Royal Heartstrings

Prologue

My name is Valerie Alaric, and I just turned 18. People might think I'm thrilled to finally have the freedom to drive, party, or live life on my own terms. But the truth is, I'm relieved to finally be able to contribute to my family's survival. Growing up with just my parents and me, I always felt guilty for being the only one not pulling my weight. My dad, a hardworking Carriage master, repairs cars and motorcycles for the wealthy, while my mom, a cleaner at the nearby clinic, hates her job but does it out of necessity. I always assumed we couldn't afford more siblings due to our financial struggles.

I remember my mom's exhaustion, her worn-out hands, and her tired eyes. My dad's constant worry about making ends meet. I felt helpless, watching them sacrifice everything for me. That's why I'm eager to start working, to ease their burden. I graduated from high school, but college is just a distant dream, unaffordable for us. But I'm grateful for my friend Mira Weldon, who became a confidante, a partner in my struggles and dreams.

I met Mira Weldon when I was 10 years old, on my first day at a prestigious school. I was a scholarship student, and I felt like an outsider among the wealthy kids. Mira, on the other hand, was the daughter of a wealthy family, but she looked troubled and sad, with a rebellious attitude that made her come across as rude and unapproachable. I tried to stay away from her, but one day, I saw her being picked on by some older kids. I couldn't just stand by and watch, so I stood up for her, and we both got beaten up by the bullies.

A surprised Mrs. Jenkins, the school Nurse, took us to the infirmary and tended to our wounds. As we sat there, Mira and I started talking, and I discovered that beneath her tough exterior, she was kind, soft, and sweet. We bonded over our shared experience and began to look out for each other.

But when our parents found out what had happened, they were furious. My parents were angry but powerless, while Mira's family, with their wealth and influence, demanded that the school take action against the bullies. The school expelled the kids who had beaten us up, and Mira and I became unlikely friends, despite our different backgrounds.

From then on, Mira and I were inseparable, and I learned that there was more to her than met the eye. She was intelligent, witty, and fiercely loyal, and I was grateful to have her by my side as we navigated the ups and downs of school life. Little did I know that our friendship would be put to the test in ways I never could have imagined.

As I spent more time at Mira's house, her parents, who were the directors of the national museum of our Country, proposed an idea - when I turned 18, I would start working as a maid in their household. They insisted that I should start spending more time at their house, even before that, since they were always busy with their job. My parents were happy with the opportunity, and I found myself spending more time at Mira's house, doing homework, having sleepovers, and enjoying her luxurious lifestyle.

When we turned 13, Mira started talking about the Crown Prince, Nova Calon. I had never heard of him before, but Mira was obsessed with the idea of marrying him one day. I supported her, though I had never seen him in person - only in newspapers and on Mira's TV (we couldn't afford a TV at home, but my parents surprised me with a phone on my 16th birthday, and I cried for three hours with joy!). Prince Nova Calon was handsome and charming, but I couldn't imagine myself with him - he was a prince, after all, and I was just a poor girl from the wrong side of the tracks. I declared him off-limits in my mind.

Mira would often talk about the Golden Family - the royal family of our Country, Calonia which still followed a monarchy system despite being in the 21st century. There was the king, Maximilian III, the late queen, Sophia, and their three children: Princess Evie Calon, Crown Prince Nova Calon, and Prince Cadoc Calon. The Calon name was a legacy, passed down through generations of their family. 

The Country of Calonia is made up of 7 states. We live in Eldrida known for its ancient forests and wise druids, which provide valuable herbal remedies, spiritual guidance, and ecological expertise to the entire kingdom.

The royal family lives in the capital, The Calon city.

Nordania, known for its mountains and mines, is a hub for extracting precious metals and gems, such as silver, gold, and emeralds, which are used in Calonia's currency, jewelry, and decorative arts.

Selonia, known for its vast plains and horse breeders, is renowned for its exceptional horse breeds, which are highly prized for their strength, speed, and agility, making them ideal for transportation, trade, and diplomatic gifts.

Marlenia, known for its skilled craftsmen and inventors, is a hotbed of innovation, producing cutting-edge technology. They made cars, phones, etc.

Valdoria, known for its proud protectors (formerly warriors) and noble families, is a bastion of military strength, strategic leadership, and dignified diplomacy, providing the kingdom with brave and skilled defenders, seasoned commanders, and wise ambassadors.

Lastly, Nourvia, known for its rich produce and sustenance, is the breadbasket of Calonia, supplying an abundance of fresh fruits, grains, and vegetables, which are traded and distributed throughout the kingdom, ensuring food security and nourishing the population.

I had never seen any of the royal family in person, but Mira's fascination with the royal family was contagious. Little did I know that my life was about to become intertwined with theirs in ways I never could have imagined.

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Hey everyone. It's me, the author. I'm sorry for this chapter. I actually published the story but it got deleted because of a problem in my Wattpad account. So I am publishing it again. Please like and vote. Thank you.