To Hate Love

Chapter 1

POV: Cassiopeia

My legs were swinging off the edge of my balcony as my deep red hair was blowing in every direction. The satin of my nightgown fluttered in the faint moonlight. I stared at the constellation Cassiopeia, my namesake. I often did this when my mind was flooded with thoughts, and tonight was no exception. My parents, the king and queen of Istrylisia have decided that it was time for me to marry and bless them with heirs to our kingdom, but marriage was the last thing on my list. I wanted nothing more than to rule on my own. Queens have ruled alone only once before, my grandmother, Former Queen Andromeda. She had raised me most of my life as my mother had always been busy doing Queen things. I pitied my mother. She never got the first say, she was always the second opinion to my father, and that's exactly what I didn't want. I want to be Queen and rule my way. I sighed into the fresh night air and swung my legs back over the balcony. I slipped my feet into my night shoes and walked over to my bed. I ran my hand across the satin sheets. All this luxury. So stupid. I want to spread the fortune all through the kingdom, improve people's lives. Make a true difference, not whatever my parents are doing. My thoughts were interrupted with a quiet knock on my door. Who could possibly be awake at this hour?

"Cassi open the door." I smiled at the gentle voice. I twisted the knob and let the slight figure into my room.

"Hey Rebecca, why are you up?" Rebecca was the daughter of my mother's favorite lady of the court. She has been my best friend from birth and we've stayed together since.

"I can't sleep, I've been thinking non stop about our mother's decision." Our mothers, cold and unfeeling, have set up a suitor's ball to be in a week. Rebecca and I were to choose three appropriate suitors to go through the next stages of selection including a dinner and private, but supervised, outings.

"I don't want to get married Becca." I said.

"I know, I don't want to either, I always thought we would rule together." I smiled and lay down in my bed. I patted the empty space next to me and Rebecca tucked herself in. We stared in silence at the canopy lost in thought.

"Promise me one thing Cassi." She whispered. I turned my head on the pillow to find her already looking at me.

"Don't let them change you." We locked eyes and an understanding passed between us.

"We won't become our mothers Becca, I promise." This seemed to satisfy her as she turned back to the ceiling. I slowly drifted away into a calm sleep despite the turmoil burning in my stomach.

...

When I woke up Rebecca was gone and there was an inane noise coming from my door.

"Wake up Cassiopeia, you're so lazy!" Ugh. My mother. Before I got the chance my mother burst through the door yelling.

"You have so much to do to prepare for the ball, why are you sleeping! What have I told you about sitting on the balcony at night! People will think you're a harlot!" I just wanted to bury my face into my pillow. Or bury her face in the pillow. Whichever would stop the flow of reprimands spewing from her mouth.

"I said get up Cassiopeia!" She threw the blankets off of me and signaled for the maids to bring my outfit for the day. I stood up and observed my mother as she spoke. The lean, short queen carried herself as if she was 213cm (7ft for Americans). My grandmother told me that my mother had once been like me. Compassionate. She cared for her subjects. That was until my father took away her power. I resented both of my parents, my father for stripping my mother of the power that was her birthright, and my mother for allowing him. A fine pale blue dress was pulled over my head while another maid attacked my hair into a tight bun.

"Mother, is it really necessary to have this ridiculous ball?" My mother gave me a look that only mothers knew how to give.

"Cassiopeia, you will marry a man, and you will produce an heir. This is for the greatness of our great country. Do not be a disgrace young lady." I rolled my eyes and my mother scoffed.

"Don't act like you're throwing your life away, you're just getting married." Just getting married?

"Yeah I'm also giving up my freedom and power, but nobody talks about that part." I mumbled under my breath.

"Everybody out." My mother said furiously to the maids.

"You are a lady. You need guidance, not power. You are not suited to sit on your fathers throne, let alone have any power. You will get married or I will personally ship you off to a convent myself." She spat, eyes full of anger and disappointment.

"I am not you, mother. If nonna can do it, so can I." I was livid that my mother thought I was weak.

"Your grandmother failed me as a mother, she didn't teach me to be a queen, I learnt on my own. I will not let you go down the same path and find yourself in the same situation."

"Nonna was a great mother!" I've never seen my mom more furious.

"You have no idea what you're talking about, little girl." She sneered.

"Be in the conference room by 9:00 sharp, if you are late there will be consequences." With that she spun and left my room. As soon as she left the maids scurried back in like mice to fuss over my hair and tap rouge on my cheeks. I just want to be free.

Authors notes:

Sorry for such a short chapter! I hope you guys enjoy reading about Cassi and I'm open to feedback and opinions! Lots of Love😘.