"Cassandra!" My mother calls from the hallway outside my room.

"Coming Mother!" I reply.

My name is Cassandra Lynne Ambridge. I am the princess to England and my parents are Victoria and George Ambridge. I have a little brother, Eathon, he is a snob and always gets what he wants. Of course my parents don't dote over the Crown Princess of their beloved country but the Second in line.

I walk out of my room and my mother informs me that Sheldon, my boyfriend, is waiting in the gardens.

"Thank you mother." I call as I walk out of the double doors.

Sheldon Welshmannor is tall and handsome. He has magnificent black hair with lovely brown eyes. We have been friends since we were thirteen. I have had a massive crush on him since then, but I have been too shy to do anything about it. When he finally asked if I wanted to go on a date with him, I was relieved and said yes without missing a heartbeat. Now we have been dating for around a year and a half and I couldn't be happier.

"Hello, Darling," Sheldon greets.

I smile at him, "Hello Sheldon, how are you today?"

"Doing fine, shall we walk?" He motions to the gardens.

I take his arm, "We shall."

Our first date was a dinner date. We had prime rib and grilled green beans. It was magical, under the stars outside the palace. I felt like I was in a whole new world.

"The flowers look beautiful. The gardeners are doing a fantastic job this season." I gush looking at the tulips.

Sheldon looks over at me, "Not as beautiful as you."

I blush crimson, and turn away. He puts his hand on my shoulder and turns me back around.

"No flower is as beautiful as you." His eyes sparkle.

He leans down – Might I add that he is six inches taller than me – and I stand on my tip toes.

When our lips touch I feel at home. I have never had a real boyfriend before, so I was fairly new to kissing. I'm glad that I saved my first kiss for Sheldon because he is the sweetest, most adoring person in all of England.

We pull away and he strokes my cheek with his thumb.

"Your hair looks nice like this," He smiles.

"Thanks, I hoped that you would like it…" I trail off looking at the cobblestone pathway.

He kisses my forehead and I melt into his embrace.

No matter what happens during my future rule, I know that if Sheldon is by my side I will always be adored.

HORIZONTAL LINE

From the Desk of King Paolo and Queen Constantia of Brazilentina

Dearest Carolena,

Your mother and father request your presence at your convenience.

With Love

Mami y Papi

I set the paper down on my desk and stand up. I look off into the mirror at the far side of my office, in hopes to catch any stray wrinkles in my pant-suit. When I deem myself ready I walk out of the door and down the hallway. My high heels click on the marble floors, it is summer in Brazilentina so the birds are chirping outside the windows. How I long to be able to study the endangered species of the Toucan in this gorgeous weather, but alas I have other duties to attend to.

My parents are in their office when I have the nearest guard knock on the door.

"Come in," my father calls.

The guard opens the door and I step through. The vastness of the office always engulfs me at first. The dark wood and the dark green walls are overwhelming. My mom is sitting at her desk on the left side of the room and my father is at his desk on the right side. They look like judges waiting to give the verdict on a controversial case.

I sit down in the sofa in front of my mother's desk, my father can be very stern and unapproachable at times.

"You wanted to see me?" I ask timidly.

My mother looks over at my father, "Carolena, there is something that we need to tell you."

"Maria has left." My father says.

I look at them confused, "What do you mean 'left'?"

Father rubs his eyes with his index fingers, "She left to go to New India, she isn't coming back."

"Paolo, just tell her." Mother nudges.

"Tell me what?" I demand, starting to get worried. Why was Maria in New India?

Father looks at me directly in the eyes, "Carolena, you are going to be the heir."

My jaw drops, I wasn't expecting to hear this. I am the last child out of three, how is this possible.

"What about Juan?" I ask.

Mother answers, "Juan married Gabriella and they are now opening a stamp shop in the lower quadrant of the country."

"We already offered the position to him, but he refused saying that he never enjoyed the life of a prince." Father adds.

"And Maria just left the palace with no warning?" I question.

"Yes, she left a note on her pillow. She secretly has been studying to become a certified nursing assistant and she has left for New India to help with assisting the medical sectors. She will be trained to be a doctor." Father said.

"So that's it?" I say, mostly to myself, "I'm going to be queen?"

My mother's gaze softens, "Yes, but we want you to know that we will not make you ascend the throne until you are ready."

"Or until we die," my father adds.

"And there is one more thing," Mother continues.

"What?" I ask confused.

Father takes a deep breath, "Carolena, we know that you are not really the romantic type, but it is stated in the laws that in order to ascend to be the next in line, the heir must have a spouse or potential partner."

I sit straight up in my chair, "Papi! Can't you change the rules? This isn't fair!"

My mother looks at me, "It's the laws, Carolena, if we change them after all these years then the ground that your father rules on is insignificant."

I stare at the ground, "This isn't fair, You can't make me marry someone just to follow you in rule."

My father shuffles papers around on his desk, "What about that nice Nicholas fellow. He seems like a nice candidate. His father is an advisor and he is extremely intelligent."

"Papi, we aren't even that serious. You can't make him." I protest.

Father picks up his phone and dials a number, "Can you send for Nicholas Reyes? Thank you Mateo."

"Father." I groan.

Five minutes later Nicholas is escorted into the room by two guards. He sits down across from me and smiles.

Father starts speaking first, "Hello Nicholas, you are probably wondering why you are here."

Nicholas nods, "The thought did cross my mind, Your Majesty."

Father smirks pleased by his humor, "Well, this news is relatively new to us so your discretion is most appreciated. Carolena is going to be the new Queen."

Nicholas looks over at me and I nod. He turns his gaze back to my dad.

Father continues, "And the Laws of our great nation state that any potential heir must have a spouse or fiancé to ascend the throne. This is where you come in."

Nicholas looks at me again and I shrug, "I'll do it," he says.

I look at him with wide eyes, "You understand what you are getting into? Your life will never be the same."

Nicholas smiles at me, "When I met you I realized that my life would never be the same." He turn back to father, "I would be honored to help Carolena ascend and accompany her during her rule."

My father smiles, "Then it is all settled."

HORIZONTAL LINE

My maids, Fiona and Theresa, pin my hair up into immaculate curls. The light pink dress floats around my ankles and the nude heels are strapped onto my feet.

After they finish my makeup I stand up, "Thank you ladies, another perfect outfit."

They blush and Fiona says, "You're welcome, Princess Oliva."

I walk down to the front entrance where my gorgeous boyfriend, Xavier Jaciente is waiting for me. We met when we were fifteen and we hit it off instantly. I love him with all my heart and I know that he loves me. We are going on a date for our third anniversary together.

"You look absolutely beautiful, darling." Xavier smiles.

I link my arm in with his, "You're too sweet, thank you."

He chuckles, "It is easy to give out compliments when the recipient is so deserving."

We get into a car and drive to the restaurant. The doors are originally locked but the owner made sure that a waiter was waiting inside so that we would be able to eat.

Xavier pulls out the chair and I sit down, he pushes my chair in and sits on the other side.

We eat fois grois and chat about or days. You would think that we would have nothing to talk about since we see each other every day, but that is quite the opposite.

Xavier stands up and leads me to a balcony. We lean out on the railing at watch the stars. The moon is the brightest that it has ever been and all the stars twinkle like little fairy lights.

"Xavier, it's beautiful." I gush.

He look over at me and smiles, "Have I told you that you looked gorgeous."

I blush, "You've mentioned it a few times."

He leans over and kisses me on the cheek, I laugh giddily and turn to look at him.

"Your brown eyes look like chocolate." I say.

He smiles and wraps his arms around my waist, "Yours are too beautiful to for words to explain."

I put my arms around his neck, "I love your accent."

"I love you."

"I love you more." I say into his brown eyes.

He leans in and before our lips touch he stops.

"What?" I ask him when he pulls away.

He gets down on one knee and before I realize what's happening he starts talking.

"Olivia, you know that I love you, at least I hope you do. The past three years have been the best three years of my life. I don't know what I would do without you. You're the light of my life and I can't imagine being happy without you." He takes a deep breath and opens a box with a beautiful gold ring, "I know we are only eighteen but I want to spend the rest of my life with you. Will you make me the happiest man alive and spend the rest of your life with me."

I beam at my Xavier, "Of course, Xavier."

He stands up and kisses me. All the passion and love of the past three years is pushed into this moment. He pulls away and slips the ring onto my finger. His eyes glisten in the moonlight and he wipes away my tears, happy not sad.

"I love you and I can't wait to spend eternity with you" I say to my fiancé

He kisses me again, "I love you so much, words can't even express it sweetheart."

I turn and look at the stars, "The stars knew you were going to propose."

"How did they know, love?"

I turn and smile at him, "They are shinning brighter than ever before."

"That's just because of you, darling. The stars got a glimpse of you and wanted to show off, but too bad for them because your mine forever."

"That's the only way I can see myself spending forever."

HORIZONTAL LINE

My caramel hair is straightened and the front is pinned back. My yellow dress is gathered around my ankles as I sit in the chair waiting for the press conference to start. My hands shake and my breathing is ragged. This is the first time that I will be telling the country about my engagement to Andrew. Cameras have always intimidated me and I have never been a good public speaker. Sometimes I wish that my parents had another child before me so that I wouldn't have been put under so much pressure.

"Ready, Princess Isabella?" A cameraman calls from behind one of the blinding lights.

I smile and take a deep breath, "Yes, thank you."

The red light comes on and an interviewer asks the first question, "Princess Isabella, first of all I would like to congratulate you on your engagement."

"Thank you."

"So how did you find, Prince Andrew Schreave from Illea?"

"Well, Princess Emmalina and I have been friends since before we could walk. She is one of my best friends and I have no idea what I would do without her. Not only is the crown princess of Illea my best friend but my mother and Queen America also very good friends as well. On a trip to Illea I noticed Prince Andrew in a light that I have never seen him before. We hit it off instantly and it was love at first sight I'm sure of it. I truly feel like it was destiny that we met and fell in love."

"What did your parents think of the engagement?"

I laugh, "They were surprised to say the least. I think that they accepted it when they realized that it was the kind of love that they had, like fire."

"Are you worried that you are jumping into something too soon? You are only sixteen."

"The feeling that I have whenever Andrew is around is indescribable. Of course we are not going to get married tomorrow, but we both know that together is where we belong."

"Do you know when you are going to get married?"

"Andrew and I both think that we should wait until we are nineteen to have the ceremony. This is because we want the country to get used to having Andrew around and we also want time to be engaged and spend time with each other without the ocean in the way."

The interviewer laughs, "Well we have a surprise for you, Princess Isabella."

I look at the interviewer confused, "Oh that really isn't necessary."

"Prince Andrew, please come in."

I feel cool smooth hands fall over my eyes, "Guess who?"

I slap his hands away, "Andrew!"

I stand up and hug him, his arms wrap firmly around my waist. We embrace longer then what it natural but I wouldn't have it any other way.

The interviewer clears her throat and we hastily break apart. Andrew sits down next to me and grasps my hand under the table cloth.

"Prince Andrew, how do you feel about the engagement?"

Andrew smiles his thousand-watt smile, "I have never felt so sure of anything in my entire life."

"Are you nervous about becoming king of another country besides your own?"

"At first, I will admit, it was a little bit daunting but every day is getting easier. I would never trade this experience for anything. I also feel that my sister, Emmalina, will do an amazing job as Queen of Illea – better than I would do - and I am excited to have a chance to rule alongside the love of my life and my sister." Andrew says.

"Princess Isabella, are you nervous about bringing someone who doesn't know Italy's history into kingship?"

I look over at Andrew, "Not at all. Andrew is working every day to become more familiar with Italy. He is already fluent in Italian and he knows most of the history. I believe that the country will love him as much as I do."

Andrew squeezes my hand from under the table.

"Finally, what is the one thing that you are most excited for when you ascend?"

I answer first, "I am most excited about ruling the country with someone so caring and passionate."

Andrew looks over at me, "I think that I am most excited for spending my life with you, Isabella, because I know that if we love the country as much as we love each other our rule will be blissful."