Grace's POV: Chapter 1

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It's morning. I found myself waking up to the sunshine through the curtains of my bay window, then I sat up and looked out upon the land below my balcony. My, how beautiful it truly was.
I had barely looked out the window for a minute before my personal maid, Lila, walked in.

"M'lady. Your parents expect you to meet them down in the dining area in 15 minutes. Don't be late," she stated firmly, but still with a warm, soothing touch.

She had a way of doing that to people. Everything about her was warm. Her red hair, brown eyes, and even the way she held herself as she stood gave her a motherly warmth; however, she could be a stern woman.

"Yes, Lila, I'll be there."

She gave me a slight bow before going to grab a dress for me to wear.
My parents... what could they need to say? As king and queen, surely if they are calling me down this urgently, it's nothing good.

I quickly got up and went to bathe. After I got out, I picked up the white dress with poofy long sleeves and low neckline Lila had picked for me, with her help, paired with a black belt of mine. I decided to put my brown hair into a braid that reached down to the end of my shoulder blades, placing a white headband on the top of my head.
I quickly, yet gracefully walked out of my room and down the stairs to meet with my parents. I walked through the large corridors of rooms and doors finally reaching the dining room. And as I walked in.. my parents seemed unusually excited.

My mother smiled as brightly as a young child receiving a new toy, my father holding himself a little more professionally, though still smiling. They both smiled brighter as I walked into the room, which was again, unusual.

My father was the first to speak.

"Grace, we have news," he stated firmly.

"Good news or bad news?" I answered.

"You can decide that for yourself, however it's very important for the future of our kingdom."

I became more nervous than I usually am in front of my parents. I can decide that for myself? What news do they have that it is so important for both me and the kingdom? I was suddenly snapped out of my thoughts by my mother's voice.

"You are to be arranged to marry Prince Alaric of the West."

My thoughts disappeared, leaving me standing there in shock. Married? To a prince? Oh how would I tell my parents how I really feel about this? I've never told anyone but my friend Celeste, but even she doesn't know the *full* truth. The truth I've kept inside for so long.
Then I realized I had been standing there wide eyed for a long time, so I finally answered.

"Wow, that's wonderful. I can't wait."

I put on the most believable fake smile I could. My parents smiled wider as a result.

"We're so happy that you'll be content with this marriage," my mother happily commented.

"You'll be heading to the West Kingdom tomorrow," my father added.

They then dismissed me and I walked back to my room, barely holding back tears. Married to a prince. I couldn't bear the thought of that as my dark secret tore layers of my heart away with every time my head repeated those words: Married to a prince. It just made me want to throw up. To crawl into a ball and cry.

I sat down on my bed, trying to calm down and convince myself that everything will be alright, and marrying Prince Alaric won't be so bad; however, I just couldn't. I can't even fake it, this is the worst news I could've gotten in a century. I was again snapped back into reality when Lila walked in.

"I shall start packing for you, M'lady. Anything special you'd like to take with you?"

"Maybe my new green dress, the one with the white lining. I'm sure I'll have something I can wear that dress to," I responded to her, avoiding her gaze so she didn't see the tears threatening to spill from my eyes.

"Of course."

She then left to begin packing my bags.

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After a long day, I was finally able to relax. I sat down at my vanity and let my hair out of my braid. The waves that had formed cascaded down my shoulders in a messy, yet elegant way. I brushed my hair, then got up to put on the nightgown Lila had chosen for me. It was light pink and went down to my knees. The sleeves were a pretty lace which went around the collar as well.

Then I climbed into my bed trying to keep my composure as I thought about the events that were about to occur tomorrow. Married. To a prince.

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