Prologue

I never thought this would happen to me. I’m married at the age of 12 to a man I don’t even know for ‘diplomatic purposes’. Or at least that’s what my mom was saying. She also said that even though we are married that I wouldn’t be around him at all until the age of sixteen or something like that. He is the prince of the country he is from and I’m the princess of my own. I don’t want to be married! I think it’s horrible! Aren’t arranged marriages something from the 19th century or something? It’s 2095 for goodness sakes! I know we all went back to the monarchy thing after World War III but I still don’t think it’s appropriate.

I’m just thankful that I don’t have to consummate the marriage for YEARS! The Prince is nineteen and that’s 7 years OLDER than me. That’s just gross! What completely sucks is that when I go to school I have to be called Princess Ariana Lane instead of Ariana Bryant because I married Prince Blaize Lane. I don’t want that because I like my last name the way it is… I want my mommy… This isn’t FAIR!

My mommy’s calling me so I have to go… I hope everything’s alright. Laterz, Aria

Princess Ariana Megan Bryant Lane climbed up off her bed and walked towards the open door out into the hallway. When she arrived at the living room her mother, Queen January, as well as her new husband, Blaize Andros Lane, were talking. Blaize was a well sculpted male with deep gray eyes and messy brown hair. He stood up with a soft brotherly grin on his face when Ariana entered. Blaize stood over six feet tall so Ariana craned her head back to look up at him.

“Princess Ariana,” Blaize said bowing in front of her.

“Prince Blaize,” she replied with a curtsey.

As soon as they acknowledged each other Ariana ran to sit at her mother’s side. Blaize sat back down in his own seat with a smile on his face before leaning back in the chair. Queen January was staring worriedly over at Blaize.

“Now Blaize since you are my daughter’s husband I will tell you a few things. Aria will stay here and grow up with her family until the age of sixteen. You will be free to carry on your own ‘relationships’ until that point in time. Then all outside relationships will stop,” January said looking at Blaize with an angry gaze.

“Aye your highness believe me when I say I will obey,” Blaize replied ignoring the angry gaze.

“How can I trust a nineteen year olds word when I just let him marry my youngest daughter? Honestly I’m inclined to annul this thing because there will be NO consummation of any kind. We didn’t even let you two kiss at the wedding,” January rambled on.

“I know Highness and I know that in a few years time things are going to change but I don’t think that’s going to be a good idea. This marriage is necessary for all involved,” Blaize replied calmly.

“You are an interesting fellow Blaize. I would have figured you would want the easiest possible route out of the marriage,” January stated.

“I stand by my duties as a Prince,” Blaize replied.

Ariana watched them talk about other obligations and rules like appearing for Christmas and birthdays. Finally Blaize was allowed to go, he bowed to January and then took Ariana’s hand in his then he brushed his lips across the back of her hand. Ariana watched him leave with a pink blush staining her young cheeks. She was now married and would have to mentally come to terms with what that meant.

Ariana spent the next year getting adjusted to being a Mrs. instead of a Miss at school. Every time someone would say the last name Lane, Ariana would ignore them. That year was the oddest for her because even though she was a Princess she was treated equally at school with the other kids. However she was the only one her age married at all. Whenever someone would find out they would ask really embarrassing questions that caused Ariana to blush scarlet.

Blaize was in the News quite often with one of his ‘flings’. Ariana would see him on TV and be confused why her new husband was being called a cheater. She remembered her mom saying that he could continue to have relationships. When she asked her mom, her mom just waved the question off without answering it.

Ariana continued to grow and only saw Blaize on her birthday and Christmas. When she turned fifteen Blaize didn’t come to her birthday or Christmas. Ariana had grown up a lot in the three years since their marriage had taken place and was looking forward to showing herself off. When she commented that he wasn’t there to her mother, she waved off those questions as well.

Ariana was becoming very confused about what would happen when she turned sixteen. Her husband was now twenty-two years old, about to turn twenty-three in a week, but he was nowhere to be found. Blaize was to turn twenty-three and then a month and a half later Ariana would turn sixteen and then the two would actually start living together. Ariana was getting confused as to why she never heard from the Prince, but then again she didn’t know if she wanted to know where he was.

The week passed and it was announced that the Princess would be coming to the palace for his late-birthday celebration a week from that day. Everyone turned the palace upside down setting up for it and Ariana was getting extremely frustrated with everyone asking if she needed anything. “I don’t need anything! I barely know this man called my husband! It doesn’t bother me that he is returning!” Ariana yelled causing several servants to bow in apology before scampering off. Ariana sighed and collapsed onto her bed worn out from the stress of everything.