Shouldn't my marriage be the most important of all marriages?

"A what now?" Running is supposedly inappropriate for a lady, but Bonna's ears has been ringing of the word 'husband' that all learned etiquette flew out the window.

"A husband," she plainly nodded, "It is my duty as a ruler to secure the line of succession for Leonis and—" 

"No, no, no!" Bonna grabbed her shoulders and lightly shook her, "That's an old custom already. You just turned sixteen, Elara. SIX-TEEN!" she couldn't emphasize the age enough that it's driving her crazy. She wanted to scream her head off, put it back again, then scream the second time around. "There's more to ruling that securing the line of succession and--" the princess cut her off.

"How silly of you, Bon. Of course, I know that," she let a short giggle and Bonna's hands naturally fell on her sides. 

Dumfounded, all she did was stare at the princess.

"Sweetie, where is this all coming from?" a worried voice emerged from the Bellatrix Loenis.

"Since I was announced as the Cor Leonis years ago, I've been preparing myself to mar—"

"To marry?!" Bonna just couldn't keep her mouth shut. If she hears the words marry and husband in the same sentence again, she'd grab the princess and lock her in a tower.

How could her pure, innocent, beautiful, intelligent princess think of marrying some brute from who knows where and what?

"Bon!" Elara reprimanded, "I'm not done talking yet." she glared at her aide and walked the remaining steps in front of her parents. "You have your own alliances and supporters, and I want mine too. And what better way to fast track everything than by marriage?" the princess looked proud and excited, but her listeners only had a concerned look on their faces.

"Bonbon is right, sweetie," the honeyed endearment coming from the queen made Bonna blushed, but that's not important right now. "There's more to ruling than getting married to secure alliances. I know you've done your utmost best as Cor Leonis, and honestly," Queen Valeria placed a hand on top of her husband's, "we want you to live the life you want rather than force one that we've decided for you."

"I... I don't get what you mean, Mother." the princess took a step back. Her hand on her stomach, probably feeling like her imaginary future about to crumble in front of her.

"If it's alliances you're worried about, darling, the great houses of Leonis, both old and new, have already sworn their allegiance to your reign on your twelfth birthday, remember?" it was the king who spoke.

"I..." all eyes fell on Elara and she brought her hand to her mouth to nibble on the side of her thumb; a bad habit of hers that she does when she's in deep thought.

***** 

Elara stood in front of her parents and her dearest friend and aide, in confusion. She had just been told by her mother, the Queen, that she should live the life the way she wanted to. But the books… it said that royal families need to marry to secure the future of the kingdom. And that one time, the princess was even given a list of eligible bachelors to choose from. 

In the book, the princess was so devastated that she had to pick someone she didn't love just for the sake of the kingdom and ended up unhappy. She later on found the love of her life but it was too late. She was already married and had two kids. It was scandalous but heartbreaking because she ended up choosing her kingdom and her people over the desires of her heart.

That's not just one book, there were plenty she had read just like that. That's why ever since being announced as the Crown Princess, Elara had been preparing herself of the possibility of being married to a complete stranger to prevent the same tragedies that fell upon the princesses that she read about to a point that she's been looking forward to her birthday for just that reason.

Then now, all of a sudden, her parents would tell her otherwise. Where's the justice in that?

"But that's not how it's supposed to be…" El murmured.

"Princess…" Bonna came to her with a comforting look but stopped when she stomped her feet.

"That's not how it should be, Father!"

"Princess, your voice…" her friend warned and tugged on her arm, but her father raised his hand to let her be.

"I should be married to someone you chose for me, because…" Elara stopped to think before she continued, "because you know what or who's best for both me and the kingdom!"

"Sweetie…"

"No, Mother. You should present to me a list of the most eligible bachelors in the kingdom or just tell me who to marry." 

Where is she supposed to get her happy ever after? All these years, she convinced herself that it's okay to marry at such a young age like her parents did.

"There's no need for you to do that, darling. You're still young. You should be out in the world and know it."

"What if…" Elara looked around, "What if I fell in love with a commoner?" she looked triumphant.

"Well, if that's what your heart desires. Why not?" 

"A commoner from the streets? From the red street—and have killed plenty before since he came back from a war somewhere and had to retire because he… because he lost a limb!"

The king glanced at her queen and Elara straightened herself, looking proud with a slight smug on her face.

"If he's from a war and only lost a limb, then he must be strong," it was the queen who answered looking all amazed, and the Princess and Bonna's mouth opened in disbelief.

"You'll give me to a person you don't even know who or where he came from? I'm the Cor Leonis! Shouldn't my marriage be the most important of all marriages? We're talking about the future of the Kingdom! The future of our people!"

"It's so nice having a princess who's this passionate about the people. What did we do to deserve this kind of daughter?" The king wiped away a tear from his eyes and both the princess and Bonna's mouths widened even more.

Elara's eye twitched as she tried not to clench both her jaw and her fists.

"What if I marry someone ugly and my successors are all mocked because of how they look and they become isolated from social gatherings and that will be the end of our line?" She's starting to get frustrated as she couldn't emphasize enough her point.

"I'm sure with your beauty, even if you married the ugliest man in the empire, your children would still be beautiful. We have a strong blood." The king smiled from ear to ear, glowing, showcasing his never-aging good looks.

"What if… what if I married someone who will ruin the kingdom? Sell it to some power-grabbing, greedy ruler somewhere and kill me so he can take over the crown?"

"Oh my…" the queen sounded concerned as she covered her mouth with her hand. "That would be terrible, my king."

"We have an outstanding relationship with Virginis and Cancri, my queen." Silvius placed a hand over his wife's, "I doubt that would ever happen."

"I'm not talking about Viriginis and Cancri. What about the countries overseas? What if I fell in love with a foreigner prince who will do just that?"

"Well, I think Bonna will do something about him before he can even think of doing anything to you. If ever he does have that intention, he might be dead before he even shook hands with you, isn't that right, Bon?" 

Bonna took a step back, surprised at the sudden inclusion in the conversation, "We-well, if it's the princess' safety were talking about… he won't even cross the palace gates with his legs intact!" 

No, not Bon too!

"But what if… Ah! What if Bon marries and I'm left all alone? Beautiful and vulnerable and innocent in the acts of love. Easily taken advantage of and lonely because I'm all alone in life. Then someone comes in, shows me a little kindness, and I'm swept off my feet? Then that someone has a secret child who he wants to be given power, so they plot to kill me and since I'm by myself, then I end up dying?"

It was Bon who came rushing to the princess, holding both her hands with teary eyes, she swore that that would never happen. That she would rather end up a spinster than leave her side.

"Ever since we met when we were younger, I vowed to serve and protect you at all costs, Princess. I, Bonna Cranmer, will live and die only for the Cor Leonis."

"Oh my… such love and loyalty." Then the queen started sniffing too.

"We've chosen the right person to be our daughter's friend. Even if Bonna is not of royal blood, she has the mindset of one. I am so proud to be able to see both of you grow up to be such excellent ladies."