1 [ O N E ]

[Present Day]

[Westminster Abbey, London, United Kingdom]

A beautiful woman sat in front of the vanity mirror with a sorrowful expression on her face. Today is her wedding. Whilst people are busy perfecting everything and were beyond ecstatic for the pair, the bridegroom's and bride's forlorn faces said otherwise. It is, after all, an arranged marriage they both loathed.

Her head turned to the large wooden door when someone knocked on it softly. She sighed. This wouldn't have happened if it weren't for that fateful day.

[One month ago]

[Buckingham Palace, London]

Daphne Lyttelton silently walked on the principal corridor of the Buckingham Palace as she gripped the hem of her simple yet elegant salmon-pink dress nervously. She looked at her golden wristwatch and was horrified when she realized it was already half past nine in the morning. She's thirty minutes late. God, what will I do now? Father will surely disown me now.

She looked around her whilst mentally scolding herself for being bad in directions. Few palace servants happened to pass by awhile ago whilst she was navigating the corridor but shyness overcame her so she just smiled at them and walk off. She was still busy scolding herself when she heard someone speaking on the furthest room, one door away from where she's currently standing. The door was slightly ajar so she tiptoed carefully. Surely there's no ghost in there, right?

She opened the door quietly and started investigating the room. It was a large library with thousands of books. The light from the enormous tinted glass window is not enough and gives off a dark and sinister ambiance on the place but she still keeps on walking. She stopped when she saw two handsome lads talking whilst holding each other's hands. The lad from the left has curly, dirty-blond hair and the other lad has dark brown hair. Weird. Are they in a relationship or something? Their voices were faint now but audible nonetheless.

❝I love you Albert and I don't want to keep our relationship as a secret anymore.❞ The young lad with dirty-blond hair spoke whilst looking dejected.

❝Philip, what you are saying right now is utterly impossible! I love you so much but telling it to the world will not just ruin your life but the royal family as well.❞ The dark brown haired lad spoke with sadness apparent on his voice. Philip? That young lad is Prince Philip and h-he's gay?

Daphne gasp and her eyes widened in disbelief when she realized who they are but it was a big mistake on her part because the two lads turned their heads on her direction.

❝Who are you?! What are you doing here?!❞ The lad with dirty-blond hair cried out in surprise. ❝Speak now or you shall be punished!❞ He continued with a commanding voice. Daphne, however, did not listen. She hastily turned on her heel and ran like a frightened rabbit.

O God, I'm dead! She opened the door with urgency and continued running without looking back. Her five-inch pair of stilettos, however, hindered her from running much faster so a few seconds later, the exasperated prince was able to grab her left arm and drag her towards him. Their bodies collided painfully and they fell on the ground with a loud thud.

Daphne felt something warm touching her lips, then, she heard the rustling sound of nearing footsteps and people chattering but a few seconds later she heard them gasps. What is happening?

Prince Philip groaned painfully before opening his eyes. A pair of enthralling blue eyes stared at him and that's when he realized their lips were touching unintentionally. They both hastily stood up.

❝What is the meaning of this?❞ Queen Charlotte cried out in disbelief. Philip and Daphne turned their heads to the Queen simultaneously. Their jaw hanged open and their eyes widened. A camera was focused on their direction, recording everything.

❝Aunt. Your Majesty, it's just a mistake. Please listen to me first.❞ The disheveled prince approached his aunt whilst pleading but the Queen stop him with her hand and turned her head to the valet.

❝Andrew, escort the guests to the dining hall.❞ She then looked at the guest and offered them an apologetic smile on her face. "No one must know about what you saw." The group nodded nervously.

❝Please follow me, ladies and gentlemen.❞ The valet spoke with a stoic expression on his face. They followed him reluctantly but did not dare utter a single word. Surely it was just a dream.

❝Follow me in my office.❞ The Queen spoke sternly without looking at them. Daphne followed her whilst looking at the ground. How could you be so foolish, Daphne?! You shouldn't have entered that cursed room! She mentally scolded herself once more whilst her grip on the hem of her dress tightened. She looked behind her and was horrified when she met Philip's piercing gaze. I'm dead.