A Crowned Heart

{1}

The soft rays of the early morning sun filtered through the heavy, brocade curtains, casting a warm glow across the room. Y/N stirred in her bed, reluctant to leave the comfort of sleep. But she knew she couldn't stay hidden away forever. Today, like every other day, she had to face the world—and Davin.

She slowly opened her eyes, the weight of her reality settling in as she stared at the ceiling. The day would be filled with smiles, forced laughter, and the presence of a man she could never love. Davin, her public boyfriend, was everything the kingdom admired—handsome, noble, and powerful. But to Y/N, he was simply a reminder of the life she had been forced into.

With a sigh, she pushed the covers aside and sat up, her heart heavy with the burden of her duties. The door creaked open, and her maids entered quietly, ready to help her prepare for the day. They were careful, gentle, as if they could sense the turmoil she hid behind her calm exterior.

"Good morning, my lady," Hana, her favorite maid, greeted her with a small smile. "Did you sleep well?"

Y/N nodded, though the truth was far from it. "As well as I could," she replied softly.

Hana approached the vanity, picking up a silver brush with intricate designs etched into the handle. She began to brush Y/N's long hair, each stroke slow and deliberate. "Today is an important day," she said gently. "You'll be seeing Lord Davin. The kingdom is eager to see the two of you together."

Y/N's heart sank at the mention of his name, but she kept her expression neutral. "Yes, I know," she murmured.

Hana worked in silence for a few moments before speaking again. "Shall I braid your hair today, my lady? I could weave in some fresh flowers—the garden is full of them."

Y/N nodded, trying to find some comfort in the small joys of the day. "That sounds lovely, Hana. Perhaps it will brighten my spirits."

As Hana's nimble fingers began to braid her hair, she chose delicate jasmine flowers to weave into the braid. The flowers, with their sweet fragrance, contrasted sharply with the heaviness in Y/N's heart. She watched in the mirror as Hana carefully placed each blossom, creating a crown of white petals that trailed down the length of the braid.

When Hana finished, Y/N couldn't help but admire the way the braid looked—simple, yet elegant, the white of the jasmine flowers standing out against her dark hair. It was a small comfort, a reminder that even in her gilded cage, there were moments of beauty.

The other maids brought over the dress she would wear for the day—a gown of soft lavender silk that shimmered in the light. The bodice was embroidered with tiny silver threads that formed delicate patterns of vines and leaves, and the skirt flowed like water, pooling around her feet. The sleeves were long, with intricate lace at the cuffs that brushed against her skin. It was a dress fit for a princess, designed to make her look every bit the part.

Y/N stood still as the maids helped her into the gown, their hands careful and precise. Once she was dressed, they stepped back, allowing her to see herself in the full-length mirror. She looked like a vision, the perfect image of a royal princess. But to Y/N, the reflection felt like someone else, someone she didn't recognize.

Hana noticed the sadness in her eyes and hesitated before speaking. "You look beautiful, my lady. Lord Davin will be pleased."

Y/N's smile was faint, barely there. "Thank you, Hana. But it's not his opinion that matters to me."

Hana bit her lip, unsure of how to respond. The tension in the room was palpable, but she decided to offer some reassurance. "You're stronger than you know, Princess. The kingdom looks up to you."

Y/N's eyes softened at Hana's words, but the heaviness in her chest remained. "I'm not sure how much longer I can keep pretending, Hana. This life... it's not the one I wanted."

Before Hana could reply, there was a knock at the door. One of the guards entered, bowing respectfully. "Princess, Lord Davin is waiting for you in the gardens."

Y/N's heart skipped a beat. It was time. She nodded, giving the guard a polite smile. "Thank you. I'll be there shortly."

As the guard left, Y/N took a deep breath, trying to gather her strength. She turned to Hana, who placed a gentle hand on her shoulder. "You can do this, my lady. Just remember, you're not alone."

Y/N squeezed Hana's hand in gratitude. "Thank you, Hana. Your words mean more to me than you know."

With one last look at her reflection, Y/N straightened her shoulders and made her way to the door. Her heart pounded with each step, but she knew she had no choice. The world was watching, and she had a role to play.

As she walked down the long corridors of the palace, her thoughts drifted to a time when her heart was free, when she could dream of a life filled with love, not duty. But those dreams were a distant memory now, replaced by the cold reality of her situation.

Finally, she reached the gardens, where Davin waited, his back turned as he admired the flowers. He was tall, with broad shoulders and an air of confidence that made him seem invincible. When he heard her approach, he turned, a charming smile on his face.

"Princess," he greeted her, taking her hand and pressing a kiss to her knuckles. "You look stunning, as always."

Y/N forced herself to return the smile, though it didn't reach her eyes. "Thank you, Davin. You're too kind."

Davin's gaze lingered on her, as if searching for something in her expression. "Is everything alright? You seem... distant today."

Y/N's heart clenched at the question. She wanted to tell him the truth, to let him see the pain she carried. But she knew she couldn't. "I'm just tired," she replied, her voice carefully controlled. "It's nothing to worry about."

Davin's smile softened, though there was a hint of something unreadable in his eyes. "I hope you're not overworking yourself. The kingdom needs you, and so do I."

Y/N nodded, though the words felt hollow. She wanted to tell him that she needed something too—freedom, love, a life of her own choosing. But those desires were locked away, hidden beneath layers of duty and obligation.

As they walked through the gardens together, their conversation was filled with pleasantries and empty words. To anyone watching, they looked like the perfect couple. But beneath the surface, Y/N's heart ached with a longing for something more—something real.