"All hail the queen! Her majesty, Queen Sakura!"
Trumpets rang as drums were pounded, the crowds' cheers riding higher and higher along with the festive mood.
Today was the queens' birthday, an event so grand that a festival was held, with many tourists and travelers arriving at the grand capital of Kazuko specifically for this day, everyone was in hurry, rushing to decorate this, buy that… the festival was busy yes, but it can't compare to the size of the Saku ball- one of the greatest balls held in the country, going to last for a span of ten days, the venue covers more than ⅓ of the castle, with three joined ballrooms and one grand ballroom that could fit twenty elephants with ease, along with some guest rooms for honorary guests or random pop-bys.
Needless to say, it was magnificent.
Star sighed, twirling a stray strand of her luscious dark hair as she stared out of the window.
It'll be announced soon. She thought, an unexplainable feeling settling in her chest. The news that I am engaged to Sky will surely be the happiest news for the civilians here, chances it will result in another festival is…very high, according to Kai.
Heaving another sigh, she leaned back against the chair, tearing her eyes off the cheery festive mood emitting from the brightly colored streets and happy chattering from the people below.
She was going to be engaged to the crown prince of the wealthy kingdom of Kazuko, any girl in her shoes will be ecstatic. Wealth, fame, power, all will be sitting on the palm of her hand the moment she officially gets married, becoming the crown princess and future queen.
Anyone would be happy…
Anyone except for her that is.
It wasn't like she doesn't like Sky.
They were childhood friends growing up, with Sky as the crown prince and Star as the sole daughter of the duke. Naturally they got along, as they were of close social status and there was something about Sky that drew me in.
Being the young, naive girl she is, Star assumed that this feeling was love, and followed Sky on his whims and woes, manipulating his meetings to go in his favour by using her authority as the dukes' daughter, singing him praises of his achievements and helping him with his workload.
It was only when Queen Sakura told them that they will be getting engaged that the reality of this situation settled in.
"Star, you will be marrying Sky."
I- I'm getting engaged? To Sky?
That moment was the moment Star truly opened her eyes to her 'reality'.
She had stared at the queen blankly before processing the meaning of the words, "I'm going to be engaged to…Sky?" utterly baffled.
She won't forget the proud smiles of her parents as they nodded enthusiastically, as the queen herself smiled as if she had done a thing to be very proud of.
"Are you sure about this mother?"
Star looked as Sky frowned at his mother, leaning slightly on the table. "Isn't the crown prince supposed to be Rafal? Since we are of the same age, the tradition was supposed to be whoever married first gets to be heir-"
"Yes, it was originally supposed to be Rafal." Sakura raised a hand to motion for quiet before continuing. "But he himself agreed that while he wouldn't object to being crown prince, it would not be the smartest choice for the future of the kingdom." Raising her eyebrows in question, "He personally recommended you ever since I told him about your pre-planned engagement, and since your other brother isn't interested in inheriting the kingdom, you are the only choice here. Or are you also incapable?"
"No, I-"
Once again cutting him off, Sakura took a sip of her coffee from her cup. "I would personally prefer picking my grandson as heir, but alas, since tradition calls for the eldest heir, he isn't eligible. Shame."
Star watched the whole commotion in slight fear, the queen was clearly getting pissed off, and her parents were slinking in the corner of the room trying to look as invisible as possible. Hah, trust them to act like this when they were just grinning like hyenas a few minutes ago.
Sky gritted his teeth, remembering that Star and her parents were still present, he collected himself briefly and told them that they are excused, much to the relief of Stars' parents, but as for Star..
Sky probably won't object to the marriage, but being a king while juggling his usual activities, and…getting support from the commoners and nobles from the other princes' factions won't be easy…
I just hope he will be able to handle it. Star thought worriedly.