Prologue: The beginning

"Shh! You will wake her", Sandra said to her husband Charles as they tiptoed to the sitting room to place their daughter, Aurora's gift beneath the Christmas tree.

"I'm just looking out for you. Hope you aren't feeling tired", he said.

"Charlie, it's Christmas", she said and placed the wrapped gift beneath the Christmas tree. "I have to be strong even if it's just for today. You know fully well this is the last Christmas I will be spending with you two."

"Stop saying that."

"We can't hide from the truth, Charlie. I'm dying. This is no joke. It's cancer. I hate to leave you but I have no choice", she said crying.

He moved closer to her and hugged her really tight. "It's okay."

"Mummy", they heard the voice of their little princess and turned their heads towards the voice.

"Yes, princess", Sandra replied. "Come."

The girl ran towards them with her little feet. "Mummy, you are up!” she said smiling.

"Yes. I'm feeling okay today."

"I told Santa that I want my Mum out of bed on Christmas day and it came true."

"Wishes do come true", she said and kissed her daughter's forehead.

"Let's open our gifts, shall we?” Charles said.

"Yeah!” Aurora shouted and Sandra sat down because she was feeling tired again.

Aurora opened the gift her parents placed there and was surprised to see a real tiara.

"Woah! Is this real?” She asked.

"Yes, baby. It is. A real tiara for my little princess", Charles replied.

"Mummy", she said and moved to sit beside her mother on the couch. "Are you feeling sick again?"

"Just a little, princess. Don't worry, I'll be fine and we'll bake our Christmas cookies like always."

"Yeah! Don't worry, mummy. I will take care of you. You will be fine."

"Thanks, baby."

"Mummy?"

"Yes."

"Can I become a real princess that lives in a big castle?"

"You don't have to live in a castle to become a real princess."

"What do I have to do, then?"

"If you care about other people and you are bold, then you are a princess."

Aurora smiled. "I love you, mummy."

"I love you, too. Aurora?"

"Yes, mummy."

"I want you to know that I will always be with you. If not physically know that I will forever be in your heart."

"Are you going somewhere, mummy?"

Sandra looked at her husband and he looked away because he just couldn't accept the fact that she is dying. Ever since she was diagnosed of cancer, he had always hoped that the doctor is wrong and his wife will be fine and stay in his arms until forever.

"Yes, princess. I'm going somewhere far away but just know I'm always in your heart. Tell me where I will always be."

"In my heart", Aurora said and placed her hand on where the heart is supposed to be.

Sandra hugged her daughter and cried silently. How does one explain to a five year old girl that her mother has cancer and will die soon? Charles also turned his face and cried.

Sandra just wish she can be with her family forever.

December, 2000

Crown Prince, Zuerien set out on a cold December morning to check out the beauty of the Castle. Being a prince is a hard job. You can't do anything without the council's consent. Zuerien doesn't want to live like this. He wants to travel around the world and find true love. His father, King Edward wants him to marry Duke Bartholomew's daughter. He likes Lady Sophie as a friend but nothing more. He doesn't want to marry someone he doesn't love. It pains him seeing his mother stuck with his father. She loves someone else but was married to his father out of duty to the kingdom of Valtoria. She was also a Duke's daughter and her marriage was arranged with King Edward.

"Good morning, your Royal Highness", George, the palace Butler greeted the Crown Prince of the kingdom of Valtoria. 

"Good morning, George. What's the occasion?” Prince Zuerien greeted.

"The King requests your presence in his Chambers."

"Okay. I'll be there right away."

"I'll relay your message to His Majesty", he said and turned towards the castle.

Prince Zuerien turned towards the castle and head towards his father's chambers. He got there and saw his father in his study going through some paperwork with his mother sitting quietly beside him.

"Good morning, Father, Mother", he greeted.

"Good morning", they replied and his mother smiled.

"Have a seat", the king said and Zuerien did as he was told. The King looked up from the paperwork and faced Zuerien. "What do you think about Lady Sophie?"

Zuerien looked at his mother and she looked disappointed.

"Answer me", he said calmly.

"She's a good friend", he replied with the same tone as his father's.

"Friend?" He chuckled. "Well, since she is your friend, it won't hurt to see you two get married to each other, right?"

Zuerien looked startled. He knew his father has the intention of making him marry Lady Sophie but he doesn't expect it to be this soon.

"But, Father..."

"Any problem?"

"I'm still 15. I can't get married."

"I'm not saying you will get married right away. When you are old enough and the time is right, your marriage will take place."

"Still..."

"What?"

"I don't love Lady Sophie."

"Love." He chuckled again. "Love, you say. Marriage isn't about love but about duty. It's the combination and agreement between two nations. Stop being naive."

"Edward, he doesn't love her and we aren't sure if she loves him too", Queen Anne said with a gentle voice.

"I already talked to Duke Bartholomew and he said when the time is right, he will bestow Sophie to Zuerien for their marriage."

"Edward, give him a chance to choose for himself."

"Don't you dare argue with me!” He shouted and she flinched. "That's my order. You can leave. Both of you."

Zuerien and Queen Anne stood up and left the King's study.

"I'm sorry", Queen Anne said to Zuerien. "I'm sorry about being helpless to do anything about it."

"It's not your fault, Mother."

"What do you intend doing?"

"I have to follow his order, I guess."

"You can't. I know I have always told you to listen to your father but this is different. If you marry someone you don't love, you will be sad forever. You have to find your true love."

He sighed. "When the time is right, I will know what to do."

"Zue!” Princess Leah, Zuerien's 5 year old younger sister called running towards him.

He caught her easily and carried her. "Your highness, you shouldn't run around carelessly like that. You may hurt yourself."

"I can't hurt myself. I'm a big girl."

"Don't you know big girls hurt themselves, too?” Queen Anne asked.

"No. It's not possible. Is it, Zue?"

"Mother said it's possible. So, don't run around like that again. Okay?” He said pinching her cheeks.

"Yes, your Royal Highness", she said smiling. "Zue?"

"Yes?"

"Can we go outside the castle?"

"For what?"

"I want to see Santa."

Zuerien looked at his mother pleadingly. 

She smiled. "You can go. I'll cover for you."

"Yeah! Thanks, mother. You are the best", Princess Leah said and kissed her mother's cheek.

Zuerien set her down. "Go get ready, your highness."

"Okay. I'll be back", she said and walked back to her chambers.

Zuerien turned to his mother. "Hope you won't be in trouble for granting us permission to leave the castle."

"Of course not. Your father has meeting with the council today and after that he is going to St. John to see the Reverend. So, you should be fine."

Zuerien smiled. "I love you, Mother."

"I love you, too. Now off you go."