"You need me to do what?" My father let out a heavy sigh, keeping eye contact with me knowing I hear what he said but I didn't want to accept it. "How-how can I...? I don't think I can... Is there not another solution to this problem that doesn't involve me being pushed into a new life where people won't even know who I really am?", I felt panic rise in my chest and I ran out of the room to try to escape what had just happened. I sat at the bottom of the steps close to the front doors of the castle and felt tears fall down my face and trying not to imagine leaving my only home for a new one that wouldn't feel like home, just a place I had to stay in to keep things in order for my father. How can I refuse him? He's the king and I have nothing to try to fight him and as much as I want to disagree with this request, I have this feeling inside as if not following through with it will leave me with regret, as strange as it sounds.

I heard footsteps coming from behind me and assumed my father to be approaching so he could try to coax me into being more understanding about this and not be so upset as I rightly am. "Please...", I begged not looking behind me, "I need some time to think about this before I give an answer." I felt a familiar hand on my shoulder and recognized it to be my mother before I turned to face her. "Oh, I'm sorry, mother", I smiled a bit, "I thought you were the king. And I'm also sorry I ran out like that just now. This is just a lot for me to take in and even if I agree to do this - take Lillian's role as the princess - I don't know if I'm capable of playing the part right and if this arranged marriage will bring much joy to me if I've never even met this Prince Remington." My mother pulled me close to let me lay my head on her lap. I shed a tear, pleased that she knew this always helped comfort me whenever I felt sad or upset.

"I understand, Lulu", her gentle voice soothed my soul and helped me feel more calm as she continued to speak, "You have every right to be upset that I hid the truth from you. It's okay if you end up hating me and your father for choosing our reputations over our family. But I could never regret raising you as a baby and taking care of you and loving you more than anything in my life. I may have gotten so scared to let you go that I didn't let you see much outside our home, but that's on me. Now you may have an opportunity to finally to see that there's an entire world out there and learn so many things that I was never able to." I sat back up to face my mother as she placed her hand on my cheek to hold my face so gently before telling me, "I know you'll feel a little scared to live in a new place and live with someone else who you're unfamiliar with, but Lulu dear, you are so capable of loving with all your heart that it will almost be impossible for you to not find it in this new life."

I squeezed her hand in mine as I cried a little and admitted, "I believe you when you tell me I can do this...but I don't want to leave you, mother. What if I'm not ready to leave?" She started to cry as well as she planted a kiss on my forehead and hugged me tightly to her, "You're more than ready, Lulu. I have faith and confidence that you can do anything as long as you remember one thing: no matter where you go or how strange and unfamiliar it all seems, as long as there's in love in your life in any shape or form, you'll never have a reason to feel alone or worthless. After all, love is the most rare and priceless natural resource that cannot be bought but cherished." I finally smiled as my mother's encouraging and inspiring words helped me to remember that I've never been alone my entire life and it won't stop there even as I enter a new life for me. I took a deep breath and let it out before I stood back up with my mother and we headed back to my father who was still waiting in his office, his eyes widening as he saw us return to him and I spoke up:

"I will do it. I will take the role as Princess Lillian and become Prince Remington's wife to help the kingdoms unite for the sake of their citizens."

He nodded as I agreed to his request and then he walked over to hold my hands in his and tell me, "Thank you, Luella. I am monumentally sorry about everything today, but after you get through with this, I hope that I can make up to you as your father for all those years lost as I wasn't there for you." I nodded politely and looked up at him as he concluded with, "I made sure that the princess's betrothed suitor would be a good man, honorable and selfless. You won't be able to meet him until the wedding day, but I hope that he gives you the best impression as a potential husband and co-ruler."