June 12th,

Today of all days had to be my birthday. Why, oh, why do these horrid days have to come?
Oh, I know what you are thinking, 'She is such a pretty girl and she is finally turning sixteen. She should be happy.' But, sorry as I am to say, I am quite disappointed that today is my birthday. You see, since I live here in this city, Belrau, and I am the Kings daughter, I should, no, I must take control of the throne. How I long to be just a peasants daughter. No worries, just time to spend with my family.

Ah well, one must, I suppose, accept his or her station in life. Mine is to be Queen and that is that.

Today, being my birthday, I received this book in which I am writing. My father says that I must record my daily activities in it and call it a Record. It just seems so dull, I don't know how I will remember to write every day.

Oh dear, father now says the first page of my Record was supposed to be me introducing myself. It is as if this book is meant to be, I don't know...almost a history of the years I am to be Queen.
I think that is enough for one day. I hear my mother calling me for the crowning ceremony.

And so I will leave you, whoever reads this in the years to come, with a warning. Although your sixteenth birthday may hold much happiness, it also holds an equal amount of dread. So beware.