CHAPTER ONE

"NO, NO. I ONLY HAD three bridesmaids, though Clarkson's mother suggested I have more. I just wanted my sisters and my best friend, who, coincidentally, I'd met during my selection." My mom said with a bright smile.

I was peeking at America and Marlee as a grin washes over my face. We had been friends since they arrived on the first day. Marlee is like the sun with her bubbly and outgoing personality but America is a force to be reckoned with. With her flaming red hair, she has a temper that can leave you crawling. She even has the guts to kneed my brother in the thigh or groin that Maxon has claimed where she has hit him. But really America is the kindest soul who has grace the palace with her presence. These girls are the only two friends I have made so far other than my maids.

"I want seven bridesmaids," Kriss said in her obnoxious voice. "I mean if Maxon chooses me and I get to have a big wedding."

"Well, I won't have bridesmaids. They're all distracting. And since it would be televised, I want all eyes on me." Celeste has a Fox-like smile on her face.

America was fuming when she watched Celeste Newsome being a bitch. It wasn't old news, she's always a bitch. I turned Celeste's wicked little grin with my own. My smile screams trouble. While hers screams bitch.

"There's a possibility Maxon isn't going to pick you, right? Keep on dreaming, Lady Celeste but you'll never become princess. It's more than pretty dresses and hosting parties. You have to actually work when you're a royal." I slumped my shoulders against the chair head.

Celeste gives me a massive eye roll but she has ignored my wit. Of course she would do that? But I didn't care. I just want to get out of this room before I scream. I hate wedding talks, it's not like I'm going to get married. But I want to marry the right guy who would love me for me. A princess can hope for the right guy to show up. He doesn't even have to be a prince.

There's a guy that has been lingering on my mind for weeks. He has dark hair and emerald green eyes. He's tall at 6'4, taller than my brother. There's something about his smile and eyes that leads me on. The boy is a new guard at the palace. My maids and I saw him from my balcony when he was training outside the gardens with the other new recruits. My maids think the recruits are hotter than the last bunch that has come to the palace. I couldn't get this new guard out of my mind. I didn't tell my family in fear Father would disapprove of my affections for a guy I never met.

"I'd want to incorporate some of my culture's traditions into my wedding," Elise added quietly. She's the sophisticated lady among the group. "Girls back in New Asia use a lot of red in their ceremonies. The groom has to bring gifts to the bride's friends to reward them for letting her marry him."

"That's interesting Elise," I muttered. "Can I get a present at your wedding someday? I would like to get one."

"Remind me to be at your wedding party. I love presents!" Kriss pipes up excitedly.

"Me too!" Marlee exclaims.

"Lady America, you've been awfully quiet," Mom said. "What do you want at your wedding?"

It caught her off guard. I couldn't help myself when I nudged her shoulder. "Just come up with anything so they can dropped the whole wedding talk bomb." I was pleading in my head that Mom wouldn't recognize that I haven't talked about my wedding yet. If she did it would leave me blushing over a guy that I have met in my dreams.

"Thanks for the boost of confidence, Lonnie. Really, I appreciate it." America mutters sarcastically before turning to my mother and the other girls. "Well, the one thing I've thought about is having my dad to give me away. You know when he takes your hand and puts it in the hand of the person you may marry? That's the only part I've ever wanted."

I soon zone out of their conversation. My eyes glistened with tears. All I ever wanted was a father who loves me. Marlee, America and all the other Selected girls have good stories about their father's whereas I cry everytime I think of mine. When I was younger, I dreamed about my wedding and how Father was going to walk me down the aisle. How he would place my hand in the hand of the boy I'm going to marry. How his eyes beam with pride of seeing me happy and in love. America is right, I wanted my father to approve of the guy I may marry. I want back all of my childhood innocence that was stolen from me

"London!" Mom scolds. I snapped my head towards her voice. "What do you want for your wedding?" Every head turned towards me, waiting for me to say something, anything about my wedding.

Thanks for that Mom

"Uh-okay," I swallowed hard. Nothing comes to mind other than the father with his daughter walking down the aisle part. "I agree with Lady America. I wanted Father or Maxon to walk me down the aisle. How happy they would be to see me finally married to the guy I loved." My face heats up in embarrassment. I'm surprised all of my worries and thoughts came out. I just utter all of that nonsense to these girls.

"Do you have anyone in mind, Princess London? Is he a very handsome prince from another country?" Kriss has a dreamy glint in her eyes. "That sounds so sentimental, I hope your father and brother approve of the prince you may marry."

It made me want to scream. Princesses never get a say on their future. No, they have no choice but to marry a prince at the end. That's not how I envisioned my love story. I imagine something that's bittersweet and forbidden that it makes me ache for something more. I want to keep the guy a secret from my parents. He wouldn't be a prince but a Eight from the streets, how he would sweep me off my feet and how we're going to run away together. He would send a kiss here and there. I want something that's real and true.

"He probably wouldn't be a prince," I grunted. "I haven't really dated before. I'm still seventeen and currently single. If my soulmate finally shows up at my door, I'll gladly want to be with him regardless if he is a prince or not."

Kriss's lips purses into a pout. "But what if he was? You can't just judge him all because he's a prince. He may prove his love to you and all you do is push him away." She turns her head towards Elise and Natalie. "She's lucky to be a princess. She'll have a bunch of princes waiting for her hand in marriage. Isn't that romantic?"

I need to leave this room before I end up slapping Kriss Ambers. She's just so ugh!!! I quickly got up from my chair as tears streamed down my face. "May I be excused, Mother?" I hedged.

"Oh of course, dear. Are you alright?" I was already running out of the door. I tripped on my hem while I was running down the hallways in tears. I almost ran-slapped into someone.

"Woah, are you alright miss?" A guard held me by my shoulders so I didn't lose my footing. His green eyes were eyeing my curves. On the left side of his uniform shirt, a shiny name tag with his name on it. It reads Officer Leger. I couldn't make out his face since he was so close that I could make out his husky breath. I think I had seen him before from the time I had looked out on my balcony with my maids. I just never catch his name.

"I'm so sorry," I said, trying not to pay attention to the intensity of his green eyes narrowing into my soul. It's like I forgot to breathe. "I should have watched where I was going but I was trying to get away from the Women's Room. God what's wrong with me? Am I boring you with my life story?"

"Boring me!?" Officer Leger asks out loud. "I think I find it funny, no what I mean is that you're funny." He let go of my arm. "Did something happen in the Women's Room?" The boy eyes my tiara. Realization of my identity flooded his mind as he soons gave me a bow. "Oh! Princess London, I didn't recognize you. Sorry about informality, a lot is on my mind."

Now it's my turn to laugh. "I guess we both have stories to tell each other." I covered my mouth with my hands to keep myself from laughing any further. "May I know your first name, Officer Leger? It's only fair since you know who I am but how am I going to remember you by your surname? And please call me Lonnie. I'll punch you if you call me by my full name again."

"Uh the name is Aspen. Aspen Leger, Princess Lonnie." He gives me one of those smiles that left my heart melting. I felt like I was on cloud nine by the way he was looking at me. "I better get back on my shift. Where can I find you when I get off duty? I want to hear more about Lonnie Schreave's embarrassing life stories."

"Oh god no, you don't want to hear anymore stories. I think you own me one?" I poked his chest playfully. I smiled widely at him, showing off my teeth. "But sure we can go to the dungeon?"

"Hold up, the dungeon? Why should we go there? It's very spooky, princess. How about one of the balconies on the fourth floor? I could get some desserts from the kitchen this evening. Have you ever seen the sunset in Angeles? It's very beautiful, you'll love the view." He was rumbling on before I hit his chest harder.

"Angeles is a beautiful province. I can tell you're not born here since you're enchanted by the sunset." That's the most romantic date ever. I see myself falling for this guy hard. I shake my head at myself, we had just met. I need to stop being so native and optimistic. Romance for a princess is a lost cause. Soon Father will have a prince for me to wed but when I stared into those green eyes I had a shot of rewriting my story. What if Aspen Leger was a match made in heaven just for me?

"The dungeon isn't so bad if you happened to live in the palace your whole life. I'll love to watch the sunset with you. It's a date than." My lips curved into a dazzling smile.

"Is it that obvious?" Aspen teases as he holds my hand in his. His touch was electrifying against my skin. He brings my palm to his lips, leaving a soft kiss on it. "Okay, I'll pick you up from your room after dinner." He drops my hand to my side. "Till next time, Your Highness?" He continues on his way down the hallway.

I was humming and skipping down the hallway towards the back stairwell, taking the farther route to my room. My smile never left my lips when I made my way towards my room. I, London Bethany Schreave, have a date tonight! An actual date with a actual guy