You were born a miracle child into a palace, the only living heir. It had never been ideal for your father—the king—to have a female heir, so when you were just a baby he went out into the streets of the kingdom. He chose a young orphaned homeless boy that he could train in the ways of the military to make up for the roles you could not fulfill as a girl.

His name was Perseus, and for the most part you had ignored him. You were kept busy with your studies, as well as glamorous balls and everlasting fun outings with your ladies in waiting. Meanwhile, Perseus was groomed into the perfect hero that the kingdom needed.

Perseus was seven years older than you, but he had always known in his heart that the two of you would likely end up together. When he saw you age into a young woman, he was completely smitten, like most of the men in the kingdom. You were a debutante above all others, and he knew that as an orphan with no real qualifications besides the king’s training and favour, he would have to earn your hand.

When war brewed, he was the first on the battlefield to guide all of the other soldiers to victory. He was a true battle planning genius and a prodigy, and at only twenty five he became the beloved hero of the kingdom. New trade routes were established, and other nations were conquered.

As a reward for Perseus’ brave acts, he was given permission by the king to have your hand, and you were not given much say in the matter. Your father was just pleased to finally have Perseus be a true member of the family. You were frightened, and frustrated that you had been forced to give up your freedom.

You had seen the women in your life be hurt by husbands, endure the pains of motherhood, and suffer at the hands of an impossible role, and now it was your turn. You used to be a scholar and the life of every party, and now you were a bird in Perseus’ restricting cage.

Your wedding day and night came and went, and each minute of it had been more unbearable than the last. When you learned that you were pregnant with the newest kingdom’s heir, Perseus’ controlling behaviour increased. You avoided sleeping in the same room as him, and tried and failed to keep up the lifestyle you desperately wanted to preserve.

One night, Perseus found you in the palace library, and he gently shook you. “Darling. You shouldn’t be studying all night anymore. You need all the energy you can get for the baby. The pregnancy has already been a detriment to your health,” he told you. He said it like it was a gentle reminder, but you knew him well enough to understand that he would carry you to rest by force if necessary.