Rachel's P.O.V.

I paced back and forth in front of the door nervously.

Both of my parents were now inside the room, preparing to talk to me.

I wasn't meant to pace. It made me look "squirmy and distracted" as I was so often told, but I couldn't help it.

I had no idea what it was they wanted to talk to me about.

All I knew was that it was very important.

Now I had to wait. Wait until they were ready to speak to me.

Sometimes that was extremely difficult for me to do.

Princesses were meant to have extreme patience, but no matter how hard I tried, I never had any.

Eventually I heard my fathers voice, announcing that I was to come into the room.

I took a deep breath before walking in.

"Your Majesty" I greeted my father.

He was sitting in a large chair behind the large mahogany desk.

My mother was by his side.

I bowed briefly, before sitting down in the chair on the other side of the desk.

I kept my expression friendly , yet unreadable, as I had been taught to do as my father began speaking.

"I assume you are aware of why we have brought you here?" his voice came out slowly.

I frowned ever so slightly.

"Don't make that face darling. You'll get worry lines" My mother interjected quickly.

My father continued.

"Well as next in line for the throne, it's really time for you to grow up" he told me.

I nodded.

"And we feel the best way for you to do that is to get married" he finished.

My eyes widened at this.

"Excuse me?" My voice came out as barely more than a whisper.

"It's time for you to get married. Settle down and have a few children of your own even" he repeated.

"But father I'm only nineteen! I'm not ready to-" I tried to argue but he cut me off quickly.

"Rachel, you're ready when we say your ready. Besides, lots of girls your age and younger already have children" his voice was calm.

"So you're expecting me to just go out tomorrow and find someone random to marry?" I snapped.

"Of course not" My mother answered.

I sighed a little then, relief flooding over me.

That was of course on until she finished her sentence.

"We've already found you a suitor. You will be married next week" she added.

I stood up off of my chair quickly.

"I'm not getting married next week!" I exclaimed loudly.

"You will do as your told young lady" Father replied.

"You can't force me into getting married!" I continued.

With that my father stood up, betraying the first sign of impatience.

"You would do well to learn to hold your tongue in the presence of a man" he snapped.

I gasped at that.

"Go to your room. You are dismissed" he added quietly.

"But I-"

"Dismissed!" the bluntness of his tone made me jump.

I left the room quietly, trying to hold back my tears but once I was in the hall I couldn't take it anymore.

Tears streamed down my cheeks as I headed to my room.

Once inside I pulled my hair out of the ridiculous up-style I was made wear it in today.
We had our own hair stylist.

I was never allowed to leave my hair down however.

My curls were far too "messy-looking" and weren't "sophisticated."

There was no way I was staying and being forced into this life.

Then and there I made the decision.

I would be leaving this castle. Leaving this country. For good.

Notes