A/n: Hola! This is a new story that I started, though I am still working on my other, “Choices”. I like the idea I have going with this one, and the temptation to type it up was far too great for my weak lil self. So here it is. Review and let me know how you think it’s going. Check out my other story (listed above) to get an idea of my writing style. If anybody has read that story and is reading this after, I guess you know what to expect. Not that the story will be the same (or even too similar), so no fear. Hope you like!

Oh, and do review. I love feedback!

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“Ahem, your attention please,” the Queen’s voice came, silencing all other noises.

Nakirah looked at her mother in surprise. Impromptu speeches weren’t a specialty of her mother’s and Nakirah was almost positive the Queen hadn’t planned on saying anything. She moved her eyes to her father as he rose and stood beside his wife.

“As we all know, Princess Nakirah has begun her eighteenth year,” the King said, his voice demanding attention.

Cheers broke out and a few dared to whistle and hoot. Nakirah blushed as the crowd turned their eyes to her. Hoping she looked okay, she gave the people a dazzling smile before reverting her attention to her parents.

“And for the first time in Charmale history,” the Queen said, “the princess will be able to choose her husband.”

Nakirah’s heart leaped, but her hopes were crushed merely moments later.

“Between either Prince Andrew Roxford of Jariva or Prince Devon Pharo of Belgrane.”

The King and Queen smiled at their only child and then turned to the crowd. “We welcome you to share this moment of history with us.”

More cheers.

“The engagement will take place in exactly three months. You are all invited.”

The crowd went wild. It wasn’t everyday that you heard your princess was going to get married. After all, her choice was an important one- it chose the next king of their land for who knows how long.

Nakirah sat expressionless, hiding well her inner thoughts and turmoil. Her parents had never spoken to her about marriage. She knew all Charmale princesses had arranged marriages… it was just the way things were. As she had grown up expecting this, the announcement had been quite a surprise. The part that troubled her, however, was the fact that it was all happening so soon. Here she was, just today eighteen, and faced with the trouble of picking a life partner- between two princes in less than two months.

Had she had it her way, she would never consider marrying a prince. Past experience told her they were spoiled, snobbish, and extremely proud. Let’s not even start on the size of their egos. Sure, she was generalizing a bit, but she knew that this was true for the most part.

Heck, if she had it her way, she’d never be a princess. It’s not that she wasn’t grateful- she was- but there were so many aspects of her life that she hated. She despised always having to be obedient, look perfect, and portray the image of an innocent little girl. None of this was her true self. By nature, she was assertive, argumentative, and easily angered- nothing a princess should be, but everything like a prince. Her father often wondered why God had created her female.

Unlike those around her, she truly believed in love. Why, she saw it all the time around her. She just didn’t believe it was for her. She had an obligation to her country and her soul mate would just have to wait till the afterlife. Her theory always made people laugh, but Nakirah was sure love was something she wouldn’t experience. What did others know of being a princess?

Physically, Nakirah was quite appealing to the eye. She stood 5’6”, with a slim yet curvy figure. She had long black hair and the oddest, yet most intriguing greenish brown eyes. Known for her beauty, proposals had begun coming for her when she wasn’t even fifteen.

Her parents had other plans. They were waiting for one of two proposals- the Pharos or the Roxfords. To their surprise (yet immense pleasure) they received both before their daughter’s eighteenth birthday. After constant debating about which one would be a better choice, they came to the decision that their daughter could decide. To them, either match was a good one, in terms of betterment for their country. Jariva and Belgrane were both prosperous countries that had bright futures. A marriage into either country would not only benefit them in terms of greater wealth and military power, but the two kingdoms would unite into one- one large unstoppable one.

As the party died down around 2-3 in the morning, Nakirah was finally excused to go up to her room. She did so gladly, because- though she was fond of parties, especially her own- she had a lot on her mind tonight.

As she lay in bed, the little she knew/remembered about the two princes flashed in her mind. Andrew Roxford was rumored to be the perfect gentleman- a charmer with looks to match. Everything girls claimed to want. And Devon Pharo? Him she knew. Too well, perhaps. Well enough to hate, to despise, to loathe. But since their last encounter three years ago, he was rumored to be an arrogant bad-boy player who had broken more hearts than he could count. Snuggling against the warmth of her covers, Nakirah realized the choice seemed more than obvious. She’d talk to her parents in the morning, she thought as her mind drifted off and the powerful grip of sleep captured control.

She awoke as the sun streamed gently into her room. Stretching, she got off her bed and headed to the bathroom. Dismissing her maid, she showered in scalding hot water before dressing in the traditional clothes of her people. A tight pink top that bared her stomach covered (partly) her upper half while baggy, low-rise pajamas that tightened at her ankle (in the same shade as her top) covered her bottom half. She applied the minimum of makeup excusable for a person of her stature and went to find her parents.

She found them in the dining hall, midway through breakfast. “Good morning mother, father,” she said with a slight bow.

The King and Queen smiled at their daughter. “Do sit with us,” the Queen offered.

Nakirah nodded and took a seat. “I was actually hoping to talk… about my engagement.”

The Queen nodded. “I knew that would be on your mind. Your father and I apologize for not informing you sooner. We thought a surprise may please you.”

Nakirah wanted to scoff- her parents both knew she was expecting (and hoping) for marriage years down the line. She wasn’t truly ready to commit yet. Shaking away these thoughts, she nodded. “Shall I give you my decision, then?”

The Queen laughed.

Nakirah stared at her mother in confusion.

“Nakirah, dear,” the Queen said, “you are the first princess to be given a choice. Do make it wisely. Don’t you wish to get to know the princes before finalizing your decision?”

The thought had never occurred to Saphron. “How do I do that?” she asked.

“We’ve arranged for the princes to spend some time here in Charmale. After spending some time with them, you’ll make your mind and engage the one of your choice.”

“Do make your decision wisely,” the King added. “Be careful not to be rash or quick to judge… we all know how you get.”

Nakirah smiled at her father’s attempt to lessen the seriousness of the situation. She’d be offended, but (like often) her father had assessed her personality accurately.

But she wasn’t worried. She trusted herself to make the decision. How hard could it be to make a simple choice? Especially when one of the two alternatives was quite unappealing- and the other almost alluring…

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A/n: How was that? I know it’s hard to tell by the first chapter, but stick with it and I hope you’ll like. Okay then, till next update...

zea