1 Prologue

If she had to choose between having a king as her husband or a servant as her friend, she'll by far choose a servant. They're loyal and kind, and most importantly, they see them as superiors, you know, royals. Meaning they can't hurt them, they cherish and respect them, which seems to be harder for kings. Margaret Crossbourgh, the princess of Randel, believes in faithful, breathtaking, and real love, just like her loving mother once did.

Her father, the king, doesn't allow her to see the daylight as much as she had hoped to in this lifetime. A little bit of exaggeration is included but he doesn't allow his daughter to set foot outside the palace. Today, she decided to disobey her father by sneaking out of the palace, which was surely a risky thing to do since what's forbidden is forbidden.

"How graceful is the weather? A wonderful day, isn't it?" Margaret asked, running around the grass.

"Yes, it is, Princess but..." Her Court lady said, following her around.

She looked around, concerned about whether they were being watched.

"It'll be wise for us to head in now. Your Majesty won't be happy to hear about your outing."

"Indeed, we wouldn't want that, right, Rose?"

Both ran to the palace, laughing like idiots. Even though Margaret knew she was in trouble, she couldn't be happier. The day was as bright and as soothing, the most refreshing air a person could ever feel. Running in her beautiful, blue, flowered dress, just like a princess, Margaret was finally smiling. Unfortunately, she stepped on her dress and fell.

"Princess, are you okay?" She ran towards her, worrying sick. Not that bordered, the princess laughed her knock-off, not knowing why she was so happy. She couldn't stop smiling and on top of that Rose, her court lady had a bird's discharge in her hair, how could she have not noticed?

Rose gave a hand to lift the princess up from the grass. As she got up, she finally noticed the smile on the princess' face.

"What's making you smile, Princess? You just fell." Her curiosity couldn't hold her back.

"Rose?"

"Yes, Princess." Still unaware of her dirtied cherry hair. Pointing at the work of the bird, Margaret finally told her; "Your hair is a mess, a bird dropped its faeces on it."

"Oh, my-" Rose said, flustered.

Margaret still couldn't stop laughing at her friend, not taking it seriously, Rose eventually joined in on the amusement and followed the princess back to the palace. The large, wooden doors of the palace smoothly opened for them to enter. Unfortunately, on the other side, awaited the king.

"Father!" Margaret said as she curtsied.

Rose, taken aback, bowed to King George as a greeting. She glanced at her master, knowing well enough that she was in trouble. She then quickly bowed to Margaret and the King and left. The king is quite a serious, committed man. He looks intimidating to others because of his well-trimmed beard, his vicious hazel eyes, and of course the scar on his left cheek due to a fight a few years back. After his wife, Queen Lilith's death, he became sterner and less present for his daughter. Margaret had no choice but to understand his behaviour, her mother was indeed the only one holding them together, keeping them strong and happy but now it's a different storyline for the family.

"Margaret!" King George said, irritated. His expression was one of an angry man. If the guards weren't present in front of the gate, he would've done something great to make her regret ever disobeying him.

"Father!" Her hands were behind her back, trembling in fear. She knew what was going on in her father's mind, her luck was with those guards.

"Have you been outside?"

"Yes, Father. I went out for some air." Just when she felt relaxed, the king signed to the guards to leave their presence, which they respectfully did.

"I thought I made myself clear that you're not to be outside the palace."

"I heard you correctly before, Father, but I've been indoors for weeks, I just needed some air." She tried reasoning with him, making herself look innocent and vulnerable.

"It doesn't matter anymore, I wanted to talk to you about something anyway - decisions have been made, and you're to be married." With his head up high and his hands behind him, he said that phrase. He dropped the announcement on her like it meant nothing, it was as if he needed to get rid of his only daughter. Margaret's mind went blank, she couldn't think of anything else to do than scream for an explanation.

"What?" The smile on her face instantly washed off, her blood was boiling as she felt faint.

"Shall I see you in my study?" He turned his back to her and walked towards his study, expecting to hear her footsteps behind him. The guard standing in front of the study room opened it up for them. The king entered first, with his hands still crossed behind him, holding his ground. Margaret couldn't wait for a second more for him to feel comfortable in the room, his adroitness angered her even more.

"Father! What do you mean by 'I am to be married'" She promptly showed her anger as she walked towards him and stood behind the desk. The king sat on his chair, unbothered by her expression.

"You are to be married to the king of Greyland" He picked up a piece of paper and handed it to her. Margaret slowly took it from his hand and paused herself from going crazy. She began to read the letter, her acceptance letter from the man she was supposedly going to be marrying.

"What? King Francis? Certainly not, Father." She slams the letter on the desk. Her fury increased even more.

King Francis Nelson is none other than the young King of Greyland, a feared kingdom in the northeast of Greshia. The first king to be on a throne at such an age. He's what was considered a spoiled prince before he became king. His freedom was what most people said was his worst enemy. Even as the heir to his throne, he acted irresponsibly, alongside his younger brother, Prince Roger Nelson. Roger's actions were forgivable, he had no responsibilities to uphold, and his freedom was his gift as a second-born.

"You need a man to protect you, a man that has potential, a King." King George leaned back and relaxed. The princess stood in front of the desk with her hands on it, they could've been imprinted just by how she pressed down her rage.

"I unquestionably don't need a king to be protected."

"Yes, you do, Margaret. And don't you ever raise your voice at me, I'm your father." He raised his voice as well, to suppress her power.

"Then why don't you act like one?" Her voice suddenly broke in sadness. She placed her eyes on him, begging with them, for him to stop whatever he planned to do. She felt betrayed by him. The one man that was supposed to make her smile forever, made her cry. He looked at her, numb, and got up from his chair. He walked toward his daughter and tried to lay his hand on her shoulder but she propelled him away.

"No Father! I can't just marry King Francis. He's known to be the king who slays the heads of strangers on his land." She backed away from him, with a drop of a tear falling on her cheeks.

"The king won't behead you, Margaret." He calmly said. He continued to walk towards her but couldn't reach her.

"But -"

"- You're marrying the King of Greyland and it's final." He interrupted. He stopped trying to confront her and walked back to his seat.

"What's most important, Father? Me, your only daughter, the only Princess of Randel, or your pride."

"Oh, darling! Pride had nothing to do with this, It's my land that's most important, and with you getting engaged to the King of Greyland is the alliance that our country needs. You are marrying the King, alright?"

She had no say in this whatsoever, she had to be papa's little princess, and she had to marry King Francis, for the sake of her realm. What more could she have said to defend herself? A lady has no say in the way her life should be, at least, not from where she's coming from. She has no decisions to make, she follows what's spread out for her and that's the only thing she controls. The positive side of this engagement is that she can be queen, even if it's not by choice.

"Fine, I'll marry the king, but you have to promise me something, Father." She exhaled heavily and approached the king.

"I'm promising you nothing, Margaret. But I'll see what I can do. Tell me, what is it?" He sat back on his chair, ready to say anything just to make her marry.

"Come on Father, just promise. No matter what I'm about to ask, just promise me you'll do it."

If she was to marry the king, he had to promise her that she'll still be the legitimate heiress to the throne in Randel. She was born here, she grew up here, this is her home and not even an engagement will change that for her. Greyland already has their chef, a young one to be precise, again. Her father is no younger and she's the only royal blood to be capable of sitting on the throne after him.

Randel was once a remarkable realm, filled with happy faces and warriors. The late queen, Leilani Drew-Crossburgh, was loved, cherished, and respected. She led the kingdom with King George better than the throned ones before them. That's why Margaret planned on following in her footsteps to lead Randel to a better future.

"You are scheduled to leave for Greyland in a few days, now prepare yourself to be a wife and a queen." The King got up and held her shoulders in his wide hands, slowly pulling her towards the door.

She slightly curtsied and left the study. The loud noise of the door shutting pressured her even more but she still went ahead to exhale again, keeping herself sane. She walked to her room and fell on the bed, tired of all of the insanity. One moment, she was roaming and turning around the garden happily and the other she was now espoused to the most uncanny king.

"Princess, is it true?" Rose rushed into the princess' room and sat next to her on the bed.

"What's supposed to be true, Rose?"

"You're engaged to King Francis," Rose said, with an excited voice. Even though it was a sudden upcoming event, she was happy for her master. Margaret got up and sat next to Rose.

"Oh, dear! When you say it, it feels too real." She began to feel anxious about the situation. It just hit her that she'll be out of Randel in no time.

"So, it's true? Princess! - Well, then I wish you the best." Rose dismissed her position in the palace and took the princess in her arms. She hugged her tightly with all the best wishes she could give.

"You'll be coming with me to Greyland in a few days. I'll need you there with me. All the time." She said, holding Rose's hands that were placed on her lap.

"In a few days? Isn't that too - early? Is the princess testy to see your Majesty?" Rose comfortably took the lead and held the princess' hands in return.

"I'm not impatient to meet the king, my father decided so. Who am I to say otherwise?"

Margaret unlinked their hands and got up from the bed. She walked towards the mirror a few feet away and stood in front of it, looking at herself. She held her belly, trying to relax. "Sure, Princess. I'll be getting your things ready and packed for you in no time, you have no worries to show."

Rose and Margaret have one of the greatest relationships, she may be working for the princess as her court lady but she's more than just a maid. She's a friend, and a really good one, with all honesty. Rose is a year older than Margaret, she was assigned to her a few years back after her parents deceased. The king and his wife once visited the village and saw this poor little girl trying to fend for herself on the streets. The queen consort, with her kind heart, approached the young lady and took her in. Margaret was at that time, sixteen. At first, it was complicated for them to work together since they were practically the same age. Eventually, they became who they are today for each other. A princess and her court lady with on the side, friendship.

"Rose?" Margaret said, realizing what was going on. Rose lifted herself up from the bed and joined the princess in front of the mirror.

"Yes, Princess?"

"I'm - Engaged!" She said, squeezing the right side of her dress with her left hand.