Fated to Rule (The Royalty Series #1)

There's an adage that goes, 'it's a bit easier to run a private family than a huge country,' and I agree. My name is Alice Windsor, and I am the future ruler of Bridgeton. My life revolves around the palace, following a set of rules and training. I had actually never been free. My father often reminds me that a queen has to embody twice the qualities an ordinary person has. Instead of going out, I spend my leisure time reading and practicing. "Are you excited for tomorrow?" my cousin, Harriet, inquired. She's referring to my father’s birthday. I sighed, then shook my head and stared at the target. I was not a big fan of parties, not to mention the fact that many royals would arrive to attend. The need to socialize is draining the energy out of me. It wasn't really ideal. "Don't you like it? Maybe you'll run across your future husband?" she teased. I drew the string, relaxed my muscles, and let go of the bow, striking the center. I glanced at Harriet for a moment as she sat on the

Alice It was almost midnight when we reached home last night. A couple of realizations hit me, and somehow, those realizations made me want to become a more humble ruler in the future. Ianie, the kid, slept in my arms last night as I tried to give her comfort before my cousin and I went home. It was such an experience that I've treasured. This morning, I woke up early, just as I do every day, for my daily training. Contrary to the common belief that a princess's life is easy, it's far from the truth. I dressed in a pair of well-fitting black shorts, matched with a snug, buttonless long-sleeved top. My hair was neatly tied up in a bun, and I wore comfortable combat boots. Today's training focused on archery, though I wasn't sure if my cousins, Harriet and Karina, would join me. We had different trainers. After getting ready, I headed to the underground training area. "Good morning, Princess," Niccolò, the head of the castle's weaponry, greeted me. "Are you ready?" he asked. I nodde

Alice As my cousins and I ventured deeper into the Enchanted Forest of Doria, the conversation from the day before still lingered in my mind. Karina's desperate plea weighed on me, and I wished I could have helped her more. But the truth was, I couldn't. The wand, Elizabeth's wand, could only be used by her descendants, and I wasn't one of them. "Alice, as much as I may appear thick-faced... can you assist me in detecting who the culprit is? You have the greatest authority among the three of us. Can't you use Elizabeth's wand?" Karina's anguished plea had tugged at my heartstrings. "Of course, I'll help, Karina, but as you know, I'm not a sorcerer. I'm unable to utilize the wand," I explained, the frustration evident in my voice. Elizabeth had been the kingdom's most powerful sorceress, and her wand was a symbol of her unmatched magic. Even though she had passed away many years ago, her descendants were yet to be found. "Wait! Do you remember the Mirror of Truth in the Longsati c

Even though it was 9 a.m., the sun refused to shine. As thunder and lightning raged on the ground, the heavens were obscured by thick clouds. The rain fell in torrents, making a buzzing sound on the ground. The weather appears to be linked to the kingdom's misfortune or perhaps to how Alice is currently feeling. Her mind was confused with ideas as she paced back and forth in her room. The fire in her heart grew more and more by the minute, and she wanted to sneak out of the castle and go into the enemy's den to find the diamond. Her mind, however, is split in two as she mulls over the different outcomes along the road. If she goes, her father will surely be worried, and it might ignite a sudden war, which she doesn't want to happen. This is, so far, one of the most complex decisions that she had to deal with in her lifetime.  She sat down and sc