I made my way down the steps, angry with my parents because of how rude they can be. I understand it is common practice for a princess, such as myself, to marry a prince, such as Royce, but it feels wrong. I don't like the feeling it gives me in my gut.

And follow your gut. Now I am going to marry someone else, with or without Royce's help, but I think it would be easier with him to help me.

Mother fixed my hair and redid my makeup because Cailtyn's job didn't fit her standards. It fit what I asked her, but I guess it doesn't matter now.

Mother then dragged me down into the cathedral where the ceremony would take place. The choir was warming up, and citizens were filing in, Royce was already front and center.

"Now, you go out there and be the best you you can be."

But that would include kissing a lovely girl, Mother, and apparently you wouldn't be too happy about that right now or ever for that matter.

Once the room was filled, the ceremony began. The man talked for a bit, saying shit I could not understand, and he placed the crown on my head.

Then the festivities! Royce was immediately by my side. Chatting up a storm.

"Royce, we are going to be married in half a year."

"I should hope so. All the good looking men are disappearing."

"But that's the thing. We're marrying each other."

"No!"

"Exactly what I thought!"

"Who told you that?"

"Caitlyn. My handmaiden."

"My word. I can't believe our parents want us together."

"I can. Our kingdoms are the biggest of the lot, and put together would be a force to reckon with."

"You have a point. But you have an actual brother. And I a sister. Why can you marry her, and I marry him?"

"I don't know. Maybe they'll get married?"

"Our parents are monsters."

"But what if we ran away and found out own suitors?"

"Go on?"

"We will run away in three days, get past the wall, and find someone to marry ourselves. Fall in love like the stories our mothers told us as kids."

"That sounds brilliant. I'm in."

"We will discuss after the party, but for now, dance with me!"

And we danced the night away. His coronation was yesterday, both of us new rulers in this game we called life. And we were about to make our own rules. We were going to marry whoever we want, and nothing can stop us!

The party ended, and Royce was asked to stay the night. Our parents were hoping we get into something that was never going to happen. And we packed our bags. I know we planned for Tuesday, three days from now, but we have time now.

We looked at the maps and found this kingdom. It was pretty far. Maybe two weeks on foot? But we were going to have to do it.

I wasn't marrying him.