Chapter 1- A royal burden

The halls of Eldoria's palace shimmered with gold and silver, but for Princess Amelia, they felt like gilded cages. She walked through the corridors with her chin held high, her posture a perfect mimicry of poise and grace. Yet inside, her heart thudded heavily, burdened by the weight of expectations she had borne for as long as she could remember. At twenty-three, she was not just the eldest child of King Edric and Queen Helena—she was the heir they relied on to preserve their crumbling dynasty.

"Amelia," her father's stern voice echoed from the grand council room as she approached, interrupting her thoughts.

The king sat at the head of the long oak table, his presence commanding despite the streaks of gray in his hair. To his right stood Queen Helena, as regal and cold as ever. The table was filled with advisors, their faces etched with concern.

"You've arrived just in time," King Edric said, gesturing for her to take the seat beside him.

Amelia obeyed, though every fiber of her being resisted. Her father's eyes, once warm when she was a child, were now calculating and distant.

"We've come to a decision," he began, his tone leaving no room for argument. "You will marry Duke Alaric of Ironhaven. The alliance is non-negotiable."

Her heart sank. She had known this moment was coming, yet the finality of it hit her like a blow. Alaric. The name itself was enough to send a shiver down her spine. He was a man of power and wealth, but his reputation preceded him—ruthless, cold, and entirely without mercy.

"Father, surely there must be another way," she said, struggling to keep her voice steady. "An alliance through trade, perhaps, or—"

"Enough," Queen Helena interjected, her tone sharp. "This is not a request, Amelia. It is your duty to secure our kingdom's future."

Amelia clenched her fists under the table. Duty. That word had been used to justify every sacrifice she had ever made, every freedom she had been denied.

The meeting continued, with advisors droning on about the benefits of the union, but Amelia heard none of it. Her mind was spinning, searching for a way out. When the meeting finally ended, she excused herself and hurried out of the room, ignoring the worried glances of her younger siblings, Princess Eliza and Prince Tobias, who had been waiting outside.

That evening, Amelia stood on the palace balcony, the cool breeze brushing against her face. Below, the city of Eldoria stretched out in a sea of lanterns and bustling streets. She envied the commoners, their lives untouched by the suffocating weight of royal expectations.

Her gaze wandered to the palace gates, where guards stood watch. Beyond those gates lay freedom—a world where she could make her own choices, live her own life. But such thoughts were dangerous, even for a princess.

A soft knock at her door pulled her from her reverie. "Come in," she said, turning to see her lady-in-waiting, Clara, enter.

Clara, her closest confidante, was the only person who truly understood her struggles. She had served Amelia since childhood, and their bond was more like that of sisters than mistress and servant.

"I heard the news," Clara said gently, closing the door behind her. "The engagement."

Amelia nodded, her throat tight. "It's not fair, Clara. Why must I sacrifice everything for a kingdom that never asks the same of my brothers?"

Clara hesitated before stepping closer. "You could leave, you know. Just for a night. Escape the palace, even if only for a little while."

Amelia's eyes widened. "You know that's forbidden. If my father found out—"

"He won't," Clara interrupted. "I can cover for you. You deserve to see the world beyond these walls, Amelia. Even if it's just for a few hours."

The idea was reckless, dangerous even, but it ignited a spark within her. For once, she wanted to make a choice for herself, to feel alive in a way the palace never allowed.

Hours later, cloaked in a plain dress and hood, Amelia slipped out of the palace under the cover of darkness. The streets of Eldoria were alive with music and laughter, a stark contrast to the suffocating silence of the palace.

She wandered through the marketplace, marveling at the colors, smells, and sounds. It was overwhelming yet exhilarating. She had never felt so free.

As she turned a corner, her gaze fell on a small forge where sparks danced in the night. A man stood there, hammering metal with practiced precision. He was tall and broad-shouldered, his dark hair damp with sweat. There was something captivating about him, the way he worked with such focus and skill.

Amelia couldn't tear her eyes away. For a moment, the burdens of her life seemed to fade, replaced by a strange curiosity.

The man looked up, his piercing green eyes meeting hers. For a heartbeat, neither of them spoke. Then he straightened, setting down his hammer.

"Lost, are we?" he asked, his voice deep and laced with amusement.

Amelia hesitated before replying, her instincts warning her to be cautious. "Just… exploring."

He raised an eyebrow, clearly unconvinced. "You don't look like someone who belongs here."

"And you don't look like someone who judges strangers," she shot back, surprising even herself.

A slow smile spread across his face. "Fair enough. Name's Kael. And you are?"

She hesitated again, then offered a small, almost defiant smile. "Amara."

It wasn't a lie—not entirely. Amara was the name she had often dreamed of using if she were ever free of her royal identity.

Kael nodded, seeming satisfied. "Well, Amara, welcome to the real world."

For the first time in years, Amelia felt a flicker of hope. Perhaps the real world was exactly where she needed to be.