Rejected

An eighteen year old Alexia was leisurely walking around the palace. A maid walked up to her and said" Her Majesty is awaiting you in her chambers".

Alexia groaned in her head. They were going to be having marriage talks again. She told her mother time and again that there was someone she liked but her willful mother never listened. She resisted the urge to turn back and walked to her mother's chamber. She was pouring tea into two cups when she arrived.

"Morning mother" she greeted hoping the conversation would end quickly.

Her mother seemed more or less bothered with her and replied nonchanlantly "Morning. How are you doing?"

Alexia sighed" Mother I know what you want to say. I don't want to get married. I have someone I like" she hoped her mother would listen this time. She was tired of having arguments over the same matter. No one would know that she was her step mother because she cared for her like a mother would. Her father told her that her mother made him promise to get married again but she loved her step mother nontheless .

Her mother's expression became stern" You mean Prince James? Tell me one time he has ever acknowledged you. You keep chasing him but he just seems to enjoy the thrill of having a young beautiful lady at his beck and call"

"Mom" she burst out. She tried to calm her emotions when she thought with reason. She couldn't ignore the fact that her mother was right.

"Okay mom, if it does not work out, I will marry whoever you want me to marry" she had no choice. She couldn't waste her entire life holding unto unrequited love.

There was a light knock on the door. Alexia glanced at her mother before she said" come in"

The maid bowed respectfully" Your highnesses, His Highness Prince James is in the throne room" the maid bowed again and then left.

Alexia turned to her mother" Mom, I have to go" she curtsied and left.

Alexia took steady steps to the throne room. When she was finally at the entrance, she waited for her presence to be announced before stepping in gracefully. She walked towards her father with her head held high " Your Majesty, your Highness"

Her father nodded and turned to prince James "I would leave you two to each other"

Alexia was excited. Her father knew her so well. He was the best. She waited for him to walk out of the throne room before turning her attention back to Prince James.

" My mother is pressuring me for marriage. You told me to wait a view days for your reply so what is it going to be?" she asked eagerly

Prince James looked reluctant to reply "Alexia" he breathed out " I am going to get married soon. I have a fiance".

Alexia's world spun before her very eyes. She wished that her ears were playing a prank on her but reality hit her hard. She felt heartbroken but she smiled and said "Oh that's nice. I wish you the best of luck. If his Highness doesn't mind, I will take my leave".

She walked back to her chambers disheartened. She didn't even know how she made it there. She locked the door and cried till she felt a little bit better. She tried to sort her emotions out. It was probably for the best. A light knock sounded on her her door. She checked herself in the mirror before going to open the door. Her mother was standing there looking worried. She knew she had to make a decision now. At least her mother wouldn't be so worried about her future.

She smiled" Mom, I am ready to get married. Who is the person I am getting married to?". The queen was worried about her daughter but she knew she had to make the right choices at the right time.

"His name is Prince Ivan. You guys are getting married after two years. He's going for a mission and then battle right after that".

Alexia held her bitterness in " Alright then. I want to have a little rest. When it's time for my training, I shall immediately come down". Nowadays, princesses were taught to fight. Her father had said she needed it to protect herself in certain circumstances.

Her mother nodded in understanding "I shall take my leave then".

Alexia fell back on the bed. She started thinking about her future husband. She only heard of Prince Ivan once or twice. How exactly was he like?