Riveria's POV

I opened my eyes and looked around my room. Beautiful golden sunlight peeked in through the curtains. I climbed off the bed and opened the curtains that concealed a glass sliding door. I opened the door and walked onto the balcony. Inhaled a large amount of the crisp morning air. I was immediaetly comforted by the sound of the early song bird singing. The way the leaves adorning the trees brushed against each ever so gently soothed me.

I just stood on the balcony holding onto the railing deep in thought as the sunlight kissed my skin. I just loved the way my caramel skin glowed and my brown eyes seemed to sparkle when introduced to sunlight.

I look more like my mother, funny though since I was always a daddy's girl. I inherited my deep rich skin colour and eye colour from my mother, I'm also as vertically blessed like her (in other words short). The only thing I did inherited from my dad is my hair colour, black hair unlike Kia and Jona with brown hair like mother.

I finally decided it was time to face reality. I left the balcony and went into my walk-in closet and picked an outfit to wear today.

I ended up picking a white blouse with matching black pencil skirt and blazer. I laid my outfit on the undone bed and went into the bathroom to freshen up.

As I was busy in the bathroom I thought of my future life. Life with Ashton huh?
That man loathes me and I know not of any reason why.

.....

Third Person's POV

The sound of cutlery clinking against each other was the only sound heard around the breakfast table as the Crystillion royal family had their breakfast.

By now everyone at the table was well apprised of the previous night's discussion and if its content. Naturally the air was filled with awkward silence as Riveria's younger siblings, Jonathan and Nakia, did not wish for their elder sister to leave them due to the occurrence of an unwanted arranged marriage. There was nothing anyone could do to stop the procedure of the wedding.

Finally the silence was broken by King Alexander himself when he stated to Riveria, "We have decided to have you and Ashton determine the wedding date but it has to be after Victor's coronation as King of Crystillion. I expect that you do not delay the wedding to until later in the next year though."

He looked up to analyse his daughter's reaction to what he just said but Riveria gave nothing away as she processed what her father just said with pursed lips and no significant facial expressions.

"Yes, father. Thank you.", was all she said in response as she reluctantly continued with her breakfast feeling as though she was about to lose her appetite.

Alexander looked up from his food to look at his daughter once again but this time with no intention of gauging her thoughts or emotions. Looking at her reminded him of how similar they look and act as well.

"Oh how we used to be close.", thought Alexander sweetly reminiscing in the past where everything was just a bit simpler.

He was evoked out of his dear memories when he remembered he forgot to tell his daughter something else.

He cleared his throat, "Oh and Riveria I almost neglected to inform you that you and Ashton are to meet today to read over the paperwork regarding your marriage."

As much as Riveria really did not fancy seeing Ashton today, so soon after it was revealed to her that he was her suitor, she knew it would be futile to argue with her father.

"Of course father, if you don't mind me asking, where are we to meet to peruse the paperwork and at what time?"

She knew something like this would happen sooner or later though, sooner rather than later knowing her father and it turns out she was right when her father said she was to meet with Ashton today.

"Eleven o'clock at the Vermillion residence in Sapphire Precinct."

"There is a Vermillion residence here in Crystilion? Since when?", thought Riveria to herself in shock.

"Please excuse me.", Victor said getting up to leave the table. He was not pleased at all. Having to listen to the arranged marriage affairs of his little sister makes him imagine how it will be like when it is Nakia who is given away... Its is considered imperative for a King to have male children, especially as the the eldest because the Kingdom has heirs to the throne and the bloodline will stand a better chance of being sustained. It is considered by many a great gift to have daughters but to kings they are but a business opportunity to forge or strengthen an alliance with yet another kingdom.

He knows how this world works but he needs to keep digging deeper as he is no where near the deep end but rather still in shallow waters with his kneels barely submerged.

"I will reveal all the secrets of the Royal Council and everyone on it.", Victor declared to himself this for umpteenth time in his lifetime. A promise he made to himself after the Royal Council took what was most precious to him.

One by one everyone at the table slowly excused themselves until only Katheryn and Alexander were left alone at the table.

Before Katheryn could voice what has been bothering her, her husband spoke and said, "I know what you are thinking my love."

Katheryn was taken aback but nonetheless allowed her husband to humour her.

"Well what is it that I was thinking?", she asked with a small smile.

"You were wondering why I decided to permit Riveria to settle on the wedding date. Am I right?"

Katheryn could not deny that Victor had been correct in assuming that was what was bothering her. It was unlike him to do this. He liked to control everything.

"Perhaps the old Alexander is returning?", she thought to herself with hope.

She chuckled, "Yes it is indeed what I was thinking. How did you know?"

Alexander laughed. Katheryn couldn't believe her ears and eyes. It seemed like years since Alexander has been this happy. "Is it because of Riveria's departure through marriage into House Vermillion?", Katheryn couldn't help but ask herself.

"Kath, we have been together for more than 20 years.", his eyes were soft looking deep into the eyes of the love of his life. He wishes that everything could be how it used to be all these years ago but he has harsh responsibilities to attend to now.

"24 to be exact.", Katheryn clarified with a grin.

She then cleared her throat, "Enough of that though, back to the my question."

Victor sighed not on knowing how to answer the question, "Well to be frank, I do not know the reason myself but I felt I owed it to Riveria after everything to, at the very least, choose when she wants the ceremony. I guess it is my guilty conscience speaking. We really did try to stop it. We failed her as both her parents and as her king and queen."

Katheryn was silent for a moment and took time to soak in what Victor had just said.

"I see.", was all she could say in response to his confession.

He was right, they had failed not only Riveria but also their youngest child Nakia.

She got up from her seat with her office in mind.

"I do hope she finds it in her heart to forgive us one day.", she whispered, barely audible but Alexander heard her crystal clear.

"Me too my love. I hope so too.", he thought to himself melancholically.

......

Riveria is currently on her way to the Vermillion residence that she only recently knew of.

On the back seat of the classy Bentley she mentally prepared herself for the day ahead of her. Working with the crown prince Ashton Vermillion doesn't seem like the easiest thing to do in her opinion.

At last she arrived. Her nerves suddenly sparking butterflies in her stomach to flutter around. She became annoyed at herself.

"Why should I be nervous? Get in there and make your presence known. You are Princess Riveria Crystillion, the world renowned intellectual daughter of House Crystilion. Known in the world of business and in all realms.", Riveria hyped herself.

She got off the car and climbed the stairs to the door which was opened for her by guards that bowed to her.

She walked in and was immediately accompanied by a the housekeeper who curtsied and introduced herself as Lilith.

"Hello my lady, I am the housekeeper Lilith Goldman. I was informed of the reason of your arrival. Prince Ashton is waiting for you in his office. I will lead the way."

Lilith turned and lead the way to the office upstairs. They walked until Lilith stopped infront of a rich obsidian double door.

"Here we are my lady."

"Thank you Lilith. Have a great day."

"Thank you your highness.", Lilith couldn't help but grin. The ladies- if you could call them that Ashton would normally bring into the residence were usually uncouth.

She could tell that Princess Riveria would greatly impact the life of their Prince and change his ways.

Riveria knocked on the door and waited for a reply. She finally heard a 'come in' shouted from behind the doors.

She slowly turned the knob and entered the room. She quickly took a glance of the office.

"Typical", she thought as she mentally rolled her eyes.

The office was dark with majority of the furniture in the room black with the exception of a few pieces to subtly tone down the darkness giving the room a sense of light. Dark like his heart.

Ashton looked up from his work and frowned. He instantly noticed that they are wearing matching outfits. He as well decided to wear a black suit with a white dress shirt.

Even after all these years they still think alike.

He looked to his right to take a glance at his clock on the wall. He smirked.

"Finally you have decided to arrive Princess Riveria. Your are only three minutes late. Please take a seat we have much to discuss.", he said as he gestured to the two chairs in front of him.

He really didn't care that she came three minutes after all he was busy with work to even notice but he just wanted something to annoy her and it seems to have worked as Riveria frowned and scolded herself for giving him leverage and something as trivial as being tardy. She slightly glared at Ashton who paid no attention to her glare as he had gone back to work.

Riveria cleared her throat.

"I believe you know why I am here.", she said wanting to start so she could leave.

"And why are you here again?", Ashton asked feigning ignorance.

She knew what he was doing and it wasn't going to work this time. She calmed herself and answered almost too sweetly, "To discuss our wedding date of course."

That word wedding sparked anger within Ashton.

He clenched his jaw but calmly said, "But of course, to discuss our arrangement."

She knew he was indirectly correcting her. She smirked and took note of his slight anger and irritation towards their arrangement.

....

They ended up agreeing on the 23rd of April, after both Victor's and Ashton's coronation. It would be during Autumn and the scenery is absolutely breathtaking with the orange, yellow and red leaves adorning the trees and littering the floor.

As Riveria went out of the office she bumped into Hanna, Ashton's younger sister.

"Hello Hanna. How are you doing?"

The little princess instantly brightened upon seeing Riveria. They meet quite a lot at school when she comes to fetch Nakia as Hanna and Nakia are close friends and they sometimes have sleepovers at each other's houses.

"Princess Riveria! What are you doing here? Did you come to see me? Or maybe did you come for Ashton?", the little ball of energy asked excitedly as she slightly bounced on the ball of her foot.

Riveria chuckled she looked the beautiful blond haired girl with a missing tooth in her bottom set of teeth and a grin as wide as the grin of a Cheshire cat. She was an overload of cuteness. 

"Not precisely. I came to finalise some documents with your brother, Ashton. Maybe next time I come I will bring Nakia so you guys can have fun together. What do you think? ", she said as she crouched down to the child's level and brushed a strand of her behind her ear.

She didn't think it was possible for her smile to get wider but it did. Riveria loves it when the people around her are happy, especially when she is the cause of that happiness.

"I have to go now Hanna, but I will see you soon okay."

She stood up and brushed her skirt and blouse to remove any creases that may have formed as she had crouched. Suddenly she felt a force that was almost enough to push her falling to the floor. She them realised that it was actually Hanna who was hugging her.

She smiled and embraced the child.

"Bye Riveria.", she almost whispered with tears threatening to fall.

It was almost uncanny how her mood managed to change all of a sudden.

"Don't cry, Han. I will be back- I promise." Riveria said softly.

Her faced brightened up instantaneously, "Pinkie promise?"

"Pinkie promise."I affirmed as we linked pinkies sealing our promise.

"Now! Let me go deal with Ashie. I know he was a meanie to you and made you leave. Bad Ashie.", she said with an unattractive frown plastered on her face almost stomping towards Ashton's office in her lilac summer dress and sandals.

I didn't try to deny what the child said even though it was true instead I snickered and left the castle thankful I was not on the receiving end of Princess Hanna Vermillion's rage.

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