"You can't be serious, father!" I am astounded by his declaration of my duties.

"You are the second born Celeste, it's your duty to marry into another kingdom, you know that." He boomed throughout the room.

I shook my head and gathered the ends of my dress as I spun away from him. "You can't force me to do this!" I yell back walking towards the door.

"I am your father and your king, you will obey me." he smirked behind those words knowing I had no more say in the matter.

My eyes went to slits as a snake and I turned and walked back towards him.

"I might not have a say in your regards but I am in the right to decide on who and who I will not love in my own heart." I say standing tall.

"You don't even know what love is girl," he scoffed.

"-And of whose fault would that be?" I sneered venom lacing it in every word that rang true.

I spun towards the door and walked out.

"Princess?" Maid Emma asked, I didn't respond, just kept walking towards my room.

I am to marry Prince Senya, of Alsatia as they were known for horrific deeds, and even more horrific of a King.

Prince Senya will probably be just like him if not worse.

I refuse to show him any kind of mercy or romantic partnership whatsoever.

Once I made it to my door I slammed it shut behind me and went to my bed sprawling about sniffling into my pillows.

Why was it that I was second born, I was seething, I didn't want to go to a different kingdom.

I didn't want to get married either.

A knock on the door took me out of my thoughts, I didn't respond but the door opened anyway.

"Celeste?" My brother's voice came from the doorway.

"I don't want to go," I said with pain in my voice.

"I know," he spoke slowly and came and sat next to me on the bed.

"It's our duty as the king's children to succeed our kingdom Cele," He sighed at his own words.

"You're the next king can't you reverse it?" I questioned, I know how immature that sounded as it came out of my mouth.

"Don't be ridiculous, I won't be the king until I marry Princess Vera, and you know that." He says putting a hand through his albino white hair.

"Do you love her?" I blurted out.

"Where'd that come from?" He asked, as I stared up at him determined of an answer.

"I guess you could say that, I don't dislike her," He says as his cheeks turn a pinkish crimson.

“See, that's the difference, you already like her, I’m being sent off to a strange and scary Kingdom where they treat their people like rotten meat, how can father do this to me?” I whined.

“It's best for our Kingdom Celeste, I might be king soon but you have an even bigger role to play as queen of Alastia, besides you won’t be going alone, dear sister. Maid Aris will be accompanying you and will stay by your side” Mave says, I couldn’t help but scoff at that comment as it came out of his mouth.

“Please, Father just wants me gone, you don’t have to sugar coat it, I look just like our mother, I’m told that nearly every day by the older maids who looked after her when she was alive.” Mave looked away, we both knew the truth so he didn’t try to persuade me otherwise.

“Regardless of all that, you must fulfil your duties, you're not a commoner Celeste, you're a princess and everyone in both kingdoms will be watching.” He now says seriously.

“I will make sure to visit as soon as I can, once everything is settled.” He finalizes as he stands up to leave.

“Aris will be joining me, is that correct.” I say quieter.

“Yes, that was the agreement I made with our father,” He says without turning back to face me, and with that he left.

Tears began to soak my cheeks and pillow as I stared at the doorway thinking how tomorrow is the day I say goodbye to my family.

My eyes wandered towards the picture of my mother in a lovely rose colored dress, she was so beautiful with her white hair and her silvery yet soft gaze, as she sat up right with the crown placed onto her head.

“I wish you were here mother,” I whispered as I wiped away my tears.

I gathered my turquoise colored dress as I forced myself off the bed, as the doors opened again this time Aris walked through the door.

“Hello Miss,” Aris says bowing a little with a small smile on her face.

“Hello Aris,” I say swallowing hard, knowing I wasn’t leaving alone brought me some comfort.

“May I pack our things to get ready to leave tomorrow?” She asked head tilted waiting for my permission.

“You may do what you’d like Aris,” I say pausing for a moment. “Do you want to come with me to Alastia?” I asked fidgeting with the hem of my dress, she looked taken back.

“Beg your pardon Miss, I’m not sure I fully understand the question,” She replied with a half smile on her face.

“I’m asking you, are you sure you want to leave this kingdom to accompany me to a different one, your family is here you certainly wouldn’t want to leave them behind would you, you can be honest.” I say as I looked over at her, she had a sad smile plastered onto her face.

“I may miss them, but I’d rather stay by your side Miss, if that's alright with you.” she spoke, placing a strand of dark brown hair behind her ear.

“If that’s truly how you feel Aris, I’d be happy to have you take care of me from now on.” I say with a smile.

She bowed gently as she made her way towards my closet.

“What color are you feeling for tomorrow Miss?” Aris asked as she began taking down dresses.

“I want to wear mothers rose colored dress,” I said strongly, suddenly she dropped the dress that she had been holding and her body went limp for a moment.

“Are you sure about that miss?” Aris asked collecting her bearings.

“Is there a problem, no, no just the king has made us burn everything she owned,” She trailed off.

Anger began to bubble in my chest as she picked up the dress and placed it onto the table.

“However, mother always figured this day would come, so,” She said, going so deep into the closet that I lost sight of her.

I began to follow her until she suddenly reappeared with my mothers dress in hand, a great big smile on her face.

“You mean Isla, knew I’d want the dress back then, I was only four when she had died.” I whispered astonished.

“Mama always said once a motherly bond is made you can never break it,” She restated nostalgically.

I just nodded in awe, the dress had pink rubies and diamonds on the center as the fabric was made out of the finest silk.