Chapter 4

"Before you kids were born, your grandparents had made an agreement that their children's children would combine kingdoms. A few years after Estrella was born, I asked the king to make an agreement to join kingdoms. But he refused and told me to wait a few more years. I agreed but I know now that he wanted more time to have children" mom explained

"Why would he want to combine kingdoms this way?" I asked

She shook her head "I don't know"

"Knowing him, it would somehow allow for him to have control over the kingdom somehow" dad said

"I did not like him! He gave me the creeps." Cielo shivered

Mom stood up from the chair she was in and walked over to him. She embraced him and said "I'm so sorry"

Cielo, who was keeping his feelings hidden, bursted into tears.

My anger was already high but now, I just feel helpless.

"Why couldn't I do it instead?" I asked "Why should it be him?"

"He refused to have it any other way" mom said as she let Cielo go

"Either way, do you even mean it? Wouldn't it be the same? Would you want to have Princess Luna as your forever bride?" Dad asked

"Yes" I said without thinking

Mom stared at me before asking "Do you really mean it? Or is that someone else talking?"

"What do you mean? Of course I…" I drifted off. The feeling I had before faded.

Mom kept staring for a second before she said "We stick to the original plan. What happens next, only the ones above know"

A few days passed by and everyone was scrambling to get the wedding ready. The king of Kalkan wanted the wedding to be done by yesterday. The only reason why my brother and the princess weren't married yet was because mom wanted to build a building in the middle of the kingdoms where the wedding will be held. She wanted it to represent the joining of the kingdoms. She named it "Regne Unit" meaning United Kingdom according to mom. She also wanted more time to convince the king of another way to join kingdoms. That didn't work.

There were a few days left until the wedding and I wanted to see the building before the big day.

I rode on a horse to the Regne Unit. After leaving the horse in a nearby stable, I walked into the garden in front of the building.

Mom really went all out.

The gardens held all kinds of flowers and plants that attracted butterflies which made it even more magical. On my way through the garden I realized that I had gotten lost. I walked around aimlessly trying to find an exit. That's when I saw a lady sitting in one of the many benches I passed. She must be from the other kingdoms since she wore a red dress. She had black hair paired with blues eyes. She looked really cool!

"Excuse me. I'm trying to find the exit. I had gotten lost" I said embarrassed

She laughed and said "So am I"

I pointed to the spot next to her "May I?"

She nodded.

"My name is Estrella" I said

"I'm Vanessa"

We sat in silence before she spoke.

"So, what brings you here?"

"Just wanted to see how the building was doing before the big day"

"Oh?" She asked "Are you fond of this building and the idealism it represents?"

"No. Not exactly"

"Really? Why?"

"Don't get me wrong. I would like for both kingdoms to be united someday just not like this. Kingdoms should be built on love and commitment. Not power and wealth"

"...Yes. I agree" she said

"And why are you here?"

"I wanted a place to think and I ended up here. Do you mind if I get a little personal?"

"Uhh...sure?"

"Thanks. I just need to let off some steam"

She took a deep breath.

"My birth name isn't Vanessa. It's just the name I chose for myself. My real name is Abigail. It means 'My father is joyful'."

I huffed a laugh "Sorry but what the hell kind of name is that?"

She also laughed "My parents expected a boy but ended up having me. Kind of why I changed the name. It means 'the beginning of a new life'."

"I see"

"I hate my father. My mother as well but mostly my father. He blames me for being female and since my mother can't have any more children..."

"Yeah. I get it"

"My only wish is for him to not get what he wants in the end."

"And that is…?"

"Power. He believes himself to be some kind of God. But he isn't. He's just a spoiled, selfish asshole!" She she yelled

Her blue eyes held a deep hatred and her hair shone a red tint in the sunlight. She looked familiar but before I could figure it out, she stood up. She looked down at me and said "I think I should get going but it was really nice to talk to you"

"Uh yeah. You too" I said

I watched her walk down the path. Didn't she say she was lost?