Chapter 1

I gazed upon his majestic blue eyes. His eyes caught mine for a second then looked away. He was the king of Solinia and he was standing in front of thousands of people. How could he ever love a simple peasant girl like me. I was so small and delicate and fragile compared to him, a man with muscles and power in his arms, hands and legs. It was hard to imagine that such a man would actually be attracted to an unassuming girl.

My heart sank in my chest when I realized that this was what all those girls had been talking about. The king spoke to some of his men and then approached me, stopping a few feet away from where I stood. I stared at his shoes, not daring to look up. He didn’t say anything, just waited until I felt comfortable enough to look up.

His face was stoic, but there was a glimmer of sadness in his eyes. “You have no idea how beautiful you are.” he said softly, cupping one side of my face. He stroked my cheek, his other hand resting on my shoulder. I couldn't help it; I burst into tears.

I buried my face in his chest and cried quietly as he pulled me close. “Shhhh….” he whispered as his arms wrapped around me protectively. He held me tightly and kissed the top of my head. I tried my hardest to stop crying, but my body just wouldn't obey.

"Why do you always cry?" he asked softly after several minutes.

I sniffled once before lifting my head, wiping my nose and cheeks with the back of my hand. "Because you don't want me." I admitted quietly. I saw his jaw tighten briefly, but it seemed to relax quickly. His arms tightened around me again before he let go of me and stepped back.

“Come with me.” he said as he pulled me after him. He walked through the crowds. I followed him through the crowd, trying desperately to hold in my cries. when we got into a quiet clearing, he stopped suddenly and turned towards me. “Why can’t you accept your place in the world?” He asked me harshly.

Tears stung my eyes again. “Because you don’t really want me!” I shouted. "I've been in love with you the first time I saw you, but you were always too good for me. You deserve better than me." I told him, staring at the ground, unable to meet his eyes.

"Why can't you accept who I am?" he demanded.

"I'm a peasant, I'm ugly and weak, not pretty or strong. Why would someone like you even want me?" I sobbed.

He took another step forward and placed both hands gently on either side of my face, his thumbs stroking over my cheeks. "Please, please just listen. Listen to me." He begged.

I lifted my head. He was kneeling down, his blue eyes locked on mine.

He swallowed heavily before taking a deep breath. "I've loved you since the moment I saw you.” He began. "The way you laughed...the way you smiled..you're the most beautiful thing I've ever seen." He said earnestly. His thumbs brushed my cheeks, soothing me further. "But...but…I know that you don't think so." He finished. I closed my eyes tightly against his words.

I shook my head. He sighed sadly and reached out, brushing my hair behind my ear. "Why don't you believe me?" He asked me.

I opened my eyes and gazed at him. "Because I'm a peasant…" I whispered, staring at his eyes, feeling them bore into my soul. "And I'm ugly and weak and you deserve so much better than me." I told him truthfully, my bottom lip trembling.

"Why do you think that?" he questioned me softly, holding my gaze steadily.

I hesitated. He watched me intently and waited patiently for me to answer his question.

"You deserve more. I wish I was better." I finally answered quietly, looking down at the ground, tears streaming down my face as I said it.

A gentle hand touched my chin, tilting my face upwards so I was forced to look at him. " If words can't prove to you how much I love you, then this will." he said as he leaned toward me , closing the distance between us and pressing his lips against mine.

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