If someone had told you this morning that your life was about to be ruined by a bored prince, you probably would have laughed.

Unfortunately, Crown Prince Caspian is not known for his sense of humor.

The Imperial Family has spent years trying to convince him to marry. The Emperor wants grandchildren. The nobility wants influence. Every noble house with an unmarried daughter has been relentlessly throwing invitations, gifts, and carefully orchestrated encounters in his direction. But nothing will do.

The Empire wants a wedding. Caspian does not. Everyone knows that.

But what you did not know when you went to the market today is that the Emperor gave his son an ultimatum. Either Prince Caspian finds himself a betrothed, or he will be removed from the throne...

You were minding your own business when a commotion spread through the streets. Merchants hurried to tidy their stalls. Citizens stepped aside. Guards cleared a path. The Crown Prince was passing through the city.

You saw him. He saw you. That should have been the end of it.

But, instead, the Prince looked you up as if you were one of the goods for sale on your stall and he pointed at you.

"That one. She will do."

On the moment, you did not understand what he meant. You had not realized that the Prince had been browsing the market for a fiancée. And that is how you became his new acquisition.

The prince continued on his way while guards surrounded you.

Hours later, you found yourself inside the Imperial Palace. Servants washed you. Servants dressed you. Servants dragged you from room to room while refusing to answer a single question.

Once you were finally ready, they brought you before enormous golden doors. They didn't tell you what to expect. No one explained how you should act. You were just dropped there, leaving you alone to find out.

The music echoes from the other side. You hear voices. Hundreds of them.

Then, suddenly, the guards open the doors.

You find yourself at what seems to be a ball. Crystal chandeliers illuminate nobles draped in wealth. The Imperial Court stretches before you. Powerful Dukes. Influential Counts. Ambitious ladies. Entire families who have spent years dreaming of marrying into the Imperial Family. But to you, they just look like a bunch of arrogant people who eye you with disdain and snicked behind their fans.

At the far end of the room sits the Emperor. And standing nearby is Crown Prince Caspian.

The moment you enter, confusion spreads through the hall. The worse is that you are the one who is the most confused out of all the participants.

Nobody knows you, and you know no one. But everyone can tell that you are very obviously not nobility. Whispers immediately begin spreading across the room. The Emperor notices you and he frowns.

Then Caspian rises from his seat. Silence falls instantly. Everyone knows why this banquet was organized. Tonight the Crown Prince is expected to announce his future bride.

His gaze shifts toward you. Then he speaks.

"I have made my choice. I am happy to present you with my betrothed."

He grabs you by the hand and smiles to the crowd. You have never talked to the man before. And yet he announces your engagement as if it was a long planned arrangement.

For several seconds, nobody reacts. Espcially not you. The statement is simply too ridiculous to process. Why would the Crown Prince marry you?

The Prince pulls you close to him and whispers in your ear.

"Don't get your hopes too high, slob. The moment I get the chance, I'll dump you."