As I sit down to dinner that night my parents smile at me. It was the night before they would all arrive. The letters had been sent out two weeks ago and hotel rooms have been booked. All suitable bachelors in the country had already been done. My soulfinder just wasn't here yet.

The whole country has been looking forward to my soulfinder search, waiting to see who would be their next king to rule along side me.

I push the peas around the plate with my fork. I wasn't nervous. I was completely terrified. Terrified that my soulfinder would be horrible. Terrified that he wouldn't want to be king. Terrified that I wouldn't find him at all.

"What happens if I don't find him?" I blurt out, my eyes stay on my full plate. I hear my father grunt and my mother sigh. I look up to see an irritated look on my father's face and a sympathetic smile from my mother.

It's only now that I notice how far apart they sit. They never held hands or kissed like other soulfinders. Maybe they just did that in private...

I had never once heard them say they loved each other.

Is that what it will be like for me? No contact, only a distant relationship due to my status and his soon to be.

"You will have to marry the duke of maroon's son, Benjamin. He's a very nice man, a great leader too." My father went on to mumble about Benjamin. I had to marry a stranger if I could not find my soulfinder.

My mother saw the horror on my face and tried to fix my father's mess. "Don't worry Alice, you'll find him. Everyone on the net's list, in your age range is coming." It didn't help. All I could think was, I have to marry a stranger who I won't love.

That night I tossed and turned for hours. The plush covers would smother me and I would push them back. Then the bitter air would haunt me. In that moment I thought of the rebels. They had only ever attacked before and that was a few days before I was born. At the time we had no protector to shield us. A few people were killed but their main target was the royal family and their heir. Me.

I'd been sheltered my whole life from most of the bad things normal people had to face. Which is ironic since i'm protecting those who face someone those bad things.

I finally fall asleep but my mind stays firmly awake. I had to keep the shields up.

PAGE BREAK

The doors open and in walks a man with blonde hair and brown eyes. He looked nice...

I'd already sat through 34 interviews and none of them had been my soulfinder. I could see Benjamin shuffle in his seat. My parents had decided that if my soulfinder was not found I should have my future husband by my side to comfort me. No thank you.

I stand to greet him but he bows and grabs my hand. I awkwardly smile at him as he kisses the back of my hand.

You really don't have to do that. I sent him.

I'm sorry your highness.

Weather he was apologising for kissing my hand or not being my soulfinder I don't know. I shut the connection before he can push his way into my thoughts. At this rate I would be marrying Benjamin by breakfast. The man leaves out the door and the next comes in. This carries on for an hour till Benjamin himself slides into the seat next to me. He takes my hand. I really wish he wouldn't. There is only one guy I want to hold my hand and that's my soulfinder.

"Hey don't worry we will sit here all day till you've found him." He rubs my shoulder. I truly smile at him. Would it be that bad to have to marry him? Yes.

"Thank you, Benjamin."I wince at the thought of sitting here all day and still not finding him. Sure he's being sweet but there's something not right about him. First why is he so open to marrying me and not his soulfinder? Second who in their right mind is ok with an arranged marriage to someone they don't know? Ok so maybe its happened to people, but I will not allow it to happen to me.

The next man comes in and goes out. I will not loose hope. I bring my chin up and put a dazzling smile on as the next man comes in. He has black hair and blue eyes and wears a scowl. I sit up straighter as soon as he comes close. He carried an air of danger and my shields instantly strengthen. My smile drops as he sits down and stares blankly at me.

"Hello I'm Alice." I say stretching out my hand for him to shake. I watch his face drop in disappointment. I am that disappointing?

I break through his shields but I can feel him struggle in protest but then relax.

What's your name?

That is none of your concern.

As soon as he replies he's gone. He gets up from him seat and runs out the doors. I sit there confused. Was it something I said? No. Maybe he is on the edge of breaking as well. I'm satisfied with that answer and put it to the back of my mind.

"I'm sorry your highness but that was the last." Casper calls as he pops his head around the door. The sinking feeling weighs me down. I am destined to marry Benjamin, not my soulfinder. I just hope that he's ok and will have a good life without me.

I rise from my seat and brush off Benjamin's incoming hand of 'comfort'. I want to be alone. If I couldn't have my soulfinder, I didn't want anyone. With that I walk out the door. I will face the world like a princess should: Strong, determined and independent.

A/N: Hey guys! Don't worry she will meet her soulfinder soon. Whether it will be good or bad is undetermined yet ;)

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-S4S