❣️ 𝐋𝐨𝐯𝐞𝐜𝐡𝐢𝐥𝐝 | 𝐤.𝐣𝐢 ❣️

𝑚𝑒𝑚𝑜𝑟𝑦 3: ℎ𝑒𝑙𝑙𝑜

It was about two months before the princess's birthday, but more importantly, the day she was to be married off to the vampire prince...

"BUT WHY? THEIR FAMILY IS OUR ENEMY! WHY DID YOU NOT ASK ME ABOUT THIS?!" the princess furiously asked her parents, both shakiness and anger in her voice.

"Speranza dear, please calm down," the king says. "This was planned when you were born. We understand your feelings but you must listen to us—"

"NO, YOU LISTEN TO ME! I do not want to be married off to someone whose family clearly hates us, especially if I have no say in this!"

"But you must understand, it is for the good of our people."

"And how is that so?"

"Just look around you, look at all of this war. Your marriage will show our unity and prove how foolish all of this fighting is, and with both halves of the Pearl joined together, we will wish for everlasting peace," the queen explained.

Speranza pulled back, speechless. For the entirety of these 16, going on 17 years of her life, all she had ever known was war. Looking out her window and seeing innocent people slain on the battlefield below, she would think to herself, "what is the reason for all of this? Nothing good has ever come out of war". Speranza dreamed of a utopia in which everyone loved each other and embraced their differences. Oh how it would be nice to live in that world. Finally, she gave in, muttering, "it is for the good of our two peoples... alright, I will do it."

Both of her parents wrapped hugged her. "Thank you for understanding, we know this is difficult. We are so proud of you," her mother said.

When the three broke apart, her father spoke. "Your marriage is in two months, on your birthday. So, you need to get know your soon to be husband. We, along with Leoh's parents, have set up plans for you two to spend time together this afternoon."

• • •

The time for Prince Leoh and Princess Speranza's meetup was coming close, and her closest servant was helping her get ready.

"Are you sure want to do this Speranza?" he asked. The two were so close that they didn't feel the need to use formalities when speaking to each other.

"I have to do it, Kai... I don't have a choice," she responded glumly.

He picked up a hair pick and gently began combing out the tangles in her curls, holding her hair as if it were made of the finest silk. He then sighed, saying, "I know... I know. Ahh, I'm speaking nonsense, I am just trying to make you feel better... and if I am being truthful, I think I am just as nervous as you are."

"Oh please," she said. "What do you have to be nervous about?"

How is she asking this? Does she not know how much I care for her? Should I tell her about— no no, I shouldn't, he thought to himself. He just continued combing her hair, then after organizing his thoughts said, "my princess, I have known you from the time you were a child all the way up to now, a graceful young woman. You are as beautiful on the outside as you are within. There are evil people out there who will hurt even the most precious of people, like you... it is one of my greatest fears that this would happen to you."