I woke up in my bed and didn't remember falling asleep in it. I quickly swung my legs over the edge.

"Leyna?" Titania asked hesitantly.

I groaned, rubbing my eyes. I felt horrible and I didn't know why. Then I remembered the day's events.

"Leyna!" Titania's voice became more panicked."Leyna, you've been sleeping for quite a while

"I'm here, I'm fine," I said, opening the door. "Could you take me to where my old room was?"

"Certainly! There are a few things we need to do today, but I'll ask someone to set it up"

"Great! Can I also bring a friend?"

"I suppose so."

"What's first on our list?"

"That would be meeting royal dignitaries from Freedonia. Your father isn't feeling well and asked you to meet with them."

"That's suspicious that he's ill today of all days" I smiled cheekily, but then the smile dropped from my face. "Although I could have given my illness to him."

"Yes,"Titania contemplated "It will be in the parlor."

I made my way to the parlor, ready to negotiate for my own marriage. I heard laughing and joking from outside the door that fell silent when I walked in.

"Hello! It is a pleasure to have you here today. My father is ill and so asked me to meet with you."

"It is nice to finally meet you, princess, I have heard  so much since we last met." a dignitary pulled a chair out at the head of the table.

"Thank you. Would you remind me of your name again?"

"I am Raldalfo, the Prince's uncle."

"Ah, yes! I do remember you! How are you?"

"Enough of the chitchat," a gruff voice said. "How exactly have you changed?"

"I- I'm not sure if I could judge that myself. People claim my manners have improved, but I can't tell the difference. I do feel older."

"She is more beautiful." someone next to the gruff man told him.

"She is. Can you obey?"

"I'm sorry?"I asked

"You heard me. A woman needs to be submissive and obedient, especially a princess."

"I can but-"

"Then she is still a candidate."

"There are others that never ran off in the first place" Radalfo asserted.

"True. But I said candidate, not the one."

"What could Kingston Harbor give us that we can't get from another kingdom?"

"Peace? We've had a long-standing rivalry. This wedding was for peace."

"Sirs, I am not a trading piece," I stated, shocked.

"Then I believe our business is over here. You are still just as much a rebel as you were. Shame you can't submit."

The men filed out around my chair before I could respond. An hour later, Titania found me staring at the wall.

"Leyna, the room is ready and Fredrich is here."

I shook off my daze. "Sorry, Let's go"