Princess Natalie stared at the robot before her as the final touches were made to its programming. It looked almost identical to the robots on Reboot nine, the android planet. Her father was forcing her to marry one to bring peace. So, she came up with a clever way to avoid marriage and still be married.

 

“Are you sure this is a good idea, princess? Maybe the Androdiens aren’t that bad.” Her maid, and best friend, Betsy, stood beside her.

 

“It’s the only option I have.” Natalie sat down in the hard-backed chair and waited. She was moments away from securing her freedom.

 

The engineer looked up from his work and smiled. “Are you ready?”

 

She stood, her stomach churning now that the time had come. Words refused to form, so she  nodded.

 

A small button at the back of the robot's neck, right at the hairline, was pushed. The android’s hands flinched, and his eyes popped open. With jerky movements, he tilted his head from one side to the other. “Princess?”

 

Natalie squealed with delight. “Yes. I’m the Princess, and you are to be my husband. Do you understand what I require of you?”

 

“I am to marry and protect the princess.” The pale color of his skin clashed with the silver of his eyes as he stared at her.

 

“Good.” Natalie couldn’t stop the smile spreading across her lips. “I think we should introduce you to father.”

 

Betsy stepped forward, and immediately the android stepped between her and Natalie. “You may not pass.”

 

Betsy looked past the android, catching Natalie’s eye. “Begging your pardon, princess. But don’t you think you should wait a day and make sure there are no complications?”

 

“If I wait a day, father will have me married off. He is to pick an android tonight.” Natalie’s face lit up. “You just gave me a great Idea. Send for the license keeper. We shall be married at once. Father can’t refuse me if I am already married to him.”

 

She grabbed Andy’s hand and hurried down the hall to the records room. It was as good a place as any to get married. To Natalie’s delight, the Licence keeper was already there.

 

“We wish to be married,” she proclaimed.

 

The man lifted his balding head and peered at her through his one eye. “Does your father know?”

 

Natalie rolled her eyes. “He demanded I marry an android, and this is an android. What do you think?”

 

His lips formed a straight line. “Very well. Step over to the joining line.”

 

The line was nothing more than a mark on the stone floor, but it symbolized leaving one phase of your life and entering another. The android stood on Natalie's left while the keeper stood in front of them.

 

“Please state your names for the record.” He pulled out a pad from his long robe.

 

“Princess Natalie Kingman.” She puffed out her chest as she proudly stated her name.

 

The android scrunched up his brows and tilted his head. “I am called andr--”

 

“Andy,” Natalie interrupted. “His name is Andy.”

 

“Very well. Are you both willing to take the next step of your lives together?”

 

“We are.” She answered for them both.

 

The keeper hesitated a moment before stepping aside. “You may jump together into your new lives.”

 

Natalie grabbed Andy’s hand, and half dragged him across the line. She was now thinking maybe Betsy was right. She should have prepared the poor thing better for what was expected of him.

 

“You are now joined. Go and live a happy and healthy life together. Have many… babies.” The record keeper's cheeks turned red as he looked from Natalie to Andy.

 

“Thank you.” Natalie pulled Andy along as they left the records room and headed to the main room, where she was sure her father was busy trying to pick her a husband.

 

Hours later, she stormed into her bedroom, Andy right behind her. Her father had argued the marriage wasn’t legal since he didn’t agree to it, but the record keeper provided him with the recorded document stating it was a binding marriage. He was furious, and was now trying to annul the marriage.

 

Natalie huffed and plopped down on her bed. “Sometimes I wish my father wasn't here anymore, then I would be safe to make my own choices.”

 

Andy tilted his head to the side and headed for the door. “Protect the princess. Get rid of father.”

 

Natalie’s eyes went wide, and she hurried to step in front of the android. “That’s not what I meant. You will not get rid of my father.”

 

“Marry and protect the princess. This is my job.”

 

“You will have to find another way to protect me from all the people trying to control my life.”

 

Andy turned and closed the windows. Using a small laser-like device that protruded from his wrist, he melted the latches on the windows. This was not the kind of android she wanted.

 

The android moved toward the door where just outside stood the engineer, sneering. Fear pushed to the surface of Natalie’s thoughts. She should have never trusted a man who worked for her father.

 

Andy shut the door and dismantled the handle with a metal rod that come out of his finger.

 

“What are you doing?” She rushed to the door, pounding and yanking on what remained of the handle. It wouldn’t budge.

 

“Protecting the princess from all the people controlling her.” Andy stood a little straighter, proud of his actions.

 

Natalie bit her lower lip, thinking. This was her android. She should just give it an order. “I demand you open the door at once.”

 

Andy placed himself between her and the exit, crossing his arms over his chest. “To protect you, I must keep you away from those who want to hurt you. You may not leave this room.”

 

A tear slipped down her cheek. She was such a fool to think she would ever be allowed freedom.