The eldest daughter of King JJ and Queen Georgia learned to obey her parents and soon, she was submissive, docile, and in their eyes, the perfect daughter and heir. Georgia was content that her daughter would rule fairly when it was her turn and would listen to her subjects, rather than be a willful and stubborn queen. JJ believed that his daughter would respect her advisors, men wiser than she, and would listen to them without hesitation, doing what was right for the entire kingdom.
Refusal was not in Princess Cecelia's nature, and when she was twenty-one, JJ and Georgia set out to complete their final task for their daughter – finding her the perfect mate. He would be quiet like their daughter – quick to learn and willing to please. The perfect mate would complement their daughter in every way and they would know that when they passed, their precious daughter would be not only in good hands, but happy in life and the kingdom would be peaceful and pleased.
"No."
Both of her parents raised their heads to her, their eyes wide in surprise. Her mother's face was quickly drawn into confusion, while her father's in disappointment. The looks pained her, but Cecelia forced her hands to not tremble at her side and met their gaze straight on.
"Um, no thank you," she repeated, more softly this time. "I appreciate the fact that you're willing to help me with such a task, but I don't want to be married."
"Don't want to be married?" Her mother was the first to speak, and her voice was gentle. "Cecelia, darling girl, you are our heir. You must marry to carry on the line."
"This is true," Cecelia said. "But it doesn't have to be right now. I have just become an adult a month ago, Mother. I wish to live my life before I am married with responsibilities."
"We raised you better than this," Georgia frowned and glanced over at her father, who was still silent. That was never a good sign. "You cannot shirk your responsibilities like a commoner, Cecelia Jones. You are the Crown Princess and your behavior must reflect that accordingly."
"I know," Cecelia said patiently, because she honestly did know how she must behave. "I can be responsible; I didn't mean it like that. I just meant that I would prefer to travel first before having children."
"You can travel with your spouse," her father finally spoke, his voice void of any emotion. "Your mother and I saw plenty of countries together when we were first married. That is a poor excuse."
"Think of the kingdom, if nothing else," Georgia cajoled. "You've always been so dedicated to the country. Part of that is showing a united front. A kingdom needs a King and Queen. You need to provide heirs, Cecelia."
"Think of an heir, it will make the whole process a lot easier if you focus on the positive things," JJ said.
Cecelia swallowed the sigh that threatened to slip out. All her life, she had said yes to her parents, no matter what they asked of her. She had a happy childhood and didn't want it to be believed otherwise, but even she was aware that she often denied herself in order to please her parents. It was something she had believed would end once she was an adult but it seemed like that was not the case. Now she was to marry somebody of their choosing and for something as serious as marriage, Cecelia refused to bend.
"I don't want to be married, it's very simple," she explained. "And even more, I don't want an arranged marriage! When the right time comes, I want to marry somebody I'm in love with. Is that too much to ask for? You married Mother for love."
"Well…" Georgia said and then paused, heat blooming on her cheeks. "I mean, your father and I married because we knew that we were meant to be."
"What your mother means is that we knew we would work well together. I knew your mother for less than a month before we were married and we had two conversations alone before our wedding day."
Cecelia could feel her jaw drop open in shock but she couldn't help herself. She had never known this about her parents; she had always believed that they had married for love. Her mother had told them stories of their father wooing her against the odds. It was disconcerting to hear the truth after all these years and it only cemented Cecelia's decision even more.
"The many arguments you had when I was a child make more sense now," she said coolly, unable to meet her mother's gaze so instead she focused on her father. "I used to feel terrible as a child that the pair of you fought so often, I thought it was because something I had done and I believed you were happier before you had us children."
"Cecelia, sweetheart, it wasn't like that," her mother said quickly, reaching out to lay her palm against her cheek. "Your father and I had to learn how to work together. And we did – successfully so. We had two beautiful children and a prosperous kingdom. Your father and I have done quite well for ourselves, despite our shaky beginnings."
"And you too will find the same success we did," JJ said with a broadening smile. "Now, I was thinking we could invite several different countries and perhaps have a tournament or hunt while they're here. Something where you are able to see what they have to offer."
"Don't forget a ball," Georgia interjected quickly. "Everyone knows of Cecelia's love for dance, and whoever she chooses will be impressed if we throw a grand ball. Perhaps even a masquerade!"
"Yes! The masquerade can be on the opening night, give Cecelia a chance to speak to her options with privacy," JJ dropped a wink in her direction.
Cecelia felt like she was going to be sick. Her parents had clearly listened to nothing that she had said and intended to marry her off anyway! It didn't matter which prince was paraded in front of her. Cecelia hardly felt like she had control of her own life. She was finally at the age where she could legally be responsible for herself. She wasn't about to disrupt any of that, not right now.
"Oh my gosh, I don't care who you bring and what sort of parties or tournaments you have," she said, her voice shaking slightly. She straightened her spine to steel her nerves before continuing. "I will not marry anyone that you present so you might as well save yourselves the money and the time! I will not wed!"
"You will do exactly what we say, just like you have done all your life," JJ said, his tone hardening into one that Cecelia felt very familiar with. "You will not argue and you will not be childish. You will smile, you will make conversation, and at the end of the week, you will pick someone to be your spouse."
"JJ –" Georgia started but fell silent at the look her husband threw her.
"Are we clear, Cecelia?" JJ pressed.
"Um," Cecelia said helplessly.
"Cecelia."
"Crystal," She said softly, the word catching in her throat.