Chapter 3: Freedom

Charlotte struggled to fall asleep that night. Her entire day had been a whirlwind of travelling, meeting people, and settling in, and now in this unfamiliar bedroom, tucked in a strange bed, her mind refused to settle down.

She was tempted to call her handmaid, Aria, just to have someone familiar in the room with her, but she could just hear her mother's disapproval in her head.

"Charlotte, you're 13 now. You have to learn to stop depending on others so much. Especially since you're engaged now."

Sighing, Charlotte thought back on her meeting with the princes, hoping she'd tire herself out enough to finally sleep.

Prince Ashton was two years her senior, and everything she imagined a prince should be. His blond locks were perfectly groomed, there wasn't a wrinkle to be found in his blue suit, every word he uttered seemed to be practiced a hundred times before he ever spoke it, and when she'd walked in he'd looked at her with such admiration that she'd felt her cheeks redden instantly.

And yet, Charlotte found her thoughts straying more towards Alther, the younger prince. He was her age, she recalled, and he could not be more different from his brother. His dirty blond hair was slightly unkempt, as if done in a hurry. His attire was slightly wrinkled and he gave off the feeling that he wasn't used to being around others apart from his family. His words were spoken haphazardly and he often backtracked to cover something he shouldn't have said to begin with, and there was always a look of panic in his eyes whenever he thought someone caught his mistake.

Charlotte wondered what he was afraid of. She was certain it couldn't be Ashton, as there was never a moment she saw anything but fondness in his brother's eyes.

The king, though quiet, didn't seem like the type of person who would react angrily to such small mistakes.

The queen on the other hand, had seemed cold and distant. Charlotte's meeting with her had felt more like a test, where every action she took was being graded at an impossible standard. Could she be the one Alther was so afraid of?

In that instant she remembered when Prince Alther had referred to Queen Haven by her title and quickly corrected himself. Could that be it?

It's not your business to know, she reminded herself, now feeling more awake than ever. Charlotte groaned quietly and resigned herself to a night of no sleep.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

"Charlotte, wake up," a quiet voice urged, and Charlotte slowly opened her eyes.

Aria smiled up at her. "Morning, sleepyhead."

"What time is it?" Charlotte groaned.

"It's 9 in the morning. You missed breakfast but I brought up a tray for you. However, we're on a tight schedule so eat quickly."

She handed Charlotte the breakfast tray and rushed off to prepare her bath, setting a red dress out for when she was finished.

"I heard the king has a special announcement in honor of your presentation," Aria informed her.

"Oh? Do you know what it is?" Charlotte asked.

"Not at all. But apparently it's very important." She winked.

An hour and a half later, Charlotte stood in front of the balcony doors with the royal family.

"Nervous?" Ashton whispered.

"Just a little," she confessed.

"Don't be," he reassured. "You look stunning." He smiled and held out his arm.

Charlotte took it, smiling back at him.

Trumpets rang outside and the doors opened, King Selwyn and Queen Haven leading the way out onto the balcony. Ashton led Charlotte out behind them, and Alther followed shortly after, taking his place at Ashton's left.

"People of Vasilvael," King Selwyn called. "Thank you all for gathering on this joyous day. My son and heir, Prince Ashton has found a bride! May I have the great honor of presenting Princess Charlotte."

Charlotte nervously stepped forward and the crowd applauded as she waved.

Once the people calmed down, King Selwyn continued.

"I'd also like to announce that in honor of my son's engagement, I'm abolishing wizard slavery in Vasilvael. From this day forth no one will be considered property of anyone else!"

The world stood still for a moment, then the crowd exploded into rage.