Chapter 1

The King couldn't bear to send me off for a political marriage, so he gave me just one day to pick my own prince consort.

I glanced at Tristian Dennis, my childhood friend, but caught his inner thoughts. "I've already promised myself to Martha. If Valerie picks me, I'll just have to turn her down, saying my father just passed away."

I was about to turn to Brennan Hodges, my ever-gentle mentor, but then I heard his inner groan. "I've only been nice to Valerie to keep her from clashing with Martha. If she insists on marrying me, I'll just have to take the medicine that'll make me infertile and devote myself to Martha forever."

Martha Stewart was my younger sister.

I let out a long, melancholy sigh, just about to tell the King I'd agree to the marriage alliance, when a heartbroken voice rang out from the corner. "Tristian and Brennan are both useless! If they won't do it, I will!"

I turned around and saw it was the young general with the broken leg, the one I'd been at odds with for ages.

His face stayed calm, but inside, his thoughts were racing. 'If I could get my hands on the Chromatic Fungus, my leg would be healed in no time. I'd lead the troops into battle and make sure no princess ever has to suffer through a political marriage again!'

Chromatic Fungus? I remembered there was one in that batch of smuggled goods we seized from the border a couple of days ago.

Once I realized I could hear what people were really thinking, picking a prince consort got a whole lot easier.

"Valerie, what are you waiting for? All these men are hoping you'll show them some favor and make your pick!"

The King's hearty voice boomed down from above, and I let out a quiet sigh.

He had so much faith in me that he didn't even notice the ones he mentioned weren't actually looking at me.

They were all staring at Martha, my younger sister, who was standing right behind me.

Seeing me stay silent, the King assumed I couldn't make up my mind, so he took matters into his own hands and pointed at Tristian. "Tristian is your cousin. You two grew up together. I trust him."

But before I could even say no, Tristian knelt down and excused himself, "Your Majesty, my father just passed away. I'm still in mourning, so I really can't think about marriage right now."

His excuse was flawless, but the King, always on my side, just said, "You can get engaged first. Valerie's still young. She can wait."

Tristian stiffened, still refusing to look up. That was his way of saying no.

At the same time, his inner voice popped up. "Valerie actually gave the King a meaningful glance? I know she's been into me for a long time, but she can't just use the King's favor to get whatever she wants, can she?"

I pointed at myself in confusion. Me? I had been into him for a long time?

Seeing the King starting to look displeased, I quickly said, "Tristian and I share the same mother. To avoid any gossip from the court, let's not make our family ties even closer."

When Tristian shot me a grateful look, I couldn't help but feel a wave of emotions.

The King nodded repeatedly. "Valerie's got a point."

He then pointed at Brennan. "What about Brennan? He may be older, but treats you well. With no family left, you two could marry soon."

Brennan pressed his lips together, looking at Martha with sorrow. I heard his thoughts: "I'm sorry, Martha. I can't be with you anymore.

"Even if I marry Valerie, my heart will always belong to you."

I shivered and shook my head. "No way, he's too old for me."

Brennan looked up at me, unable to believe that the princess who always chased after him would now call him old in front of everyone.

Tristian was laughing inside, but kept a straight face and scolded me. "Valerie, Brennan has always treated you well. How could you hurt him?"

I sneered. "And what about you? We grew up together, we're close. Now I'm about to be sent off for marriage, but you won't be my consort. Isn't that hurting me too?"

Tristian's face turned red then pale, unable to reply.

The King let out a sigh, and I caught his inner voice.

"Valerie's just like me. If I send her off for a political marriage, she's bound to suffer. But these guys don't appreciate her at all, and that just breaks her heart."

My eyes burned. Ever since I was little, the King had always doted on me.