𝐏𝐑𝐈𝐍𝐂𝐄 𝐂𝐀𝐒𝐏𝐈𝐀𝐍 || 𝐧𝐚𝐫𝐧𝐢𝐚 [ I ]

Prologue

There stood a little brunette in front of the queen of Archenland, who was frowning down at her. It wasn't an angry frown, nor a disappointed one, perhaps it was better described as a clueless one. Because next to the little brunette, who was covered in mud, lay a wooden sword and the Queen had no idea how to respond.

"If I didn't know any better," said the queen after she'd gathered her thoughts, "I'd think you'd be related to prince Corin instead of Cor."

Wondering eyes widened. "And why is that mother?" spoke the little brunette.

The queen smiled at the little girl, beckoned for her to come closer and lifted her onto her lap. "Prince Corin was also known as Thunder-Fist, he was a good fighter. He and his brother, your ancestor, high king Cor ruled Archenland for many years. If I'm correct Corin became a legendary boxer, but I don't think you ever did? So why did you punch that poor boy?"

"He laughed at me" said the little girl while pouting, "he told me I couldn't play with him and his friends because I'm a girl and girls don't play with swords."

"So you punched him?"

The little brunette nodded and a proud look appeared on her face.

The queen sighed, this hadn't been the first time. Her daughter had always chosen fights over friends and swords over dresses. The princess knew this wasn't the way she was supposed to act, but she did it anyway.

The queen went with her hand through the brunette's soft hair and told her with a calm voice, "listen dear, boys don't like girls playing with swords. Why don't you play with girls your age? You could always play with the dolls and have a tea-party?"

The little brunette, whose eyes sparkled with adventure, became sad. The queen felt sorry for the poor girl and sighed.

"Boys who do not like you are not worth your time nor your punches, save those for your brothers."

The little brunette giggled and the sparkle returned. "I think being related to prince Corin wouldn't have been a bad thing, mummy. I want to be just as brave and strong as he and King Cor were!" The queen smiled down at the little princess. "Can I go fight now? Like prince Corin did?"

The queen let out a breathy laugh "don't tell your father that I said you could fight your brother." The little brunette had already taken her wooden sword from the ground and ran away. The queen smiled to herself. Maybe she wouldn't become the princess her father wanted her to be, but Muriel would turn out to be just fine.