The Forbidden
Anka was out of breath and had goosebumps all over her skin. She could feel the pulsating in between her legs as if she'd had the best sexual experience of her life. Yet, she had awoke alone. All week she had awoken to these feelings, her body sensitive as if she'd been touched and licked all over, and while it was scary, it was also exhilarating. Anka didn't know why this was happening to her, but she was secretly enjoying it.
Anka rubbed her eyes, yawned and decided to enjoy a good stretch before getting out of bed. Just as she was swinging her legs over the side of her bed, her maid Lena came rushing in. Your highness! You are late for your riding lesson and the Queen will not be happy if you are late for your breakfast together again today! Now up with you! I'll draw your bath.
Anka smiled, how she loved Lena. Lena had been her handmaiden since she could remember, and regardless of her tough love she was a kind and gentle soul. She always made sure that Anka was taken care of and made it to her meetings on time, even if Anka made it nearly impossible.
With a smile on her face, Anka got into the hot bath and enjoyed its comfort on her skin. Taking baths was how Anka found peace in her chaotic life. She was the daughter of a great King and Queen in a vast country. Their lands spread far and wide, her fathers army was famous amongst those who ruled this world. There Anka was, stuck in the middle of it all, she thought. Today was another day in "the game" as Anka called it. She would go off to her riding lesson, have breakfast with Mother, and then meet a suitor who had come to seek her hand...along with the power her position would offer the man who chose her. He would become King after they married, and so far no suitor was worthy of her she thought. They all came in with their flags flying, so confident that Anka could swear their heads would pop off. To be seen as a piece of property was not only disheartening, but it made Anka want to give up on the whole prospect of finding the "right" man. She didn't think there was such a being.
Thalia, Anka's horse was particularly stubborn this morning. Whoa Thalia! Anka was tired of Thalia trying to turn in the opposite direction of where she was guiding her reigns and butting her head back in subordination. So she was had brought her back to the stable, frustrated. Time for breakfast with Mother Anka sighed. She knew her Mother would pester her about her indecision amongst suitors, and she just didn't want to hear it this morning.
"Ah there you are my beautiful daughter", the Queen said as she looked up from the table. "Let again I see, but no matter, there is much to discuss." She gestured for Anka to take her seat next to her at the dining table. "Now, today you have the pleasure of meeting someone special to our kingdom, today you will meet Prince Callub of Whisteria Falls, our biggest partner in trade." "He is a fine suitor and is of equal power to us, making a merge between our kingdoms a highly coveted choice."
Anka rolled her eyes, "Mother, I don't know why you can't just let me fall in love the way normal people do. Why is it that I can't just go out and find my someone special on my own, and let things build the natural way?" "That is not for you to decide young lady, you are a Princess and decisions like this affect more than just you! Now, seeing as how you've adamantly decided against all those who have come before you, your father has decided that this arrangement will be decided for you, and Prince Callub is who the King has chosen for you. It would do you well to make a good first impression to the Prince, otherwise your father's wrath will be upon you," said the Queen.
Outraged by this new arrangement, Anka stood up in a huff and with red cheeks she said, "I'll take my leave then Mother, to prepare for my apparent future husband." Then she proceeded to her room where she fell face first into the bed and screamed into her pillow. How could they do this to me she thought! Her parents had an arranged marriage and neither of them wanted it, yet here they were doing the same to her. Her anger quickly turned to sadness and Anka laid there crying. That's it, this was the end of her life as she knew it, there would be no love in her life, no romance, no build up, just a formal relationship built on the exchange of power.