Chapter 1

Alcohol and heavy perfumes wafted through the thick, warm air of the room. I often found myself spacing out from the numbing smells and muffled voices that sounded through the marble walls. Listen to them having the times of their lives. With diamond watches, pearls, and blood-alcohol levels close to alcohol poisoning, how could you not be in a happy state of mind?

I took my hands and ran them along my gown to get rid of any wrinkles from sitting down for so long. It was a slightly uncomfortable dress due to the feel of the fabric, but it was beautiful none the less. Emperor Maroon always picked out the right gown for occasions such as this.

My birthday.

Every year on November 8th, Maroon throws a big birthday ball for me for everyone to enjoy. All seven royal families are invited to celebrate and wish me a happy birthday in person. As silly as it sounds, Maroon intends for it to be like a holiday for royal and civilian families all across the world. He holds me up to billions of people, people that look up to me and expect me to appear perfect at all times. They see my elegant gowns, caked makeup, good posture and simply believe that I am greater than them. I am not sure if civilians fully understand what royal life has been like for me because of the wars, and how imperfect things really are behind castle walls.

Years ago, war broke out amongst the seven kingdoms, which used to be labeled as continents. This was was over a young girl named Isabelle Rosewater, who was my great grandmother. The kings fought over her hand in marriage because, at the time, she was the only royal woman capable of bearing children. Disease spread throughout the world, making millions of families ill, including the protected royals. This specific disease happened to affect female reproduction due to the toxins that built up in the body once the illness was contracted. My great grandmother was found to be the only healthy royal woman, which caused outrage and desperation for her. The kings needed to continue the pure royal bloodline for the next generation, but could only do that through Isabelle. This war resulted in Emperor Maroon, the current Emperor's grandfather, stripping all royal women of their titles. It was then left for the current Emperor Maroon to bring back the female titles when kingdoms began to fall without female contributions.

This is where I came into the picture. When I was born eighteen years ago, Samuel Maroon held me in his arms and gifted my parents with the privilege to call their daughter Princess Taisa Rosewater. This earned me with the position as the first women to have a royal title in decades. The Emperor raised me as one of his own, teaching me how to add, read, and color within the lines. He was once a good man, I thought, but over the years, he has seemed different to me. He no longer greets me with warm hugs, or surprises me with small things which bring me joy. The only time he calls for me is if it is something urgent, yet he loves to keep his complete control over me.

"Princess?" I recognized the deep, grumbly voice.

"Yes, Samuel?" I blinked away my stare from the wall and turned to him. "You look nice," I commented while noting his grey suit. The man who stood before me was the man that everyone feared. He was the Emperor; a man of ultimate power.

"Thank you, my dear. I knew you'd look beautiful in that gown, but not this beautiful." He said while walking over to me and taking my hand to place a kiss upon it. It was a rule for every royal man to place a kiss upon my right hand if they were in the presence of me. This protocol was to show respect and gentleness towards me.

"For an old man, your taste in fashion should not be this good." I joked lightly. He quietly chuckled and sat down on the sofa across from me.

"I'm not too old." He said while leaning over, so his elbows were propped up on his thighs. Uncomfortable silence fell over us for a moment while he sat and stared, adoring me. "This is a hard day for me, Princess."

"Why? You knew this day was coming years ago. You're the one who planned it too." A weak, nervous laugh escaped my lips. I have been dreading this day from the moment he had told me about it when I turned fifteen.

"I know. I see you as a granddaughter, you know. I never got any of my own, so I like to think of you as one. I took care of you while your parents were away, conferencing with other kingdoms or just a few weeks at a time when they'd let me. You loved to play in my office and eat all of the peppermints out of the jar. Do you remember which ones were your favorite?" A genuine smile brightened his face

"The green ones." I let out shyly. Maroon held his lips together and nodded.

"Yes, the green ones." He repeated sweetly. Maroon then stood up and stepped over to me, holding out his hand. "Are you ready to go?" Frozen in place, I stared at his hand, unable to speak.

No. I'm not ready. He must have noticed my little panic and slowly knelt to my level. Maroon took both of my hands into his own and spoke once more. "I know that you must be scared, Princess, I know. Things are going to be perfectly fine. I promise." I have loved this man like family for my entire life, but for some reason, I couldn't trust his words right now. Instead of causing any possible trouble, I nodded my head.

"Alright. I love you, Taisa." Maroon said.

"I love you too." I was hoping that my words didn't seem too forced. He displayed a warm smile and placed a soft kiss on my cheek before helping me up to stand in my heels. "What is going to happen?" I ask.

"I will present you like always, and then you will say a few words to the families to make them feel welcome. Then, I will introduce you to the princes, which will give you a chance to meet all of them before I make my final decision." Maroon explained. It felt as if my stomach fell to my feet.

"You will make a decision? I don't have the right to chose my own husband?" He gave me a sad smile and shook his head. "How come I was not aware of this years ago?"

"Princess, it has been my job to lead you in the path of success since I gave you that precious crown of yours." He gently slid his fingers over the crown placed on my head. "The man that I choose will be perfect for you and your future role as a queen. He will be able to raise a respectable family that will lead his kingdom to success. And let us not forget that your first daughter will also be a princess and have the opportunity to pass her title to her daughter and so on. I know these men, and I promise that the man that I chose will be perfect for this." It can't be this way. My future cannot be in the hands of someone else. Please, not him.

"Samuel I-" I started, but was too stunned to finish my own words. I looked at him with fear in my eyes, begging him not to do this to me. "Please," I begged.

"No, Dear, I am truly sorry. My decision has already been made, and I am not changing my mind. I know this man unlike you and say with full confidence that he is the ideal man for you. Your mother and father agree with me on this as well." My blood began to boil from his words.

"My parents know before I do? This is ridiculous-"

"Taisa." He cut me off sharply. "I will not tolerate this behavior from you. I may be considered as family to you, but I am still your emperor. You will respect and obey my commands, and I command you to walk out this door with me and start the night without a single complaint."

His words were firm and harsh towards me, something I have never experienced before. I never usually have a reason to complain or whine, but I would consider this reasonable. I silently complied and took his hand that he held out for me. I savored my few last moments of freedom before we made our way out the door.