My world shattered. Had I heard it right? I hoped my ears were betraying me.

"What?" The word came out of my mouth involuntarily.

King Frederick smiled. "Yes daughter, you heard it right. King Evans had given this promise to me long back when you were a few months old."

I turned in horror towards father but was deeply shocked upon seeing a wide grin across his face. Why was he happy?

"Oh my friend, how can I forget it?" father said out loud, patting King Frederick's shoulder. "A promise is a promise. And getting my daughter married to your son will be of great honour for us."

They embraced one another while I remained stunned. This could not be real, it cannot be! My father could not force me to marry someone I had never met. He would never chose anyone whom I would dislike but if he did...

My trail of thoughts were cut short by King Frederick's beaming voice. "Looks like your daughter is already daydreaming about my son!"

Father turned towards me and laughed, rubbing his palm against his protruded belly.

"Oh my sweetheart, you don't need to be shy! We are a family now, aren't we Frederick?'

"Yes Evans!" he exclaimed.

I could not stand this anymore. I knew that if I stood there any longer, my patience would subside. Considering which, I turned away and walked out of the room, not looking back at what was the reaction of the two kings who seemingly thought that they could decide my fate on their own.

I sprinted off from the guest wing to the royal family residential wing of the palace. Making my way to my room, I wetted the floor with a trail of incessant tears. Once inside, I threw myself on the bed and cried my heart out.

My father was going to get me married to a far off prince, whom I had neither seen nor met. This was by far the worst nightmare come true. Here I had been pondering about why I felt no attraction towards males unaware that my father had already set me up ever since I was born! Did that mean I had no say in my own life's decisions?

The door to the room opened and in entered father. He approached me and rested his palm on my back.

"My Princess, why are you crying?" he asked in worry. "Should you not be excited about your marriage?"

I faced him with a sorrowful expression. "Excited? How can I be? One fine day the King of Netherlands comes and says that I'm to wed his son, someone whom I've never met nor seen in my entire life! How do you suppose I am to bear that idea?"

The worried expression on father's face changed to a stern expression. He narrowed his eyes as he said. "Does that mean you won't be obeying your father's decision?"

I was speechless. He continued, "Jane, as your father and the King of England, I know what's the best for you. You're only sixteen, you have no knowledge of this world. I've lived through years of experience and I know what's best for your future."

"But I don't want to marry someone whom I've never known!" I exclaimed getting up.

Father was infuriated. He straightened up, standing a few inches taller than me and bellowed, "You will do as I ask you to do. You will marry Prince Henry of Netherlands, whether you like it or not. Take it as an order of your father or that of your King." Saying which he stormed out of the room, leaving me speechless.

Tears spilled down the corridors as I ran to the place of my solace, my garden. It was the only place which gave me comfort in moments of sorrow.

Upon reaching the invigorating garden, I ran up to a flower bed that I had looked after and let myself fall on top of it. The flowers supported me, giving me comfort as I lay on them, crying my heart out. I knew the guards were watching me cry, but they would do nothing to calm me down. After all, they were paid by my father, not by me.

"Princess!" a male voice exclaimed. I turned my face to watch Steve approaching me.

Steve was among the three gardeners who had helped me nourish the garden. He was five years older than me and had begun assisting me when he was sixteen. He had become my best friend ever since.

"Princess Jane!" he bent down next to me. "Why are you crying?"

As usual, he had worn his normal gardener attire, having his brown dungarees on with brown trousers, giving a complementary look to his tanned skin and handsome outlook.

Of course he had many admirers but he preferred keeping his focus at his work than seeking any other desires. Of all, he was one of my closest friends and had been there for me in my every ups and downs.

I lunged into his arms, crying myself out and not allowing to give him a breather. I remained in that position for long till I myself broke us apart.

"Princess, what's the-"

"How many times do I have to tell you not to call me Princess?" I scolded rather harshly. He sighed.

"Alright Jane, tell me what's the matter? Why are you crying?"

"My father...he-he's going to get me married to the Prince of Netherlands."

Steve gasped. He was one of the only two persons who knew about my my liking for females over males. The other was Mabel, my maid who had basically raised me after my mother's demise.

"What? How? When?" Steve asked in horror.

"King of Netherlands has just arrived," I weeped, "he mentioned a promise which father gave him about me getting married to his son when the time comes. And now, I'm to be married soon to a Prince I've never met!"

I cry louder and this time Steve is out of words. Usually, be does have something to say or suggest, but today he could not come up with anything. All he could help me with was letting myself cry out in his arms.

One Month Later

The palace was bustling with activities. Decorations and arrangements were being made for accomodation of the arriving guests. These guests had travelled from across the kingdom and international territories only to attend my wedding which was scheduled within a few weeks.

It was a moment of joy for all, except for the one person it was meant for...me.

These were my wedding preparations, the wedding that I had never willed, yet was being forced into. I had pleaded on against it to my father over the previous month, all my pleas falling on deaf ears. Everything appeared lost to me, although there was one light of hope, the Prince of Netherlands, Henry.

I hoped to disclose the truth about my preferences and that I had no interest in this marriage. I wished that the Prince would be understanding and that he would be able to come up with a solution.

"Princess, you look beautiful!" my childhood maid and the personification of my mother, Mabel admired. I walked up to the mirror and took a glance of myself.

I had been dressed in a puffed sleeve, golden yellow ball gown. It sparkled divinely when I moved due to the thousands of very fine mirrors sewed in the dress making me appear regal. My hair was simply tied up in a bun with no other beautification. I liked this, not very elaborate yet outstanding.

I grinned at my beauteous appearance which quickly faded away upon recollecting the cause of this appearance.

The door to my room opened and in entered my beaming father. He was elated upon seeing my outlook.

"My beautiful Princess!" he exclaimed as he spread his arms wide for an embrace. I gave no reaction to it and remained rooted on my spot.

Bringing his arms down, he eyed me frustratingly. "Jane, how many times must I tell you-"

"I did not say anything," I intercepted. Sighing, he stepped further.

"You'll realise it once you get older that what I chose for you was right. Now I don't want you to be out there among the guests with that gloomy face. Today is an auspicious day for you."

I wanted to roll my eyes at that statement but I knew it would enrage him further. Hence, I decided to give no reaction and remained expressionless.

Turning to Mabel, he spoke, "If she's ready, get her to the dining hall. All the guests must be assembled there." He turned towards me. "I hope you behave yourself in front of them. It's your first meet with the guests and your to be family. Do not disappoint me."

Finally, once he turned, I could roll my eyes. What a relief!

Guided by several guards, I walked beside father towards the dining hall with Mabel and other maids on toe. We took a right turn and before we could have entered through the doors, we came face to face with another one of our guests.

"King Louis Durand, what an honour to meet you!" father spoke happily as he and the King exchanged handshakes.

"Pleasure is all mine," the King replied.

"Please meet my daughter Jane," he pushed my back to move me further. "Jane, King Louis is the ruler of France."

I smiled and bowed while he did the same. The King was certainly an elaborate dresser since his appearance screamed it evidently. I had never known anyone other than my father who had dressed finely, but upon seeing the French King, I was baffled.

"Dad!" a voice rang through the direction of the corridor from where the King had come. We turned our gazes at the source of the sound and a girl came running next to the King.

"Where were you Catherine?" the King asked.

"Sorry father," she smiled, "took me some time to prepare."

I turned towards the French Princess and so did she. Our eyes met one another and immediately my heart skipped a beat.

Word Count: 1701 Words