CHAPTER ONE

“Entering the hall is Your Majesty, King Zyden George X and his wife Queen Ellena.” The announcer said loudly as the couple stood at the top of the stairs. "Followed by their beautiful and only daughter, the heir apparent, Princess Hannah Antonette Ruiz from the Kingdom of Andorra." 

Hannah sighed as yet again her name was spoken incorrectly. It’s Antonyeite, not Antonette. She just fixed her navy-blue ball gown that the dressmakers had just made for her. It is her kind of gown. She likes to wear gowns that would really fit her curves. 

“Hannah, faster.”

She rolled her eyes as her father called her. They were already at the bottom of the stairs while she was still at the top.  She sighed, then walked to the stairs. She could feel the eyes of the guests on her.

She can’t blame them. This is the first time the heir apparent of the Andorra Kingdom has appeared at a big event. Her father didn’t want her to be known to people until she turned 18. Yesterday marked her 18^th birthday, and her parents can’t wait to see the reaction of the people when they meet the secretive daughter of their monarchy. 

Andorra is only a small state located on the eastern part of the Pyrenees that is bordered by France and Spain, and was ruled by her ancestors on her father’s side after dethroning the founding ruler because of their mercilessness to the people.

Despite being a microstate, the Ruiz’ helped to improve the lives of the people by using their connections to the outside. Since then, Andorra has become one of the most successful states in terms of life, economy, and people.

Many people always getting confused about the monarchy of Andorra. Well, here’s the explanation. Andorra was headed by two co-princes ever since the 1200s where her ancestors and the then French King joined force to eliminate the then-current rulers.

Presently, it was ruled by her father and the President of France. And their royal ranks? Her mother, Queen Ellena, is the only child born from Andorra, thus making her the queen. While her father is one of the five children from one of the royal houses in Spain.

Hannah’s 18^th birthday was one of the biggest events in their state. All of the allied families were invited. There was also a morning event for her to meet the people of Andorra.

Her parents apparently want to show her who the people are that she needs to serve when she will be the ruler in the future. She could even hear all their excited mutterings and whispers before she even entered the room.

It was kind of fun, actually, when she finally entered, and caught all of those curious eyes. Her feet and mouth were still hurting because of standing and smiling as she was ushered by her parents to the guests.

If there’s no program that needs to be followed, then she bet her parents would really talk to each and every guest there and introduce Hannah by themselves, as if they were really proud.

“Princess Hannah,” The Duke of Cambodia greeted.

Immediately, she has a bad feeling about it when she saw her parents were smiling like they did something to be approached by the house’s duke. On the day of her birthday, Duke Vincent, an old muscular man, was one of the visitors.

Beside him stood a blond tanned-skinned man dressed in a formal tuxedo with a family crest pinned on his right jacket, as a mark that he was one of the royalties. She could easily tell that it was not his original hair color since it didn’t match his appearance.

Way to judge a character, huh.

Oh, please! I just got my freedom to be in the parties! 

“This is Prince Chea Hong of Cambodia.” The guy smiled, making his eyes curve. Is he Asian? Duh, the Duke said Cambodia! Not wanting to be rude, she smiled and curtsied a little, just like a real princess. “Prince Chea, this is Princess Hannah Ruiz. This is her first official day to be publicized.”

That is true. There are many unique rules -she must say- in every monarch family, and hers is one of them. Her ancestors believed that since marrying their children to other powerful families became a thing, it would make the other kingdoms too intrigued if every woman born in the kingdom of Andorra had to be hidden from the outside world until she reached the age of legality.

It is the only rule that the rulers, following the founders of that rule, didn’t modify since they thought it was the one that brought many connections to the kingdom. And, over the years, only five women have been born in direct lineage to their family.

Technically, there were five women in her generation; four were her cousins. Since she was the direct heir, her cousins did not need to hide their identities. Lucky them.

The prince took her hand and sent uncomfortable shivers, especially when he softly kissed the back of her palm. She directly grabbed her hand away, never missing the glare from her father. She just smiled at them and then looked at the prince. I should've worn a glove today. 

“It’s a pleasure to meet you, Prince Chea. I still want to talk to you,” Liar. I don’t. “But I still have some socializing to do.” She said this while walking past them. 

Actually, her socializing jar was almost out of battery life and she needed to recharge. Everyone can tell that she still had a hangover from last night’s event. But it looks like her parents, especially her father, didn’t care.

“The prince can accompany you, young lady.” The intimidating voice of her father was heard. For most people, that voice would be terrifying, but for her, it’s not. She was used to it already. 

“It’s okay, father. I can handle myself. After all, I’m a Ruiz.” She said this coldly and walked away from them as gracefully as she could. 

As she approached the buffet table, she heard a few whispers from the other princesses and a few ladies in waiting, “I can’t believe that it’s Prince Flint’s engagement tonight.” A princess she saw from their entrance earlier said.

Oh, right. Being a royalty, you are required to attend every event that a royal family has, especially if it is a big one such as engagements, unless you really have a valid reason to not attend the big affair.

She can still remember how she valued those events since she was young for it was the only time she got the freedom to roam around the palace while her parents were away attending those occasions.  

Hannah frowned. Of course, she knew the mentioned prince. Her important chore is to study all the powerful monarch families in order for her to know whom to get close with in the near future when she will be the ruler next; her father’s words, not hers.

The Vergara clan is one of them. They originated from Spain and are very well-known around the world because of their influences to different powerful families, and also should not forget to mention how their business is very successful. Every time they open a new venture, it is always a success. 

The current members of the main family of Vergara have five children. The eldest son, Duke Sebastien Vergara, who is famous for being a skillful engineer, married the princess-then, now queen of Norway, Queen Sapphire Holstein.

Technically, Vergaras don’t have a royal blood. He was the only commoner turned to royal because of the marriage. They have two sons, namely, Flint Onyx and Jet Cynate. Or should she say, princes. What she noticed in her readings was that the family was obsessed with jewels, which can be seen in their names.

The pictures didn’t lie about the kingdom of Norway, which was full of gemstones. You can see it in all walls and structures. It may be on the outside or the inside. Since the kingdom is the venue for the prince’s engagement, Hannah has the privilege to look around. The whole structure and style of the palace was so alive because of the gemstones even when they were still at the main entrance of the palace.

The gemstones were shining as the light from the lamp post hit them, making them visible to the naked eye. She knew that the security was very strict on a daily basis, but it was stricter when there were such big events just like this.

There are many guards who bring weapons and K9 dogs, sniffing around. Double check the guests’ cars and invitations.

Even though the royal side was on the Holsteins, the Vergaras were still the dominant ones. Some say the kingdom wouldn’t be as powerful as it is now if the queen hadn’t married a Vergara.

They are the epitome of successful and powerful, yet still humble family. Hannah even heard some of the rumors that every time Vergara touched one thing, it would turn into gold.

Not that she cared.

The other four siblings were also successful in different ways. They owned a big security agency that was led by the second sibling; different restaurant and hotel franchises were led by their youngest.

In summary, of all the families that Hannah studied, the Vergaras have the longest lists of relationships, from their ancestors to the youngest generation, successful businesses, and charities.

You really can’t find a fault in their family tree.

“But why is the Vergara family not complete?” A girl from a neighboring domain uttered, “I even prepared myself because I thought his cousins would be here.” The tone of the girl’s voice was disappointing. 

Hannah can’t seem to understand why these girls are desperate for a prince’s attention. They were all royals, for goodness sake.

They have the same titles, but still, a man’s attention seems to make these poor girls act like they don’t have a class.

Before the other girl could answer, Hannah had already left the buffet. Looking at the people on the tables and dance floor, she suddenly feels like it’s the worst way to be introduced to the public.

Yesterday was no different. It was exclusively for all the allied families. She met almost all of the families, and she can say that it was her lucky night since there were only a few who had the same ae as her.

How fun was that? Note the sarcasm.