The Princess Secret Mate

s breathtaking-the lush, rolling hills of the kingdom stretched for miles, dotted with villages and sparkling rivers that flowed li

complexities of politics. And now, it was Isabella's turn to play the role assigned to her by the tides of fate. Her marriage, the most imp

was a habit of hers, to escape to this high tower when the weight of the royal crown be

the door interru

her maid, Clara. "The royal dressma

of her engagement to Prince Caspian of the neighboring kingdom, and yet, the reality of it had still not sunk in. Her marriage to C

doms-a strategic decision that would bring prosperity and stability t

abella murmured, her v

r. "Your Highness, the fitting must be complet

e contrary, he was handsome and charming in his own way-but because she did not love him. How could she? Her heart had been given to freedom, to t

d now. Duty, family, and

oice tinged with defeat. "Tell h

d exchanged letters, written through their advisors. From what she had gathered, he was the perfect match on paper-intelligent, respectfu

nothing but duty when she thought of him. And it was this hollow feeling that

lla knew that peace and prosperity did not come easily. They were maintained through careful negotiations, alliances, and, most importantly, through the sacrific

rfect princess, to uphold the dignity of the crown and the welfare of the kingdom. But in the quiet corn

responsibility was too strong, her love for her people too deep. She had seen firsthand what happened when

ife would have been like if she had been born a commoner. Would she have been free to choose her own path? Would sh

woman staring back at her was a princess-a woman bound by duty, by tradition, by the expectations of

a said, stepping back to admire her wor

t didn't reach her eyes. "Than

her family. Her father was already seated at the head of the long table, his piercing blue eyes s

her said, her voice warm but distant.

r smile tightening.

glance. "The wedding preparations are progressing smoothly. The al

tant reminder of the burden she carried. She had always known this day would come, the day when she would be

rumors of an impending threat from a rival faction-a shadowy group that had been plotting against the royal family for years. She could not help but wonder if this would be the time when she would be forced t

certainty and fear. She longed for clarity, for a moment of peace, but she knew that peace would neve

no matter how much she longed for a dif

herself to breathe. The weight of the crown was heavier than she had imag