BENEATH THE GOLDEN VEIL

1| THE MOST BEAUTIFUL WOMAN IN THE KINGDOM

SAVANNAH'S POV

I stared at my reflection in the grand vanity mirror, the golden frame surrounding my image serving as a stark reminder of my place in society. Savannah Zara Erickson, they called me—the most beautiful woman in the kingdom. It was a title bestowed upon me from the moment I took my first breath, a birthright that shaped my destiny.

As I gazed into my own eyes, framed by long lashes that were said to be the envy of all women, I couldn't help but feel a deep sense of conflict. Yes, I possessed the physical attributes that garnered admiration and praise from every corner of the kingdom. But did it truly define who I was?

At just nineteen years old, I stood on the precipice of a life-altering choice. In our kingdom, tradition dictated that a woman must be married before her twentieth birthday, or else face the fate of becoming a nun or a lowly palace servant. A stifling fate, one that loomed over me like a dark cloud threatening to shroud my aspirations.

My family, with their opulent wealth and prestigious name, saw my beauty as a ticket to secure an advantageous match. To them, I was a prized possession, a delicate flower to be carefully nurtured and traded for power and status. But what they failed to see was the fire that burned within me, a spirit that yearned for more than just a life confined to a gilded cage.

Society expected me to revel in my beauty, to wield it as a weapon, but they couldn't comprehend the weight it bore upon my soul. Men approached me, their eyes alight with desire, but they never truly saw me. They only saw the carefully constructed facade, the porcelain doll on display for their amusement.

I had come to realize that my beauty was both a blessing and a curse. It was a gift that had opened doors and garnered attention, but it had also shielded me from genuine connection. Men stay away as soon as they see the real me because they are intimidated by the fierce independence that radiates from my heart. My beauty didn't come in handy, as I had grown up thinking. It was merely a mask that hid the true essence of who I was.

As my twentieth birthday approached with relentless speed, desperation began to seep into the air. My family hoped and prayed that someone, anyone, would come to ask for my hand in marriage. They cared not for the depth of my feelings or the compatibility of our hearts; all they wished for was a swift resolution to secure their social standing. To them, I was a pawn in their game of power and ambition.

But as I looked at myself once more in that mirror, I made a silent vow like I always do every morning. I would not succumb to a life devoid of love and purpose. I would defy their expectations, break free from the chains of tradition, and find a love that would set my soul ablaze.

I have always believed that the world revolves around me, not in a shallow sense of superiority but in the belief that I hold the power to shape my own destiny. I would not settle for anything less than a love that consumed me, a partnership that celebrated the depths of my being. I know there is someone out there waiting for me.

As I stepped away from the mirror, determination coursed through my veins. I was the most beautiful woman in the kingdom, yes, but I was also more than just a pretty face. I was Savannah Zara Erickson, a woman with dreams, passions, and a burning desire to discover her own path.

I would not let my beauty define me; instead, I would harness it as a tool to unveil the depths of my character, to show the world that I was more than just a face to be admired.

As I left my bedroom, the whispers of our servants echoed in my ears. Their murmurs conveyed the anticipation that swirled within the palace walls. I knew what they were talking about because it was the same thing every morning in this castle. The clock was ticking, and my destiny awaited its turn.

I descended the grand staircase, my footsteps echoing in the opulent halls and made my way to the family dining hall. As I entered, the room fell silent, all eyes turning towards me. Mother's expression was a mixture of hope and anxiety, her eyes silently pleading for a resolution that would secure our family's future. Father stood tall, his posture exuding authority, but his gaze held a touch of sympathy.

As soon as I sat down, I took a deep breath, steeling myself against the surge of conflicting emotions. It was happening again—the moment I had anticipated and dreaded in equal measure when I left my silent bedroom. The weight of expectations pressed upon my shoulders, threatening to crush the flickering flame of defiance within me.

I didn't wait for them to say anything because I knew exactly what my mother was going to say. One thing was certain: I would not let their desires dictate my future. I would seize control, forge my own path, and find a love that resonated with the depths of my soul.

"I know what you're going to say and I appreciate your efforts, Mother, Father," I said, my voice steady and resolute. "But I must be honest with you. I cannot marry for the sake of convenience or social standing. You both know exactly what I long for. I want the kind of love that surpasses superficiality, a connection that defies the boundaries of tradition. The person who you guys think is the perfect match for me cannot give me that and I will not settle for anything less."

The silence hung heavy in the room and I could feel the weight of my words reverberating through the air. My parents exchanged glances; their expressions were a mixture of surprise and concern as well as all the other things I didn't want to acknowledge. Beneath it all, I wish I could have seen a spark of understanding. That they saw the fire within me—the unyielding spirit that refused to be confined by societal norms.

Father spoke first, his voice filled with worry. "Savannah, we understand your desires, but we also urge caution. Love is a complex and unpredictable force. We only wish for your happiness and security." And all that comes with my marriage. I silently added because I knew he was not going to say it out loud.

I nodded. "I know, Father. And I promise you, I will not recklessly endanger myself. But I cannot enter a loveless marriage. I must find someone who sees beyond my looks and cherishes the depths of my soul. I believe that such love exists, and I will not settle for something else. That is not too much to ask."

Mother's eyes softened for the first time. "Very well, dear. You know your father and I will support you in whatever you want just as we've always done. What I want though is for you to promise us that you will tread carefully and that you will not dismiss potential matches without careful consideration. Your birthday is in a month and you know very well what will happen if you're not married by then."

I took my mother's hands in mine, the warmth of her touch felt so foreign because I hadn't felt it in almost two years. "I promise, Mother. I will approach this journey with an open heart and a clear mind. I will not rush into anything, but I will also not settle for less than I deserve.

"My husband must be someone who is going to love me, someone I am going to love back. That for me is my bottom line. If I can't find such a husband before my birthday, then I will have to make peace with being a servant to the king or his queen and his offspring or become a nun. That is actually better than living the rest of your life miserable because you chose marriage over your happiness."

With that, the room exhaled a collective breath, the tension dissipating ever so slightly. We ate our breakfast in silence. At first, it was a very awkward silence but as we continued to devour the delicious meal our cooks prepared for us, it became a comfortable silence.

As the meal came to an end, I excused myself from the table, feeling that sense of determination I had been feeling for the past two years coursing through my veins.

Leaving the dining hall behind, I made my way to the lush gardens that sprawled beyond the castle walls. The scent of blooming flowers filled the air, and I found solace in the tranquillity of nature.

As I wandered along the winding paths, lost in thought, a figure emerged from the shadows, causing me to startle. It was a man, a very fine man, tall and imposing, with a presence that commanded attention. His features were chiselled, his gaze piercing as it locked onto mine.

"Savannah," he greeted me, his voice smooth like silk but lacking warmth. "I trust you're well on this fine morning?"

I offered a polite smile, though inwardly, I bristled at the underlying implication of his words. It was clear that he, like so many others, saw only the surface—the flawless, pretty face that God gave me when I came into this world.

"I am quite well, thank you," I replied, my tone measured. "And yourself?"

He nodded, though his eyes remained fixed on me, assessing, evaluating. "I cannot complain. The day is indeed beautiful, much like yourself."

I resisted the urge to roll my eyes at the same old compliment and instead forced myself to maintain a pleasant smile. "You're too kind," I murmured, though my words held little sincerity.

There was a pause, pregnant with unspoken expectations before he spoke again. "Your parents have spoken highly of you, Savannah. They believe you to be a remarkable young woman, one with great potential."

I arched an eyebrow, a flicker of scepticism dancing in my eyes. "And what is it that they've told you about me?"

He hesitated, his gaze faltering for the briefest of moments before he recovered. "They speak of your beauty, of course, just like everyone in this kingdom, but also of your intelligence, your wit. They believe you to be a suitable match for a man of my standing."

I fought to keep the incredulous expression from my face, though I couldn't help but feel a surge of frustration rising within me. It was clear that he, like so many others, saw me as nothing more than a trophy to be won—a means to elevate his own status and standing in society.

"I see," I replied evenly, though my words belied the turmoil brewing beneath the surface. "And what do you seek in a potential match, if I may ask?"

He paused, considering his response carefully before replying, "I seek beauty, intelligence, grace—all of which you possess in abundance, Savannah. But above all else, I seek a woman who understands her place in society, who is willing to fulfil her duties and obligations without question."

His words struck a chord within me, igniting a fierce defiance that I struggled to contain. How dare he presume to dictate my role in this world, to confine me within the narrow constraints of societal expectations?

"I'm afraid you've mistaken me for someone else," I said, my voice tinged with a steely resolve. "I will not be confined by your expectations or anyone else's. I refuse to be reduced to a mere ornament, a pawn in your game of social advancement."

He regarded me with a mixture of surprise and disdain, clearly unaccustomed to such resistance. "You would do well to remember your place, Savannah," he warned, his tone tinged with thinly veiled condescension. "Beauty fades, but the right connections endure."

With that, he turned on his heel and strode away, leaving me standing and my heart pounding with righteous indignation. I refused to be cowed by his arrogance, to surrender to a fate dictated by others.

I would not be swayed by the shallow desires of men who sought only to possess me for their own gain. And if that meant defying tradition and challenging societal norms, then so be it.