|Helena's POV|

-The Holy Roman Empire, two months later-

I slammed the book shut and placed it beside me, trying to calm myself. I was frustrated with reading these love stories. After spending half my life waiting for the moment I'd exchange love letters with someone I adore or sneak out of the palace to hear the love poems written about me ... Now the only thing I’m doing is exchanging is eye rolls with these ridiculous characters! Honestly, where’s my royal romance?

Now, two empires were preparing for celebrations and what they called the wedding of the century, while the bride and groom hadn't even met... and we won't!

The door opened, and when I looked up, I saw my mother and Lady Emiliana, their faces beaming with wide smiles.

"Helena" my mother approached me and sat down beside me, but when she noticed my tension, her expression changed "What's wrong? Are you alright? You look pale" She raised her hand and placed it on my forehead, checking my temperature.

"I'm fine" I whispered softly, then looked at her "You seem happy... What happened?"

"I'm always happy, especially as I prepare for my daughter's wedding that the world will talk about!" She lifted her head and looked at Lady Emiliana "Isn't that something to be joyful about?"

"Of course it is" she smiled, then turned to me, her eyes sparkling.

"Anyway" my mother stood up and took my hand "let's go, dear...Two dresses have been prepared for... I want you to choose one of them"

I sighed impatiently and followed her... I had no other choice. We went to a spacious room where many maids were present.

After trying on both dresses, the choice fell on the white gown embellished with silver... It wasn't my choice but my mother's and her assistants', of course. When I wore it, I could see their eyes welling up with tears from the emotion and joy... there was nothing joyful about it for me.

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-Two days later-

"Tomorrow is the grand party" my mother exclaimed, gesturing with her hands as if she were talking about the most magical thing "Everyone will be amazed to see your beauty, Helena"

"What kind of wedding will the bride celebrate alone?" I turned back to look in the mirror, brushing my hair.

"Darling" she sighed a little, then leaned in closer to me "This is a grand wedding between two empires, so we will celebrate here, and then you and your father will go to the capital of the Ottoman Empire for your marriage to Sultan Orhan"

"But" I felt confused "why doesn't he come here for the wedding?"

"Listen to me carefully so you can understand" she smiled slightly, then took the brush and began to brush my hair "Because you will become a part of his empire... This doesn't mean you won't be a Habsburg, but you will move from the House of Habsburg to the House of Osman or as they say, the Ottoman dynasty"

"But I will always be a descendant of the Habsburg Dynasty" I raised my eyebrows, trying to grasp all of this... I hadn't done any research due to my disinterest in the topic from the beginning.

"Yes...of course, but" she set the brush down and began to adjust my hair with her hands "when a princess from one lineage marries a man from another, she becomes part of his family, and her actions must always serve the interests of her husband's state"

She placed her hand under my chin to meet my gaze "Just like me, I came from the House of Bourbon, but now I primarily belong to the House of Habsburg" She ran her hands over my cheeks "Everyone will remember me as Queen Joanna, not the other way around, and this applies to you as well"

After my mother left, I spent half the night thinking about everything she said... I thought I would remain Princess Helena my entire life, so my mind needed some time to process all these changes that had occurred in the past months.

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-Two days later-

Yesterday was the grand celebration... The event lasted for hours, leaving me feeling exhausted and somewhat disheartened..

I'm not complaining, I appreciate that everyone is happy for me and I am grateful, but I still remain unconvinced about this situation.

As soon as I opened my eyes in the morning... or let's say midday, since I hadn't slept due to last night's festivities... the door opened, and Sibylle and Isabel rushed in with excitement, making my eyes widen.

"What's happening?" I said softly, placing my hand over my heart.

"You received a letter!" Sibylle exclaimed, bouncing in place while holding a letter.

"A letter?" I brushed my hair behind my ear and raised an eyebrow "From whom? Do I have a secret admirer who just revealed himself?"

"No, my dear... It's from your future husband... the king" she laughed as both of them moved closer and sat beside me... I was still in shock at the mention of Sultan Orhan being the one who sent the letter.

"He's not a king... he's a Sultan" I took the letter from her and opened it to read its contents.

«Princess Helena,

I extend my formal congratulations on our engagement, It is a significant step in strengthening the ties between our two great empires.

I have been informed that festivities have commenced in your homeland, and preparations are underway for your arrival. Rest assured, we are also making arrangements to ensure a grand celebration of our union.

I look forward to the day we shall officially unite our realms.

Sincerely,

Orhan
Sultan of the Ottoman Empire»

I closed the letter and exchanged silent, strange glances with my friends.

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The celebrations continued for about a week, and then the promised day arrived. I would leave the palace where I was born and have lived my entire life, not knowing when I would return... if I would return at all.

Everything was ready-my clothes, jewelry, belongings, books, and everything else... Sibylle and Isabel would accompany me, as I certainly wouldn't leave them behind no matter what.

I took a deep breath and looked in the mirror... My eyes carried stories of worries and forgotten dreams... Deep in my heart, I wondered.. what awaited me in this world so different from what I had known? Would I find the happiness I sought, or was this step about to ruin my entire future?

I left the room and headed to the grand hall where I would bid farewell to everyone.. As soon as I stepped inside, I saw my mother with a handkerchief in her hand, clearly in tears, while my brother tried to comfort her and my sister looked pale and utterly unhappy... at least I had some value here.

"Mother" I called out as she heard my voice, then ran to her and hugged her tightly "I will miss you"

"I will miss you too, darling" she ran her hand through my hair, then pulled back a little to caress my cheek "I will send you letters all the time"

"I'll do the same" I smiled despite my tear-filled eyes and placed a kiss on her cheek "You are the best and most beautiful mother in the world"

"Thank you, darling" She removed a long necklace with a flower pendant from around her neck and began placing it around mine. I was still in shock; I remembered my mother wearing it all the time since my childhood " My mother gave this to me on my wedding day, and now I want to pass it on to you... Every time you see it, you will remember me"

"I will remember you all the time, Mother" I ran my fingers over the necklace, then hugged her once more.

"Come on, it's not the end of the world" my brother Mattias said impatiently "We want to say goodbye to her too"

We laughed despite ourselves, then I turned to him "I think your biggest fear has come true, brother" I winked at him "I'm getting married before you"

"I admit you won this one" he placed his hand on my hair and hugged me then whispered "Your brother loves you very much, and if anyone bothers you, one letter is enough"

"I'm grateful for that" I smiled, looking into his eyes... Even though he pretended it was a simple matter, I knew he was very caring and preferred to keep that inside.

"Gisela" I turned to her and pulled her towards me by her hand, as she didn't even want to look at me "I see my sister doesn't want to say goodbye"

"If you had refused the idea from the beginning, it would have been better" she said with a feigned calmness.

"Do you want to marry him instead ?" I joked, looking into her eyes, which made her laugh.

"Ew, of course not!" Her expression turned to disgust, making everyone laugh.

"I left half of my dresses that you liked for you" I took off my pearl ring and gave it to her "It's now yours"

"Oh..." she looked at me in shock, then hugged me tightly "Thank you!"

After finishing this sad farewell, I headed outside where the carriage awaited me to take us to the ship that would take us to the capital of the ottoman empire.

"I'm grateful that you left your work to accompany me to that place, Father" I said with a smile before boarding the carriage.

"Of course I wouldn't throw my dear princess into an unknown place that I don't even know" he raised an eyebrow, then smiled as he watched me climb into the carriage.