The accidental princess

Cassandra chase had never been a fan of fairytales, they always sound too good to be true making one forget about the reality of life. She would tease her high school best friend for scraping royal weddings and different royal story's all over her book, and the funniest part of this was she would fantasize about marrying a prince. No matter how much she thought of it she always found it fun. But as she sat quietly in her mother’s cramped living room on this fateful Tuesday morning, watching two sharply dressed men in black suits unroll a golden-edged scroll, she began to wonder if maybe the universe had been laughing at her all along. “By decree of His Majesty, King Alexander of Cordelia,” the man on the right began in a deep and strong voice “Lady Cassandra chase is summoned to the palace to fulfill the marriage pact established between the Royal House of Cordelia and the Chase family three generations ago.” Shocked to the core the tea in Cassandra’s hand slipped, splashing onto her jeans. “Excuse me,” Cassandra said slowly, pushing her curls behind her ears as if that would help her think straight. “Marriage pact? I think you must have the wrong Chase. My family doesn’t even know royalty. We’re..... well—we’re what I would call a typical ordinary family.” Her statement got her a serious look from the man on the left. Staring at her with his sharp gray eyes he said “There is no mistake, Miss Chase. According to the royal king, Your late grandfather signed an agreement binding his bloodline to the royal family. His Majesty requests your immediate compliance as the Crown Prince requires a bride now.” Cassandra’s laugh came out awkward and too loud. “The Crown Prince? You mean… that guy on the news who looks like he swallowed a lemon whenever the cameras flash?”. Cassandra joked giggling make the atmosphere awkward. "His highness, Crown prince Savior of Cordelia. Your fiance". The man on the left corrected expressionless Turing her head Cassandra looked back at her mother with a hint of amusement in her eyes but all she saw in her mother's face was helplessness Turning back at the men she stared between them and the door expecting someone to finally break the tension by saying it's a prank. But the men were dead serious. The weight of the words pressed into her chest like stone. A fiancé? A prince? A marriage contract she had never heard of? How absurd could this possibly be? Her biggest plan this week had been to finish her art project and maybe splurge on Red Velvet Cake . And now some royal decree wanted her to trade her paintbrushes for a crown? A crown she didn't ask for. “No,” Cassandra suddenly said, standing quickly from her sitting position. “I’m sorry, but this..... all this is insane. I’m not marrying a stranger, let alone a butt face prince I’ve never met". The taller man’s jaw tightened. “It is not a request, Miss Chase. It is the will of the King.” said one of the men with a tightened jaw. CROWN PRINCE Crown Prince Savoir of Cordelia had never liked surprises. From the time he was a boy, every second of his life had been planned. his tutors, his sports, his public appearances, even the woman he would one day marry. And yet, as he stood before his father in the palace study, he found himself blindsided. “You cannot be serious father,” Savoir said, his voice icy. “I am very serious. The pact with the Chase family must be honored. Cassandra Chase is your bride.” The King replied matter of fact tone as he calmly set down his pen with finality. “I don’t even know her. And the monarchy doesn’t need archaic marriage contracts. We are in the twenty-first century, Father!”. Savoir clenched his fists as he speaks The King’s eyes narrowed. “Our dynasty survives because we honor tradition. Do you want the Council questioning your legitimacy before you ascend the throne? Or do you want the tabloids feasting on rumors of rebellion in Parliament? This marriage ensures stability.” Saviour exhaled sharply, pacing the polished floor. He was known in the media as “the Ice Prince,” a man who never smiled, never faltered, never broke. But inside, his thoughts thundered. He had carefully avoided entanglements, refused socialite matches, rejected every heiress the court threw at him. And now, his father wanted him shackled to a stranger. “I won’t do it,” Saviour muttered. “You will,you do not have a choice”. the King said with authority in his voice. “Or you will not be Crown Prince.” The kind added. The words sliced through him, Losing his title meant losing everything he had trained for, everything expected of him. And no matter how cold he felt toward duty, he could not abandon the throne he had worked for all his life. _________ Cassandra sat stiffly in the backseat of a black car, whisked away from her neighborhood before she could even pack. Her mother had cried, insisting this was fate, a blessing from her late grandfather but to Cassandra it didn't look like a blessing to her. Pressing her forehead on the window she watched the city silently as it passed by. When they finally stopped, she realized she wasn’t dreaming. The gates of Cordelia’s royal palace towered before her. Majestic, golden, and terrifying. “This is kidnapping,” Cassandra couldn't help but whisper in a trembling voice as she gently stepped out of the car. “Marriage,” The right man corrected, holdin onto the opened door for her. Cassandra stepped out, her sneakers squeaking on the marble driveway. Cameras clicked in the distance, reporters already swarming. A sea of curious faces, flashing bulbs, and shouts filled the air along with whispers. “Is that her?” “The commoner bride!” "The commoner bride is finally here". “How long until the Ice Prince throws her out?” " I bet we wouldn't have to wait for Long". " Right, we just have to calmly watch to show". Whispers continue to fly through the crowd. The worst part was she could clearly hear them and it made her stomach churn. She wanted so badly to melt into the ground. The palace doors opened. As Cassandra stepped into the hallway she couldn't help but be amazed. The palace was absolutely breath taking, it looked like something from a fairytale movie. crystal chandeliers glittering overhead, marble floors polished so bright that Amelia could see her terrified reflection in them, and tapestries that whispered centuries of history. But truth be told Cassandra felt none of its magic. Every step she took past the gilded hallways made her feel like a prisoner being escorted into a cage that only pretended to be gold. As two guards trailed behind her walking right a long with her was one of the men from earlier leading her deeper inside the palace. She had tried talking to him as they walk but the man barely acknowledged her existence. He seemed like he had been carved from the same stone as the palace pillars and to never speak until he gets instructions from the royal family. After what seemed like a century Finally, they stopped in front of two massive oak doors. “His Highness awaits you,” the statue guard finally said flatly, before pushing the door open. And there he stood majestically. Crown Prince Saviour stood tall, his navy suit tailored to perfection, his face unreadable. He was even more striking than on TV—broad shoulders, chiseled jaw, piercing blue eyes—but there was no warmth in him. Only a cold disdain that made her shiver. Their eyes met for the first time. The world seemed to still. Then he’s lips parted, his voice low but sharp even Sharp enough to cut a glass. “So… you’re the accident the king expect me to marry.” Cassandra froze, The accidental indeed. It seems he is going to be a pain in the butt, she thought Her literal nightmare was only beginning to surface. ---