I, Clarissa Morgenstern was a princess. You'd think i would have been happy. That i was one of the luckiest girls in all the kingdom. But you'd be wrong. I was miserable.

Why be a princess when you couldnt do anything you wanted too? My father made all the decisions for me. I wasnt allowed to play in the stables. I wasnt allowed to get dirt on my dress. I wasnt allowed to talk to those beneath my station in a friendly way. I wasnt allowed to do anything!

My father ruled the realm, as his father did before him. The Morgensterns had been around for a very long time. My mother had died giving birth to me. My father never truly forgave me for that. Jocelyn was the love of his life. His first wife was beheaded once Valentine had set his eyes on my mother. My father was a cruel man.

We were the only kingdom for thousands of miles. Our realm existed on a stretch of land bordering the sea. All who had went up against my father, had perished. My father ruled the land with a harsh hand. Punishment was severe in the castle. Everyone was scared to even breathe. He had spies everywhere.

I was Clarissa Morgenstern, daughter of the mighty Morgenstern legacy. My brother Jonathan was the heir before me. I was a pretty ornament for the court, that was all. I was instructed from an early age in all the proper ways of a lady. My brother got the better end of the stick.

He studied all the arts, as well as the physical. He was to be the heir to the castle. He needed to know how to fight. He needed to know how to kill. Meanwhile i, as the little princess, was instructed on how to be docile and pleasant. It was unfair!

I dreamed of bigger things. I dreamed of ruling the Morgenstern kingdom. I dreamt of ruling with a nicer hand. I dreamed alot for a girl in high standing. Because even though i had all the jewels in the world, i had no freedom. Even though i was beautiful and had the options of high birth, i was a slave in this castle.

I was a slave, plain and simple. I had no rights. I had no freedom. I did what my father ordered me to do. I followed his line as straight as i could manage. My father would have it no less. I was trapped in my own tower without a way down.

My father was preparing a feast in my honor. All suitable matchs within the realm were to be present. My father was trying to find me a good husband. My father was finding me a good match for his kingdom. All the prince's of far off realms were to come for my hand. I was not in the least excited. These were men my father picked out. I would have no choice in the matter.

I would not have love at first sight. I would not be able to love at will. I would not be able to have a husband who loved me and i him. That was not the way of princess's. We didnt marry for love, we married for duty. How i hated that more than anything.

I would see jealousy in the eyes of the maids. Oh how they looked at me with spite in their eyes. They wanted to be me. How i longed to tell them that i'd trade places with them at any moment. I hated being who i was. No one treated me like the person i was. People were scared to talk to me for fear of my father.

I had no voice. I had no will of my own. What kind of life was this? What was life if we werent allowed to make our own choices?

I was sitting at my vanity brushing my long red hair. It was the most prized thing about me. My hair reminded my father of my mother. She had the same hair as i did. I brushed it slowly with my metal ornate brush. I stared at my reflection. My cheeks were a dull color. I pinched them with my fingers to add some color.

I stood from my vanity and smoothed my skirts. I was ready to meet my father. The father i so despised. I walked out of my bedroom to the hallway. I made my way through the castle as quickly as i could. My father didnt like waiting.

When i made it to the throne room, i took a deep breath to calm my nerves. My father demanded nothing but politeness to him in his presence. I didnt want to get into trouble this early in the day. I nodded to the servant to open the big gilded doors. He did so without hesitation. I stepped into the room.

My father was seated in the throne at the end of the hall. My brother was at his side speaking to him. I didnt like my brother either. He had a mean streak just like my father. Was i the only nice one in the family? I walked forward and curtsied before my father. He didnt stop talking, he acted like i wasnt even there.

It sucked being a woman in this day and age. Woman were viewed as worthless arm jewels and nothing more. The prettier the jewel, the more value, but still useless in its properties. I hated a man who thought he was better than woman. I waited patiently.

My brother was talking to my father about some scout reports that had come back the other day. I tried to act uninterested.

"There coming by the thousands father, all to come speak to you. The Garroways are the least impressive to be sure, but still! This is good news. Everything is going to plan."

My father nodded and finally rested his eyes on my face. He loved to see my hair flowing and free. That is why i had spent so much time brushing it. He cleared his throat to speak.

"Clary, how nice of you to join us. We were just talking over a few last minute things before tomorrows feast. There will be many suitors that come for you hand. I expect you to be a courteous lady, i am sure." He declared looking at me from his throne.

"Father, i wanted to speak to you about that. I dont think im ready to marry." i hesitantly said.

"Not ready? Nonsense! Your perfect for marriage. Your breasts are full and you've had your blood. You are the perfect symbol of a virgin bride." my father spat. I had angered him, but i had to speak.

"I want to pick my own husband father, out of love."

"Love? You know nothing about love child! I loved your mother and look what happened to her. You will marry who i find suitable, or you can marry your brother. Either way, you will be married."

I hated that custom. If other suitors proved unwanted, then marriage of the siblings was the correct next step. Furthering the bloodline if you couldnt further your line through an allegiance with another realm. I shuddered to think of marrying Jonathan. I wanted my own husband! Not my fathers match, or my brother. I wanted someone to love.

But i knew i was beaten. I would do as my father wished, and i would do it with a smile on my face. I had never realized how much i hated him as i did just now. He wouldnt listen to a word i said. He never would. I was broken inside.

I asked for departure and i was granted it. Jonathan smiled at me from beside my fathers throne. I could have spit in his face. He would like to get his hands on me the filthy animal. But he wouldnt if i could help it!

I had no choice. I would have to go to the feast in my honor and i would have to accept the husband my father promised for me. I would have to smile the entire time and act pleased. I would have to do my duties as a wife and let some man have me.

But what my father forgot, is that the Morgenstern woman were fierce. We were as fierce and as crafty as the men. He forgot to remember that i would defy him even to my very death. My father didnt own me, and before long he would know that. He would know that the blood that ran in my veins was cold. Cold as the ice that was in my heart. I was the Morgenstern Princess, i was the Forever Queen.