The Royal In Love

Chapter 1

Yriana's POV

"That's because you'll be getting married next month-" My father's words made me choke on air! Everyone looked at me in shock.

"Yriana? Are you okay?" my older brother Yoran asked worriedly. I nodded, but my mind couldn't process what I had just heard.

"That's because you'll be getting married next month-"

"That's because you'll be getting married next month-"

The words echoed in my mind. I turned to my father in disbelief.

'A suitor one day, a husband the next? And at only twenty-four, I'm supposed to settle down into married life already?'

"Pa, you're joking, right?!" I forced a sarcastic smile, but my father simply laughed.

"Of course not! Hahaha! I'm serious," he said, his tone suddenly firm. I gripped the knife I was using to cut the meat even tighter.

"I don't agree with this," I said, standing abruptly. My tone was serious and barely contained my anger. My father's expression mirrored mine, growing stern as the room fell silent.

"You'll get married whether you like it or not," he said firmly. "Your mother and I have already decided. Show some respect-we're doing this for you-"

"For me? Whether I like it or not? Since when do you decide my fate?"

"Yriana!" my mother scolded, rising to her feet. I ignored her.

"Why do you always force things on me that I don't want? Even the person I'm going to marry-you get to decide!" I shouted, unable to hold back my frustration.

"Respect my decision, daughter! You're embarrassing us in front of our guests. You know our tradition!" my father bellowed, standing as well.

"F*** that tradition," I muttered under my breath. "You care more about that damn tradition than you care about me? My whole life!" My voice grew louder as I pointed to myself. "I'm suffocated by all your orders! It's always about what you want! Did you ever stop to think about how I feel?" Tears streamed down my face.

"Yriana," my older brother Willsen said worriedly, but I simply glared at him.

"Daughter, you'll be happy someday. I'm doing this for you and for the kingdom!" my father declared passionately. I responded with a sarcastic smile.

"No, Pa. You're doing this for yourself!" I snapped, not caring if I sounded disrespectful. Without another word, I stormed out, ignoring the concerned looks from the palace staff. I nodded absentmindedly when asked if I was okay.

I eventually found myself in the archery room.

"Your Highness, what are you doing here?" the guard asked, puzzled. "And why are your eyes swollen?"

"I'm here to train," I said flatly. "Don't mind this." I wiped my tears hastily and ordered the servant who had followed me to prepare my archery equipment.

"But Your Highness, your father specifically ordered-"

"I don't care," I interrupted. His mind isn't mine to control, anyway.

"Very well, Your Highness," the guard said formally, bowing as I entered the room. My equipment was already prepared, and I quickly changed into my training attire.

Once I was ready, I entered the archery room. Thankfully, it was empty. At least here, I could vent my anger. I stood before the archery target and began shooting. With every release of the arrow, I felt my frustration pour out, accompanied by tears.

"He wants me to marry for the kingdom? And for myself? Tss. Does everything I want have to go against what he wants?"

"Doesn't he realize I have dreams? Just because I'm a princess doesn't mean I have everything I want."

"Then again, I shouldn't be surprised. He probably thinks he owns everything just because he rules the kingdom."

I tried holding back my tears, but when my arrow hit the bullseye, I broke down, sobbing uncontrollably.

"But I have to do something. I can't just let this happen."

Suddenly, I heard a rustling sound.

"Who's there?" I called out, looking around. No one answered until...

"You're quite skilled at archery," a voice said from behind me.

I turned sharply to find Prince Kyzer standing there.

"Prince Kyzer?" I exclaimed, lowering my bow.

It was indeed him-the prince I was supposed to marry. He stood before the target I had been practicing on.

"Yes, it's me, Princess," he said formally but with a teasing smirk. I glared at him, raising my bow again and aiming it at him, narrowing my eyes.

"Woah, you're scary!" he said, feigning fear.

"What are you doing here?" I asked coldly. "Are you following me?" I moved the bow closer to him. He smirked.

"Forget what I said about him being serious. Tss."

"What if I said yes?" he replied, grinning. "By the way, why did you storm out earlier?" he asked curiously.

"You heard everything, didn't you? You have ears, don't you?" I released an arrow, which grazed the side of his face and hit the target dead center. I grabbed another arrow from my quiver.

"My father wants me to marry someone I don't even know," I said bitterly, releasing another arrow that hit the bullseye. "Someone I don't even love."

I turned to look at him, and for the first time, his expression turned serious.

---

Kyzer's POV:

I am Prince Kyzer Andrix Alvarez, better known as Kyzer Andrix of Sycernus. (This all happened before the earlier events, just so you know, haha.)

"Mom, where are we going?" I asked curiously as they prepared the carriage.

"I'll tell you later," she said with a smile, causing me to frown.

'Why not now? Tsk.'

I didn't press the matter and climbed into my carriage. My parents were in the one ahead of mine. After some time, the carriages stopped in a kingdom unfamiliar to me.

The attendant opened the door, and I stepped out, marveling at the kingdom's beauty.