A Bride for Two Princes

The peaceful town of Eldermoor was bathed in golden rays as the morning sun hung low in the sky. Twenty-year-old Zoe Harper was occupied at the orphanage, her heart full of hopes. Although she hardly ever recognised it in herself, she was a lady of quiet strength. She was burdened with obligations that many people her age could hardly fathom. A face that was not traditionally attractive but had a warmth that attracted people was framed by her silky brown locks. Her golden-flecked hazel eyes frequently glistened with compassion, particularly when she was among the kids she looked after.

Her slender body suggested the endless energy she put into her daily chores, and despite her life's struggles, she moved with a natural grace.

Wearing a plain cotton dress that was patched here and there but immaculately clean, Zoe had a quiet elegance about her. She braided the hair of tiny Evie, one of the many orphans she had taken in, with gentle movements from her calloused hands from years of hard work. Even the most restless people were soothed by Zoe's voice, which was authoritative but gentle. Despite the harshness of Eldermoor life, Zoe refused to let it define her. Even the slightest things brought her joy, like a child's laughing, the aroma of wildflowers on the wind, or the brilliant colours of the morning sun as it spread across the fields.

But there were scars on her heart. Zoe was brought up by the local matron, who passed away a few years back, after she lost her parents when she was very young. By assuming the responsibility of running the orphanage alone, Zoe dedicated her life to assisting the children who, similar to her, had no other place to turn. Beneath her gentle grin, though, was a silent longing for something more-a life outside of her tiny, struggling village. To her, fate had much more in store than she could have ever dreamed.

The quiet morning was broken by the sound of hooves stomping down the dirt road as she whispered a lullaby beneath her breath. Zoe's fingers stopped mid-braid, and she froze. With a knot in her stomach, she turned to face the voice.

With wide, inquisitive eyes, the kids rushed to the windows and peered out. One of the boys murmured, "Zoe, soldiers!" with a mixture of terror and wonder in his voice.

Zoe's heart pounded as she left the small cottage. As a caravan of royal guards approached, their gleaming armour catching the sunlight, a cloud of dust rose in the distance. A man wearing elaborate silver armour with the royal emblem displayed on his breast stood at the front. "Why would royal guards visit this location?" Then Zoe whispered to herself. A forgotten village, Eldermoor was remote from the capital and the monarchy's worries. She was frightened by the sight of the soldiers.

The leader got off his horse as the convoy stopped in the village square. His piercing blue eyes scanned the assembling crowd with a mix of power and indifference, and he was towering and imposing.

"By decree of King Aldred!" the man announced, his voice booming across the square. "We seek Zoe Harper."

The blood drained from Zoe's face. The peasants whispered to one another as they turned to face her. Why would the guards of the king be searching for her?

Despite her legs trembling, she stepped forward and murmured, "I... I'm Zoe Harper."

The leader drew a sealed scroll from his belt and walked towards her. "You are the bride of the kingdom and have been selected by royal decree to wed Crown Prince Alaric."

She felt the words hit her like a bolt of thunder. Unable to process what she had just heard, she muttered, "What?"

As he observed her surprise, the man's eyes softened a little. "Miss Harper, it is an honour. You have been selected by the royal family for a coupling that will bring harmony to our divided realm. We'll take you to the capital right away.

The crowd's whispers became more audible. Zoe's head whirled. This must have been an error. She was not intended to marry a royal; rather, she was a typical girl from a little village.

"I don't get it," she stumbled. "Why me?"

The man curtly retorted, "It is not our place to question the king's decree." "Gather your belongings. We depart in an hour."

Zoe wanted to object and demand answers, but she was hushed by the guards' authority. She turned to face the youngsters, who were now holding on to one another with confused and scared expressions.

Her voice broke as she said, "I can't leave them." "They depend on me."

After hesitating, the leader pointed to one of his men. "Plans will be put in place to guarantee the orphanage is taken care of. But you have to accompany us."

As Zoe knelt down and gave the kids tight embraces, her heart ached. She assured them that she would return, despite her uncertainty about her ability to do so.

Taking only the necessities, she packed a little bag with a heavy heart. She boarded one of the carriages, her face white but determined, and the villagers watched in silence.

Zoe couldn't help but feel as though everything she had ever known was being taken away from her as the caravan departed. Each mile separated her from the life she had worked so hard to create as the carriage rolled towards the capital, the countryside fading behind her.

She attempted to calm herself inside the carriage. Her head whirled with questions. For what reason had she been selected? Crown Prince Alaric was what kind of man? And what did she really stand to gain from this marriage?

Throughout the trip, the guards were silent and did not respond to her mounting questions. The capital city's shape emerged on the horizon as the sun started to set. Its shining walls and tall spires gave the impression that they were from a different world, one that Zoe had never thought she would be a part of.

As they entered the busy centre of the kingdom through the gates, her stomach churned. The carriage stopped before the royal palace, an enormous gold and marble building. Zoe was escorted out, taking in her surroundings with tentative steps.

A woman with sharp features and a commanding presence came up. She introduced herself as Lady Seraphina. "You'll come with me. You have a lot of preparation to do before your meeting with the prince."

Zoe's protests were disregarded as she was carried away into the palace's maze before she could react. She was surrounded by buzzing servants who were putting on a beautiful gown and doing her hair. When they were finished, she hardly recognised herself.

Her heart raced in her chest while she stood before the grand doors of the throne room. This was it. She had no idea what lay beyond the moment that would forever alter her life.

The figure sitting on the throne caught her attention as soon as the doors opened and she entered the chamber. Crown Prince Alaric was just as powerful and imposing as she had thought he would be. His penetrating eyes seemed to look straight through her, and his dark hair framed a chiselled face.

In an effort to hide her panic, Zoe inhaled deeply. With all the bravery she could muster, she would confront whatever lay ahead.