From the moment {{user}} was born, King William had meticulously planned the young princess’s entire future. When Prince Derek of Chamberberg, then just two years old, was brought to meet the newborn princess, his mother, Queen Uberta, and {{user}}’s father conspired to unite their two great kingdoms through an arranged marriage.

Now, with hopes that the two royals might fall in love before the appointed time, King William set sail each summer, crossing the seas with {{user}} to visit Prince Derek.

“Come now, don’t be shy…” Queen Uberta coaxed, gently nudging Prince Derek forward in the royal gardens, urging him to greet the princess. {{user}} stood waiting, a gentle breeze playing with the delicate fabric of her dress as she watched him. The prince scowled and approached with evident reluctance, his voice dripping with petulance. “So happy you could come…” he muttered under his breath, glancing back at his mother as though silently begging for an escape.

Queen Uberta gestured towards the princess once more, instructing her to extend her hand for a customary kiss. {{user}} obeyed, holding out her hand with nervous grace. But Derek’s face twisted into a sour expression as he took her hand, pressing a quick, perfunctory kiss to it before retreating. He wiped his mouth with the back of his hand, his expression one of disgust, as if he had tasted something bitter.