Prologue

There's an adage that goes, 'it's a bit easier to run a private family than a huge country,' and I agree. My name is Alice Windsor, and I am the future ruler of Bridgeton.

My life revolves around the palace, following a set of rules and training. I had actually never been free. My father often reminds me that a queen has to embody twice the qualities an ordinary person has.

Instead of going out, I spend my leisure time reading and practicing.

"Are you excited for tomorrow?" my cousin, Harriet, inquired. She's referring to my father’s birthday.

I sighed, then shook my head and stared at the target. I was not a big fan of parties, not to mention the fact that many royals would arrive to attend. The need to socialize is draining the energy out of me. It wasn't really ideal.

"Don't you like it? Maybe you'll run across your future husband?" she teased.

I drew the string, relaxed my muscles, and let go of the bow, striking the center. I glanced at Harriet for a moment as she sat on the field and didn't fire at the target again.

"You speak as if you're unaware that we don't get to select who we marry," I grumbled.

Harriet tsked before resting flat on the ground.

I no longer fire arrows and sit in the field before drinking water. And in the distance, a familiar silhouette is coming in our direction. It was Karina. Perhaps she had done her gun-firing practice.

“Have you heard the news?”

My brow wrinkled in response to her query. Karina just came, bearing yet another rumor. She was supposed to be the cold and mysterious among us, but she gradually adopted Harriet's attitude.

As expected, Harriet quickly moved from her resting position, an inquisitive expression on her face. "What's the latest?"

Karina sat down, sipped my water, and then looked at us. She seemed to be fueling herself before launching the information. Once our father discovers we are gossiping again, we will be a slice of dead meat.

"It's about Dehova," she started.

Her comment has captured my interest. Dehova has long been an adversary of our realm, posing a threat to us. Dehovians are ruthless, and their rulers are greedy for power and authority. They have won a lot of wars, seizing small countries and enslaving the captives.

“What about them?”

I stayed silent as the two conversed.

"Rumor has it that Dehova’s King will come here and attend King Lexus' birthday," Karina said, glancing at me.

My brow furrowed in confusion. I am certain nobody sends Dehova an invitation. They are not even on the guest list. It can’t be possible unless someone is working behind our backs.

"Did your father invite him?" Harriet inquired, her eyes agape.

I shook my head. "No, he didn't."

Father’s mind works pretty well up to this day. Still sane not to invite an enemy. He doesn't want to be in deep water.

"Then what if they come here and wreck the party?" Harriet screamed. She's far too dramatic.

I'm sure the king has already heard about it. And perhaps he's already devising a solution to whatever buzz is circulating in the Kingdom. Given the histories of Bridgeton and Dehova, other royals may back out if this rumor gets out of hand.

"Dehova really is a living definition of chaos," Karina noted.

Her words came out paradoxically, given that her father was a natural Dehovian. Fortunately, love was able to straighten up his crooked existence. Karina's mother, Princess Cassandra, spared him from being evil.

"You're 50% Dehovian, in case you forgot," Harriet reminded.

Karina snorted and rolled her eyes. "By blood, yes; by character, no."

It's hilarious how determined she is to deny her roots. Though, it's understandable. Perhaps if I were in Karina's position, knowing nothing good about my descendants and hearing nothing but mayhem from them, I, too, would reject them. After all, it's not where I'm from or what blood flows through my veins that will define me as a person.

"I think we should return to our rooms now," Karina said, breaking the stillness.

My gaze unconsciously shifted to the enormous wooden clock in the field's northwestern corner. It was past four o'clock in the afternoon. That explains why the sun had turned orange-violet because it was ready to set. We collected our belongings and headed back to the castle together.

"Don't forget at nine o'clock," Harriet pointed out. "We must attend the orphanage's anniversary party."

Oh, I almost forgot.

Years ago, we established a charity-based housing program in Bridgeton to help those who had been treated unjustly, bullied, abandoned, or orphaned. It is a project created by the three of us and approved by King Lexus, my father.

"Ask the King if we can borrow the carriage, Alice," she added as she walked away.

Eventually, Karina followed Harriet, so I also hurried to my room. After entering the bedroom, I quickly took a bath, changed into cozy pajamas, blow-dried my hair, plopped down on my plush bed, and pondered.

I couldn't help but sigh as thoughts flooded my mind. Recognizing the weight of responsibility that awaits me once I reach eighteen gives me a headache. As my father's only daughter, I shall be his sole heir to the throne, responsible for every deed while remaining pristine in the eyes of many.

I was groomed to be the perfect queen for Bridgeton at the expense of my independence and youth.

“Alice, are you done?” Harriet's piercing voice penetrates the door.

I looked at the time and realized it was already eight o'clock, but I hadn't put on my dress or done my make-up yet. The truth is, I fell asleep earlier and woke up at seven o'clock—thanks to the maidservant who knocked on my door and reminded me of the occasion.

"You aren't done yet?" she gasped as she stepped inside.

"Isn't it obvious?"

Harriet shrugged her shoulders and sat down on my bed. Her glittering pink padded gown was a little too extra. She looks very feminine tonight with that light makeup on her pale face.

"How about you help me pick out a dress?"

She merely wrinkled her nose and immediately refused my suggestion. "Alice, you're old enough to do it."

Tsk!

After spending thirty minutes choosing which color to wear, I settled on a vintage blue applique dress that was appropriate for the occasion, then completed my look with a braided bun and a pearl headband.

Karina entered my room as I was putting accessories on my ears. She had tangled braided hair and wore an off-the-shoulder, long dress in mint green and champagne. She looks otherworldly.

"Shall we go?"

Harriet and I nodded in unison.

When we descended, the carriage was already in the vestibule, with the driver seated in the front holding the reins of the horse. We were about to board our lift when a woman servant dashed towards us. She was panting for air when she arrived, a droplet of sweat running down her forehead. My brow wrinkled as I regarded her with interest.

"What's the matter, Maria?" I inquired.

"The King wishes you to see his visitor before you depart," she said.

Karina and Harriet exchanged glances right away. I sighed, knowing I couldn't violate my father's instruction. One of my father's rules is obedience. If I don't heed his word, I'll be scolded again, if not punished. I don't want things to escalate into something more serious.

I look at Karina and Harriet. "You both go first, and I'll follow."

They both appear apprehensive, unwilling to leave. But it was now 8:45, and the party would begin in a few minutes. They'd be late if they didn't go now.

"Just notify the chief that I'm running late," I instructed.

Harriet and Karina eventually followed my instructions and left the palace first. In contrast, I followed the servant back to the palace. My insides are seething with rage, considering how uncomfy my dress is. I wonder what's gotten into Father for him to need my presence. Is his guest that important for him to ruin my night?

"Alice is here, Your Highness," Maria declared.

The door to my father's office opened, and the first thing I noticed was Butler Serge's face. "Come in," he looks at me, "your father is waiting."

I took a deep breath, removing the annoyance on my face and putting on a fake smile before heading inside. Father's office has the same vibe, filled with documents, and the aroma of the paper still lingers in the air.

My eyes wandered in the space before they eventually settled on a strange man on the couch. Because he was vertically positioned in front of my father, I could only see his back.

I can smell his perfume as I go closer to them. It was too strong, too manly to make ladies fall in love with it. However, strong fragrances are not for me.

"Father," I started, "Maria tells me that you wanted me to meet your visi—" words hung in the air. My breath hitched, and my mouth parted slightly. I couldn't complete what I was about to say when my sight unconsciously shifted to the man, and our eyes locked.

"Alice," my father interrupted my thoughts.

"Meet my visitor," he glances at the man, then to me, "Rembrandt Wettin."