Vows And Veil

Oh, What an Absolute Scandal.

Many idolized the chieftain, yearning to emulate their kingdom's crowned head, trailing their every move like loyal shadows. To them, the chieftain was the epitome of superiority and lordliness, a figure to be revered and envied. They harbored dreams of being born into royalty, envisioning a life of ease and opulence. But for Adelaide, such adulation was naught but folly. If only they knew the burdens that weighed upon the royal shoulders.

As the princess and sole heir of Lovaria, an antiquated kingdom steeped in tradition, Adelaide's existence was anything but effortless. The weight of expectation pressed upon her was amplified by the fact of her gender. Some pitied the king for lacking a male heir, others fretted, some were kind and accepting, yet others urged Adelaide toward marriage and motherhood, envisioning a son to inherit the throne.

Despite their affection for her as a princess, they could not fathom Adelaide as the first woman to rule Lovaria. To them, her duty was clear: marry, adorn herself, produce an heir, and find contentment in domesticity. No matter how vehemently Adelaide opposed such notions, her words fell on deaf ears. These beliefs were ingrained from infancy, and breaking free from them seemed an impossible task.

Adelaide dutifully fulfilled the expectations of both her kingdom and her parents, embodying the ideal princess with practiced grace. She adorned herself in finery, gracing events with her presence, engaging with her subjects, and presenting herself as the epitome of elegance. When within the confines of her home, she acquiesced to her mother's tutelage, mastering basic culinary arts and the delicate craft of knitting, while also aiding her father in the verdant expanses of the royal gardens, a realm he cherished deeply. Amidst these domestic pursuits, conversations veered seamlessly between matters of statecraft and the nuances of politics, interspersed with moments of artistic expression through the gentle strokes of a paintbrush.

Yet, beneath this facade of compliance, Adelaide harbored a yearning for more. Her thirst for knowledge, particularly in matters of governance and leadership, simmered beneath the surface, suppressed by the weight of expectation. She sacrificed her own aspirations to embody the princess the realm desired, concealing her true desires in the pursuit of appeasement.

Several months prior, Adelaide received word of an impending visit from King Davis Wildingham and his eldest son, Prince Fredrick Wildingham of Adorea, to her kingdom. The news ignited a spark of excitement within her. Though she had only heard tales of Adorea's distant lands, its fabled bravery and audacity had captured her imagination. Adorea's legendary victory over King Morgan McLeod of Khira, reputedly the most nefarious ruler of all time, lingered in the annals of her mind. Despite the geographical expanse separating Lovaria from Adorea, Adelaide had never set foot in the kingdom, rendering their impending visit all the more tantalizing.

Preparations for their arrival commenced weeks in advance, a testament to the significance bestowed upon their visit. Lovaria, though modest in size, spared no effort in readying itself to receive the esteemed guests. King Redmond, Adelaide's father, personally oversaw the arrangements, ensuring no detail was overlooked. The anticipation rippled through the kingdom, each citizen eagerly awaiting the arrival of their illustrious visitors. From the grandeur of the royal court to the humblest of households, all were united in their eagerness to extend the warmest of welcomes to King Davis and Prince Fredrick of Adorea.

Adelaide's initial excitement at the prospect of meeting the esteemed leaders of the time paled in comparison to the unexpected turn her emotions took upon encountering Prince Fredrick. Little did she anticipate that beneath his princely exterior lay a soul of unmatched gentleness, goodwill, benevolence, and undeniable allure. Their interactions, though brief, left an indelible mark upon her heart, sparking an unforeseen connection that transcended mere acquaintance.