! before things start !

- this is a royalty au, so karla as the princess and gwendolyn as a commoner

- i'm not following any of the super traditional rules, so no homophobes and gay marriage is normal

- also, pretend karla's mom is dead :)

! enjoy !

-👑-

the kingdom of valetin was rich.

there was no other way to describe it, as they owned multiple castles across the lands, took part in protective alliances, and had a long line of successful figures throughout history.

but now, the current king's time on the throne was soon to be over, and he'd chosen his daughter to take his place.

karla pierce.

at the age of 25, she had numerous admirers for her strong physique, smooth voice, and effortless beauty.

yet she didn't want any of them— not one.

it had come to the point that her father started to fret over his picky daughter. she had to love someone at this point, right? he wasn't worried about the money he would get, just someone to live and love karla for who she was.

"here's what we'll do," the king said to his advisor, ezra one night. "send a letter to all the surrounding kingdoms— tell them that my daughter is looking for a wife to love, to start a family and to rule with."

this, of course, sparked attention across the kingdoms. who would karla choose? a quiet, beautiful princess or sharp-tongued, but sweet one?

the answer was neither.

for months, suitors traveled far and wide, just for the princess to reject them with a harsh no.

"your majesty," ezra said. "i would hate to impede your plans, but i do not think this is working."

the king, defeated, sighed. "you'd be correct. but if she does not like the suitors, what i am to do now?"

"perhaps she should look for them herself? you could send her out on a mission, if you will. maybe she needs to be the one looking for her wife."

the king took these words into account, and drummed his fingers against his throne in thought. "that does not sound like a bad plan at all, advisor ezra. yet i only have one question. would she take this responsiblily seriously? what if she goes out and drinks while the days pass?"

ezra raised his head. "if you decide to go with my plan, your majesty, i will assist her along the way so she will not be distracted."

the king was satisfied with the plan presented to him, which lead karla to the situation she was in now:

walking on the sidewalk in the downtown part of the kingdom, night slowly seeping into the sky.

"this is ridiculous." karla frowned, pulling her jacket closer to her body. "my father is sending me out to look for a wife, and it's freezing cold."

"he's doing this for your good, your highness."

"i don't see why i can't rule the kingdom by myself," she retorted. "i can make beneficial choices for the kingdom."

"you need to keep the bloodline alive, your highness." ezra answered. "you might die alone if you continue living your life like this."

karla rolled her eyes. "i will not! i'm just picky with who i choose to associate myself with, that's all."

"if you believe so, your highness."

a sharp wave of wind broke their conversation, causing them both to shiver in need of warmth.

the princess quickly looked around for any nearby buildings for them to stay in overnight, as every minute passed by, it seemed to get colder.

"with how your looking, princess, i sincerly hope your looking for a inn or a wife right now," mumbled ezra.

karla glared at him. "oh be quiet! there's a inn right across the street, and i'll leave you out here to freeze."

▢▢▢

"one second, i'll be right there!"

a woman's voice called from upstairs once she heard the ring of the bell, signaling their entrance.

the heat of the fireplace immediately warmed the two 'travelers.' green loveseats with patchwork pillows sat around the pit of fire, almost begging karla to sit down and relax, so she did.

as she sat down, her eye caught a small photo frame on top of the fireplace. it was a family picture of a father, mother, and daughter.

karla scrutinized the picture further, focusing more on the girl. she looked to be younger than karla, her face splattered with freckles, shoulder-length hair, and brown eyes.

she's pretty, though karla.

"i apologize for the wait!" exclaimed the woman, almost tripping down the stairs. "what can i do for—"

at the sight of seeing princess karla sitting in her living room chair, her face paled.

the brown-haired woman grabbed the sides of her dress and knelt in a deep curtsey. "y-your royal highness! i sincerely did not mean for you to wait, please forgive me!"

"all is well," karla reassured. "we'd like to stay here for one night, please."

"right away, your highness." as the woman rummaged for the key, the back door creaked open.

"all the plants are watered, mom!" someone called.

"thank you, dear. but i told you to come inside once it gets dark, didn't i?"

the thunk of tin hit the floor followed by the sound of water running. "i just lost track of time, it's so therapeutic! can you forgive me?"

"i'll forgive you if you help me with our very important guests here, gwendolyn."

the girl walked into the main room, her mouth opened in surprise. "your highness!"

as gwendolyn deeply bowed, rushing apologies from her mouth, karla easily recognized her as the girl from the photo. the same freckles, shoulder-length hair, and her pretty brown eyes.

"ezra," she whispered into his ear, "i want her to be my wife.

to put it simply, ezra was in shock.

"the daughter of an inn keeper?" he exclaimed once they were in the room. "you could choose any princess or prince, and you choose a commoner?"

"i don't see the issue." karla rebuked. "my father said i could marry anyone, and she is who i choose."

"are you sure this is who—"

karla rolled her eyes. "are you going against my choice?"

"no, your highness," ezra sighed. "we'll figure out a plan tomorrow."

to say the least, king pierce was shocked the next day to see his daughter standing in front of his throne, head raised in success.

"father, i've found the one."

"o-oh! that was... fast." he smiled. "tell me, what do they look like?"

"well, there's this girl. she has the prettiest freckles and the softest brown eyes ever. out of all the people you've introduced me to, she's the prettiest."

"that's lovely, dear!" the king clapped his hands excitedly. "and she's in this kingdom as well?"

"yes, sir." karla nodded. "she is the daughter of the westbrook innkeepers."

ezra lifted his head, worried to see the reaction of the king, whose daughter-in-law would be a commoner.

instead, sparkles lit in his eyes. he sat up straighter on his throne,

"how exciting!" the king awed. "romance between the royal and the common! i've read so many books about that, yet i never thought my very own daughter would be in one!"

"i'm happy you feel this way, father, but i still haven't said anything to her directly yet."

"don't worry about it," king pierce reassured. "i've read plenty of books about this."

▢▢▢

"first, she needs to see you often. how else will she get to like you?"

"second, bring her gifts. the finest chocolates, the prettiest roses, and the most expensive fabrics. how could she resist that?"

"and the third— the most important one, so listen up. you've got to connect with her, ask about the things she likes, what she does in her free time, anything!"

king pierce chuckled to himself. "i never thought this moment would happen in my lifetime, my little baby finally liking somebody!"

"dad, she still doesn't—"

"aht aht, i don't want to hear it."

so the next day the princess went back to the inn, hands full of expensive treats for the freckled girl.

instead of going directly inside, karla decided to walk towards the back where she had seen gwendolyn. and luckily for her, the girl was there.

"i should stop by madeline's and give her some of these," gwen muttered under her breath. "they've grown so fast."

karla crept closer to the fence and cleared her throat. "ms. gwendolyn?"

gwendolyn whipped her head around, clenching the shovel in her hands. "gosh, i— your highness?" she sat the shovel down onto the ground and curtsied frantically. "i-i'm sorry, i didn't hear you!"

karla smiled. "it's fine. i didn't come to stay overnight anyhow."

"oh, really?" gwen tilted her head. "why'd you come around then, if you don't mind me asking?"

"to see you." karla held the gifts towards gwendolyn. "these are for you."

"huh, me? am i in trouble? what have i done, your highness?"

"i promise you're not in trouble. i'm giving these to you. and please, call me karla," she advised.

gwendolyn rubbed her eyes, as she couldn't believe what was happening in front of her.

the princess of the kingdom, in my backyard, giving me gifts! this must be a mistake.

"your h— karla, are you looking for someone else?"

"no. i'm completely sure you're the one i am giving these to, no one else."

"but, i—"

karla sighed, then handed the gifts onto gwendolyn's arms. "ms. westbrook, would you like the reason why i'm here?"

"if you wouldn't mind, your highness."

the princess sat on the wooden bench and patted the spot next to her. "please, sit down."

gwendolyn gulped and sat next to karla, gifts still in hand.

"i'm sure you've heard about me trying to find a partner, correct?"

gwen nodded.

"last night, i went out to find anybody that could attract me, and well..."

everything went silent.

"wait, what?"

▢▢▢

"can you believe that, madeline? she said that to me!"

gwendolyn's best friend, madeline, laughed. "i know she did, you've said it fifteen times now."

"i'm sorry, but i can't beleive it! do you think she's lying to me?"

"now why would a princess lie about liking you, gwen? honestly, i think you should go for it."

gwen sighed. "i'm not sure. what if she's just joking?"

"gwendolyn. you think that the princess of valetin would just be joking?" even over the phone, gwen knew she was shaking her head. "you've heard of her personality, why would she do that?"

"yeah, you're right. what might happen is she comes again?"

"talk to her about anything, she's basically courting you!"

"it's not really—"

before gwendolyn could finish her sentence, the bell chimed. "i'll talk to you later, maddy."

rushing down the stairs, gwen held her breath nervously.

what if it's—

princess karla.