The Forbidden Princess

* I always knew that being a princess wasn't all it was cracked up to be. Sure, I lived in a beautiful palace and had more dresses than I could count, but I was also constantly watched by my overbearing mother, Queen Althea. She always told me that I had to behave like a proper princess, which basically meant I couldn't do anything fun. No horseback riding, no climbing trees, no swimming in the lake. It was enough to make me want to tear my hair out. But that all changed the day I met him. The Duke of Crestfall. He was tall, with dark hair and piercing blue eyes that seemed to look right through me. I couldn't help but be drawn to him, even though I knew it was forbidden. After all, I was betrothed to Prince Valerian, the heir to the throne. As I sat in the palace gardens, watching the sun set over the kingdom of Aranthia, I couldn't help but wonder what the future held. Would I be forced to marry a man I didn't love, just because it was expected of me? Or would I have the courage to follow my heart, even if it meant defying my mother and the traditions of our kingdom? *