Royally Betrothed

Danica paced back and forth in the sitting room, her mind racing with frustration. Her sister, Danielle, sat calmly on the couch, watching her with a mixture of understanding and concern.

"Very soon, little sis," Danielle had said gently.

But Danica knew her sister didn't truly understand. She couldn't. Not about this. Not about what it felt like to be forced into a marriage you didn't want-to be treated like a pawn in a game of power and wealth.

Danielle had always been more like a mother than a sister-protective, supportive, wise. But their parents were a different story. To them, Danica was a means to an end: a tool for securing alliances and expanding their influence. Danielle had been lucky she met the man of her dreams. Danica envied her for that. Danielle had never had to worry about an arranged marriage.

"You have no idea what you're saying, Danielle," Danica burst out, her voice trembling. "I'm not ready to get married! I want to marry the man I love, not some stranger who only wants me for my family's connections."

Danielle didn't respond immediately. Deep down, she knew Danica was right but she also knew their parents wouldn't listen. The decision had already been made: Danica was to marry the Prince of Beaumont, a man she had never even met.

Beaumont was a small but breathtaking city, known for its sleek modern architecture and rich, storied history. But behind the beauty lay a harsh truth: in Beaumont, wealth and status ruled. The poor were invisible, and the elite played by their own rules. Danica knew she was just another move in their carefully calculated game.

Her thoughts drifted to the prince. What was he like? Was he kind and compassionate? Or cold and calculating? Did he care about the people he would one day rule or only about his own legacy? There were no answers, only questions. But soon, she'd find out.

                                     ***

Meanwhile, across the city of Beaumont, Prince Johannes Lancelot was preparing for the annual festival. Traditionally, he would greet the city's maidens as a gesture of admiration and royal courtesy. But Johannes had other plans.

He was in love-with a commoner.

Jane Walker was the daughter of a delivery driver and a janitor, and no one, not even her parents knew about their relationship. It had to remain secret. His father, the king, would never approve.

As the prince rode toward Jane's modest cabin, a thrill surged through him. He knew he was risking everything.

"Your Grace," came the voice of his personal guard, Raymond. "His Majesty gave strict orders for you to return to the palace after the parade."

Johannes glanced at him, unfazed.

"Sorry, Raymond. I'll return when I'm done."