When Ariessa Genevria, the bastard-born daughter of the Duke of Arkona, reviled by all and a pariah in her own home, suddenly finds herself the object of the Crown Prince's interest after a chance encounter (which included a knife, a threat and a vial of poison), she isn't sure what to make of it. She jumps at the opportunity to get away from her family and into the open arms of Prince Kyle... but something isn't right.
"Things were fine in the beginning. Better than fine. My betrothed doted on me, treated me like the Princess I would soon be. But Kyle...He just kept on getting more and more distant. By the end, I'd known I couldn't stay any longer." I said, my quill scribbling over the parchment.
"Not because...because of what he did...but because I was meant to be more than just his Consort, his silent bride." My breathing hitched just a little, but I didn't stop writing. Didn't dare let the tears flow.
"My destiny wasn't to remain. Oh, no," I chuckled, reminiscing about what I'd done to get out. At the time, it had seemed barbaric, but now...
"My destiny was to reclaim what was rightfully mine."
All of these characters are mine, created from my own imagination.
"Are you sure you're one of the girls? You seem like a spy to me. Are you spy, Arabella?" My name rolled of his tongue perfectly and I stood completely still as he took another step closer to me.
"You know, it's my job to eliminate spies."
"Eliminate me huh? I'd like to see you try." I was surprised by my response, just as much as he was, and he raised one of his perfectly shaped eyebrows at me.
"Is that a challenge? I like a challenge."
***
I never wanted any of the lives set out for me. Unfortunately in the new world where the monarchy has taken over, there was never a choice for a girl like me.
At 18, I'm forced to leave the academy. It's a horrible place where young girls are groomed to become the perfect wives, and yet it's the only home I've ever know .
Now I'll either become a human incubator, breeding children for the kingdom, or sold at auction to a man who would make me his wife and slave.
Little did I know I would become a chosen one. Forced to compete in the coming-of-age competition to win the heart of the Prince and the crown.
All were terrible fates, but only one included him.
___________________________________________
- completed
- Mature sexual content
Cover credits go to Devilishwritings