Chapter 2

"January 2, 2025.

After that day, I couldn't shake off the thoughts of him. This unfamiliar feeling has taken over me - a mix of longing and regret. I keep wondering what if I had accepted his offer.

It's a strange sensation, like a new chapter unfolding before me. But I'm determined to focus on myself, on my studies, and not let my heart wander.

...

I sat at my desk, studying the pages of my book, my mind focused on the tasks ahead. My maid, Maria, knocked and entered the room. "The king requests your presence, Princess," she said.

I stood up, smoothing out my dress, and followed Maria to the throne room. My father, the king, looked at me with a serious expression. "How are you, child?" he asked.

"I'm fine, Father," I replied, my voice steady.

My father nodded. "There are things you need to attend to, child. Tonight, we have dinner. I expect to see improvement."

I nodded, my mind already racing with thoughts of the dinner ahead. I turned to leave, my footsteps echoing off the stone floor.

As I walked back to my room, I thought about the tasks ahead. I had to make sure I was prepared for dinner, that I had all the necessary information at my fingertips. I spent the rest of the afternoon studying and reviewing my notes, my mind focused on the challenges ahead.

As the sun began to set, I got ready for dinner, my movements swift and efficient. I made my way to the dining hall, where my father and grandfather were already seated.

We sat down to eat, and my father began to ask me questions, testing my knowledge and my skills. "Zyra, imagine that a neighboring kingdom is threatening to attack us. What would you do?" he asked, his eyes piercing.

I didn't hesitate, my mind racing with the possibilities. "I would gather our military leaders and discuss the best course of action. We would need to assess the strength of the enemy and determine the most effective way to defend our kingdom."

My father nodded, his expression unreadable. "And what if the enemy offers a peace treaty, but at a great cost to our kingdom?"

I thought for a moment before responding, my mind weighing the pros and cons. "I would consider the terms of the treaty and weigh the pros and cons. If the cost is too great, I would reject the treaty and prepare for war."

My father sat up straight, his eyes never leaving mine. "And what about the people of our kingdom? How would you protect them?"

I didn't flinch, my mind focused on the task at hand. "I would do whatever it takes to protect them. I would make the difficult decisions, even if they are unpopular."

My father nodded, a small smile on his face. "You show promise, Zyra. But remember, being a ruler is not just about making decisions. It's about having the strength and courage to see them through."

I nodded, my expression neutral, my mind already focused on the next challenge ahead.

As we finished dinner, my father turned to me with a serious expression. "Zyra, do you know what love is?" he asked.

I looked at him, my expression confident. "Yes, Father. Love is a feeling of affection and devotion to another person."

My father nodded, his eyes searching mine. "And what does it feel like?"

I didn't hesitate, my mind focused on the task at hand. "I don't need to know what it feels like, Father. What's important is my duty and responsibility as a princess."

My father nodded, a small smile on his face. "Good, Zyra. You're focused on your duties. That's what a true ruler needs to be.".

All of this was a test, questioning me about politics and love, ensuring that I was capable of ruling and obedient to their orders. Nothing would have been the same if that incident had not occurred.

That day, I was in elementary school, and we had an activity where we were supposed to bring our mothers to school the next day for Mother's Day. I was a bit worried, but my father called me to say that my mother was recovering, so she might be able to come. However, my mother was not allowed to exert herself too much, as she might relapse. I was excited at the prospect of my mother coming!

But after that day, my entire life changed. My mother, who was supposed to have recovered, had an accident on her way to the hospital for a check-up. The car she was riding in broke down, resulting in the accident.

I was devastated, unable to stop crying until I collapsed from excessive grief. The day after, I woke up feeling heavy with sadness, never having imagined that my mother would pass away on the day I was so eager to bring her to school.

That day, my father held a funeral, and I saw him crying uncontrollably at my mother's gravesite. It was also the day he promised my mother that he would put an end to the curse.

Our family is cursed, a curse bestowed upon us by the goddess. Our ancestor fell in love with the goddess, but when the day that he became king, his love for her gradually faded. He took another woman as queen and had a child with her, enraging the goddess, who then cursed our family. The curse states that whenever a member of our family falls deeply in love, the day they truly surrender to that love and realize they would sacrifice everything for it will be the day their lover meets their demise.

That's why my father sorrowfully announced that I was forbidden from learning about love or experiencing it for myself. As the sole heir, I, Zyra Elinor Rodrigez, was destined to become a honorable queen.

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