Chapter 1

"Aliya, please! Would you listen for once?" my mother said as she took out the little black roses from my braided hair.

I frowned and rolled my eyes. "How long will you keep trying to change me, Mother?"

My mother, the great Queen Diana, had made it her mission to come to my room every single morning and try to dress me up so I could look like the perfect fairy princess. She always chose bright colors that resembled warmth and happiness, the colors our kingdom was known for. I hated it, but I had no choice. My mother was very persistent.

"I am not trying to change you, my child, but this..." She looked at my dark roses with disapproval. "This is not good. You look ridiculous!" she said, replacing the flowers with pretty white lilies.

I sighed. "Fine." There was no point in arguing with her.

"Besides, today is a special day. Stand up," she said as she went to grab the dress she had brought and placed on the bed.

I did not know how many times I had sighed whenever this woman came into my room to dress me up. This was probably the millionth time.

"Mother, no, no, no... hell no," I said as I walked away from the hideous dress.

The dress was a bright yellow, covered in yellow and pink roses. I hated yellow, and let's not even talk about the pink roses. They belonged in a garden, not on me.

My mother grabbed my arm and dragged me back towards the dresser. "You will wear this dress. Yellow resembles the Kingdom of Cyria. They will be our guests today, and their leaders are bringing their four sons."

I cringed. "It gets worse."

"Stop it, Aliya. Put this on. Now," Diana said in a strong tone. She was losing her patience.

I groaned as I went to put on the dress. It fitted my body perfectly, but I looked absurd, like one of the performers at the circus downtown. "My goodness, Mother. You cannot make me wear this," I said as I came out.

She had the biggest smile on her face. "Oh, my baby, you look beautiful!" she said, holding my cheeks.

I wanted to faint. This was one of those days when I just wanted to fly away and hide in my grandmother's inn somewhere far in the woods. She fixed my dress at the back, and I could see the sudden frown on her face. I knew it was because of my dark wings.

"Now what?" I asked, ready for the next argument.

She walked over to the dresser and came back holding a blue cape. "I think this will do," she said as she put it around me.

I was a little disappointed, but I expected it. I was used to it by now. I didn't say anything as her smile returned to her face.

"Now, don't be late," she said before leaving my room.

I rolled my eyes as I looked at myself in the mirror. "Ugh..."

My head snapped towards the door as my twin sister barged in. We were so different. She was the very opposite of me. We had the same blonde hair, but hers was covered in soft curls. Her wings were a beautiful sky blue with delicate floral patterns, while mine were dark, almost black against my back. She had my mother's blue eyes, while I had inherited my grandmother's green eyes.

She was soft and always bubbly. I was on the quieter side. I liked to keep to myself.

She looked at my dress and couldn't hold back her laughter. "You look insane!" she laughed as she threw herself onto my bed.

This made me even more upset. "Your mother is trying to punish me or something because what the actual fuck?" I said, groaning as I paced around in the hideous dress.

My sister looked much prettier in her pink gown. It suited her, and it was her favorite color too.

She smiled at me. "I mean, it's not that bad... but it's definitely not going to get you a husband today."

"Oh," I said with a grin plastered on my face.

I could tolerate this dress if it meant avoiding this whole marriage alliance thing this season. In fact, I could use ten more of these hideous gowns.

"What?" Athena asked curiously.

I grabbed her hand. "Nothing. Let's go. Your mother will have our heads if we are even a minute late."

We walked down the hallway until we reached the dining hall. It was already decorated and filled with elegance. The tall crystal windows allowed the afternoon light to shine through, making the enchanted chandeliers hanging from the ceiling sparkle. Golden flowers floated above the long tables, held in place by simple fairy magic.

My three brothers were already drowning themselves in wine while my father talked to some of his men. Athena and I sat next to my brothers.

"Wow, that is..." Damien squinted his eyes at my dress as he tried to find the right word to describe it.

I put my hand up and cut him off. "Don't start with me, little brother."

"It's obvious Mother picked it. She has the worst taste in literally everything," Augustus said as he sipped his wine.

Athena narrowed her eyes at our older brother. "No, she doesn't. Mother has amazing taste."

Augustus smiled. "You would say that because you are the same."

Athena gasped. "How dare you!"

"Now, now, children. Let's all calm down. Our guests are here," Timothy said as King Charles and Queen Victoria walked in with their four sons.

They were all dressed in yellow and gold to symbolize the wealth of their kingdom. Golden embroidery covered their formal clothes, and small jewels shimmered beneath the enchanted lights of the hall.

They looked amazing, and to be honest, all four of their sons were beautifully handsome, just as one would expect from fairy royalty.

Our parents welcomed them and led them towards the table. Once everyone was seated, my father, King Alexander, took his wine goblet and held it up.

"We welcome you to Orania, and we hope the union that is created today will strengthen both our kingdoms for a very long time!"

Everyone cheered as we all took a sip from our golden goblets.

I only made one wish.

That I would not be set up with anyone this season.I had so many other plans, and those plans did not include being stuck forever with some prince who would annoy me for the rest of my existence.