Chapter 1

The Luxembourg monarchy was very different from other monarchies around the world. To begin with, the head and most important part of the monarchy was the queen, not the king. Queens had ultimate power and authority over the country, and it was by default the daughters who succeeded them that were given the power of the throne. However, this was not the only distinguishing feature of the royal family. The other and most important difference was that the heirs to the throne were not appointed from birth by date or direct lineage, but rather the next heir would be chosen based on the aspirant's own merits. Aspirants to the crown had to be worthy of said crown. Being educated, intelligent, noble, and compassionate. As well as having a deep, and sincere interest in the betterment of the people of the whole country.

Liana was only 18 years old when her grandmother designated her as the next heir. At her young age, the young princess had demonstrated all the qualities worthy of a queen, and while the succession was taking place, the young princess would continue to prepare herself at university to acquire even more knowledge about the proper administration of the kingdom.

However, due to Luxembourg's small size, and the fact that it was beginning to open its way in the international system, its relationship with other kingdoms was rather scarce; therefore, it was imperative to form a strategic alliance with a neighboring country and boost Luxembourg's growth and openness to the entire continent.

Unfortunately for Liana, this meant a future marriage to another monarch. Even though such an event would not take place until a couple of years later, it was such an upsetting situation that it made her want to renounce her family's royal design and the crown, but of course, this did not happen.

Liana:

"Liana Elizabeth Harris, you have exactly 1 minute to come out of that wardrobe fully dressed or you are going to meet your angry mother." my mother said loudly, and it was really noticeable the anger in her voice, and maybe that was the only reason I came out of hiding at that moment.

"It's very easy for you to say, mother. You are not the one who is going to be presented to a bunch of strangers as the top prize in an auction," I said, looking her in the eye with the best puppy face I could do to appeal to her pity, "It is an absurdity to find me a husband for convenience. Even though we are still a monarchy, I seem to have to remind my dear family that we are indeed in the 21st century," I said as I rolled my eyes at her tired of repeating my words over and over again.

"You are impossible, young lady. I thought that after taking classes in international relations as you wanted, you would realize why this wedding is so important for the country. It's not just marriage, love. It's the creation of new political and commercial ties with the world. You, of all people, should know that. and in the very end, you are not even getting married yet". She said. My mother looked tremendously angry, and I don't think I've heard her speak so sternly to me since I was a little girl and accidentally broke one of my grandmother's vases playing with Leo. "You're my little baby, Ellie, but right now I want to drag you out of this room, come on down," she finished.

"All right, I'll finish my make-up in a minute and come downstairs."

"Promise?" She asked.

"I promise, ma. You can go downstairs; I'll be there in 5 minutes."

I looked through the mirror as my mother smiled at me and said I love you before she left. I didn't feel like going downstairs to see all the rich and pretentious people I knew must be in the lobby, but it was my obligation. In the best mood I could manage to get in, I finished my make-up simply: blush, a little lipstick, and mascara. I adjusted my outfit which consisted of a white blazer and trousers with a beautiful pastel pink blouse, my white platforms, my hair perfectly braided to one side and I got ready to go downstairs.

The meeting consisted of the presentation of possible future spouses and candidates for the business deal my mother was looking for. Luxembourg had made a name for itself on the continent because of the high quality of its agricultural products, especially berries and flowers; and although there were many heirs from different countries in the room, my older brother and my mother had made it clear that it was more for political reasons than because they were really candidates to take the place of the king of Luxembourg.

After the meeting had gone on for a while and I had greeted and introduced myself to about 30 people, I was in the middle of a circle of foreign heirs observing and analyzing the people in the room when I felt someone put their hand on my shoulder. I turned around and saw the three men in front of me looking at me attentively. I had been lost in my thoughts and didn't hear their question.

"Excuse me, could you repeat your question, I don't think I heard very well," I said politely and with an apologetic smile to the man in front of me.

"What do you think about the possibilities of moving mining to the outlying fields of Luxembourg, it is an area with a lot of crude oil, it could boost your country's economy quickly and open you up to the world as you wish." replied the man I then acknowledged as the nephew of the Queen of Scots.

"Well... to be hon-". -I began. "I don't consider this kind of subject to be a matter of discussion for the Queen figure, her role will be more one of protocol than anything else," I was interrupted by an older blond man who continued, "If you want to talk about issues such as the country's economy you will probably have to wait until the new King takes place, Sir Nicholas, the role of queens is purely a matter of protocol. A simple matter of etiquette." the man finished.

To say that I was astonished by his audacity was an understatement, this man knew nothing about my country's history and had zero respect for the ultimate authority figure of it, who happens to be my mother, and also had the audacity of referring disparagingly to her.

"I am sorry to correct you, Sir William, but it seems to me that the question was addressed to me, and therefore it is for me to answer it," I began. "However, before answering it, I would like to correct you. I don't know how things work in your country, but here the queen is the highest authority. In fact, the decorative role in this kingdom goes to the men, not the other way around. And to answer your question, Sir Nicholas, there is no possibility of the outlying fields of Luxembourg being used to exploit oil, it is an agricultural area and we Luxembourgers greatly value the countryside and the environment. To think of damaging it in such a way is an offense to our values. Now then, if that answers your question I must leave, gentlemen, with your permission." I gave a little bow and left with my pride as high as ever after putting the German idiot in his place.

As I walked through the lobby looking for my sister Eloise and my mother, I found my brother standing next to a young man with black hair and deep brown eyes that I knew very well. Tonight, he was wearing an all-black suit with a pair of gold cufflinks on the sleeves. Gold for sure. I thought as I approached them.

"Gentlemen," I greeted with a little bow.

"Ellie, I suppose you remember Sir Lucas Frederick Darcy, Duke of Sussex and my abroad school friend, he used to come here often when you were younger," my brother muttered, looking between me and the young man in front of me.

"Darcy? Like Fitzwilliam Darcy? I joked to lighten the mood, of course, I remembered the man. I'd had a giant crush on him since I was 14 years old.

"A little, though I consider myself less proud than Austen's protagonist. As romantic as the man himself, though," the jet-haired man replied, smiling and placing a kiss on the back of my hand.

"A bit exaggerated the kiss, don't you think, Sir Lucas? Darcy would be ashamed of you being so soft; his style was a little more of avoiding the weddings of his beloved's sisters and calling her too plain to attract her attention." I replied holding back my smile while keeping my eyes on his striking eyes, he was a rather amusing and much more polite man compared to all the others I had to see throughout this meeting.

"Alright nerds, since you both feel comfortable, I think I can leave you to talk," interrupted my brother. We both turned to look at him holding back our laughter, Leonard was not a big fan of classic literature, and the fact that during my teenage years I made him watch the Pride and Prejudice movie at least 300 times contributed much more to his hatred. "I'll go get mother, Ellie. Lucas will keep you company, besides I heard what Sir William said, we'll talk about it later," he left a kiss on my forehead and left.

"I must start by saying that there is nothing left of the 14-year-old girl you were when I used to come to your house, Lia. It's good to see you again," Lucas said, looking me in the eye. "Plus, I'm a little proud that you stood up to the German asshole for putting you down like that."

The sly smile and relaxed pose made me see him as the young man who had once caught my eye as a teenager, we never spoke much back then but this seemed like a good time to become friends.

"I, however, must say that you look quite similar to my youthful memories. It's good to see you again too, it's been a while. Oh, and thanks for the compliment, I'm still the same old character even if I don't appear it," I replied.

"I can see that, would you like to go for a walk in the garden, these people are starting to bore me." Lucas extended his arm towards me and I took it, leading us to the outskirts of the castle, his company seemed better at the moment than those nobles.

"Sure, let's go."

Lucas and I walked in silence along the garden for a while until we reached the fountain in the center. The area around the fountain was full of red and white roses, and a lilac vine that my mother had put up hovered over the archway behind the fountain, the view of the place with the strawberry fields behind it was just wonderful.

This automatically unlocked a memory in me of the same scene 2 years ago with a teenage me crying in the fountain on the day of my brother's graduation. Of course, I wasn't crying because of this but because my crush was going back to his country and I wouldn't be able to see him again.

"Do you remember the last time we were here? you were crying because you had done badly in your English history exam and I offered to be your tutor for your classes," Lucas muttered, looking towards the fountain. "You were quite young back then, and yet you don't seem to have changed much since that day," he finished.

"I do remember. You keep saying I was quite young but I was almost an adult at the time. It seems like you're always going to see me as Leo's little sister." I replied quietly more to myself but I knew I had heard, my mood dropped for a moment but I pulled myself together, I didn't want to make the atmosphere weird. "You seem to forget that I used to beat you every time we practiced Taekwondo, you shouldn't underestimate me again, Darcy," I said a little louder and more confidently, turning to face him.

When I turned around, I found him staring at me, in that same enigmatic way that I always noticed but never dared to ask the reason why he did it, and it seemed that this time would be no exception; his gaze conveyed something indecipherable and when I thought he would say something more about that day he averted his gaze to the fountain.

"You still have no respect for older people, princess. - he said, his gaze fixed on the crystal-clear water. "I think we can talk about something better. Tell me about yourself, what have you been up to lately? have any of the men in there caught your eye? did you find the perfect husband candidate?" he continued, now looking at me mockingly.

"As if there was one of those men in there who was really worth it. Most of them are as macho and backward as the German Viscount. I doubt very much if I could find anything that would get my attention enough," I laughed as I spoke, remembering all the stupid things I had heard from men trying to impress me.

"I had been offered everything from ancient jewels to a "position better than that of the Queen of Luxembourg". Imagine a man of lower rank telling you that he can give you something better, socially and economically speaking, than being the queen of your own country.

"Most of these men want me to take the place of a trophy wife. I didn't study until I burned my eyelashes the last three years of school to get away from the problems of my country and my people, Darcy. The prince of Belarus dared to tell me that if I married him, I couldn't work, just stay at home and raise the children. What a fucking world they live in," I complained aloud.

Lucas watched me attentively as I laughed at everything, I told him and interjected occasionally, it felt truly refreshing to talk to someone without masks on. Lucas had this quality of making me feel safe and comfortable with being myself, like talking to your best friend knowing he would never judge you.

"Recognize that it takes a lot of nerve to tell a princess something like that. Admit that they have guts at least," the duke mocked.

"I recognize the stupidity that seems to characterize the male gender since its inception, and the daring that goes with it, Sir Duke," I remarked with the intention of stinging him in his pride.

"It seems to me, Princess, that you have not met a real gentleman, I assure you that we are not at all like that," he replied, accentuating the attractive English accent that characterized him while smiling proudly.

I laughed out loud at his statement, and, at some point, he joined in the laughter by conversing foolishly in that ancient and demure way, that is until we heard our names being called by my elder sister Eloise who appeared on the path leading to the castle entrance with a worried look on her face.

"Ellie, I've been looking for you for hours, the guests have started to leave and you need to be present to see them off, remember they are here for you after all," said my sister in a stern voice, scolding me. "And you, Lucas, Leo is also looking for you, he says they need to talk about the reason you came. "Let's go, young men, we don't have all night. "

Eloise started to walk and Lucas and I followed her in silence. We reached the entrance to the lobby where Lucas bowed and left, but not before promising to continue our conversation tomorrow at breakfast.

"I thought that after two years of not seeing each other your feelings would disappear," my sister murmured, smiling, and only then did I snap out of my daze.

"What did you say," I replied absentmindedly.

"Nothing, Ellie, we'll talk about it later. Let's go, the guests are waiting," she replied, entering the lobby where the assembled nobles were preparing to leave.

I pushed my way through the crowd and tried to dismiss everyone politely and quickly so I could go to my room. My mind kept going back to the moment of the fountain and Eloise's words over and over again. Until today I thought I was the only one with feelings for each other, what was the real possibility that Lucas had feelings for me too?

I went to my room after I finished saying goodbye to the guests and I saw Lucas and my brother at the end of the hallway entering one of the guest rooms talking and laughing with each other. If what Eloise said was true, maybe I wouldn't have to marry for convenience, there was a real possibility of marrying the man who had been my crush since I was younger.

These thoughts occupied my mind the whole time as I prepared for sleep. Having gone hours without looking at my phone, I took it to create a reminder to talk to Eloise about today and browse my social media for a bit before bed. Once I felt sleep overcoming me, I put my phone aside and allowed myself to rest, dreaming of that memory of brown eyes staring at me as she approached my face in the fountain in the garden.