Chapter 1

Valentina was alone in her room. She was amused by the way her cat was trying to chase down her tail. The maid put the tea on her table and left. It was lavender in colour with the taste of heaven, as she would say. The mansion was filled with people today . It was her birthday. Guests were coming from all around just to visit her and congratulate her on this Glorious Day of her life. She was not at all alone, yet she felt lonely. 

There was a knock on the door. "Ma'am Valentina, the Duke of Zerfold has come to visit you." She dragged herself towards the door, her elegant rosé satin gown gently brushed on the floor as she reached the doorknob. It was the Head Maid of the house. 

"Miss, let me first tighten your gown", she said as they moved towards the dressing mirror. She pulled her laces tightly yet gently. She redid her hair and applied a soft pink tint to her lips. 

Valentina didn't even want to celebrate this day, yet she had to as it was her duty as the Royal Princess of the Southern Empire. 

She had turned 18 and she was still not betrothed. She was the only child of the King of Narnaion, and the only princess in all four Kingdoms. As much as anyone should've enjoyed this joyous occasion, she hated it. For the last 4 years she had hated this day. 

She reached for her scented bottle and sniffed it. It was the fragrance of the lilies of Wonderton Lake that were the hardest to obtain but gave the best fragrance. Yet she could not bring herself to wear it. She thought it to be a waste, as she believed that she would only wear it the day she was truly happy. 

She asked for the duke to be called into her chambers. He went inside, congratulated her and gave her a big box, which, if one could assume, contained her gifts. She thanked him with a smile she had spent a lot of time practicing. She had never once felt the need for a real smile, one that could show that she was truly happy. He then left, before she even tried to memorise his face. 

She never bothered to, they never meant anything to her. 

All her life she was taught to be elegant, to be graceful, to be kind and always wear a smile because she was a princess. Never did one bother to tell her that a smile had to be heartfelt.

From the day that she had turned 14 she had marriage proposals coming on her every birthday. She already had a responsibility. 

Being the only princess in all four kingdoms meant that she were to marry any of the three Princes. The couple would then join hands and rule their kingdoms as one and gain power over the others. So from her childhood her destiny was already written, to marry a Prince of the opposing Kingdoms. 

She had no opinion of her own on this decision. The only choice she did have was to choose which one she wanted to marry. That was if she fell in love with any of the Princes. Else, the stronger and more powerful kingdom would be chosen. 

Everyone in the nation and all the three kingdoms were anxious about her decision. Her decision would change the history of Fiyadin, as four peaceful kingdoms. 

On her every birthday as she grew a little older, the three kingdoms' princes would try their best to make her fall in love with them. It was the only way they could become the ruling Kingdom. 

Anything that anybody had told her since she was young was a chance to please her. She had lost trust in anybody's words, compliments. "They are all lying. They are just trying to please me. Don't trust their words.", she constantly told herself.

Her life was a carousel that never stopped spinning. Each day, each moment brought a new problem and disappointment. Her fate, her destiny, was cruel.