Love is always there- cute short love stories

An unwelcomed marriage

A/N this chapter is for deep_and_dark, who gave me the
idea, and who I'm pretty sure loves this book even more than I do.

Forcing your daughter into an arranged marriage is probably worst thing a parent could ever do. True love can not be arranged, but my parents were trying to do exactly this.

I did not love Prince Elliot. Heck, I didn't even know him. I think I had spoken to him once like 5 years ago, &, it only to tell him off for laughing at my friend, Mary, during the winter festival after she had spilt punch all down front of her white dress. Sure, maybe I was only 12 at the time, but he had been 14 and should have know better.

"Mother!" I complained. "I don't to get married to a stranger."

My mother, the Queen, continued going through my wardrobe looking for a dress for me to wear to dinner where mine and Prince Elliot's parents would discuss our marriage. "Darling you have had this long to find someone to marry, but you haven't shown interest in any man we brought for you to meet. In two years you will be old enough to rule. A queen cannot rule alone. Besides you need to marry before you lose your beauty and get wrinkles, otherwise no respectable man will want you.

"But mother! I'm 18 years old! I'm too young to marry." I won't be getting Wrinkles for a long time and I still have two years before I become queen. Can't I wait until then to get married."

"Of course not! The country cannot be ruled by two newly weds who don't even know each other or have things worked out. now stop complaining and put this on." She said turning to me while holding my red dress. It only use for extremely special occasions such as royal weddings and coronations.

"Mother! I can't wear that to dinner! it's my best dress!"

"I know it's your best dress, that's why I'm having you wear it. You are, after all about to meet your future husband."

I grumbled while my mother helped to dress me. My corset was tightened as much as it could go causing me to gasp for breath. I was dressed in all of my undergarments before my dress was flipped on and laced up in the back.

My favorite maid, Aneta, did my hair and makeup before I was turned to a full length mirror.

I studied my reflection in the mirror. My Blood red dress stood out against my pale skin tone. My neckline dipped low enough that it nearly showed my corset. The embroidery and ribbon that laced up back of the dress were both black.

The complexion of my face, neck, and sleeveless shoulders had been evened out with powder. My lips were the same blood red shade as my dress. The bottom half of my eyelids had been filled with a charcoal color causing my pale blue eyes to pop.

My Raven colored hair had been pulled into a twirling updo that somehow made my curls look strikingly sophisticated rather than wild. All in all the image in the mirror looks almost... Bridal.

I shivered. After I approved my appearance didn't have any flaws to Aneta, she brought out my silver, crystal filled, tiara and matching jewelry, my white elbow length gloves, and my gold colored walking slippers. Aneta said that nobody would be able to see my feet, so they might as well be comfortable.

I hugged her in appreciation and after we added the finishing touches, my mother came in to escort me down to the dining room where my future husband was waiting. everyone at the table stood I kept my eyes at the ground sudenly feeling unusually timid, and much too afraid to look at anyone in the room.

"Gwennavieve" my mother said "This is Prince Elliott, your fiance." I looked up and was taken aback. Standing there was a man who was definitely not the 14 year old boy who had laughed at Mary so many years ago.

He bowed deeply but his eyes remained directed toward my face. "Princess, you are... Breathtaking"

I feel my cheeks turn a pink color, and give a polite curtsy in return.

Gone were Elliott's shaggy hair, freckled face, and scrawny build. He had definitely aged, and nicely at that. He towered over me and had a strong build, but instead of being threatening I felt comfortable around him, due to the playful glint in his eye.

We sat down and the waiters started to bring in our first course. Both mine and Elliot's parents jumped into conversation and planning for the wedding.

I look down at my lap blushing. Even if I had wanted to marry Prince Elliott I now knew there was no way he would want to marry me. He probably had a woman he was interested in, in his own country.

Elliot leaned in close to me. "I'm sorry for laughing at your friend."

I was taken aback." Huh?"

"At the Winter Festival, when you yelled at me. I've felt really bad ever since."

"I'm surprised that you even remember that." I replied honestly.

"I remember you mostly. You, this tiny, gorgeous, girl had the guts to yell at me when I screwed up." He said. "It was admirable. Besides you were too pretty to forget. Speaking of which, you look beautiful tonight."

I grinned. Maybe marrying Prince Elliott wouldn't be so bad after all.