“A wedding hunt?” Princess Lilly asks with a thick brow cocking in confusion. She pulls back the string of her bow, narrowing her eyes at her target while at the same time trying to pay attention to her mother and father’s words.

“Yes my dear,” her mother says with a perfect smile consisting of perfectly straight white teeth and pink plump lips. Her father smiles back, the end of his lips with lovely deep laugh lines. His teeth are similar… if not slightly discolored. “This would be a lovely opportunity for you to find a spouse while showing off your magnificent skills.” Her father says with adoration in his tone.

Lilly shoots her arrow, watching it pierce the straw of her archery target. Perfectly centered.

The princess lowers her bow, turning her armor clad figure to face at her parents entirely, giving her own, weak smile. Her teeth are hardly straight. Her two front teeth have a noticeable, unflattering gap, while her canines stick out awkwardly.

“I don’t think it’s a very good idea…” Lilly murmurs, pealing off her leather gloves after placing her bow on the standing tray beside her. “I’m not the type of person for an event like that.”

That’s the truth.

Princess Lilly of Grovonia. Daughter of King Grove and Queen Grove. Their only daughter. A wild child since birth. Lilly would terrorize the servants, climb the drapes, rip every dress she’s ever worn… and sometimes it was accidental. She once, at the young age of thirteen, took a dagger to her hair and ruined those beautiful strands of white, pink and a gray. Even now her hair is ruined at the age of twenty two. Her parents have always been supportive, which is a surprise. Each year for her birthday since she was nine she’s been gifted a new set of armor… from leather to iron to steel…

But maybe they should not have been so supportive.

Her figure isn’t exactly dainty like how a princess’s should be… she’s more tone, stronger, bigger. Her hair, a mess. Her face, even worse. Body with scars and active bruising from training with her knights… she isn’t what a princess should be. Shes… faulty. No suitors, no marriage proposals, no interest in her romantically.

So a wedding hunt is definitely not the place for the likes of her.

“Oh nonsense, sweetie.” The queen coos as she gently cups her daughter’s tanned cheek. “You were invited personally by the neighboring kingdom Stonehelm. Clearly, you are meant for an event like this.”

The king places his hands over his heart, his aging gaze full of love for his sweet daughter. “And my dear… I would so love to see you marry before I die… and as heir to throne—it would beneficial for you to marry.”

Lilly feels a twinge of guilt. Her parents being so desperate to see her find love is all of her own doing. If she was normal… she would be married by now with a darling spouse. She sighs softly, gaze flickering to the floor. Is this truly how she will find love? Forced to run into the woods and have someone track and hunt her?

How embarrassing…

Lilly lifts her gaze and gives a toothy smile, hiding her guilt and anxiety.

“Sure momma, poppa…” she mumbles, her parents perking up with joy.

———

That was a week ago. Now she dredges the gravel path to the ‘hunting’ grounds, having to wear a dress that will most definitely be a challenge to run and climb in while she hides… it’s a soft pink and white, it ripples like water in the wind, it’s nice.

But annoying.

She feels the critiquing gazes as soon as she steps on the hunting site. The hunters and… pray… linger together. Discussing. Flirting. Trying to encourage being chased. Promising to chase. But non approach her. Princess Lilly gives awkward grins whenever someone glances her way, just to be given a disgusted look back.

She shouldn’t be here.

Princess Lilly chews on her tongue, standing off to the side with a glass of champagne in hand, staring down at the gravel floor with a small frown. When the chase starts—no one will hunt her down. She’s too weird, too unconventional. She doesn’t want to be different, she just wants to be herself.

But look where that got her.