Queen Channary sat adorning herself with jewels and admiring her reflection in the mirror. Suddenly, the door to her chambers was flung open with such force, that she jumped out of her seat. In flew her only child Princess Selene. On her face was such rage as Queen Channary had never before witnessed. "Mother! How dare you! Engage me to someone I don't even know! I have never even heard of this so called Prince Kai!" " Dear it is for your own good, trust me mother knows best,"
"No it is not for my good! You never married! Why am I not allowed the same privilege?"
"You are correct it is not for your good it is for the good of our, your, people," Channary knew her daughter had a weakness for politics and would go to great lengths for her people. Selene scowled. Her mother knew how to fight her battles. "I still don't think it is necessary," she muttered as she stalked out of the queen's chambers. "Why must I do this? I will do anything else for my country, but love is something I MUST find in my own time." thought Selene with a sigh. "Selene!" She turned sharply as Lady Winter rushed towards her with a grin on her beautiful face. "You,your mother, Levana, and I are to go on a peace trip to earth in two weeks!"
"I am going to earth?"
"Yes isn't it exciting!"
"Where on earth?"
"Eastern Commonwealth to meet the king and prince!"
"Oh great! I get to meet the guy I'm going to spend the rest of my life with in two weeks. Next thing you know mother will have me stay until the wedding!"
Winter gazed at her quizzically, "What do you mean?"
"I am engaged to Crown Prince Kai of Eastern Commonwealth,"
"Oh,"
"Yeah,"
"Well it can't be that bad can it?"
"Winter Hayle-Blackburn! How can you say such a thing! I want exactly what you have with Jacin with whomever I love. That will not happen with someone I meet in two weeks and be married to in six months!" Selene exclaimed passionately.
"Dear Selene, no love is the same. You could end up loving the prince, just not how you would have preferred. You won't truly know until you meet and become accustomed to the crown prince. Just wait it out, for Luna and for yourself."
"Alright,but I'm not promising anything." Selene replied wearily.
"Princess! There you are!" a bossy voice exclaimed.
"Oh brother!" Selene muttered.
"I shall presume someone has told you of your mother's plan in two weeks time?" sniffed her lady in waiting Lady Arina, looking disdainfully at Lady Winter.
"Yes," Selene replied with as much disdain as she could muster.
"Well we must begin preparations immediately,"
"No,"
"No!? What in the stars above do you mean child?" the lady cried in distress.
"You will not be making any preparations, no, Lady Winter will see to it I am properly prepared,"
"Oh! You insolent, conniving, little wretch!You terr..." here she was interrupted by Lady Winter, "I would not say such things to a future queen of Luna my Lady, you may find yourself banished to the outer sectors." Winter spoke with a fake sweetness. Lady Arina harrumphed and exited the room with all the dignity she had left. "Thanks Winter, I don't know what I would do without you," Selene smiled.
"And I you," was her reply.
"Well I suppose I should ready myself for another fancy dinner with the Royal Court." Selene sighed.
"Have fun!" Winter cried as she scurried off to find Jacin. Selene wondered what the prince was thinking of the engagement or if he even knew. She herself had overheard ladies of the court gossiping about the beneficial match. She often wished she had not been born a princess but a Lady like Winter. No important meetings, no fancy balls in your honor, but no say in your government or the welfare of your people. Fate had made HER the princess of Luna and Selene was determined to be the best queen in the history of Luna. Fortunately, that wasn't going to be very difficult.