DISLIKING THE MALE LEAD

CHAPTER 2

Ara Bella threw off the covers and swung her legs over the side of the bed. She ignored the maid's shocked look.

"Princess, that's not something you should be doing. You have to act like royalty, or nobles will gossip about you," the maid cautioned.

She rolled her eyes. 'Like they've taught me anything about being royal.' Eliana never got any proper training as a princess.

"I need to see Eliana's parents - err - I mean, my parents," she said, making a move to leave, but the maid quickly stopped her. "Your highness, you can't go out like that," the maid said. Her brow furrowed as she glanced down at her attire - sleepwear. She smacked her forehead, recalling the novel's world she was in. In this world, appearances mattered greatly for earning respect.

"'Help me get dressed," she said to the maid. The maid nodded and assisted her into a beautiful gown.

Ara Bella gazed at her reflection in the large mirror, and for a moment, she barely recognized the person staring back at her. The face that gazed back was that of Eliana, a vision of loveliness with porcelain skin and ash silver hair that cascaded down her back like a river of moonlight. Her purple eyes sparkled with an otherworldly beauty, and her small, delicate nose and pinkish lips seemed to glow with a soft, ethereal light. The natural flush on her cheeks only added to her radiant complexion. She looked like a goddess, a being of breathtaking beauty and elegance.

As they walked through the palace, she saw many servants and guards who bowed and curtsied as she passed. Feeling like a stranger in a strange land, Ara Bella couldn't shake off the sense of unease.

As they approached a large window, she gazed out at the kingdom's breathtaking view - rolling hills, sparkling fountains, and bustling streets. Yet, nothing seemed familiar.

"What's the kingdom's history?" She asked the maid. "And why did my parents abandon me?"

The maid hesitated before responding,"The kingdom's history is...complicated, Your Highness. Your parents were once beloved rulers, but they faced numerous challenges and made tough decisions. As for their reasons for abandoning you...I'm not the one to tell you, since I'm not aware of the real reasons." Her eyes narrowed, disliking the secrecy. What secrets surrounded Eliana's past and the Eldrid kingdom? She sighed inwardly, wondering if she'd rather focus on a different character - maybe an extra one who could chill while catching up on the main characters' drama.

As they continued to explore the palace, Ara Bella stumbled upon a large portrait. She gazed at their faces, searching for any spark of recognition. But there was none.

"Who are they?" She asked the maid, her voice barely above a whisper.

"Those are your parents, King Eldrich and Queen Lirien," the maid replied. "They rule the Kingdom of Eldrid."

Once again, she scanned the portrait of Eliana's parents, searching for any hint of familiarity. But their faces remained strangers to her.

As Ara Bella strolled through the sprawling palace, she took in the sights and grandeur of her surroundings.

The Palace of Eldrid Kingdom rose like a shimmering mirage from the heart of the realm, its spires and turrets reaching for the sky like delicate fingers. The walls, crafted from a rare white marble that seemed to glow with an inner light, shone with a soft, ethereal radiance, as if the very essence of the moon had been distilled into stone.

The grand entrance, an imposing archway adorned with intricate carvings of Eldrid's royal crest - a proud eagle soaring amidst a wreath of silver and gold - creaked open with a soft whisper, revealing a cavernous hallway lined with glittering tapestries that told the stories of Eldrid's ancient heroes.

The air inside was alive with the scent of old parchment and the faint hint of jasmine, carried on the whispers of forgotten conversations that seemed to linger in the corridors. The floors, polished to a high sheen, reflected the light of a thousand candles, casting a warm, golden glow that seemed to pulse with the heartbeat of the kingdom itself.

In the central courtyard, a magnificent fountain danced with water and light, its melodic song weaving a subtle spell of tranquility and wonder. The palace's very atmosphere seemed to vibrate with history, magic, and mystery, a testament to the enduring legacy of the Eldrid dynasty.

"I won't do it." Ara Bella stood tall, her eyes locked on the king and queen as they sat on their thrones. "I won't do it," she repeated, her voice firm. "I won't marry Prince Calcion."

The king's face turned red with anger. "You will do as you're told, Eliana," he thundered. "This alliance is crucial to our kingdom's survival. You will marry Prince Calcion and secure our future."

Her jaw clenched. "I'd rather die than marry that prince," she spat. "I don't want to marry a man I've never even seen in my entire life," she lied. The truth was, she did know Prince Calcion of Terra's Kingdom. The male lead of this n*********d. Her most hated character.

The queen's face paled, and she placed a calming hand on the king's arm. "Eliana, dear, you must understand the situation. Our kingdom is in dire straits. We need the alliance with Terra's Kingdom to secure our borders and our future."

"After abandoning me, you want me to marry a man I don't know?"

The king and queen were taken aback for a moment. But the king's expression soon turned stern once more. "We did it for your own good. We didn't abandon you because we wanted to, but to protect you."

Ara Bella's anger and hurt boiled over. "Protect me? By leaving me in the forest? By never telling me who I am or where I come from?"

The king's voice was firm. "You don't understand, Eliana. The prophecy speaks of great danger, not just to you, but to the entire kingdom. We had to make a choice, and we chose to save you, even if it meant giving you up."

Her eyes narrowed. "What danger? Prophecy? What does the prophecy say?" she asked, confused.

"Who is Eliana? What's her true identity?" She wondered. From what she knew, the n*********d revolved around four main characters: Prince Calcion Hani Terra, Saintess Leviona, Duke Rowan, and Duchess Sarina. Why was there a prophecy happening in Eldrid Kingdom? What was the connection to Terra Kingdom and the four main characters?