Remi is a tomboyish princess who must ascend the throne and become queen in half a year. Her father hires seven teachers to prepare her for the role. But can Remi concentrate with seven of the most beautiful men she's ever seen as her mentors?
I'd like to say sleep came easily to me last night. But I couldn't hardly stop all the thoughts I was ambushed with. I spent an entire day with all of my teachers, and it was so much fun. But also, very confusing. Some of them showed romantic interest in me and as much as that should make me happy. It upset me.
I had feelings for all of them, all seven. They are angels. The sweetest men I've ever had the pleasure of meeting. Although, one of them clung to my heart a little tighter than the rest. He occupied my thoughts more often. He flustered me the most. His beauty was unsurpassed in my eyes.
But it's not meant to be.
"You're going on a date with Prince Felix today." My father breaks the news to me over breakfast this morning. "Must I?" I mumble as I scoot around a fluffy scrambled egg on my plate. I hear the king sigh. "Yes, Remi. I was informed that you hadn't given him a chance yet. That's absurd. You can't act like that to royalty."
What's most absurd is my father trying to force me on someone. If something between us doesn't blossom naturally then how can I ever truly be happy? I didn't want to be miserable my whole life. I could see myself growing old with a man, but it wasn't Felix, no. It was one of my teachers. Someone of normal birth, nothing 'special' about him. But to me, he was everything I thought I could never find in this world.
"What if I don't want to marry Felix?" I speak up and I quickly regret my words. My father's face turns red, and he slams his fists on the table, causing the dishes to rattle. "You don't even know him Remi! You're being selfish and childish! If you're going to rule this country, you must put your people before yourself!"
I bite my tongue. It seemed nothing I said mattered.
My father starts coughing, his shouting must have irritated something. He continues to struggle, and I look at him wide eyed. "Father?!" He can't catch his breath; he bends over and coughs deeply into his hand. It sounds rattly and dry. He finally catches his breath. His hand was shaky, and I could see blood pooled in his palm.
I stand up quickly and grab a cloth napkin and rush over to him to dab his mouth. "Are you okay?!" He takes a drink from his glass of water and then sighs, being exhausted from the coughing fit. "My time might be shorter than they expected Remi. You must take this seriously. Stop thinking only of yourself." He gets up and Minji helps him out of the room.
"Your classes are cancelled today, prepare for your date." My father informed me over his shoulder and then he was gone.
My eyes glisten with fresh tears as I think about what he said. I thought I had six months with him but maybe we don't even have that long. My father isn't doing so well. The cancer in his lungs must be spreading quickly.
He is right though. I need to take this seriously. My life was never meant to end like a fairytale.
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"Minji," I complained as I lifted the fluffy ends of the dress. "Isn't this a bit too much?" I ask him, curiously. Did men not realize how hard it is to function in these types of dresses? Of course not.
"You look like Cinderella, my lady!" I grimace and look into the mirror, moving around the bottom of the dress.
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"It was either that one or your black ball gown." I let out an aggravated sigh. I'm glad he didn't go with that one. It's so poofy it's hard to sit down. "Fine," I whine and resign from arguing.
Felix would be picking me up soon. I wasn't excited for this at all. Maybe it was the teenager that still lived in my heart but being forced into something makes me want to do the opposite.
I want to be going on a date with someone else, another man. Someone so perfect and pure.
Minji drapes a pearl necklace along my collarbone and hooks it together. "Enjoy your evening your majesty."
I scoff.
Lifting up on my dress, I walk towards the foyer of the palace. I'd wait for Felix there. My heels snapping as I walk towards the entrance, someone calls for me. "Your majesty?" I turn around and see my beloved cooking teacher.
"Hi Jin!" I give him a big smile and he grins back at me. "You look beautiful!" He gestures to my dress, and I can't help but smile and blush. "Thank you."
"Where are you going?" He looks at me confused. My shoulders drop. "I'm going on a date with a prince." He laughs for a moment and then stops when he realizes I'm not joking. We always joked with each other.
"Is it that blonde guy we met a few weeks ago?" I nod to his question and keep my eyes to floor. I don't want him to see how upset I am. "Yes." He nods his head.
"He's quite handsome. I hope you have a good time." I force a soft smile to him. "I hope I do too."
To be honest, everything in existence was begging me not to go. I can't explain it. Some might call it a premonition, but I felt a dark cloud hovering nearby.
