, it's your responsibility to find a handsome prince for her."

”Don’t worry. I've already found a prince for her,” aunt shoots a quick response.

My smile fades away after hearing that. My heart clenches in pain. "What are you saying, mother?" I ask her. My mother cups my face as she utters, "I need a son in law. He's coming with his royal family to meet you today.”

My heart sinks down just by hearing about my marriage. I am feeling as if someone is stabbing my chest. I never dreamt of getting married, I always wanted to become the queen of Wantra, to take care of my populace. I want to refuse to meet him but seeing the smile on my mother's face, I stay quiet and don't say anything.

“I want to take a rest,” I choke as tears brim into my eyes. “Excuse me!”

I bow to them before walking away. Lost in my thoughts, I enter my royal chamber. Julie follows me and shuts the door behind us.

I throw a pot and slam my hands on the table. "I don't want to marry. I want to become the queen."

Julie places her hand on my shoulder. "But Elara, the Queen has already arranged your meeting with the Prince. You have to meet him."

I clench my jaw, squeezing my eyes. "I will surely meet him, but I will make him say no for this marriage."

I will not let this marriage happen at any cost. I agree to meet the prince. Sebastian Rivers, the Prince of Silard—another realm in Aetheria—he reaches the palace with his royal family to meet me.

I hear from a soldier that he is a very skilled swordsman and he is also famous for his bravery and strength in the whole Aetheria, and his looks as well. Many princesses have already developed a crush on him. His dad was killed by the emperor of Aetheria, and now his realm is in the emperor's control. Prince Sebestian has only limited powers and control over his own realm. He must have faced a lot of things.

"Prince is here, my lady,” a court lady informs me.

Sitting on the chair in front of the mirror, I turn my face to my shoulder as I say, “Let him come inside.”

Listening to his footsteps, coming to my room, I smirk as I perceive my reflection in the mirror. I gasp, as I tie a sheen veil on my face and stand up as he enters inside my royal chamber.

He bows his head to me. “It's the prince of Silard, Sebastian Rivers."

"I'm Elara Stone, princess of Wantra.” I slowly glance up at him.

There is a curtain between us but still I can see his body structure. He's tall, masculine, has light brown hair, gray eyes, and a fair skinned person, dressed in a royal blue coat, carved with intricate gold patterns. Beneath the coat, a crisp white shirt with high collar. Fitted trousers, polished boots and a belt on his waist, adorning his polished look. He has a mesmerizing aura and looks.

"Why do you want to marry me?" I ask him, raising my brows. I’m hoping to hear him say that I'm the only princess of Wantra or because people consider me the most beautiful princess existing in the world.

Sebastian chuckles and says, "Because of your intelligence and strength. I want an intelligent and strong wife. So that I can trust her in every way." He flashes a pleasant smile to me.

I grin that he didn't say what I was expecting him to say; he doesn't want to get married to me just because I'm beautiful, instead he's interested in marriage because I'm intelligent and strong.

After hearing his reply, I'm getting curious to know more about him. “Then what do you think? What qualities would I want in my husband?" I ask, lowering my gaze.

"You want someone intelligent and powerful,” Sebastian retorts.

"Then I want you to show me your intelligence and strength,” I say, hoping that he's going to lose.

Sebastian agrees with me. “As you say, princess. I will show my intelligence and strength.”

I smirk and ask curiously, "Then tell me what will you choose between power and love? I want a satisfying answer."

Sebastian grins widely and says, "I will choose my love, that is you.”

As my cheeks flush red, I widen my eyes and glance up into his eyes.

"I will choose a love that is as strong as me. Then I will not be alone. My power will double then," Sebastian says, smiling calmly.

I would not like any person just because he's a prince. To marry me, he has to win my heart and his reply makes me giggle now.

“I want you to show me your strength,” I say. Sebastian agrees. “I am listening. What do I have to do?”

“Come with me,” I say and walk outside. Sebastian follows me. I stop as we reach the luxurious garden of the palace, surrounded with white Crape myrtle trees. I turn my face and lock my eyes with Sebastian's gray eyes.

“That apple, there on the table, you have to aim at that apple,” I say and turn my face as I demand, “Give the prince a bow and an arrow.”

A court lady takes a bow along with an arrow and gives that to Sebastian. He glances at me. There's a silent pause between us. He steps toward the table.

“What are you doing?” I ask. Sebastian flashes a wide grin. “Keep watching,” he retorts.

He throws the apple in the sky and aims at that apple. In one shot he shoots an arrow at the apple and breaks it into two pieces. My mouth drops open. Sebastian turns to me and chuckles seeing my face.

“Do I need to give more tests to prove my ability or is that fine now?” I gulp my saliva and glance down at my feet as I feel ashamed of my demeanor.

“I was not questioning your abilities. It's just…” I pause as I don't know what I should say next. I must have hurt his feelings.

Sebastian chuckles. “Don't worry. I understand that. It seems like you don't want to marry me. It's completely fine. I respect your opinion. It was nice meeting you,” he says and turns to go.

I turn to catch a glimpse of Sebastian. My heart sinks down as I witness him going away from me. Fear consumes my body; it feels like I'm going to lose him. I will not get a chance to marry a person like him in the future. I should not let him go.

“Prince Sebestian!” I hail from behind. Sebastian stops, hearing my voice. My heart is pounding as if it is going to explode.

I gather courage and say, “I’m ready for this marriage.”

As Sebastian looks back at me, my cheeks heat up and without wasting a second, I walk away from there, leaving him alone there, smiling at me.