Princess of Astravia falling for the enemy

My father, the king, told me the history of my nation: before I was born, a terrible civil war broke the nation into two. It was once called the Republic of Astravia, a great nation that prospered for over 300 years. Its downfall was the republic's representatives fighting over resources amid a drought. It ultimately caused a famine, and no one could agree on what to do, worsening the problem. The famine led to economic decline and many deaths. A civil war soon followed, and the nation split into two territories, Astravia and IllyriaNova. My family established a monarchy to end the fighting, and this led to our nation's prosperity. After he was done telling me the story, he would always say, “You are the princess of Astravia, and you must do everything for the people.” It was mid-morning, and my two ladies-in-waiting were in my personal study room, just lounging on the deep scarlet velvet couch. I was actually supposed to study, but decided we should relax and read for a bit. Lumi, my lady-in-waiting, touched my arm, and I jolted, breaking my concentration on the story I was so deeply involved in. I heard a knock, and the person must have been impatient, as they just came in without me announcing they could. It was Aeron, my twin brother. I was closest to him among my family, and he was my best friend. We both had light golden-brown hair with curls. Our eyes were ocean blue, and for some reason he has the longest eyelashes I’m so jealous of. He was always telling jokes and smiling, but lately the Queen Rhiannon, my stepmother, has been especially hard on him. His tone sharpened, and he was very serious now. I hated it. I miss the old him. Maybe in a way he was growing up, and we were losing the last bit of our childhood. “The king would like to speak to you,” said Aeron with a straight face. I must have looked surprised as he winked at me, saying, “I don’t think you’re in trouble.” I smiled. It’s been a while since I've seen my brother act like himself. “I better hurry off,” I said. “Yes, don’t want to keep father,” stated Aeron. He was back to being serious. I stood up from the comfy couch, leaving Lumi and Elara in the room alone. Aeron left the room in a hurry. I fixed my dress and headed out the door in a rush, as I didn’t want to keep my father waiting for very long. I walked a long corridor to my father's office. I had been allowed to go there very rarely. I stopped in front of the door. It was dark wood with the Astravia logo, and the handle showed wear and tear over the years. I went to grab it, but the thought of what he wanted me for scared me. I shook my head, making my curls bounce. I was being silly; it was probably nothing. I lifted my hand as my silver bracelets jingle as I knocked. My heart skipped a beat as I heard his voice telling me to come in. I opened the door, looking at my father pearout the window at the capital. “Hello, Father.” I walked towards the desk where I expected him to be doing his important business. He had all kinds of important documents on his desk. To my surprise my father had a picture of the whole family from when I was little with my mom included. His wife did not like us to have any pictures of my mother as she claimed it sadden her but really I think she was jealous. “Come here, Astra,” said Father. I came over to the enormous window overlooking the capital, filled with tall buildings all under a blue sky. It was the largest city in Astravia. About 2 million citizens lived here, with the palace at its center. The city was called Solara. “I have an important announcement, and I need you to be there at dinner tonight.” Said the king. “May I ask what this is about?” I questioned. He chuckled, “You will know at dinner.” “Yes, father,” I replied. I wasn’t sure why he was so mysterious. I had never been like this before; there must be a reason. “Have you seen Wren lately?” King Corvus asked. Wren would come over to play with my brothers and me. He was five years older than me, and when I turned eight, we didn’t hang out anymore. He mostly hung out with Orion, my oldest brother, and Jett, my second oldest. I had a crush on him all growing up. “No,” I answered. “He's coming to dinner tonight,” Father mentioned. I was not expecting him, of all people, to come. We didn’t have dinner as a family much since my father was always engaged in his work. “Now, run along, sweetie. I have a ton of work to do before tonight,” responded King Corvus. Their he is rushing to his obligations. Elara was combing my hair. She was quieter than usual. Lumi was my first friend and came to us when she was about four. My mother, who was the Queen at the time, took her in from an orphanage. A charity event raised money for the orphanage, and my mother wanted to present the check to them personally. Queen Seraphina took a tour and noticed little Lumi in the corner. I guess I remind myself of Lumi. My mother was so kind, giving Lumi a place to live in the palace, and although she wasn’t allowed to adopt her, she raised her as if she were hers. Queen Seraphina gave Lumi a special job: always to be my friend, and we always stuck together. One day, when I was 8, I met Elara. She was the maid’s daughter who didn’t have a babysitter. My mother said it was okay for her daughter to come to the palace, since she was a year older than me, and that we could become friends. At first, she just stared at us as we played with our dolls. I told my mom that she was weird and I didn’t like her. She was not happy with me and said I should invite her to play. Reluctantly, I asked her, and at the end of the day I told my mother I had the best day ever. My mother was an amazing person who was taken too soon from this world. Lumi and Elara became my lady-in-waiting about two years ago when the Queen threatened to throw them out. I found a loophole in hiring them so we could be together. “Is something wrong?” I asked. “Queen Rhiannon took ur diamond necklace for Princess Eira,” Elara hesitated. I was about to say a not so nice comment about them two but I closed my mouth. I did not want to upset Elara. “It’s too big anyway. It weighs my neck down.” I voiced. Which it did and it was why I only wear it on certain occasions. “I’m sorry, Astra,” Elara said in a low voice. “There's nothing you could have done. Queen Rhiannon is greedy and thinks everyone is beneath her.” I said. I know talking about the Queen isn’t right but to treat people awful is where I cross the line. That necklace was a gift from my father last year for my birthday. The centerpiece was a 15-carat diamond, which was heavy around my neck, and I’ve only worn it a few times. Still, Queen Rhiannon has been eyeing it for her own daughter. “What color dress did you pick out for me tonight?” “The deep violet dress. I think it goes nicely with the occasion tonight.” “I think my amethyst heart necklace would look lovely with it.” She smiled. I didn’t want her upset over something out of her control. Besides, I preferred the amethyst heart necklace. Even though it was cheaper, it had diamonds around the heart. It was a dark purple, allowing one’s eye to look at the heart pendant. Maybe tonight Wren will notice me.