Princess Seraphina stood quietly in her room as soft morning light poured through the tall windows. She walked closer and gazed out over the kingdom she loved.
"What a beautiful view this is of my March Land," she whispered to herself.
Golden towers shimmered under the sun, fountains sparkled like jewels, and the streets slowly filled with life. But as her eyes wandered farther, her smile slowly faded. Near the marketplace, soldiers surrounded an old man. They shouted at him harshly, striking him for not completing his work properly.
Her heart tightened.
"As beautiful as March Land is," she murmured sadly, "so ugly are the customs here."
She could not ignore it.
Turning sharply, she knocked firmly on the door of her room.
"Whoever is guarding outside, open this door. It is an order from the Princess!"
After a tense moment, the door creaked open. Maid Diana stood there. She was beautiful, yet clearly same age Princess Seraphina. Fear and worry filled her eyes as she spoke.
"Princess… I'm sorry," Diana said softly. "The King has ordered that you must not leave your room. I can't disobey him… but I can't disobey you either."
Princess Seraphina smiled calmly, her confidence unshaken. She stepped forward and said simply,
"Good."
Before anyone could stop her, she descended the grand staircase. Whispers echoed through the palace halls as servants froze in shock. No one had ever seen the Princess defy the King so openly.
She passed through the towering gates and stepped into the streets of March Land.
The air felt heavier here.
Ahead, the cruel scene she had witnessed from her window continued. The old man had fallen to the ground as soldiers yelled at him. One of them raised his hand again.
"Stop."
Her voice rang through the street clear, firm, and powerful.
The soldiers turned instantly. Their faces drained of color when they realized who stood before them.
"P-Princess Seraphina…" one of them stammered.
She walked toward them, her gaze sharp and unyielding.
"Is this how you serve March Land?" she asked coldly. "By hurting an old man who can barely stand?"
"He failed to complete his work, Your Highness," a soldier replied nervously.
Seraphina knelt beside the old man and helped him to his feet with her own hands. Gasps spread through the crowd royalty was never meant to touch commoners.
"Work can be delayed," she said firmly as she stood. "But dignity cannot."
She faced the soldiers, her voice steady and commanding.
"Leave. Now."
After a moment of hesitation, the soldiers stepped back and retreated, their heads lowered in shame.
Silence filled the street then suddenly, applause erupted.
The people of March Land began cheering and clapping.
"She's an angel!" someone cried.
"Our Princess is an angel!"
Seraphina looked around, surprised and confused. Then she smiled gently and raised her hand to quiet them.
"No," she said kindly. "I am not an angel."
She placed a hand over her heart.
"I am Seraphina. Not some angel. And helping people is not greatness it is our duty. It is our humanity."
From afar, Maid Diana watched the scene, a proud smile forming on her lips. But beside her, the Minister's face twisted with annoyance and fear.
Without wasting another moment, he turned and rushed back to the palace.
"My King," the Minister said breathlessly, bowing low, "the Princess went into the streets. She stopped the soldiers. The people cheered for her."
The King's expression darkened. His grip tightened on the armrests of his throne.
"She did what?" he roared.
At that very moment, footsteps echoed through the grand hallway.
Princess Seraphina had returned.
The King rose sharply from his throne, fury blazing in his eyes.
"You disobeyed me again?!" he thundered. "Didn't I tell you that you are forbidden to leave your room for a week? That was your punishment!"
This time, Princess Seraphina did not bow her head.
"If I keep myself locked in a room," she said firmly, "then how can I ever become a good princess, huh?"
The hall fell silent.
She stepped forward, her voice filled with emotion but not fear.
"Dad, I saw how your people are treated. It was horrible. It was merciless. You keep March Land beautiful on the outside but where is the beauty if the people are unhappy?"
Her words echoed through the hall.
"The soldiers beat old men. Poor children cannot wear the clothes that rich children wear. I don't understand this system of March Land."
The King's anger boiled over.
"How dare you question the system of March Land?!" he shouted. "I am the one in charge here not you, Princess Seraphina!"
A heavy silence followed.
Then Princess Seraphina raised her voice strong, fearless, and filled with an aura that silenced everyone, even the King himself.
"But I am your daughter," she declared.
"And I am the Princess of March Land."
For a moment, the entire hall froze. Guards, ministers, and servants all watched her, stunned by the courage in her eyes. Whispers spread among the courtiers. Some admired her bravery, others feared her boldness. Even the air seemed heavier, charged with tension.
She took a deep breath, her voice steady as she continued,
"I will not stand by while our people suffer. I will not accept that the happiness of March Land is sacrificed for appearances. If I am to rule one day, it will not be a rule of fear it will be a rule of care, justice, and honor. And it starts today."
The King's hands shook on the armrests, his face red with fury, yet for the first time, he hesitated. The words of his daughter had struck deeper than he expected.
Seraphina's gaze swept across the hall, meeting the eyes of everyone present. Her aura of courage filled the room, leaving no doubt March Land had a princess who would fight for its people, even if it meant defying her father.
The hall remained silent, the weight of her words sinking into every corner. And for the first time, it felt as if the kingdom itself was holding its breath, waiting to see what would happen next.