"ladies and gentlemen. People of Mayvna and people of Damaria. I would like to introduce to you, the princess of Mayvna, the wonderful and beautiful gem of Mayvna, a skilled warrior and diplomat, Princess Anna."
Immediately after that introduction which I found disgustingly vague, everyone erupted into claps. My handsmaids helped me down the stairs, as I forced a smile across my face. My father, I mean the King was most pleased and I could tell he approved if the new look. My brother in the other hand was jealous considering it was the first time he wasn't on the spotlight. The king then came up to me and took my hand in his.
"Don't cause a scene" he whispers still faking the smile.
"If I wanted to I wouldn't have shown up." I return, also faking a smile.
One would think we are the most united family in the world.
"Why the sudden change of heart?" He asks.
"Anything to get away from you. Besides, when something happens and I'm not here to cover for you, then the people of Mayvna will turn against you themselves, kill you and your son, meanwhile I will be safe in Damaria, being queen there, and living a life probably twice as good as yours."
With that, he losened his grip on me as the realization that he won't have someone to cover for him dawns on him. I watch his face turn pale as the king of Damaria looked at me with a glow in his eyes. He was a young man, probably in his mid twenties. He had silver hair and grey eyes, was built, and he had jewelry adorning his entire body.
"You must be princess Anna, of Mayvna?" His voice was as deep as the ocean, but calming.
"I am. You must be King Luka, of Damaria. Ive heard much about you, my Lord." I say, in a sweet voice, I almost fell for it.
"You are more beautiful than I imagined, more beautiful than they said. And your voice is as sweet as honey. I am happy that I shall listen to it for all eternity, that is, if you allow it." He asks, ever so sweetly, I almost liked him. Who am I kidding? I did like him.
"Unfortunately, my Lord, in Mayvna I have no say in the matter..." I start but he stops me midway.
"In Damaria, we do. I do care about your opinion in this matter. You will spend your entire life with me. And the decision lays in your hands, not mine. So, Majesty, would you like to be my queen?" He asks so politely, I let down my guard.
"It would be an honor for me." I say and the whole room fills with applause. Everyone was happy except for two people. The King and Marcus. Marcus was jealous while the king was scared, because he had finally realized I was telling the truth. I smiled wickedly at him and knew that my plan had been set in motion. As Luka took my arm in his and we sat on the beautiful throne that was made for us, I couldn't help but feel something I've never felt before. No. It can't be. Am I feeling shy? No princess Anna of Mayvna can feel everything except love and shyness.
"Your majesty," the king started addressing King Luka, "my daughter will be yours for all eternity hereon. Please let me have a final dance." He asked ever so politely, I almost fell for it. I have to admit, the royal family of Mayvna was pretty skilled at acting.
As Luka gave me to father, I mean the King, I felt the feeling of relief that I had once had in Luka's arms fade into the thin air. He, in turn held on to me as if holding on to his last hope.
"Refuse this alliance. I order you." He whispered to me immediately I was out if Luka's reach.
"You are not my king anymore. I will not refuse. And we both know that there is no way you can take back your word to Damaria because I will not help you. Turning against them is a suicide mission." I hissed at him. He got really upset and pressed my hand really tight, causing me to wince. Within a second, Marcus was there. He shot the king a look and he immediately let go of me.
He then took my arms in his and we started dancing.
"Your majesty, are you really excited to marry Luka?" He asked me, avoiding my gaze.
"He's good looking, young and has quite the reputation. So I wouldn't mind. Also, I would like to hand over Mayvna to you once I'm married." I respond so casually.
"Mayvna was your mother's dream, was your dream, please don't give up on us." He pulled me closer to him and now our lips were mere inches apart as he lowered his head to meet mine. I felt my heart race against my chest, and my breathing stopped. At that point of time everything was constant. Nothing was moving. Time was frozen, and I slowly shut down everything around me. Everything slowly faded away, and only me and Marcus were left.
"Tell me your majesty, that for you time has not stopped, that you don't feel your heart racing, that you don't feel as if you can't breathe." He then looks into my eyes and I can feel it in my bones. "Tell me that my eyes don't affect you, and that you feel nothing when I look into your eyes. Tell me that he is the one that you see when you think of your future. Tell me that you are ready to leave me for him. That you are ready to go to Damaria and forget all about Mayvna, your family, your mother, me. Please, your majesty, Anna, please don't leave me. I beg you "
With that he let go of me, and the awareness of my surroundings finally came back to me.
And as everything started coming back piece by piece, I felt my heart sink because I was now at I dilema. At one point is my ego, and happiness, while the other holds my promise to my dying mother and my responsibility to my people. Many may think that it's an easy choice but it's not, because I was weighing the disadvantages of both sides and they all had dire consequences. But a choice had to be made. So I cleared my throat to get people's attention, as in my head, the weighing balance hang. Then with a heavy heart, I announced my decision.