Arcane
Description
In the broad lands that stretch from coast to coast, kingdoms lie on breaking points with each other. The pressure to create allies through marriages between great powers is present among the young heirs to the thrones. Power, money, land-these are on all the line. The Sun Prince of the most powerful kingdom is next in line to prepare for marriage, approaching the end of adolescence. All is not easy for the prince-there is something suspicious... something being kept from the people. That secret... if life changing. No one must know. Not even the royal upper classes may know. The prince pushes away all marriage requests and refuses to accept any doles made by the finest princesses of the lands. The prince's heart hurts greatly-he doesn't mean to, but goes against his will with sorrowful wisdom. It's for the common good... and his own good too.
Foreword
Crying can be heard echoing throughout the entire kingdom of Baehwa. Today is the birth of the prince. A new generation for the Lee family.
All the signs pointed to a male first-born. It was prominent, even. The high hopes of the continuation of a great family was high. The hype for the new baby boy was eminent.
The Queen gasped as the baby was placed into her arms.
The King put his hands to his face.
The baby was not a boy. The baby was female. The first born was a girl. There was no hope in continuing the family's royal line now.
The Queen began to cry herself. The baby girl was placed aside and she turned her back to the newborn, disappointed in herself and the situation.
"What are we going to do...?" she sniffled.
"We... we can make this work," the King's tone had a spark of hope. Maybe there was a chance.
The Queen turned to her husband. "What do you-"
"We will have her disguised as a boy. Dress her in male clothing, keep her hair short, teach her to be a prince, rather than a princess."
"But-"
"The public doesn't have to know. If we keep this a secret, no one will find out."
The Queen was reluctant. What kind of pressure would burden this baby girl?
"It has to be for the good of the kingdom," she says.
"Yes. And she'll do wonderfully... I know it."
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