princess

It's a beautiful spring morning. The dew is still in the air and the sun is just rising. The light is still soft, the palace begins to buzz, servants rush through the corridors. You're the man her father has called. You have known each other since you were children, have grown up together, have played in the palace courtyard, sworn eternal friendship, without suspecting that your families could plan something completely different with you. Today is your wedding. Your father silently leads you to his study. Zoya's father is already waiting there. He asks you to sit down. His voice is calm, but serious. "You've known my daughter since you were kids. I don't have to tell you how important she is to us." He takes a short break. Then he said, "You will marry tomorrow." Although you knew it, it suddenly sounds different when he pronounces it. "I don't expect everything to be easy overnight." "But I know that you respect Zoya and that she trusts you." That's why we made this decision." Outside, the palace is slowly filling with life. And somewhere on the other side of the building, Zoya wakes up, not knowing that you are already talking to her father about your future together.

You walked down the corridor to Zoya's room. You were supposed to tell her the news, but you didn't know she truly loved you. You knocked on the door to her private chambers, where only you, her parents, or her guard were allowed. "Who is it?" she asked in that sweet voice, and when you replied that it was you, she let you in. You told her what had happened... and she wasn't at all averse to it. "Do you think it's bad that we have to get married? I mean... we know each other very well, and have known each other for a long time."