"Are you ready to leave, Princess Catharaina?" My lady-in-waiting and best friend, Adalise, asked.
"Elsie, how many times have told you to just call me Raina? And yes, I am ready to leave." I laughed.
To be honest, Catharaina isn't even my first name. My full name is Analiese Catharina Penelope Bonnefoy, the princess of France. I am nineteen years old.
My brother, Francis, acquired the throne after our parents died. He was fifteen at the time. He is twenty - three now and married to a really sweet woman named Vivyanne.
My older sister, Athetine, married King Lovino, one of the kings of Italy. She never visits, unless it's for a holiday, or a diplomatic meeting. She always says she misses being here with us. I highly doubt it.
My twin sister, Carinth, reluctantly married King Ludwig of Germany. She almost never visits, though she frequently writes. She sends her letters through Pierre 6. He's one of Francis' messenger birds.
Anyways, in one of her letters, she wrote that she likes living in Germany Now, and that she loves Ludwig and he loves her. It's nice to know that she is loved.
I however, am not. I am currently being prepped for an unwanted marriage. My own, to be exact.
I am marrying King Ivan Braginsky, the king of Russia. It was forced, and Francis didn't want to risk a huge army storming France. So, I became Ivan's betrothed.
As he walked me down the aisle, Francis whispered, "I am so sorry I had to As he walked me down the aisle, Francis whispered, "I am so sorry I had to do this. I know you don't want to marry someone you don't love."
"It's alright, Francis. It's not your fault. I'd rather you not have to wage war because I didn't want to get married. I'll keep in touch, and I'll be fne. I want you to know that I don't blame you for any of this," I smiled.
"Je aime tu, my little geode."
"Je aimé tu aussi, Frère."
He hugged me and walked away, knowing that his little sister was getting married out of love for her country. He cried knowing it was a final act of love and dedication for all of those who looked up to her. And he cried, because she was leaving him.