Loveology

CHAPTER 2
"Princess?" A voice calls for you through the silence of your castle. You set aside your copy of Here with the Breeze and stand. It isn't long before your attendant comes rushing into your room.

"Milady." He bows. "King Emmett of the Kingdom of Trusia has come to visit." Ah, Trusia, you think to yourself. An important ally to have in this time of war. I can't turn him away. "He comes with news of your father, milady." Your resolve to see this man cements at the mention of your father. He left you alone in the royal castle to lead the army against Ashta.

"Send him in." Your attendant nods and takes his leave. You remain standing, arranging your skirts in the most regal way you can.

"Princess Kathleen?" You look up from your skirt to see a terribly handsome man standing in the doorway of your sitting room. His untidy dark hair and matching scruff on his jaw give him a rough look, but there's no doubting from his regal blue uniform and perfect posture that this man is a king. You're more than a little shocked by his appearance. Most kings are old men with children of their own, but King Emmett can't be much older than you.

"That is I," you answer softly with a curtsy. "You must be King Emmett." He responds with an affirming bow. "A pleasure."

"I hope you'll still think so in a moment, milady." You're struck by how cold his voice sounds. His dark eyes reveal no emotion. "Your father has bid me warn you that you have thirty days to find a suitable spouse to ascend to the throne with."

"A what?" You step back as though slapped. Your father had never been very warm, but there's no way he would force you into a marriage.

"Here, milady." King Emmett steps closer, extending a document your way. "Your father wrote this letter to confirm what I've told you." You grasp it swiftly, skimming it for some sign this man is mistaken. But all the document does if confirm your fate. Worse yet, he encourages you to consider marrying King Emmett to "firmly established the alliance between our kingdoms" or something along those lines.

"You're quite fortunate your father has given you a choice in the matter, milady," King Emmett says in a voice more gentle than you would have given him credit for. It's clear there's more to him than you originally thought. "Most kings would force their daughters into the most profitable marriage they could find with little regard for their happiness."

"Yes, well," you stutter, collecting your thoughts and hopefully what remains of your pride. "It seems my father intends to do just that in thirty days if I don't do it myself." You sigh. There's no use complaining to this stranger about your troubles. "You may stay here, your majesty," you offer. "We have plenty of room. I'll have an attendant escort you."

"Thank you, milady." King Emmett bows and leaves the sitting room, giving you ample time to consider your newfound fate...

You have 1 choice: