The Lineage

Mayleen Fontainelles I never liked rules. Much less obey them. But, as much as I hate to admit it, they are necessary. I was never someone easy to deal with. I have always given a lot of work since I was a child, but what could I do? It was so much more fun to defy my father's commands. "Be gentle Mayleen, you are a princess, act like one". It was very boring. I didn't ask to be born a princess. I just wanted to have a normal life, without all these rules of etiquette and meetings about how the reign is going. I may not know much, but that I wasn't born to be a princess is a certainty. You must think my dad is horrible, insensitive and merciless, right? Actually, he's the best father anyone could want. He has always been very kind, gentle and loving to me. I understand him wanting our lineage to continue. Our kingdom has prospered since 500 years ago. My father always thinks about his subjects and tries to solve all the problems that exist in the kingdom, but, is it so hard to understand that I don't want to get married now? Come on! I just turned 18. I want to enjoy my life. It's not that I don't care about my subjects, I know very well that a marriage could help us a lot, but I don't feel ready for something as important as that. Imagine getting married to someone you barely know and have no loving feelings for? How bad would it be to live with a person every day of your life without feeling anything for them? Just an obligation to stay by their side but without loving them? I don't want that for me. If I hadn't been born a princess, I would surely be working in the fields now. Not that that's a good thing, since it's a lot of hard work, but it would be better than having the weight of several lives in your hands that you have to take care of and protect. I admired all the work and effort my mother had to protect and care for our kingdom, and even with many things to do, she never stopped being my mother. Imagine having to be a mother and a queen at the same time? having to take care of an entire kingdom and, on top of that, take care and give affection and attention to your daughter? My mother was incredible. My father and she also had an arranged marriage. The difference is that my father and her fell in love as soon as they saw each other. Do you really think anyone would fall in love with me? Not that I have low self-esteem or anything. I know my flaws and qualities, and that's exactly why I know it would be impossible for someone to fall in love with me. Besides, do you really think I would fall in love with someone just by seeing them? Please, life is not a romance book where you fall in love at first sight with someone. Okay, my parents are an exception. But we'll overlook that fact. I was in the library reading a book when one of the maids comes in. "Miss? Your father awaits you in his office." Amélie says. Ever since I was a little girl, I always asked the names of all my maids. I liked to make friends with them, since most of the time I only stayed inside the castle walls. "Did he say why he wanted me there?" I asked, still reading the book, concentrating on the character's plot. "No miss, but it seems to be something serious, since he asked me to call you immediately." She says, looking at me. "I see. Well, I'd better go soon then. Thank you Amélie." I said, closing my book and giving her a smile. "Your Highness" Amélie says, bowing and leaving the room. I took a deep breath, looking at the book in my hands. "Yeah, looks like I'll have to finish you later." I said, looking down at the book and giving a small smile. I put it back on the shelf and headed towards the door, leaving the library. I started walking through the halls seeing guards and maids pass me by. I greet them with a smile as they pass me. Ever since I was little, my mother taught me to be kind to anyone, no matter their class or who they are. The day was sunny today. The birds were singing and the weather was pleasant. As soon as I arrive in front of my father's office door, I knock. He opens the door seconds later, giving me a gentle smile. "Hello my daughter, come in." He says with a smile, giving me way for me to enter. I looked at him with half-closed eyes. Usually, when my father is happy like this, he always has something to tell me. "I see you're happy today. Did something happen?" I asked my father with a smile. "Do you remember the Kingdom of Bonheur?" He asks, smiling. I looked at him suspiciously. "If I remember correctly, it is one of our allied kingdoms, am I correct?" I said, still looking at him suspiciously. I don't understand where he is going with this. "Exactly. I received a letter from King Nolan not long ago. He made me an offer." He says, smiling. "And what kind of proposal would that be?" I asked, curiously. "Well... Promise you won't get mad?" He asks, making an expression of someone hiding a secret and I look at him even more suspiciously. "Dad..." I looked at him with reproach and frowned eyebrows. He takes a deep breath and looks at me with a nervous smile. "He proposed an arranged marriage between you and his son, Prince Ilyan." He says and looks at me smiling but nervous. He knew my reaction would not be the best. Well, he was right. "Well, that's okay, after all, you denied it didn't you?" I asked, smiling and look at him. He doesn't answer and looks at me like a naughty child who has just done something and is now afraid of being discovered. "You denied it, didn't you dad?" I ask now with some desperation. "I'm sorry daughter. You know this is a great proposal. I couldn't deny it. Nolan is my friend daughter." He says and looks at me worried. "And did you happen to think about how I would feel? You know very well that I don't want to get married and you accept the proposal just because King Nolan is your friend?" I say with sadness in my voice, looking at him disappointed. "Daughter, understand, this will be good for both kingdoms. Besides, I'm sure you and Ilyan will get along very well with each other." He says, trying to appease the situation. "Life is not a fairy tale dad, and I'm not like you and mommy." I say angrily and left the room, leaving him alone. I go to my room and lock myself in. I can't believe he even cared about how I would feel. I sit on the bed staring into space. I didn't know how to feel or what to do anymore. A few hours later, I decided to leave the room and go back to the library to finish the book from before. Walking through the halls, I realized that it was already dusk. I entered the library and went straight to the shelf where my book was. I caught him flipping through it and going back to the page he was on. A few minutes passed and I heard the door open. I looked in the direction of the steps, seeing that it was my father. He had a small smile on his lips. He sits down next to me and looks at me. I still kept my attention on the book, not looking at him. I was still disappointed with his attitude. "Daughter, can we talk?" He says, looking at me with a small smile. I didn't answer him and continued reading my book. "Mayleen..." He says a little more firmly, making me sigh and look at him. "I know I shouldn't have accepted the proposal without your consent and I apologize for that, but understand, I don't think only of what will be good for you daughter. I must also think of what will be good for our subjects." My father says, putting his hand under mine, trying to comfort me. "I understand dad, but you could have at least talked to me..." I say looking at him sadly. "I'm sorry." He says and hugs me, then stroking the top of my head. A few seconds later, he looks at me smiling. "Does this mean you accept the proposal?" He says and looks at me smiling in amusement. I looked in disbelief with a smile and then laughed. "Looks like I don't have a choice, do I?" I say sighing with a small smile. "Let's do this, you'll stay in Bonheur for six months. If by then you don't fall in love with Prince Ilyan you can go back to Bienveillant, so I won't force you to marry anymore. What do you say?" says my dad with a kind smile and a lively eye. "Really? You can't go back on your word!" I say looking at him seriously. "I promise, but you also have to make an effort and treat him well." He says, scolding me but still smiling at me. "I'll see what I can do, but I don't guarantee anything. Either way, I won't fall in love with Ilyan." I say smiling and turned my attention to the book. My dad laughs nasally and looks at me, shaking his head in denial, keeping a smile on his lips. "You never know my daughter. Sometimes you find love where you least expect it..." he says smiling and gets up, leaving the library and leaving me alone again. "As if I am going to fall in love with Ilyan." I say looking at the door where my Dad left and I give a nasal laugh, returning my attention to the book again. Looks like these six months will be pretty intense....