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Chapter One

Isadora

I’d hoped to never marry, but I allowed the Queen to teach me that there could be a suitable compromise

After all, the Queen is my mother

I never thought that coe isn’t so strange, even nowadays But an arranged s?

I face theto erase my tension on my face and then in my mind“I’m Isadora Brevintos, and I have to marry, as I’strands will help to calm my nerves

I catch ht have crept over me slinks back and I see my forehead crinkle

My mother and queen, never one to shy away froe the surrounding, powerful nations “Yes, you will do your duty to your nation,” she says, hera stern line She smiles, an attempt at warmth that doesn’t quite penetrate my nerves “You look every bit a princess, my child, and this brilliant move will mean so much for our country” Her eyes beam with pride

Her hands are resting on my shoulders now, and I reach up to squeeze them for comfort, but she pulls away I don’t think she realizes she does it as she walks away The queen is ras that I’ve already intoned to myself, already heard a thousand times

It’s this coldness in her that I fear I have in in and have no interest in men, because I despise affection like my mother seems to

My er with us

Perhaps it is me who is unlovable, I worry

It’s a dreadful thought I hope that it isn’t the case I hope the two princes I’ed to , I hope that they are just as unhappy with this situation and therefore es that married people must do

I’m not ready for any of that!