((My first REAL story! It's meant to be a little OOC. Natara is still smart, and Mal is just as dashing. Read and Review. No flames please. I'll just ignore. But I LOVE constructive criticism! (Like Other Girls will not be a part of this story, song-wise.) ))

Once upon a time, in a kingdom far, far away lived a devoted emperor. He had three beautiful daughters; Natara, Amy, and Neha. These princesses were very out-going and loved hanging around the kingdom. However, this all changed within the course of one day.

"Fetch my daughters," the old emperor instructed one servant. The loyal being nodded and hurried off. "I hope they don't get mad," the emperor whispered and his advisor shook his head.

"They wouldn't, Your Majesty. Your daughters are very respectful to everyone."

The emperor sighed sadly. "I know they're respectful," he muttered. "I just don't want them to be angry."

The three princesses were out in the garden, talking to Neha's boyfriend, Sir Johnathon. He would make outrageous remarks and the princesses would laugh giddily. They were very fond of Sir Johnathon and his best friend, Sir Ken Greene. When the servant approached the girls, Ken could tell how serious the situation was. The servant bowed clumsily.

"Princcesses...your father wishes to meet with you on a very serious matter," he said quickly. "I am sorry for anything I have interrupted."

The princesses exchanged looks and shrugged. "It's alright," Natara, the eldest, said. Her long brown hair fell onto her shoulders in a perfect stream. Her brown eyes matched both of her sisters'.

"We'll catch up with you guys later," Neha said happily. Her hair was cut shorter. It fell to her shoulders. The sun was shining off it and made her usually brown hair look golden.

"Bye," Amy called. She was the second youngest. Her black hair was cut an inch above her shoulders and ended in spikes. "Thank you again!"

The two men bowed towards the princesses and scurried off. The young girls followed the servant into their father's quaters. He was pacing around the room, muttering to his advisor who kept assuring things would be alright.

"Ah, girls," the emperor greeted at once. "You're looking lovely today!"

"Thank you, Father," the girls said in unison, and they curtsied.

"Please sit, girls. I'm afraid I have unhappy news." The emperor shooed off his advisor and servants. Once the room was completely empty, he sighed and sat in his throne. "You girls know the kingdom across the mountains, right?"

"Legacy Valley," Natara said, and her sisters nodded.

"Yes," the emperor confirmed. "Well, they have three princes around the same age as each of you. Their emperor, Master Kal, has offered a deal I could not refuse."

"Keep going," Neha urged.

"You three are traveling to Legacy and marrying the princes so we can combine forces. As you three know, the upper kingdoms are upset with our kingdom and we have word that they will declare war any day now."

"B-but Father," Neha argued. "I have a boyfriend! I can't marry! And I'm only sixteen. Amy is twenty and Natara is twenty-three. Mother would not have approved of this!"

"I know," the emperor sighed. "But if our kingdom fought alone...the outcome wouldn't be good."

"We'll do it," Natara said quietly. Her sisters glared at her and she shook her head. "We'll be protecting our kingdom and making Father happy."

"I appreciate it, Natara," their father sighed. He smiled and looked at his other daughters. "Neha? Amy?"

"I'll do it," Amy sighed. "If it'll make you happy."

"I-I guess I should do it too," Neha whispered, a single teardrop sliding down her cheek.

"I love you girls," he said quickly. "I would never do anything to hurt or upset you! But this was not my decision; it was the kingdom's."

He kissed his daughters' foreheads and sent them off; all looking extremely upset.

"Good morning, Princess Natara," the house-keeper greeted as she ran through Natara's room, cleaning.

"Hello Aunt Cathy," Natara greeted.

The curly-haired blonde housekeeper wasn't their true aunt, of course. After the queen died, the princesses had no woman to confine their secrets within. After a year of searching, they settled with the young, stout woman.

"You're being fitted for wedding dresses this afternoon with your sisters," Aunt Cathy informed. "And tonight, you'll meet the three escorts who are leading you girls into Legacy Valley. Is there anything I can do, Love?"

"You can stop the marriage," Natara said, and covered her mouth as if she had said a very dirty word.

"I-I'm sorry,?" she apologized. "I should never-ever disagree with my father's choice. Please forgive me!"

"Of course, M'Lady," Cathy said with a nod. She gave the disgruntled princess a smile. "I would expect nothing more from you or your sisters. Even your father believes this is unfair."

Natara pulled her knees up to her chest. "Aunt Cathy?"

"Yes, Princess?"

"I don't think I can do this."

"I know you can, Dear." Aunt Cathy glided over to Natara's bed and sat down. "It seems like a scary situation at first, but overall, you'll be helping your kingdom and father. Plus, you are not alone; you have your sisters."

"They only agreed because I did!"

"Maybe they did, maybe they didn't," Cathy said and looked at the picture of the late-queen. She was very beautiful; resembling Amy. She smiled like she always had.

"How do you know this?" Natara asked solemnly.

"Princess Natara," Aunt Cathy said quietly, "I just know. Always think on the positive side, Love. Like for instance, one of your escorts is a brave, handsome knight. And the other just so happens to be Sir Ken himself."

"Am I supposed to know this?" Natara asked nervously.

"I don't know, but I see no harm in knowing. Now come one, Love, let's head down to the ball room and get you fitted for a wedding dress!"