Chapter One

It was the darkest hour of the twenty-seventh of December, two days before the Coronation of the royal prince. Heavy rains flooded the streets and knocked down the roofs of sundry houses. The lightening spilt up the trees which fell to the ground, collapsing on the well-built structures of the kingdom. An old oak tree was defeated by a furious puff. The wind howled in disapproval as it blew over the kingdom of Cassiopesia. Raphael was not worthy of ruling the people of this beautiful town.

The men and women of Cassiopesia knew it, the angels from above knew it, and so did the wind and rain gods, but the King was blinded by his desire to have his only male heir continue his legacy, when deep down even he understood that his son was not entitled to be given this position.

Amidst the violent storm, Asteria couldn't help but feel disquiet as she lay in her velvet covers of her bed, apprehensive of what was next. She knew once her brother was crowned the King, her parents would start searching a suitable match for her, and when they would have found a well-groomed prince from an honorable family, who was set to take over the throne of his Kingdom, they would have her married and sent to be the perfect Lady of the Royalty.

She was never pleased by the idea of marriage, especially when she was aware of what all came with it. She didn't want to have eleven maidens, or spend her afternoons having tea with members from the nobility. Choosing the right design to be embroidered on her gown or setting up a fancy ball was not in her list of ideal things she would want to do in her day. These were all routines she saw around her, and since she a little girl, she knew this was not how she was going to live.

For as long as she could remember, she spent her life being bounded by the responsibilities that came with being the eldest daughter of the powerful royal family. She always had to follow what her step mother wanted from her, and her father never stood up for his daughter because he couldn't dare to go against the decisions of his wife.

Asteria felt incomplete ever since her mother had died. But now, she had a raging desire to take charge of herself and to live her life with contentment.

This palace was not her home. This glamour was not a part of her. She needed to take control over her own life to attain fulfilment. She had only one door that would set her free, to fulfil her longing desire.