People say being friends with your enemies is hard, but not for Laya. Laya is the princess of Astera. Her family has ruled over Astera for hundreds of generations. She’ll rule when her time comes, and she’ll be ready. The Deven Family has something against Layla’s family-the Sylas. The Deven and Sylas families seemed to be rivals for decades, always fighting over power and the Astera title. But that wasn’t the case between Laya Sylas and her best friend Damien Deven. They have been friends for years, since childhood. Laya and Damien never really cared about the generations long rival between their families. They honestly didn’t understand it. Damien never seemed interest in power and Laya was born for power. Many days the Deven Rebels rallied in the village and protested against the Sylas family. Damien never understood why his family does it, and Laya doesn’t understand why villagers join the rebellion. The kingdom seems to be running correctly, why protest against it? Both Damien’s and Laya’s families didn’t really mind their friendship, but one thing Laya’s family did forbid was love. Laya could not fall in love with Damien, because that could lead to marriage and then the Sylas family name could be lost. Laya was the only child after all, and through marriage, Laya’s name would be changed to Deven. But love never really crossed either of their minds, not until an attack where they almost lost each other. Laya was walking through the streets, as she always does, when a young boy approached her. “Madam, would you help my father, he has seemed to fall and I can’t get him up!” The little boy cried. Laya’s kind heart couldn’t resist such a request and she immediately set out to help the little boy’s father. But when she arrived at his home, rebels kidnapped Laya and brought her to their base. For days Laya laid in constant agony in an unknown cellar while rebels beat her and called her names. She wondered where the royal guards were and if she’d ever be found. Finally, Damien found the base through his parents and located Laya. “Damien, oh Damien is that you!” She cried. Damien grabbed her in his arms and carried her out. He put her on his horse and rode her back to the castle. When they arrived back to the castle, Laya’s family cried in joy. They hugged and kissed her and called for a celebration. Laya couldn’t thank Damien enough and asked what she could do for him in return. “Love me. Marry me. “ Damien pleaded. Laya was shocked. “Damien you know we can’t-“ “Laya, are you going to betray your heart because of some stupid family title?” Laya was silent. Could she betray her heart? As she started thinking, she did realize she loved Damien, maybe even more than her title. But could she betray her family? Her heart and mind were at war. She loved Damien, but she loved her family. If she chose one then she’d lose the other. “You have three days to give me your answer, Laya, or our friendship will forever be lost.” Damien said. That night Laya laid in bed and tried to reason on each side. If she married Damien, then her family would be lost. If she didn’t marry him, he’d be lost. “Why must I choose!” Laya screams into the silent room. “Why must I choose?” Laya cries. The three days come to an end, and it’s the day Laya must choose. Damien and Laya agree to meet at the edge of the forest. When Laya arrives, Damien sees how destroyed she looks. She still has bruises from her kidnapping , but her eyes look heavy and she looks to be in both physical and mental pain. “Laya, love, are you quite alright?” Damien dares to ask. Without meeting his eye, Laya says in a whisper, “I choose you Damien. I want to marry you.” A priest steps out from the forest and marries them right there. Damien insisted, not wanting all the attention of a royal wedding. The two say their vows and exchange rings. At the closure of the ceremony, rebels storm out of the forest and into the castle, taking down the Sylas family and capturing the Astera title. Laya looks up at Damien and feels utter betrayal. “How dare you!" Laya screams. Damien smiles and says, “Love was never greater than power.”