My Princess

Chapter 3

Narcissa POV:

"It is time to choose who shall take her hand in marriage. Narcissa, if you would follow us into the back we shall discuss your choice before announcing it."

I followed my sisters through the back door, behind the row of thrones, and into a much smaller private room. The guards remained just outside the door to allow us to speak freely and without worry of listening ears from impatient subjects.

"So my dear, which of the young royals caught your attention this evening?" My father asked me with a small side smile.

"The Malfoy prince seemed very interested in you, yes indeed. They would make wonderful allies but the choice is yours my dear. They are all fine choices for husbands." I bit my bottom lip and allowed my gaze to drop to the floor, very unsure of such a big decision.

"Quite honestly father, I do not like any of them." I mumbled that sentence more to the floor than to my parents, fearful of the angry outburst surely awaiting me. I heard my father 'hum' in disapproval. They acted like I had a choice but in reality it was all for show, I would be married to who the both of them saw fit whether I was happy or not.

"You must choose one of them Narcissa. It is your duty as the last of my daughters to find a prince to settle down with and unite our kingdoms." The man was growing impatient at my indecisiveness and I could see my mother scowling at his side as her eyes burned holes right through me.

"I do like someone here.. but not one of the prince's." I figured I may as well express my true feelings. It wasn't like it mattered anyhow. After tonight I would be betrothed to someone and this was my one chance at finding true happiness in this lifetime. Just like she said.

"A commoner? You've been spending your time with a commoner this entire time?" I shrunk back a bit in fear, afraid of what he would do to me for disobeying and disappointing him.

"Father, if I may, the Black family name will die no matter what. All of our children will take their father's name so does it really and truly matter if she chooses a prince or a commoner? If she likes this person and they make her happy then give me a reason she shouldn't be with them. And not one of your idealistic, prejudice beliefs this time, a real and honest to God reason Narcissa cannot marry someone outside of our status." Andromeda stared our father down, unafraid as she stood up for me.

"It is unacceptable. She will marry one of those boys out there and that is not up for debate. We do not procreate with such low class filth. Narcissa you are a princess. You will marry a prince. That is final." The man was scowling at the both of us now, daring either of us to speak out against him again.

"Now we will all walk back in there with heads held high and you will choose one of those boys to take your hand in marriage or so help me Narcissa you will severely regret it." The man's eyes were filled with fire and anguish, a small gulp being my only indication of fear.

"Yes father." I bowed my head and accepted my fate, tears threatening to fall down my cheeks as we returned to the ball room. Andromeda offered me an apologetic look, braver than I but still understanding the boundaries of what our father would and would not tolerate.

"Be brave Cissy. Choose who you want to be with. If you really want to be with this person then fight for them." Andy whispered in my ear as we walked in a single file line back through the doorway to the ballroom, making me even more anxious about what was about to occur.

"Now, if you would all turn your gaze to the front of the room where princess Narcissa of the Black Kingdom will make her choice between the four prince's." Everyone turned to watch as I stepped up to the front, the four boys crowding around at the bottom of the stairs and flashing seductive grins at me as my dull eyes fell on each of them.

I knew they were trying to woo me to get on my good side but the way they eyed me like a prize to be won made my stomach churn. None of them wanted me, they wanted the power marrying me would give them as well as a womb to place an heir in. I was nothing but an object to these boys.

'Stay true to myself or follow my ancestors and settle for a man that would treat me horribly. Andromeda encouraged me to do this. I have to do this. But can I actually go through with it? Am I brave enough to finally defy my parents and make my own destiny?'

My eyes landed on the girl from earlier. The one who had encouraged me to be myself just as my sister had. I didn't know why but she had instantly stolen my heart and I wanted nothing more than to have her at my side, no matter the consequences.

You were supposed to get butterflies when you gazed into the eyes of the person you wanted to be with. The boys in front of me made my stomach turn, but not in a good way. When they flashed their pearly white grins at me I wanted to be sick; gazing out over the crowd to find her eyes left a feeling of warmth and safety flowing throughout my body. She was the only one I wanted.

'Was I brave enough to do what needed to be done?'

"Anytime now Narcissa." My family was growing impatient and I had to say something. I had to make my choice.

"I choose..."

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Y/N POV:

I was stunned into silence as the princess spoke her choice, the room going deathly silent as everyone processed what she had just said.

"I choose... y/n y/l/n."

After the awkward moment of hesitation from the group as a whole, all eyes started gazing around the room as they searched for the person in question. Me.

All I could do was stare, mouth gaping open, at the princess doing the exact same to me. The King and Queen were absolutely livid, hardly able to keep up their composure while still standing in front of their subjects. However, princess Andromeda looked surprisingly pleased with her sister's choice.

My feet carried me towards the girl without any conscious thought, the crowd parting like the Red Sea as all eyes fell on me. You could have heard a pin drop it was so quiet as I slowly made my way between the four prince's with their equal looks of shocked confusion. With each individual stair the click of heels on marble reverberated throughout the ballroom and I had to fight the churning in my stomach.

Our eyes never disconnected as I made my way to Narcissa, those warm brown irises keeping me grounded and from running out of the palace fearfully. I silently turned to face the people, having what I hoped was a stoic expression upon my face as my gaze wandered over the astonished crowd of onlookers.

No one made a sound for what seemed like an eternity but was truly only a few seconds. Finally someone in the back began clapping, everyone quietly joining in unsure if they were actually supposed to or not.

"Well, there you have it. The princess has chosen Y/n y/l/n to take her hand in marriage." The king was obviously mortified and would surely have much to say to us in private later. But for right now I reached over and intertwined my fingers with Narcissa's, my expression unchanging but managing to give the other girl's hand a squeeze as I released a sigh and resigned myself to whatever fate lay in store for us.

For right now, I had my princess.