From Normal to Royal

Chapter 1

Chapter 1

Alright, so here we are now.

Caleb was smiling at me; holding up the ring.

I got a weird feeling in my stomach. It was hard to keep a smile. Truthfully, the answer was NO, but I still loved him. I REALLY didn't want to get married now. If I said no, I would risk loosing him forever.

"Maria...." He gritted through his smiling teeth. "Please say something. Mom and Dad are watching."

"Caleb..." I needed time to think, but if I said that, he would be crushed.

"I will." I said, reluctantly.

Caleb slipped the ring on my finger, stood up, then kissed me.

His parents came out, cheering and clapping.

"Way to go Caleb!" Said Queen Amelia. "I knew she would say yes!"

Caleb and I broke apart. I was still in his arms as he went to embrace his mother.

"We are proud to call you our oral daughter in law, Maria." Amelia exclaimed. She then clasped her hands together and smiled. "I shall help you prepare the wedding! Go inside and tell your mother you're engaged!"

I smiled weakly and walked inside the garden house to mom.

She stood up as I shut the door.

"Sweetie?" She asked, seeing the look in my eyes.

Immediately, I started bawling. Mom came over and hugged me.

"What's wrong?" She asked.

"I don't want to get married!" I cried. "I love Caleb with all my heart, I really do, but I don't want to become famous for the rest to my life. I want to go to college."

"You can still go to college." Said mom, rubbing my back. "You'll get used to the fame."

"I...I'm scared of change." I bawled. Out of the corner of my eye, I saw Caleb and his dad watching me through the glass, about ten feet away. Caleb looked shocked and embarrassed. His dad placed his hand on Caleb's shoulder.

"Oh, sweetie." Mom cooed, messaging my back. "This is a dream come true. You don't know how many girls want to be in your position. Plus, we can't keep Caleb's relationship secretive much longer. Someone's bound to find out. Better now than later. You can't live the rest of your life in the shadows."

I wiped some tears from my eyes, and my mother kissed my cheek. "We'll get through this." She whispered into my ear.

I wiped my eyes again, and walked out to the garden again with Caleb.

"Can I talk to you?" I asked in front of him and his dad.

"Yeah... Let's saddle up the horses." He said.

About ten minutes later, I was changed into my riding boots and breeches, that I always kept here at the south palace. Caleb and I were riding alone together on the private trail.

"What's wrong?" He asked.

I sighed, and stared at the ring. The diamond was lifted by a small pedestal, which was sitting on a gold band. I knew from Caleb's family history that the Diamond I was wearing was his mother's, grandmother's, great grandmother's and so on. The royal rule is that the diamond gets passed, but the bands can be chosen by the bride.

"I love you so much." I began. Caleb nodded.

"I love you too." He responded.

"I'm so thrilled that you're the one I'm going to marry. I wouldn't want to marry anyone else."

I saw Caleb sigh with relief. "Oh, ok, I thought you were crying because of me."

I shook my head.

"Oh, I see." Caleb said. He halted his horse, and I followed. "You're scared about becoming a princess."

"You think?!"

"I can see your point of view, but I can't really make a connection." Said Caleb.

"It's ok...it's not your problem."

"No Maria," Caleb responded. "Your problems are now OUR problems." He smiled.

I smiled back. "I just...don't know how much is going to change."

Caleb leaned over on his horse and placed his hand on mine. "You're going to have the best experience in your life, Maria."

I sighed. "Alright. I'll take your word for it."