My great—grandfather was a very close friend of the previous king of England. They've known each other since they were kids; that's one of the reasons why they were close. When they were in their sixties, they made an agreement between friends that the first daughter born from my family will be engaged to the first son born from the royals.

Unfortunately, my grandfather was born which made the agreement continue on. When they thought that my grandmother would be having a girl, they were mistaken. My father was born and that's explain why I'm here—a result of his love with my mother.

Would I consider it fate or misery? The agreement was made in the twentieth century which was highly impossible to not have a single daughter born until me. Other girls wouldn't be complaining—seriously, being engaged to a royal right after you were born—that's a fairy tale.

But, am I made for Emery?

***

Emma

''What?!'' I ask, without realising the tone of my voice—causing the whole restaurant to become quiet and turn to look at me. I immediately cover my face with my hand; embarrassed. As I mutter curses under my breath, I start to look back up at my mother, seeing her lips curve up into a smile.

''You heard me, sweetheart.'' She replies, taking a bite of her salmon. Both of her brown eyes are looking straight at me and for once, I feel like poking both of her eyes due to the anger I'm feeling. My mind can't seem to take the pressure I'm feeling at the moment.

''What does that even mean?'' I groan, rubbing onto my temples as I start to feel stress radiating.

My mind can't seem to forget the words she said minutes ago. She told me that I am engaged to a well—known prince of England. Not only that, she also told me that I have been engaged ever since I came out of her tummy—taking the first breath of fresh air. My mother could be insane, she might need to be admitted to the hospital and get things checked out but I know that's not it.

''Emma, what's so shocking about it? You're twenty—five this year, you don't have a boyfriend, you are beautiful, available—so you shall get married. It's destined for you. Other girls would be dying on their feet to marry a prince. I really don't expect a reaction like yours,'' She says, shaking her head in disagreement.

My eyebrows furrow, not really believing what she said, ''I don't want to get married, mother. I'm twenty—five, single, beautiful but not available. There's nothing that you can do to force me because I have control over my own life.'' I reply, with a smile on my face; trying to calm myself down.

To my surprise, she starts to chuckle which leaves me in confusion. I continue to look at her, trying to seek for answers but she seems calm and prepared for everything—which terrifies me. What if she planned everything out yesterday before meeting me? That can be a disaster.

''You simply don't understand, child. Your great—grandfather made the agreement with the previous king of England. Do you know how important is it? Royalties take such things very serious, they don't fool around.'' She continues before taking a sip of water.

''No. This is not happening. I have a life, mum. I managed to take over dad's restaurant and make it successful again after my graduation so you're not going to take that away from me. Marriage is very out of topic, we shall not talk about this again if you don't want to upset me.'' I say, groaning afterwards.

My life can't be destroyed with marriage. This is too much for me to handle. Sometimes, I can't even handle myself and she wants me to marry a royalty? That's very insane. I know, I've been single ever since I got my heart broken by my first love—back in high school but that's not the case, I really don't want to fall in love again. Not yet.

''Sweetheart, this isn't my choice. It was made before your father was even born. There's surely not an option either for you,'' She breaks the silence, causing me to groan once more—realising that she's really starting to piss me off.

When it comes to temper, I'm not very good at handling it. My family knows that about me. They say that it comes from mum but she hardly agrees. Almost everything about me comes from her except for my appearances—it's mostly from dad but the eye colour is definitely from mum.

Brown eyes all the way, people.

Mum and dad had a divorce when I was fifteen. It's due to the fact that they can't solve things very well—it's the cause of their marriage to be broken. Dad also said that they weren't compatible anymore and if they continue any further, it might scar deeply. Apart from their divorce, they are still close friends.

''Wouldn't you like it if I marry someone I love?'' I ask, causing her to stop talking at once. Her eyes are looking straight into mine; somehow I see regret appearing but she immediately blink it away.

Tears are starting to appear in her eyes, making me lean back on the chair. She breathes out, smiling down before looking back up at me, ''Just like your father and I.'' She mutters under her breath but still loud enough for me to hear.

''Exactly,''

She holds onto my hand on the table, ''That's exactly what I want for you, Emma. I want you to marry the man that you love, the man that you will plan your future with together, the man that you will fight for. I want what's best for you, honey. Marrying the prince is definitely not one of them but there's not an option for you,'' She rubs the back of my hand with her thumb; trying to soothe me down.

We end up enjoying the silence, only remembering the memories of growing up and spending with our loved ones. I know, deep inside, she never wanted to let dad go and it goes the same with him but it's also true that if you truly love someone, you'll let them go when it's right. For the sake of each other's happiness.

''I don't want to marry someone I don't know,'' I say and she nods, agreeing, ''I'll think about it, I'll either run away and leave the country so that they'll never find me or I'll come and see you,'' I add, making her laugh.

I immediately stand up, walking towards her before wrapping my arms around her neck and pulling her close for a hug. She rubs onto my back, soothingly trying to make me feel and think that everything will be alright. Everything will be fine. Nothing will come and prevent me from living the life I have planned.

''I love you, mum.'' I whisper near her ear.

''I love you more,'' She replies, pecking onto my cheek. I head straight towards the cashier to settle the bill before heading out after glancing one last time at her—seeing that she's also looking back at me with a small smile. Not a single mother would want to see sadness in their child's eyes but sometimes it's too difficult.

I walk down the street but my mind can't seem to forget about the things she said. My eyebrows furrow, remembering that she didn't say his name so I can't exactly search his name online because that's the only way I can know how he looks like—in case he's beautiful, I might reconsider.

Excuse me, what? I thought. I am not that cheap! I will not go for someone just because he's good—looking but that may be like the first reason—then again, it's not really necessary to only go for his looks. He could be handsome but he could also be hot—tempered; like me. If we're both hot—tempered, things will fall apart. Even the castle's roof.

I push the door open to my restaurant and I am greeted with a large amount of people enjoying their meals. My lips curve up into a smile at Jace—a very close friend of mine ever since he started working here. He's been good at giving me advice especially when it comes to men. I'm not the only one that is interested in men, he is too.

''How was it with your mother?'' He asks, resting his elbow on the counter.

With a deep sigh, I turn to look at him, ''It's awful. It would be better if I didn't go.'' I reply, earning myself a chuckle from him—maybe we can trade places. He can take my spot and go marry while I stay here, enjoying the life that I've always wanted.

''Sorry to hear that, baby girl but what happened?'' He raises an eyebrow.