Chapter One - Wonder

Adaline' POV

"Dare to live the life you've always wanted."

The life I always wanted was the one I decided for myself. Not one that was arranged for me. I guess being in the position I was born in, that would have been difficult to try and get.

You can't blame me for trying though.

Growing up, I always made sure my bending skills, my magic, my knowledge, my fighting abilities, anything and everything, were the best of the best. To make sure I was seen as a person who was capable of doing, not someone to just be married off to the one with the greatest gain.

In two weeks time, all my hard work will have been for nothing. I will be a married woman. Sure, the marriage wasn't something I exactly protested, but there was one thing that made me think my wedding day to the High King of Narnia was never gonna happen.

It was Victoria. It was nearing the end of the war, and I had been informed of the talks about the treaty, how I were to be married to the High King if either of us were not married by the time he was 25. I was devastated. I didn't want to get married off. I didn't want to be a piece of property. But there I was, sitting in a tent being informed that my fate was being decided for me. It made me feel numb inside, like my feelings or mind didn't matter.

But then, there was a glimmer of hope. A few months after the treaty was signed, there were rumors. Glorious, oh, glorious rumors. Rumors that the High King was smitten with a girl named Victoria. Shortly after, there was an official royal announcement naming Victoria the girl that stole the High Kings heart. They had, according to the rumors, met on the battlefield and it was love at first sight.

Soon after, they were engaged to be married. Their wedding day had been the happiest of my life. It meant that I was home free. Free to marry who I wanted, to do what I wanted. Free to be me. Free to live.

Everyone was happy for many years. But then it happened. It was a tragedy. You couldn't blame anyone or anything for what had happened. The whole country was in shock. And in mourning. They all had loved Victoria, the High Queen. What had happened was something I wouldn't wish on anyone. It was truly a tragedy.

After it had all happened, my grandfather had allowed for two years of mourning. It was thought to be appropriate. He knew that the loss of a child and a wife were things that no length of time could lessen the pain the slightest, even if he had forever.

The two years are up now, and I can't help but think how so much is gonna change. How much I was gonna miss. How much he had changed.

I met the High King after the war was won, and few times after that. They were relatively short encounters, but he had seemed nice, polite, like he really cared about people. But, who knows who he was behind closed doors.

I wonder if he even remembers me.

As of right now, all I can do is just wonder, and hope.

Hope that it will be okay.