12

My heart was racing, today was a big day. I was nervous and a little anxious, but also excited. My hand was on my brother arm. Just beyond this door was my fiancé and high society that I never thought I would be a part of. The very people my mother had tried to insure would never see my face. Then I heard the announcer say my brother and my name, with that the doors opened and we step into the bright room. It was so nosy then it went quiet, I could hear the whispers people were saying and all the eyes that fell on us.

I looked the old queen which those who were alive during her time said it without hesitation. In there whispers to one another. Along with the fact that we came in after the imperial family which wasn't permitted. They stood to the side of us as well, all eyes followed us as we walked over to Peter.

Peter looked a little shocked to see me look so different from the person he had always seen without my dark hair. His mother on the other hand face went white from shock as if she had seen a ghost. Peter smiled at me and his father interrupted the awkward whispers. His voice seemed to eco through the large quiet ball room. "I know my sons fiancé has been the talk of the Empire, so I would like to introduce to you Crown Prince Peter and his partner, Crown Princess Iris."

My brother handed me off to Peter and we stepped forward together for everyone to see.

"Don't be nervous, they will all love you." He whispered to me. I smiled back at him and squeezed his arm a little tighter.

Dispute being calm on a battle ground and winning wars, this was all new territory. I was never the center of attention with all eyes on me. Which is what caused me to be nervous. I'm not trained for this type of environment and I don't have experience with it either, even in my past lives I've never been introduced into high society. I never made it that far in my past lives. Even with Corey I wasn't truly introduced to anyone but his clan. He killed me before I could be introduced to others. Which I have still yet to understand the motive for behind it. I'm not sure why he thought he couldn't lead with me by his side or if he thought he would live in my shadow.

Either way this is my second chance at love, although I didn't choose him. He will be my chance at revenge, for both my brother and I.

Petter had never meant my mother so he didn't know what she looked like. His father was the only one other than my brother to knew what I looked like. Looking over everyone next to Peter I saw the faces of some knights and nobles who had recognized me from battles. I could still feel the eyes on my and slight whispers as we walked into the crowd for our first dance.

People saying "Did the last queen have a secret daughter?" "Is her one of last surviving relative?" "I wonder how long they have been secretly courting each other?" "Was the rumor of the black haired girl a future mistress?" "Didn't her brother by there title?" "For a common born she's a good dancer."

Peter whispered as he saw me getting distracted "Don't listen to them, focus on me." I smiled at him

After the dance we separated as I need to get to know some of the nobles to gain support from them. The women didn't rush over to me but some men did, they were counts and knights. They congratulated me and said they were happy to put a name to my face. Along with the fact that I deserved this for protecting the empire.

That's when a few high ranking officials and generals and admirals came over which silence the others. They got down on one knee and bowed there heads. Everyone was white and looked at us the crown prince and king also noticed and we're watching. "Crown Princess Iris, we pledge our oaths to you, we will be your sword and shield. Your eyes across the kingdom. We will follow your every command and give our lives if that is what is needed."

Other who had come around me also joined in pledging there loyalty. I knew they were doing so as I had saved there lives before. A lot of them were people who hadn't agreed with crown prince and wanted one of his cousins to take his place. The opposing faction had been cut in half. It also showed my power and that I was chosen for a reason, other didn't know I fought on the battle field and they thought it was simply due to who I was likely blood related to. I could see how displeased Peters mother looked and he looked confused. While our father smiled. He patted Peter on the shoulder and said something quietly to him and Peter's face changed to a smile as he walked over.