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Chapter 2 - CHAPTER I

I looked at myself in the mirror as Alina brushed my hair. I could see a sad-looking girl with a forlorn expression and a hopeless soul. It was difficult to look at my reflection and see how unhappy I was. I looked at my reflection in the mirror, and I vowed to stay strong and not let the low life of a prince woo me like one of his whores. I was determined to not fall for any of his tricks or attempts to charm me. I would not allow my heart to be deceived, and I would keep my guard up at all times. My thoughts were suddenly interrupted by a jarring thought. Once I become his wife, he's going to bed me. I realised with an icy jolt, feeling my heart plummet in my chest. Alina looked at me with a concerned expression. "Princess?" she said quietly, her eyebrows furrowed with worry. "You're not going to leave me, Alina, right?" I looked at Alina with a pleading look in my eyes, and she smiled reassuringly. "Of course, I will not leave you, princess. I will be by your side through all of this." When I heard her words, I couldn't help but feel a wave of relief wash over me. Her steadfast loyalty and unconditional support meant the world to me.

As Alina finished brushing my hair, she helped me up from my chair and, along with another lady-in-waiting to take off my dress, to wear a new one for supper. Alina and the other lady in waiting took off my corset to change for a new one. The corset was tightly laced, and I immediately felt a sense of relief when they loosened the laces and took it off me. Now that the corset was removed, my bare bosoms were on full display. It didn't bother me that my breasts were exposed since it was something I was accustomed to as a princess. My bosoms are a blessing, as my mother often says. Many young ladies envy that I have a more pronounced chest than they do. It is a blessing to my mother, but it is a curse to me.

Alina tightens the corset on my back, and I can feel the laces being pulled hard to secure it in place. The corset is snug and constricting, causing it to bind my breasts tightly. "Too tight," I say in a whisper, and Alina loosens the corset slightly, only a fraction, so that it is not so tight. The relief is instant; a flood of sensation washes over my body, and I sigh deeply in gratitude. " better,"

The dress is light green, with a square neckline that highlights my curves and my slender neck. It is fitted to my body and accentuates my figure, showing off my curves in a subtle and graceful way. The dress is made from soft, lightweight fabric that flows effortlessly around my body, making me feel like a butterfly in the wind. The dress fits perfectly and is flattering to my figure, fitting like a glove. The maids of honour help me arrange the final touches of my outfit. They put on my heels, which are embellished with small silver beads and are the perfect height for my frame. They also placed a few accessories on my wrist, including a simple bracelet and a small ring. My hairdo is styled into a soft, elegant updo with a few loose strands that frame my face. All the elements of my outfit come together to create a beautiful whole.

I got the news this afternoon that the king and queen of Zorro had invited us to join them for supper as a celebration for the upcoming betrothal and union. King Harold II and Queen Victoria were the rulers of the Zorro kingdom, our neighbouring nation, and our closest allies. The kingdom of Zorro was a prosperous region full of natural beauty and wealth. The lands were fertile and the people were kind, and our two kingdoms shared a long history of mutual respect and friendship. Prince William was the only son of the Zorro royals, which made this event a very significant one. The union of our two kingdoms was not only important for political reasons but also because of the cultural and economic ties that were established over the years. Prince William being the sole male heir made this union even more important, as he was expected to take the throne and carry the lineage of the Zorro Kingdom. The Zorro royals may have also seen this as an opportunity to rid themselves of their troublesome son by marrying him off to me. It would be a life of misery and suffering that I could not even begin to fathom.

I tipped the small green pendant, which matched the colour of my emerald eyes, and I sank into my thoughts. I had been preparing myself all day for the coming evening, and now that the time had arrived, "You look divine, Princess," Alina said with a warm smile, her bright eyes filling with admiration. "Thank you, Alina," I said with a gracious nod, my face blushing slightly with the compliment. "Come along, princess," Alina said, leading me out of the dressing chamber and through the halls of the castle. I arrived at the front entrance with Alina by my side, and I felt my stomach tighten as we came face-to-face with my father and mother waiting for us. My sister, Sophia, stood next to them, her sweet expression filled with excitement and anticipation. The king was wearing regal attire that was suitable for the occasion, with a rich gold fabric that was embossed with detailed embroidery. His dark hair and green eyes stood out against the backdrop of his rich attire, giving him an elegant and commanding presence. mother was wearing a soft silk gown in a delicate hue and matching jewelry. Both of them looked distinguished and sophisticated. My little sister Sophia was standing next to them, looking like a little doll in a pretty dress with an innocent smile on her face. They both had bright and happy expressions on their faces as they smiled at me. I curtsied as I stood in front of them, my back straight and my eyes lowered in deference. The three of them smiled warmly at me, and I felt my heart beating faster with nervousness and anticipation. I knew that this dinner would be a pivotal moment in my life. "Get the carriage ready," the king commanded, and the servants quickly scattered to fulfil his orders. The king looked at me with a smile and nodded again, his eyes filled with pride and affection. "You look beautiful, my dear." "Thank you, Father," I said in response as I kept my head down in deference. My throat felt slightly tight, and I could feel the nerves beginning to build inside me. As the footmen finished the preparation, the carriage was brought around in front of the castle. The horse-drawn carriage was lavish, with plush, satin-lined seats and intricate silver embellishments. The carriage servant opened the doors to the carriage for us, and my father, mother, and sister stepped in first. I followed behind them and took my seat beside my sister, feeling my nerves rising as we settled ourselves into the carriage. The carriage began to move, and I sat back, watching my castle slip away as we departed for the Zorro Kingdom. The landscape from the windows of the carriage was beautiful, with rolling hills and sprawling fields of grass. I tried to take deep breaths and focus on the scenery passing by to distract myself from my growing nerves. As I was looking out the window, I felt a soft and delicate touch on my hand. I looked over and saw that it was my sister, Sophia, her small hand caressing my own. Her gentle touch was calming and soothing in the midst of my growing anxiety. "It is all right, Sophie," I said in a soothing voice, my eyes meeting her innocent and young gaze as she looked at me. She was only ten years old, and I was aware that the upcoming events must be very overwhelming for her as well.

As the carriage drew closer to the Royal Castle of Zorro, I continued to hold Sophia's hand, finding her innocent touch soothing and comforting. As we continued along in the carriage, the sky had begun to turn orange. The sun was slowly setting in the distance, and the clouds were taking on this peculiar orange hue as they caught the glow of the setting sun. The carriage came to a full stop as it was stopped right in front of the royal castle. I saw the vast and stunning building before us, its white marble facade reflecting the setting sun and its magnificent towers rising into the sky.

The footmen opened the carriage for us, helping us out, and the porter announced our arrival. "His Majesty King Richard and Queen Eleanor, along with their two daughters, Princess Anna and Princess Sophia, have arrived," he proclaimed, and I felt the eyes of the Zorro royals focused on us as we stepped out of the carriage and made our way towards the grand entrance of the castle. King Harold II and Queen Victoria were standing next to each other, looking dignified and regal in their attire. A third individual, whom I presumed was Prince William, was standing near them. Upon looking at Prince William's face, his looks struck me with a sense of awe and admiration. His dark hair was meticulously styled, his skin was clear and smooth, and his eyes were piercing and brilliant. I could easily understand why women were enchanted by his appearance, as he was truly a stunning figure to behold. However, I could not let myself be distracted by his beautiful face, for I knew that his personality was not worthy of my affection.

King Harold II smiled when he saw my father approach him, his expression full of warmth and familiarity. They were both rulers of their own kingdoms, yet they shared a profound connection and were like close friends. After greeting my father warmly, King Harold then turned his gaze towards me. I felt the weight of his gaze as he looked at me with respect and dignity. "It is a pleasure to have such a noble and beautiful princess grace our kingdom with her charming presence," King Harold said formally, speaking in a friendly yet dignified tone. As King Harold turned his focus towards my sister, he spoke to her fondly and warmly. "It is wonderful to have you with us as well, Princess Sophia." She curtseyed in response to his words.

The last person I wanted to talk to had arrived, and I was overwhelmed with a sense of dread as I saw Prince William step forward. I tried to remain calm as I looked into his eyes. "Pray, it is a pleasing sight to see you this evening, Princess Anna," he said as he kissed my hand with a charming and seductive smile on his face. His dark eyes were filled with a passionate fire as they looked directly into mine. The way he kissed my hand made my skin tingle with a mixture of disgust and disdain. I was annoyed by his flirtatious gesture and knew that he was trying to charm me with his looks and behavior. The thought of washing my hands twice later that night was definitely on my mind. "The pleasure is all mine," I said with a polite smile, trying to hide my disgust and irritation.

"My my, how your beauty has grown to be beyond compare." Queen Victoria lauded me, her eyes filling with admiration and affection as she looked at me. I could feel myself flushing a pink blush. "Just like her mother," Queen Victoria continued, her gaze turning towards my mother, who gave a smile and a nod in acknowledgement. Now that we had finished our formal greeting, King Harold II led us to the grand dining hall, which appeared to be a lavish and grand setting with its opulent chandelier, gleaming silverware, and elegantly dressed attendants. The dining hall was decked out with white linen curtains, and the walls were covered with intricate designs and beautiful artwork. It was a place of splendour and extravagance, and I could feel my nerves rising the moment I saw the scale of its luxury. The tables in the dining hall were set with lavish settings, with an elaborate centrepiece consisting of a bouquet of flowers and an enormous silver candelabra that glinted in the light. Scattered throughout the room were chairs set with linen napkins, place-setting utensils, and dishes, and the air was filled with the wafting scents of exotic spices and gourmet food. One of the castle's servants held out my chair and helped me sit down, following the same procedure as everyone else at the table. The chairs were carefully placed around the table, each one positioned according to a set of elaborate etiquette rules to ensure that everyone sat at an appropriate place. William sat directly across from me at the table, his eyes fixed firmly on mine as I settled into my position. His intense and penetrating gaze made my skin crawl.

"I am elated to see that my son has captured the heart of a sweet and beautiful princess as yourself," the King said, his words filled with a warm and affectionate tone as he smiled proudly. I was confused by King Harold's words, wondering if he was under the assumption that I was interested in his son. I wondered if my mother had indeed told them that I wanted to marry Prince William, despite my numerous protests to the opposite. "I am glad that our kingdoms have formed this powerful and lasting alliance through the union of our two noble houses," my father said, his tone warm and grateful as he expressed his gratitude to King Harold II. "Now let us begin our supper, but before we indulge in the feast, we shall say a prayer to bless the occasion," King Harold requested, and the table fell silent. The King closed his eyes, and the rest of us followed suit, bowing our heads as the King began to pray. The King finished his prayer, and the meal began.

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