Windenburg
Falkenstein Castle
Residence of the royal von Ahrensberg family
As the days, weeks, and months rolled by, the Kingdom of Windenburg witnessed a series of momentous events. King Ludwig, feeling the weight of his years and the burden of his crown, decided to abdicate in favor of his son, Alexander. The grand coronation and wedding of the new king were planned to take place on the same day, promising a spectacle of unparalleled opulence and tradition.
On the morning of the grand day, the streets of Windenburg were lined with cheering citizens, their excitement palpable in the crisp air. Royals, nobles and dignitaries from across the realms gathered at Falkenstein Castle, their limousines, each flying the flags and coats of arms of their heritage, forming a grand procession through the cobbled streets. The castle itself was a vision of splendor, adorned with banners and flowers, ready to host the dual celebration.
The coronation ceremony began in the majestic throne room of Falkenstein Castle. The ancient crown of Windenburg was placed upon Alexander’s head, amidst the solemn chants of the royal choir. The room was adorned with tapestries depicting the kingdom’s rich history, and as King Alexander ascended the throne, a wave of jubilation swept through the crowd, marking the dawn of a new era.
Immediately following the coronation, the grand cathedral of Windenburg became the setting for the royal wedding. King Alexander von Ahrensberg pledged his heart to his beloved Helena in a ceremony that captivated the entire kingdom. The cathedral was filled with the scent of roses and the sound of a thousand bells, marking the union of the new king and his queen. Nobles and dignitaries were in attendance, their presence adding to the grandeur of the occasion.
The celebrations continued throughout the day and into the night. The grand ballroom of Falkenstein Castle was transformed into a fairy tale setting, with crystal chandeliers casting a warm glow over the assembled guests. Feasts, dances, and tournaments were held in honor of the new royal couple, with nobles mingling and forging alliances that would shape the future of the kingdom.
As the festivities reached their peak, King Alexander and Queen Helena took a moment to reflect on their journey. They stood on the balcony of Falkenstein Castle, overlooking the bustling celebrations below. The stars shone brightly in the night sky, a symbol of hope and prosperity for the reign to come.
Amidst these significant changes, the new king’s younger sister, Princess Wilhelmina, embarked on her own journey. She began her studies at the prestigious University of Britchester, where she was joined by her fiancé, Crown Prince William of Henfordshire. The campus buzzed with the presence of royalty, adding a touch of glamour to the academic environment. Students whispered in awe as they passed by, and professors took extra care in their lectures, knowing they were teaching future rulers.
Meanwhile, William’s sister, Princess Victoria, was on the cusp of her own milestones. With her graduation and 18th birthday approaching, she too had been accepted into Britchester, ready to join her brother, Wilhelmina, and Duke Hendrik in the upcoming semester. For now, though, Victoria remained at home, her heart fluttering with the budding feelings she harbored for the young Duke. Their relationship, though still platonic, was tinged with a mutual, unspoken affection. Hendrik, ever the gentleman, respected Victoria’s youth and maintained a courteous distance, despite his clear intentions. Their stolen glances and subtle smiles spoke volumes, hinting at a deeper connection waiting to blossom.
In another corner of Henfordshire, Lord Liam Kensington had completed his rigorous training at the military academy and had enlisted for further education and training, a common path for those of noble blood. His presence at various royal events alongside Princess Eloise, William and Victoria’s cousin, did not go unnoticed. Their growing involvement was the subject of much speculation, yet Victoria and Liam had exchanged little more than polite greetings, their interactions always under the watchful eyes of others. The tension between duty and desire was palpable, as each step they took was scrutinized by the court and the public alike.
Henfordshire
Royal Cromwell Stables
The Cromwell stables, a short distance from the palace, were filled with the sounds of laughter and the gentle nickering of horses. The morning sun cast a golden glow over the scene, where Crown Prince William Cromwell, his fiancée Wilhelmina “Mina” von Ahrensberg, Princess Royale of Windenburg, and Victoria, Princess Royale of Henfordshire, were gathered. They were all skilled riders, but today, their attention was focused on Duke Hendrik DeWinter of Windenburg, who was struggling to mount a particularly docile Cromweller horse.
Hendrik had never ridden before, but his desire to impress Victoria had driven him to learn. He approached the horse with a mix of determination and trepidation. William held the reins steady while Victoria stood by with an encouraging smile. Hendrik placed his foot in the stirrup and attempted to swing his leg over, but the horse’s height proved challenging.
“Maybe try the mounting block?” Mina suggested, still giggling.
Hendrik nodded, moving to the block. He stepped up, but as he tried to mount, his foot slipped, and he ended up hanging awkwardly off the side of the horse. William quickly grabbed his arm to steady him, while Victoria tried to suppress her laughter.
“Almost there!” Victoria cheered, her eyes sparkling with amusement.
Determined, Hendrik tried again. This time, Victoria stepped in to help, pushing his leg up. In her enthusiasm, she slipped and accidentally shoved his rear end, sending Hendrik sprawling onto the horse’s back. The group burst into laughter, Mina holding onto the fence for support as tears of mirth streamed down her face.
William, shaking his head with a grin, added, “Victoria, let’s not make more headlines for all the wrong reasons. Again…”
Hendrik, catching his breath, quipped, “Don’t worry, William. There certainly won’t be any complaints from me. I found Victoria’s approach rather… effervescent. I am definitely wide awake and highly alert now.”
“I bet you would be!” laughed William, making a squeezing motion in the air with both hands.
Victoria, still laughing, replied, “Good grief, it wasn’t intentional. I just slipped and… well, Henk’s on the horse and that’s all that matters. Now, let’s take it slow and steady. We’ll walk the horses around the paddock first, just to get you comfortable.”
The lighthearted moment brought them all closer, and Hendrik couldn’t help but feel that the effort, and the embarrassment, were worth every moment for the chance to see Victoria’s radiant smile.
Henfordshire
Cromwell Palace
Main Residence of the royal Cromwell family
The grand halls of Cromwell Palace exuded an air of timeless elegance as they hosted a selection of local guests for a small, but exclusive, nearly intimate celebration. The palace, Victoria’s ancestral home, was a masterpiece of English architecture, with its high ceilings adorned with intricate plasterwork and grand chandeliers that cast a warm, golden glow. The walls were lined with rich tapestries depicting scenes of historical grandeur, and the polished floors reflected the opulence of the surroundings. The scent of fresh roses from the palace gardens wafted through the air, mingling with the faint aroma of polished wood and old books.
Princess Royale Victoria peeked around a corner, her heart pounding in her chest. She waited for her chance, and as her target—one of the few selective guests who had been invited for the celebration tonight—passed, she grabbed his arm, using momentum to fling him into a nearby room. She quickly shut the door behind them, leaning against it while the young man turned, recovering from the stumble.
“What the… what is this now?” he protested, his voice echoing slightly in the spacious room.
“My sentiments exactly,” Princess Royale Victoria hissed, crossing her arms and leaning against the door. Her eyes flashed with a mix of anger and hurt.
“Bad posture, Your Highness,” Liam mocked, clicking his tongue disapprovingly, much like the etiquette coaches and protocol advisors who taught royal youth proper behavior. His face spoke volumes. The young lord, one of the guests of honor, had been elevated to the rank of Viscount by the king himself earlier that evening.
“So, what’s the great plan here? Are you gonna marry her? You are insane. You’ve lost your mind. I don’t know who you are anymore. Maybe I never did,” she ranted, her voice trembling with emotion.
“Likewise, Princess. Or maybe you are exactly how I always thought you were, you just played your part better, fooling me into thinking you were different than all the rest of them. Well, joke’s on me now, as it would appear I am now one of ‘them’ too. To answer your question, I am not sure which grand plan you have in mind here, but I am not the one in any hurry to get engaged to anyone. What about you? Since your brother was so eager, it would only figure you are next in line for a joyful announcement.”
“Meaning?”
“Means, now that you’ve found yourself a Duke, you’ve forgotten about the lower-level toy. As flattered as I am that your father thought to elevate my station yet again, I never asked for it, nor would anyone care if I were to get engaged. That would take many more elevations yet to be at least remotely relevant enough for that.”
“Toy? Ha, you are laughable.”
“I couldn’t help but notice. I bet you had many laughs at my expense, most with your new toy.”
“I have not the faintest idea what you are even on about. Are you clinically insane now?”
“I’m talking about your Flying Dutchman, whom you love rubbing in my face.”
“I have done no such thing! I wasn’t the one ditching the other for a new ‘toy’ as you put it.”
“You were EXACTLY the one to toss me out.”
“You never had any time for me anymore… I barely remembered how you looked half the time!”
“Don’t make it sound like I was lounging on some beach, sipping fancy drinks with pretty little umbrellas in them forgetting the time! I was away at school, spending most of my waking hours learning how to be one of YOU and if not I was catching up on education, not to mention the military training! I’ve been brainwashed into being a noble in just over a year when all of you have 18 years for it. I can’t even think normally anymore without considering proper address and grammar. Do you think I enjoyed it!? Ever since your father decided to dig into my past with a thorough background check because I was spending too much time with you, my entire life was uprooted. My father was suddenly not my father anymore. Instead, I was to call a stranger ‘father,’ whose marriage fell apart because of me, and I have a sister when all my life I was an only child. Now I have the man I used to call father cleaning up the manure my horse leaves before I ride out on cross-country races or hunts with other men I barely have anything in common with, whose boots I used to shine, whose horses I fetched, saddled, and groomed. You will never understand how something like that changes a person. Not to mention, over the past year, I had zero spare time, through no fault of my own. My brain felt like it was going to implode half the time. I wasn’t able to see you. I hadn’t even seen my own father in months at a time!”
“Mr. Hawthorne is not even your father. Earl Kensington is. And quit complaining. You are better off than you were before, so in my father’s name, you are welcome, Viscount!”
“Say what you will, Princess, Roland Hawthorne will always be my father. And YOU were the one who cut off contact from one day to the next without warning or explanation. Like a fool, I kept writing, texting, calling, only to be turned away like a pesky feral cat.”
“You kissed her! I saw you, William saw you, so don’t even try to deny it. Not like your romance it’s a secret anymore, and the reason my father decided to elevate you and your real father’s and his daughter’s status. Way to make it up the ladder, Liam. Bet you are an excellent chess player. One princess didn’t work out the way you hoped, so you moved on to the next. Both are Cromwells so it all stays in the family, huh?”
This took the wind out of his sails, his anger vanished and gave way to an expression of realization as the pieces of a puzzle fell into place.
“You spied on me?”
“No. I was looking everywhere for you, couldn’t find you… well, until I did. And I wish I hadn’t. Then again, it would have probably been even more awkward, me thinking… things that clearly were never there.”
He paled, the expression shifting to complete shock as he stared at her. She stared back, both of them locked in a silent standoff until he took a step towards her. Her hand went to the handle, her body turning, signaling that one more step from him would mean her exit. He froze in place.
“Vic, I didn’t know you… I didn’t realize you… I thought I was not… I…”
Her face ran through phases of emotions until she shook her head.
“What am I even doing here? Why am I even speaking to you about this? I shouldn’t have done this. I shouldn’t have said this. I…” Still shaking her head, she tore open the door and ran out. He set after her but froze when several guards in the hallway snapped to alert. Liam knew if he followed now, he’d be in trouble.
Henfordshire
Rosewood Manor
Residence of the Kensingtons
About a week later
Her steps echoed in the hallway upstairs, on the marble floors in between the thick, plush carpets, as she returned from using the restroom, as the one downstairs where her family was visiting with the hosts had plumbing issues. Suddenly, she felt grabbed, a startled meep escaped before a hand was placed over her mouth as she felt herself dragged with, into a room, she heard the door shut, then was released. Somewhere between angry and scared she turned to face …
“Liam!”
He just stood there, glaring at her.
Victoria’s heart pounded in her chest as she took in the sight of Liam, his expression a mix of frustration and determination. She straightened her posture, trying to mask her fear with defiance.
“What do you think you’re doing?” she demanded, her voice trembling slightly despite her efforts to sound strong. “Is this your …?”
Liam took a step closer, his eyes never leaving hers. “My room, yes. Inappropriate, I know, but we need to talk, Victoria. You can’t keep running away from this.”
“Running away? I would never! I am a Cromwell, we don’t run!” she scoffed, crossing her arms over her chest. “You’re the one always running, always pushing me away, Liam. First, you ran and hid because of whatever your mother did, you thinking I couldn’t handle the truth, knowing not to hold you responsible for what she did when you were a toddler, then you had no time for me, and as the cherry on top I find you with Eloise. What am I supposed to think here? I am not that desperate for friendship, thank you very much, especially not the fair-weather kind.”
He sighed, running a hand through his hair. “I didn’t know you felt that way… what you said in your father’s study. I can’t stop thinking about it. I always thought… I thought I wasn’t good enough. I went through all the classes, tutoring, and military schooling, which I abhor with a burning passion, hoping one day I would be good enough, only to find that no matter what I do, I would always be lightyears below your status. I thought you only saw me as a friend. Eloise, on the other hand, was very forthcoming and obvious, so, well, I am only human, I suppose. She still is a princess, and you show me any young person our age who wouldn’t be flattered if a real-life princess shows interest in them.”
“For all intents and purposes, I did and always have seen you only as a friend. And even if not, you think that justifies everything?” she shot back, her voice rising. “You think that makes it okay for you to ignore me and then kiss my cousin? Whose title, by the way, is mostly honorary, as her father, my oh-so-dear late uncle, was a gruesome knob!”
Liam’s face softened, a hint of regret in his eyes. “I was confused, Victoria. I didn’t know how to handle my feelings for you. You are not just a pretty girl, which would be scary enough, you are larger than life. The princess royale, second in line to the Henfordian throne. And below my new title and revised family tree, I am still just a former stableboy. The reason I was gone so much was to learn. I knew nothing about how to behave in society. You were born into it, I wasn’t. It’s still crazy, surreal to me, to think you could feel about me the way I do about you. But you know I like you, more than just a friend.”
Victoria’s resolve wavered for a moment, but she quickly hardened her expression again. “So what, Liam? I have moved on, just as you have. I’m interested in Duke Hendrik now. And you… you seem quite taken with Eloise.”
He shook his head, stepping even closer. “No, Victoria. You have it all wrong. It used to be that no girls would date me because I constantly reeked of horses and manure, then I was more interested in you, but thought you weren’t interested in me, but at 18, frankly, I am tired of not going out with girls, my proper father won’t let me date any girl without a title, he was quite thrilled to find Eloise was interested in me. She’s a sweet girl, she’s pretty and very affectionate, I am only human, show me any straight 18-year-old boy with a pulse who would say no, not to mention I didn’t know what I know now, which to me, changes everything, and I’m sorry that my actions offended you. Please, just give me a chance to make things right.”
She turned away, her emotions a whirlwind inside her. “I can’t, Liam. You’ve hurt me too much. I can’t just forget that.”
“Please,” he whispered, his voice breaking. “Don’t walk away from me again. It’s bad enough you keep rubbing my face in your flirting with that Dutch fool. Yes, I have seen you with him. I know he’s visited you at the palace. And I have seen you grabbing his arse at the stables. I know you did that because you knew I was watching you!” Jealousy overcast his emotions.
“Rubbish! I had no idea you were there and I grabbed NO parts of his, it was an accident. But at least now I know what it takes to get your attention. Pity really, that I was raised as a lady and therefore won’t resort to such pedestrian ways just to get some boy to pay attention to me, when his mind is clearly elsewhere! And with someone else, no less.”
“Victoria, please…” his tone sounded sincere.
Victoria hesitated, her hand on the doorknob. She glanced back at him, seeing the sincerity in his eyes. But the pain of his betrayal was still fresh, and she couldn’t bring herself to forgive him so easily.
“I’m sorry, Liam,” she said softly, opening the door. “Maybe one day I can be persuaded to want to try and be your friend again, but not now.”
With that, she stepped out of the room, leaving Liam standing there, his heart heavy with regret and longing.
As she was about to leave, Liam blurted out, “I love you, Victoria.”
She froze, the words hanging in the air like a spell. Slowly, she turned to face him, her eyes wide with shock. For a moment, she just stared at him, her mind racing.
This was what she had always wanted to hear. How many nights had she lain awake, dreaming of this very moment? She had imagined it in countless ways—under the stars, in a garden, during a dance. But now, standing in his chambers, it felt wrong. The timing, the circumstances, everything was off.
Her heart ached with the weight of her conflicting emotions. She had longed for his love, but not like this. Not after the hurt and betrayal. She took a deep breath, trying to steady herself.
“Liam,” she began, her voice trembling, “I will admit something now, which I will never admit to ever again, especially not in front of others, but I’ve dreamed of you saying those words for so long. But now… now it feels like a cruel joke. Played on a silly little girl, a dreamer, with her head in the clouds, waiting for her very own real-life Mr. Darcy to come and sweep her off her feet. Luckily, I am that silly little girl no more and can tell fiction from reality now.”
He stepped closer, his eyes pleading. “It’s not a joke, Victoria. I mean it. I love you. I was a fool not to see it sooner, but I see it now.”
She shook her head, tears welling up in her eyes. “You don’t understand. You hurt me, Liam. You pushed me away, had no time for me, but you seemed to have found plenty of time for Eloise.”
“Let me make things right,” he admitted, his voice breaking. “All I need is a chance.”
Victoria’s heart wavered, torn between all she still felt for him and the pain he had caused. She wanted to believe him, to trust that his feelings were genuine. But the wounds were still fresh, and she wasn’t sure if she could heal them so easily. Plus, she felt things for Hendrik now too.
“I am sorry,” she whispered, her voice barely audible. “I don’t know what to think now.”
Liam nodded, his expression filled with regret. “I’ll wait, Victoria. For as long as it takes.”
“You shouldn’t. As I said, I am trying to move on, as have you. Turning back now is silly. And I shouldn’t be in your room. This is highly inappropriate! If Papa and Mama knew…”
Liam’s eyes darkened with intensity. “Not as inappropriate as this,” he murmured, stepping forward and capturing her lips in a passionate kiss.
The kiss was everything she had ever dreamed of—longing, intense, and filled with unspoken emotions. Her first kiss ever. She melted into it, her heart exploding with feelings she had kept buried for so long. For a moment, nothing else mattered. It was just them, lost in each other.
But then, memories flooded her mind. The countless times she had felt alone at her family’s balls, waiting for him to show up as her date, only to be disappointed. The laughter and joy of others who had partners to dance with, while she stood on the sidelines. And the crushing pain of seeing him with Eloise, their kiss searing into her heart like a brand.
With a surge of anguish, she pushed him away, breaking the kiss. “No, Liam,” she cried, tears streaming down her face. “I can’t do this.”
She turned and fled the room, her sobs echoing in the hallway. She ran down the stairs, past the parlour where her mother, Queen Aria-Grace, her father, King Maximilian, and Earl Kensington were taking tea with his daughter Claire, Claire’s boyfriend Lord Jake Cameron, and Victoria’s brother, Crown Prince William.
“Victoria? Darling?” Queen Aria-Grace called out, concern in her voice.
William stood up quickly. “Don’t worry, I’ll check on her. I am sure there is no reason for concern, probably something as futile as a broken nail,” he said, his tone calm and reassuring, as befitting a Henfordian prince.
In the hallway, William looked up and saw Liam standing on the upstairs landing banister, looking down with a troubled expression. The dim light cast shadows on Liam’s face, highlighting the turmoil in his eyes. It didn’t take long for William to piece things together. He nodded to himself and then hurried after his sister, his footsteps echoing softly against the marble floors.
Outside, the cool evening air brushed against Victoria’s tear-streaked face as she leaned against a tree, her shoulders shaking with sobs. The garden was quiet, the only sounds being the rustling of leaves and her muffled cries. William approached her gently, placing a comforting hand on her shoulder, while waving off the alerted guards, who now averted their eyes and resumed their usual formation.
“Vee, what happened?” he asked softly, his voice filled with concern.
She looked up at him, her eyes red and puffy. “It’s Liam. He… he said he loves me, but what am I supposed to do with that now, huh? You saw him with Eloise, you were with me that day.”
William sighed, pulling her into a comforting embrace. “It’s going to be okay, Vee. We’ll figure this out. I don’t know what to say here either other than that I am sorry this happened to you. You are way too sweet for something like this. And either we were both wrong about Liam or he really didn’t know any better. Jack likes him too, so he would have been wrong as well. He is good at reading people and has a lot more experience than we do.”
“Oh Jack, dear Jack. Funny you bring him up now. I always thought his and Mum’s story was the most romantic thing I have ever heard. Ha, look at me reenacting my own version of it. This was NOT what I wanted! Not at all! I knew liking Liam was silly. But then Briar Rose and Jackson somehow made it work and I thought … I thought … I thought nothing at all.”
“I know what you thought, Vic, and I don’t blame you. I did the same with Grace. Anyone with half a brainstem could have seen that could never work out, but I think we are predisposed to look elsewhere for love than just among our peers. There is no mystery there for us. We know most of what you see among our own is fake, we know that because we fake it too, every day, each time we step out in public. We are selling a brand, just like Mama used to do and her family did and does, they are singers and actors and bandmembers, portraying a version of themselves the public wants to see and in a way so are we. And for that very reason I think you should clean up and then put on your best smile and come back inside with me, maybe observe Mum and Dad, and realize sometimes, the most obvious answer is the right one. They had a rough patch, it was rough for all of us, but they made it through and came out stronger than ever. What you need to figure out is who is who in your little scenario. Or maybe, just maybe, you need to give yourself more time to commit to anything.”
“Says my wise brother, who isn’t even a full year older than me, yet so much in love it is sickening. Not to mention, engaged.”
“I suppose this is one of those ‘do as I say, not as I do’ kind of scenarios.” He winked, smiling. Victoria smiled too, despite her reddened eyes and smeared makeup, which William now helped her wipe off. “There, good as new.”
“Is there any chance you could maybe NOT share this with Mama and Papa?”
“That will be rather difficult considering they just came out to check on you. Oh, I think we are actually leaving. Thank goodness, I was running out of casual, uncompromising topics to bore myself and everyone else with.”
Victoria turned to see her mother and father arrive, their faces etched with concern. Behind them, Jake was busy saying goodbye to Claire and her father, while Liam stood with them, staring at Victoria with a mix of longing and regret.
“What is going on?” King Maximilian inquired, his voice tinged with worry.
“Darling, I think this might be a private discussion once we’re back in the comfort of our own home.” Aria-Grace smiled and waved back at the hosts, her demeanor calm and composed, while the royal limousine pulled up behind them.
“Mama, Papa, I think this is the kind of thing that shouldn’t concern the parents. Their amazing son has already handled it sufficiently, haven’t I, Vee?” William interfered.
“Wow Wills, maybe you should get in the car first, to make sure we can get your immense ego in. But yes, he’s right, he was very helpful, the perfect big brother and an even more perfect future leader, and I am fine. Just a moment of … umm … emotional … umm …”
While Victoria struggled for an excuse, her mother snuggled her, then with her arm around her daughter walked to the car, followed by Max and William.
“Say no more. I remember this too well. I used to miss your father so much sometimes, I could barely function, I am well familiar with the occasional emotional meltdown. You will see Hendrik again soon, my sweet, you’ll see, time will just fly by.”
Victoria and William traded quick glances, Wiliam shrugged as if saying ‘That’ll work’, meaning their parents assuming she was missing her attentive Duke, while their father now winked at their mother, chuckling.
“Luckily, years of marriage have cured that. Now your dear mother is rather glad to be rid of me for a few days or weeks.” Max gestured at his wife and daughter to board the car.
Aria-Grace turned to him with that certain look. “You are lucky there are people watching us and that I am such a lady or I would show you what I think of that smug comment.”
“A lady? Oh dear, I took the wrong wife with me. I hate it when that happens.” he teased back and Aria-Grace covertly slapped him on his derriere with her clutch as he was helping her into the limousine.
As their parents’ playful banter continued on the ride home, Victoria mouthed ‘thank you’ to her brother, who winked, smiling.
EchoesOfLegacy 