"Es, my dear daughter, Forgive me, For…. I cannot disagree with your Father, I failed as your mother," mother said while weeping herself.

"I'm fine, Mother. It's not a big deal, After all, I'm in aged to get married…"

Ensuring my mother, who is still crying in my lap "Plus... I already agreed."

Mother looked at me with a sorry expression "Ohh, my Es, is already grown up is she?."

I looked at her beautiful emerald eyes and said "Es, is your daughter after all," and gently stroke her soft Brunette hair.

"Do not fret mother, even if after I got married I will still be your one and only baby girl."

"Ohh... How I wish your Older Brother would learn something from you,"

"Ha ha funny, Older Brother is more impressive than I mother, I don't dare to get compared with him."

"Don't say that, sweetie."

Mother was trying to comfort me, even though Deep inside, I know I don't need a comfort. Still I'm grateful for a Mom like her.

My mother is Wyn Morana Sovanna and She's forty years old.

Mother is like a sun to us, Because, Her personality is so bright and cheerful that we feel bad for no reason.

"Mother, Have you already eaten yet?"

"W, What?!" Shocked, "Ah, no, Not yet, why dear?"

"Then, Do you wanna eat some snacks? Like cupcakes and my specialty?"

...****************...

...Two Hours earlier...

"Milady, The Duke has called you."

"Inform Father, The Duke that I'll be arriving in 10 minutes."

"Yes, Milady." –Butler bows before leaving.

...TEN MINUTES LATER...

"Duke, Forgive me for arriving late,"

Bows, and took a sit infront of the Duke –My Father, Ethan Sovanna.

"Esmarie," the duke said while drinking a tea.

"Yes, Father?" took a sip of the tea.

"The emperor visited our manor the day before,"

The Duke looks at me, and said "We talked about the candidates for the position of the crown princess, since the crown prince is in 'that' aged."

Upon hearing this, I instantly figured what my Father was trying to say.

"...Father."

"Don't worry, dear... I'm sure the Emperor won't include you in that list..."

"You don't sound so sure, Father."

"W..W..Well, You're gorgeous after all, no one can resist your beauty that you got from your mother."

"You flatter me, Your Grace." Chuckles Softly.

Suddenly, someone knocked on the door, And came in like it's a rush.

"Forgive me for rushing in, Your Grace."

The Butler came in and whisper something to my Father, My Father's reaction's shows disbelief in his face.

"Duke, What's wrong?" I ask in worry face.

...****************...

...END OF PROLOGUE...

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WARNING!!!

This story is all about fiction —It's not based on real life scenario.

All names, places or even the location are ALL fiction.

ALSO, ENGLISH IS MY THIRD LANGUAGE, SO THERE'S A HIGH CHANCE MY GRAMMAR WILL HAVE AN ERROR.

ESMARIE'S POV

"Your Grace, You look... troubled,"

"I know this is out of line, But as your daughter, may I ask what did the Butler told you that make you look like that?"

I ask my Father who looked very worried and concern about something.

"You can leave now, Butler."

After the Duke permit our Butler to leave the room, The Butler immediately bows his head and left the room– locking the door as he leaved.

"...Esmarie, dear..,"

I noticed Father deeply sighed as he was about to say what concerns him since earlier.

"...His Majesty the emperor, has included... you,"

Father covers his face with his both hands, As if he was about to cry just by mentioning The Emperor's order.

"But.., why now?, I.. Wonder what made his Majesty the emperor changed his mind up until now?"

Father's shaky voice made me realize that we can't really do anything about this problem, and that I should do something about this.

"Don't worry Father, I'm sure even if I will participate in this selection of 'future crown princess' –is that they won't possibly choose me, will they?"

"Is that what you want, Dear?"

Father looked at me with his teary eyes, and suddenly felt a throb in my heart.

"...Father, don't look at me with those eyes, It's not like I'm leaving forever,"

"Don't worry Father, I assure you that I will be back that will bring you and mom some Joyful news."

My Father quickly wipe his tears and smiled sweetly as he faced me.

"Oh dear, It seems like I've taken a lot of your time,"

"I will be going now, Dear."

Father stood up and looked at me with a worried face.

"Father, you can go now, I'm a grown up now... I'm already seventeen years old, So don't worry."

Father deeply sighed and finally left —Suddenly after Five minutes, Mother.., The Duchess came in rushing towards me and gave me a big hug.

...****************...

...After 1HOUR and 45MINUTES...

After some time, I successfully ensured my Mother who was crying her eyes out earlier.

I know my Parents always overreac– I know they are overprotective... Still...

"The selection is in next week already..."

I murmured under my breath wondering how will the Selection will go.

...****************...

...4 Days Later...

...****************...

"Four days have already passed, only Three days left."

Bored with nothing to do, I decided to visit my brother in the Imperial Palace where he is working as an Administrator for the King. I know that by going in the Imperial Palace there's a chance that I will meet the crown prince.

"Mehh, so what, That's just a chance, right?"

I shrug at the thought of bumping the crown prince, after all, I haven't even met him yet, and I don't exactly know what his face looks like.

"First, I have to get permission to my Father to go out, though I know he'll let me anyway."

...****************...

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...TO BE CONTINUED...

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From the Author:

Hope you Enjoy Chapter 1😘

New year is near, and it'll be 2025 soon, I Hope you guys will enjoy the year that is coming 🎉

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At the Imperial Palace

"I thought his grace would let me off easily, well it's understandable, I'm one of the candidates for the selection of the 'crown princess."

As I was walking near the entrance Gate, Two guards block my way.

"State your name, and also do you have an appointment?"

One of the gatekeepers speaks and ask, what's my name is. It's understandable that they don't know me at all. After all, I didn't even debut, yet.

"... Oh, I don't have an appointment Mr. Guard. I just want to visit my older brother who works as an Administrator in the Imperial Palace."

"... Your brother? Who is your brother?,"

"He is... Lucas Sovanna, the first son of my Father, His grace the Duke of Sovanna."

"Lucas Sovanna... Huh, You can go inside..."

"Thank you, Mr. Guard."

After I said 'thank you' I bow at them out of courtesy, They nod their head and proceeds to open the gate. As I was entering one of the guard whisper to me and says,

"Chrysander Nolan, not Mr. Guard."

"Pardon?"

I turned around and looked at 'Chrysander Nolan', 'Chrysander' was smirking. I quickly turned back to avoid his beautiful ocean eyes, quickly run fast as I could with my heavy dress.

After I got away from the Gate and 'him'. I instantly observed the area, and notice that I'm lost.

"I forgot that I don't know the places in the Imperial Palace, But I think I'm in a maze right now."

I mumble, and looked around and notice a big tree planted at the center of this maze. The leaves are color gold, which will certainly attract people with its color.

As I was getting closer to the Golden tree, I noticed that, there is a man laying underneath the Golden tree.

The man looks beautiful and handsome at the same time with his Golden hair that shines along the Golden tree.

"I wonder what his eyes looks like?"

I ponder and walks more closer and closer near him, when I was finally near him, I crouch and stroke his hair gentl—

"What are you doing?!"

The man woke up and looks mad like I disturbed his nap.

"Oh... Uhh.., I.. I'm sorry, It's... It's just.. Your hair looks smoother than mine... That..that I suddenly had an urge to stroke It, I'm sorry."

The man looks at me with his Golden eyes, his eyes, hair are both color gold, they look very pretty..., though, his eyes looks cold as an ice which ruins his beautiful feature.

"So?"

"...I.. I apologize... For stroking your hair,"

The man still looks at me with his cold eyes as if apologizing isn't enough for him.

'What?! Does he think he is some kind of royalty?!! Fine, I'll do Kowtow for a nobody like him'.

I did some kowtow to him showing my sincere apologies.

"Please, Forgive me."

I looked up and saw the man looks unfazed even though I did Kowtow.

"Stop. Sit properly, will you?"

"Well, Thank you for your kindness, Sir."

I took a sit, and 'that' man still hasn't said anything, and instead he looks at me with a annoying look. At that moment, I can feel my blood boil to his actions, and can't take it anymore.

...****************...

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...TO BE CONTINUED...

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