Hey guys! So here is the new and improved chapter one of this story! I hope you all like it as much as I do!


Marlee

"Your Highness, you have a very busy schedule today. First there is your science lesson, your math lesson, and your geography lesson. Then we must leave for your speech at the historical society and the tea party, then from there we must rush- and I mean rush- back to castle for your royal fitting, and-" my adviser tells me as I walk up the grand staircase.

"Thank you, Silvia," I says to her.

"But- Of course, your highness." Silvia then hurries off to fulfill some other duties. As I make my way to my lessons I sigh. I secretly wish for some freedom sometimes. While most girls my age were worrying about their schoolwork or were going out with their friends to do who-knows-what, I was stuck in the palace worrying about trade agreements and writing speeches. I didn't have friends to go out with or free time to spare. Of course, I wouldn't trade being a princess for anything in the world, but I am tired of constantly having things to do and places to be.

It also seemed as if my life wasn't really mine after all. I was always having decisions made for me. Even the big decisions like marriage and children weren't mine to make. I'd always thought that those were the most important ones that you got to make when it was time. Who I married and if and when I had children was already decided. I was being forced to marry king Maxon of Illéa because our country had recently gone bankrupt. He would take me as his queen and I would bear his children, all so that my country could survive. I don't even get to rule the country that I was raised thinking I would be queen of. That job would be taken over by my younger sister.

The only person I truly wanted to marry was my tutor, Carter. I had known him for four years versus the none that I had known King Maxon. I loved him and he loved me. For so long I had dreamed of marrying him when we were of age. Sadly though, that was when Odosite wasn't in serious debt. Before the mines became empty. Before my mother sought a solution, King Maxon. Most saw Carter as nothing special, but to me he was a diamond in the rough. To be more precise, my diamond in the rough. I had never actually spoken to my mother about how fond I was of him but before I had the chance, my fate was sealed.

I am broken from my thoughts when a maid comes up to me right before I am about to enter my room.

"Your highness," she says handing me an intricately wrapped box, "another engagement gift."

"Oh! Thank-you," I say before opening my door to my room and shutting it fast. I immediately feel sorry for slamming the door in the maids face but when I open the door again to apologize she is already gone. I set the box down with all the other gifts in the corner and flop down onto my bed.

"Hard morning?" a voice says.

"Oh!" I say clutching my chest. I turn around to find Carter sitting in a chair, smiling. "You scared me. I didn't even notice you." I get up and walk over to him.

"I-" he tries saying before I cut him off by planting a kiss on his lips. I crawl into his lap and run my fingers through his hair. He returns my affection and kisses me passionately. After what seems like minutes of kissing, Carter pulls away and looks into my eyes. There is so much love in them. He adores me with every bone in his body, but he is afraid to give me all of it. I don't want him to be scared though. What we have been doing isn't wrong. At least, it wasn't until I found out about my mother's agreement. I had tried so hard to break it off with Carter, but I couldn't bring myself to do it. I loved him too much.

"Marlee, you know that we shouldn't be doing this. You are engaged to King Maxon," Carter quietly says, looking down at the floor. I lift up his chin so that he is looking right at me. Then, I slowly get off of his lap and stand up. I grab his hand and walk him over to my bed where I sit down of the edge with him.

"Carter, I tried to break what we had off when I found out, But you know what? I couldn't bring myself to do it. I couldn't stand the thought of being without you. I can not marry a man I do not even know. I have so many fears. I worry that the king will try to...take advantage of me...or possible hurt me. I worry that I am not doing what's right for the people. I think it might kill me to live without you."

"But, Marlee, there is no need to be afraid. You will meet King Maxon once before the wedding. If I get a bad vibe from him, I wouldn't let him put a finger on you. I would be sure to alert your mother, no matter what the consequences. And in time, you will learn to live without me. I hate every thought of you being in another man's arms and having another man's children, but I always knew our different roles in this world would lead us on separate paths. He's a king, I'm a tutor, a commoner. I have nothing to offer this country."

"Carter! How could you say that? I don't care what you have to offer the country! What about what you have to offer me? If we were married, you would be a prince! And how do you expect me to forget you? Four years. Four years worth of love. Even if I come to like Maxon, it will never be the same as what me and you have! Years, versus one day." I say sternly.

"Marlee, I think I am going to go. No need for lessons today. Just read over the last section we talked about," he says blankly before getting up and walking to the door.

"Carter, wait!" I yell, but it's too late. When I run over to the door, he is already gone. Finally, I can't hold the tears back any longer. I slam my door behind me and collapse in a heap on the floor, sobbing.


Stay tuned!

~Bookluver193