Audrey 

I came into my room. King Jacob Donaldson. I was certain that I had never seen him at any of my balls before. But the name sounded familiar, like I have heard of him, perhaps. I sat on my bed and took my notepad from my bed in my hands. 'How to convince father to leave my marriage' is something I wrote on my notepad. I smiled at how I thought that father would have agreed to my objection. I can not even believe that they both were thinking that I was doing everything to prevent my own marriage.

But, the problem was that I only had a week. In a week, I had to come up with a plan and stop them from ever thinking of marrying me. I recalled what he had said, "After all, I have already arranged it. He is ready, and he will come here for a ball next week. I will then announce your engagement." These were his exact words. He also said, "Your tricks would not work. He is looking for a wife." Why was he looking for a wife? Of course, it had to be that old notion of having an heir. Heir my foot! I would not let that bastard touch me, or even think of touching me.

Wasn't it a scandal that she feared the most? I think it was, and now, her daughter will give her an even bigger one. I was so determined to find a way out of it using a gossip sheet. Then my eyes fell on my notepad. I used it for writing random stuff and coming up with a plan. It did work well for me in the past. It helped me in clearing my head. But now, I need to scrap the writing until I come up with a perfect plan.

After some time, I realised, I must know what is in these scandal sheets. There has to be a way out in them. I know my mother had them in her room. I must get them. I made my way to my mother's room. She was asleep and I was successful in retrieving the box filled with sheets. If I remember correctly she has been saving them for so long.

While making my way to my room, I dropped the box accidentally. Oh good god, help me. Father came rushing from his office. Mother too came out to look. “What are you doing?” She asked, then looked at all the sheets.

He picked one and read;

'Have you ever wondered that a princess found in a chamber of an unmarried prince could cause a bigger scandal?'

“Why do you need them? You hate these sheets!” He asked me. I said, lying. “I need them to understand what type of a man he is. They both smiled at one another and kissed my cheek in good night. I gathered them all and made my way to my room. But an idea was forming in my head, perhaps it would work. Finally I could sleep.

The day started off with my normal routine. I woke up and did some riding, having breakfast with my family, it was very hard, for they were very determined for me to get married.

"So? What do you think of having your wedding take place in our own lands?" Mother asked, then filled her mouth with some food. I felt like she was not asking but telling me instead. I could not believe that they really thought that I would marry a complete stranger. I tried saying, "Mother, I do not know if I really want to..." "Stop! Addie, I thought we were done with this conversation." Dad said and slammed his hands on the table causing every glass to fall and spill. "What has changed? Why are you both doing this to me?" I tried to make them understand me. But they were not at all ready for that.

"I think Addie, you forgot to read the sheets which were by my bed side. Did you even read any? Did you find out what they were talking about you? When I was young, I was never mentioned on these sheets. Addie, you do not even try to understand. These sheets are powerful. They can make your reputation and even break it to pieces. I have seen young princesses suffer because of it." She said, getting all of my attention to her.

"My dear, do you remember how we met? How at our time, Queen Caroline was rumored to be drinking blood instead of any other refreshments?" I narrowed my eyebrows. "Queen Caroline, as in Princess Sidney's mother?" I asked for clarification. Looking at me, her tone shifted to coldness. "Yes, your dear friend Sidney's mother. At that time, we heard a scream come from a room, and everyone went to see. Caroline had blood on her mouth, and the very blood was dripping down the throat of Queen Copper. The scandal sheets said that she was a dangerous creature rumored to suck blood from any lady's throat. The queen she killed, her husband King Wayward, asked for Princess Caroline to be his wife. She was rumored to be a beast. Not even a single prince tried approaching her. Because of it all, she had to take that offer. That's how she married King Wayward. He was 30 at that time and young Caroline was only 18. It was her first time coming out to balls and the rumours had her married to a man who had a wife before. Although he never had a child with her. I have a lot of these stories, how they were all ruined. Addie, I do not want you to be one of them. One to be forced to marry." I laughed.

"I am sorry mother, but you jest so well. Are you both not forcing me to marry someone I don't want to be with?" I asked going serious. "Yes, that is because you forced our hand. We gave you so many years to find a suitable match for yourself but look at you. You are 23 and not married. At this age I had you. So, tell me how many years you have lost just thinking that one day we would let you rule? It has never been done before and the whole world will not accept it." With those harsh words, mother got up from her table. Her plate was full. She did not even have more than three spoons.

"Mother! Please at least eat?" I pleaded for her to not leave her food out of anger. I tried following her out of the dining room. She was crying again. She wiped her face with her hand. I took hold of her arm, stopping her from walking any further. She turned. "All I want for you, is to be happy. I do not want you to face all the hardship of the world. I love you, Addie." She said and hugged me.

I had no idea why, but I whispered in her ear, "I'll marry him!" Her hand froze, while she was caressing my hair. She then looked me in the eyes and asked sternly, "You sure about that?" I nodded. Although I knew I did not want this at all, I went with it. Thank God that I had a plan in mind. Surely, she is overjoyed to hear it. She smiled and wiped the tears streaming down her face. "Oh, I cannot wait to see your wedding." Then she started walking hastily. I had to start getting my plan in motion. Because her joy can lead to me getting married as quickly as I think. I started walking towards the library. I had to craft a letter for my friends to come visit me. I must tell them and get them on board with my plan.