Chapter 1

When I was a child, I fell into the water while trying to save the king's grandson, Charles Zeller, and was left dazed.

Out of guilt, Charles's mother promised him to me.

From that moment, I never left his side for seven long years.

But he found me clingy and slow-witted, always leaving me far behind.

When I turned sixteen, Charles volunteered to inspect the southern territories.

He said, "The affairs of the kingdom take precedence. I must travel south to gain experience.

"As for Lilian Somerset, no need to tell her. Leave her waiting for a few months. A little fresh air will do her good and might straighten her out."

After overhearing him, I ran home and asked my grandmother eagerly, "Where is the wind strongest?"

"That would be Northreach," she said.

The next day, I packed my things and boarded a carriage to Northreach, my heart soaring with excitement.

Charles had always said no medicine could fix my mind.

Maybe the world had no cure for me, but there was wind.

The wind in Northreach was strong, and once it straightened my head, I would surely become clever.

When I saw Charles again, and he saw how smart I had become, he would never again call me slow-witted.

*****

The sunset outside looked just like a rich golden egg, hanging high in the sky and bathing the roadside leaves in a warm golden light.

When the wind blew, the golden leaves danced along the roadside.

They were even prettier than the dances performed by Charlotte Chancellor, the Prime Minister's daughter.

Charlotte was beautiful and danced gracefully, and Charles always said I wasn't as good as her.

I used to be really sharp before I fell into the water. I could pick up anything super fast.

When I got back from Northreach and became smart again, I would be able to learn to dance just like Charlotte.

Then Charles wouldn't have any excuse to say I was not good enough anymore.

The carriage swayed along, and I pulled out a ripe pear from my bundle. I took a big bite, and the sweet juice went straight to my heart, making my eyes crinkle into little crescents.

One of the women traveling with me noticed the wonky lily embroidery on my bundle and couldn't help but ask, "Where are you headed, young lady?"

I swallowed the bite of pear and grinned at her. "Northreach. I'm going to Northreach."

"Northreach? The sandstorms are fierce there, and it's such a long way. What are you doing going all that way by yourself?" she asked.

I nodded enthusiastically, my eyes sparkling just like the juice on my lips, and replied with total seriousness, "That's exactly what I'm after. The bigger the sandstorms, the better!"

The woman watched me for a while, then shook her head with a hint of regret. "Such a pretty girl, such a shame."

I just kept happily munching on my pear, not picking up on what she was implying at all.

"And speaking of Northreach..." one of the women said.

That was all it took to get everyone talking. The carriage was suddenly buzzing, and folks started sharing stories from all corners.

"The King of Northreach is the one holding down the fort there. If the country's at peace these days, it's all thanks to him," one of the women said.

"He's twenty-five now, isn't he? How come I've never heard anything about him getting married?" another woman chimed in.

A third woman added, "Most women couldn't handle life out on the frontier. Honestly, the Crown Prince is already seventeen or eighteen.

"Who knows, maybe the nephew will end up getting married and having kids before his uncle does."

After finishing my pear, I tossed the core out the window and looked up at the warm sun, feeling warm inside.

They were right. I was only nine when I got engaged to Charles, back when he was still the Imperial Grandson, and I was supposed to marry him when I turned sixteen.

Three years ago, Charles went from being the Imperial Grandson to the Crown Prince.

Now that I was sixteen, it was finally time for us to get married.

On my birthday, I made a batch of pear cakes all by myself and waited for him from morning till night.

Charles always said I was dumb and didn't like me following him around.

So I just waited for him, being good and patient. I could wait for him forever if I had to.

I waited and waited, watching the sun and moon trade places three times. The pear cakes had gone cold and sour, and the sparrows perched on the branches had finished them off.

But Charles never came.

He just said he'd forgotten it was my birthday.

It was not like birthdays mattered much to me. I just wanted to tell him that I was sixteen now, which meant I could finally be his wife.

When I went to find him, the other princes couldn't stop laughing and teasing me, saying how lucky I was.

But Charles shot them a death glare, totally embarrassed and pissed off.

"Don't call me Charlie anymore!" Charles snapped, his face flushed with embarrassment.

"Um... Charles, I'm sixteen now," I said, my voice a little shaky as I tried to sound more grown-up.

I did what he asked, switched to his name like a good girl, and made sure to remind him I was old enough now.

But he was still pissed, his tone harsh and cold. "So what? Who'd ever want to marry a fool?"

"Lilian, keep your distance," he barked.

That same day, he went straight to the King to get permission for his southern tour, ditching me all over again.