Heart of a Princess

I was born into royalty with everything I ever wanted within my reach. I grew up with servants and two handmaidens and had the best education. I have even had a prince lined up for my hand in marriage since I was 3 days old. Sure it was what every girl could ever dream of, but living it was nothing like you read about in books. It was a nightmare, simple as that. The princess always falls in love, marries the prince, and lives happily ever after. At least that's what they say and only tell you about the happy parts of the story and leave out all the blood, sweat, and tears that made the story what it is. I wish my life was like what I read about in stories. Unfortunately, being the future queen has a lot more responsibility and is exactly the opposite of a happy fairytale. But I am getting a little ahead of this crazy fairytale. Let's start from the beginning.  I was born to Queen Elenora Andreadis of Asconia (As-co-nia) and King Zeredah Vittore of Northern Bavaria. (Bar-var-ea) Together their marriage was a marriage of peace and uniting two kingdoms with a long history of war and hatred, the kind that focused on where they come from, who belongs in power, and how money should be spent. I guess you could say it was like the hate between the families of Medici and Borgia. In order to prevent bloodshed and complete obliteration of people and both families, they were arranged to be married by their parents for peace, a ceasefire, and to continue the bloodline. My birth was their official seal that there would be continued peace between the two countries. My marriage is the next political ceasefire, as my future child will be considered the double knot and finale of power and wealth to Persia.  Each of the three territories in the world has a king and queen; Asconia, Bavaria, and Persia. So you see, if I marry Ammar, then I will be the Luna of all three, and according to the Elders, if I become queen of Persia, then I will be given the powers of Selene and be her earth embodiment. My mother had been playing the long game all along. No one besides the elders, my mother, and I know that the one who has been made Lunar Queen of three territories is prophesied to be the true daughter of Selene.  My mother's long game was premeditated from the moment I was conceived. I was groomed to be the Lunar Queen. I was taught how to play instruments, read and write arithmetic, worldwide politics, fashion, and many languages. The only thing my mother directly taught me was how to be a submissive wife, a proper mother, and the responsibilities of the Lunar Queen. But in all honesty, the proper mother was never truly there. She called the shots when it came to me and my upbringing. She made me often question if she was both the person who wore the pants and controlled the zipper in her relationship and as a monarch.  The Prince of Persia, Ammar, I'm sure, is great in all his glory, but honestly, I didn't want to be married. Not unless it was my mate, you know the one person that I needed; like I needed oxygen to breathe. I wanted the burning passion, the sappy romance, and someone who wanted to stand beside me; to support me as a ruler, not try to keep me silent while I just look pretty while they rule my kingdom.  Prince Ammar from what I see based on his portrait and writing letters to each other since we were children. Which was the only way we were allowed to communicate; our parents' strict rules. Our parents believe in courting the old-fashioned way and don't keep up with the times of texting and video chatting. Based on the letters, he is a good man, but, we don't share the chemistry that I desire nor do we share anything in common. He is attractive and very pleasing to the eye with his thick black, short, wavy hair. His Persian sun-kissed skin, and dark brown eyes with gold around the pupil. His square-shaped face has no flaws. I have stared at his picture trying to force myself to fall in love with one thing about him. We have never met in person because we aren't supposed to meet until the time of our world tour courtship after my 18th birthday. Which is, unfortunately, in two weeks.