The accidental princess

The palace or Prison

The Palace Prison

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.

“little miss accident, You’re late.”he said as he continued to stare coldly at her.

“Excuse me?”. Cassandra blinked feeling attacked.

" Why exactly is he behaving like I asked for this?". Cassandra thought looking expressionlessly at his cold face

“You were supposed to arrive an hour ago miss. My time is valuable.” He said, his piercing blue eyes locking down on her like a prey.

“what was I even thinking, I suppose punctuality is too much to expect from a commoner.”

Cassandra’s jaw dropped. The nerve of this man stone cold of a man.

" Blah blah blah, yeah am a commoner and am totally fine with it but it seems even royalty can hide how bitter of a person you are, too bad“. she snapped back.

" And just so you know, if I was given I would rather set a meeting with the sheep's in my neighbor's farm than come here and have you rob your bitter energy on me“.

For a brief moment of time a flicker of surprise flashed crossed his face. Then he smirked, though it wasn’t warm—it was sharp, almost mocking.

“i see, you are one sharped tongued girl.”

“Yes, and I intend to cut you as much as I can with them if you do not respect yourself,” Cassandra shot back, folding her arms across her chest.

“Look, I don’t care what kind of outdated contract our great-grandparents signed. I am not interested in marrying someone who thinks he’s above everyone else just because he wears a crown.”

Following her words a dangerous silence filled the room. The air itself seemed to freeze under his gaze.

Then suddenly saviour stepped closer, each stride precise, until he stopped a breath away from her. Cassandra had to tilt her chin up to meet his eyes.

“Good,” he murmured looking down at her face.

“Because I’m not interested in marrying you either.”

She smirked, the was he said it like it was supposed to be a new. She even be suspicious if he had said otherwise.

“Then why”.

“ don't even think of anything stupid, this is duty and I will fulfill it, we will fulfill it,” He cut her off with his low but firm voice,

“this is not about what we want. My father will have this marriage, whether either of us likes it or not and if you think you can simply walk away, Miss Chase, you are very mistaken. The palace does not release what ever it claims.”

Even with the strong front she was putting on she couldn't help but shiver when she heard his last sentence.

Cassandra stood tall still looking at his cold eyes without fear in her eyes

“So what then? We just become two strangers trapped in a fake marriage to keep your father happy?”

A cold smile tugged at his lips.

“ Exactly, i like this about you. You are quite marry give.”

__________

Dinner that evening was unlike anything Cassandra had ever experienced in her entire life.

She sat at a long dining table that could probably seat fifty, but only four chairs were occupied.

the King, Queen, Saviour, and Cassandra herself. The servants moved like shadows, refilling glasses and laying out dishes she couldn’t even pronounce.

The Queen, elegant in a deep emerald gown, smiled warmly..

“Cassandra, dear, you shouldn't look so tense. The kingdom will welcome you with open arms once the engagement is announced.”

For some reasons the word 'Engagement' kept making her nervous like it was a death sentence.

The King, however, was less gentle. His stern eyes bore into her like a judge weighing the worth of her crimes.

“You will be presented to the press tomorrow,” he began.

“The people must see unity between you both, This union will strengthen our throne.”

Cassandra set her spoon down, summoning all the courage in her chest to speak.

“With all due respect, Your Majesty, don’t you think your son should at least have a say in who he marries?”.

The King’s brows furrowed as he stared between her and Saviour. Making saviour stiffen on his seat.

..Silence blanketed the room until the Queen reached out, holding Cassandra’s hand gently.

“My dear, I understand this is sudden. But sometimes, duty requires sacrifices we cannot comprehend until later. Trust that destiny has brought you here for a reason.”

' Destiny she should' Cassandra snort as she bit back a bitter laugh.

If this was destiny, then it had a cruel sense of humor in her opinion.

________

Later that night, Cassandra was escorted to her chambers—a suite larger than her entire apartment back home. Silver curtains, gilded mirrors, a balcony overlooking the city lights. It was breathtaking, yet it felt just like a beautiful cage to her.

She sat on the edge of the bed, a foot down and the other foot placed on the bed with her arms crossed across her chest, wondering. Wondering how her life had spun so wildly out of control in a single day.

Just yesterday, she had been Cassandra Chase, an ordinary girl living her life with no worries but Now she was Cassandra Chase, yes but Cassandra Chase with a royal fiancée, making her the future Crown Princess.

Shocking right? Yes she was shocked as well.

The most unacceptable part for her was probably the fact that she didn't have a say in it.

Suddenly a soft knock on her door interrupted her thoughts drawing her back to present.

“Come in,” she called out reluctantly.

But before she could even finish talking The door was pushed open as Saviour walked in, it was like he wasn't even waiting for her to let him in at first.

As always he moved with the same controlled grace and majestic steps as always, but his expression was unreadable.

“What do you want?”. Cassandra asked, too exhausted to hide her irritation not like she was trying to hide it anyways.

He studied her for a long moment, before speaking

“We need some rules.” he said

“Rules?”. Cassandra asked confused.

“Yes.” His tone cold as usual like that of a business man.

“If we are to survive this farce of a marriage without cutting each other throat, then there must be boundaries.”

“Go on, am listening.” Cassandra said raising a brow.

“One,” Saviour began, ticking off his fingers,

“this marriage will remain for appearances only. Do not expect affection, companionship, or even intimacy.”

“totally Fine by me.” Cassandra said chuckling

“Two,” he continued glaring at her smiling face,

“you will conduct yourself as the Crown Princess. That means no scandals, no reckless behavior, and no disobedience when it comes to public appearances and of course no displaying of cheap behaviors.”

" Oh os you think commoner like myself as cheap, hmmmm I wonder what the public would say when they hear that the royal house looks down on the commoners as cheap commodity". Cassandra said with a sweet evil smile on her face.

First Saviour was shocked, his father really did found the only commoner that would dare to challenge him for him to take as a wife.

" Don't you dare. I never said anything like that". He said staring daggers at her.

" Oh , I thought as much". She said looking away from him.

“And three,” Saviour finished, his voice lowering,

“under no circumstances will you fall in love with me.”

Cassandra suddenly looked back at him blinking like something got into her eyes before laughing

“ you wish. Trust me I would dare to even if you beg me to,” she said confidently,

“that’s definitely one of the easiest rule of them all.”

As he watch her speak For a moment, something flickered in his eyes— he felt like she stepped on his pride but what was he expecting.when he would the one who came up with the rules in the first place.

“Good,” he said curtly, before turning to leave her room.

Moment later the door clicked shut behind him, leaving Cassandra alone in the cavernous room.

She gently lay back on the bed, staring at the ceiling.

So to put it short the Three rules were

No love.

No freedom.

No escape.

Her new life as the accidental princess had only just begun, and already it felt like a battle she wasn’t sure she could win.