This chapter is a Flashback to explain what happened at dinner.

NOT EDITED

Chapter Two

"And that concludes the end of our lesson." My tutor Wellington informed me as he closed the textbook on our country's history. I just couldn't believe that people would want to live in a democracy. The reign of my family was more productive than anything they ever did. I stood up and gathered my skirts ready to leave learning behind for the day.

"Oh I almost forgot!" Wellington snapped his fingers, piecing together the memory. "Remember all of your manner lessons because your father said a guest was coming for dinner."

"Would you happen to know who?" I inquired

"Your father said it was a surprise my dear." He said

"Thank you Wellington." I smiled at him brightly. He was one of my few true friends. I lived for our discussions about books.

"My pleasure Princess."

As I walked I couldn't help but to think about tonight. Who was our mystery guest? Was it a man or woman? Still pondering these things I walked into my bedroom. It was already four o clock so I had to get ready for this mystery guest. Chances are they were important so I had to look my best. Mother would demand I change anyway if I didn't. I turned to face my chamber maid Anne.

"Please help me look my best for tonight, we have an important guest coming over." She nodded and smiled ready to head into my closet to find an evening dress. Anne loved to dress me up when she could. "And," She turned back to look at me. "You may use...... make up if you wish." I shivered at that. Anne's smile grew until she looked like the Cheshire cat. What did I just bring onto myself?

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Anne had spent the past two hours primping me. My whole body had started to get those pen pricks of pain. Every time I tried to move she would just say "Stay still!" and smack me with a brush.

"Okay done." Anne said, a soft smile replacing the evil one.

I turned to look in my mirror and gasped. This was NOT me. I wasn't a pretty refined princess with looks to die for. I was a fugly potato that was 'still blossoming' according to my mother. Anne was obviously a miracle worker. I gave her a hug for all her hard work. Anne and I have a love/hate relationship but its mostly love. Shes the Mother I never had. The kind that actually cared about me and how I was feeling.

Anne, always one for the touchy feely, immediately hugged me back. Then she started shooing me towards the door.

"You can't be late. Not after all my hard work!"

With that last loving comment from Anne I made my way towards the dining room.

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I stood outside the dining room practicing breathing techniques. I don't know why but anxiety was pooling into my stomach. That and fear. What was really keeping me was the fear. What was waiting for me?

"Are you ready to go in your Highness?" I shot the guard asking me a fake smile.

"Of course. Please open the doors." As I said it, it was being done.

I walked into the dining room slowly and confidently with back straight, head held high. At the table I saw a unfamiliar young man with his parents. So these were our mystery guest.

"Hope, please sit across from Christopher." His name was Christopher. Hmm, too long I'd rather call him Chris.

A face with blue eyes and some smattered freckles greeted me as I sat down. They were mostly found across the bridge of his nose. His dark blond hair complemented his eyes perfectly. The almost grey orbs held intelligence. The boy looked tall even sitting down. I liked tall guys.

'Seems like a person I could have a bearable conversation with.' I thought to myself.

"Hope," I focused my attention on my mother. "This is the Lupus family." I smiled at them. Not a fake one.

"I love wolves." I said. My mother shot me a look. "And it is very nice to meet you." Chris tried to conceal his grin at my words. His parents were too. Got to look perfect in front of the king and queen.

My mother brought us back on track. "They are visiting from Costa Rica. They rule that province for us."

"You are the Duke and Duchess?" I ask them politely.

"Yes your Highness." Mrs. Lupus said with a dip of her head. I hated the official title but my father was here. Everyone had to be perfect in front of the King. Even me.

"How long are you to be staying?" I inquired. The food had just arrived and I was ready to dig in. I was a food whore, I admit it. I always came back for more and more. I was cutting into my chicken breast when I noticed it. The tension. I looked up to see my father staring at me and smiling.

Something wasn't right here.

The Lupus family kept glancing at my father. He simply kept his eyes locked on me.

"Whats going on?" I finally worked up enough courage to spit that question out. My appetite was still there but it had taken a back seat. I knew this involved my future. I had a sneaking suspicion of how, but I didn't really want to think about it.

Somehow my fathers smile grew. And the twist of his lips held a hint of cruelty.

Shit.

"As you are well aware Queen's always have Kings and-" Is this the reason why the Lupus family was grinning when I said that I loved wolves? Because if it was, the universe was a sick individual.

"Queen Elizabeth the first didn't have a King." I interrupted. Had to stop this before it began.

My father gave me a glare and continued. "And, as I was saying, you are now old enough to marry. Soon it will be my time to step down. That means I need to know I'm leaving the country in good hands." My hands started to clench. "I believe that-" I tried to contain my outburst but I couldn't.

"I don't care what you believe." I said. It came out quieter than I hoped for. But everyone still heard me. My father didn't even try to hide his anger now.

"LISTEN TO ME! You will marry Christopher and continue the family line. It is your responsibility as a Princess. And you will do it without question and without anger. This is what you were born to do." My father was breathing hard and a vein was popping out of his forehead.

"What about love? What about finding someone who I was meant to be with?"

"Love is not important. You may end up loving Christopher, you may not. I do not care. As long as you produce heirs and rule this country correctly, what else really matters?"

"Love matters. I will not have children that are not made out of love." My lips thinned and my heart hardened. "I will not let my children grow up the way I did."

"What way? With every privilege and every whim met?" The King sneered at me.

"No, without love and without a family." I responded.

"I don't even know why we are having this discussion." My father gestured to himself and then me. "I am the King and you are my subject. Obey me! You are to marry the Lupus boy and that is final!" This was the first time I looked at anybody other than my father for this whole discussion. All I saw were faces filled with pity. The Lupus family looked like they wanted to be anywhere but here.

My father cleared his throat and smoothed out the wrinkles in his clothes. He sat down in his chair and picked up his utensils. I don't even remember him standing.

"Now shall we get back to dinner?" We all began to eat as if nothing had happened. But it had. And I was not going to let it go. I can't even blame Idina Menzel cause she tried to warn me. After a while I said one word. It was just one but everyone knew what I meant.

"No." I said it with a sense of finality and determination.

The clanging of silverware against dishes echoed throughout the room. Then suddenly it stopped. The mood was awkward. The atmosphere held tension. And yet I was smiling through it all. Because I made it awkward. I caused the tension. Throat clearing resounded in the dining room.

"What do you mean no?"

"Exactly what I said. No." I watched in amusement as my father's eyes filled with rage. The king does not get told no.

"How many times do I have to tell you Hope, you do not have an opinion." I pushed my chair back and stood up.

"Well I just gave you one. No." And with that I walked out of the room. I had to ease my stress somehow and I knew the perfect way.

I was going for a run.

A/N: Yay! I finally updated and it was all because of tjeme218. This took a while but it was worth it. How are your summers going? Great? That's good. Please remember to.............

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