Briar couldn't believe that her father was marrying her off to a stranger. Even though the stranger looked handsome, she didn't want to marry him. She looked out at the window and saw the one whom she wanted to marry.
Carlos, their gardener. He was a year older than her. The two of them were best friends. She loved him for almost all her life but she never dared to confess her feelings, afraid that he might not reciprocate what she feels.
She watched him tend the flowers with care. She couldn't help herself but fall in love.
Carlos has soft facial features. He was attractive with his long brown hair especially when he smiles. He has a lean body figure. He also has eyes that resembles an onyx.
He must had felt her gaze, because he looked at her then smiled before continuing to tend the flowers. Briar's heart fluttered.
Someone knocked the door. Briar went to open it and saw his father.
"Briar, let's talk," her father said.
"I don't want to talk to you," Briar ruthlessly said.
"Briar," his father said. With his rasp tone, Briar knew that she must talk to him because his father wasn't her father anymore. He was being the Lord that he is.
Briar let him entered her room. The Lord of the Earthborn Realm sat on her bed. She also sat next to him.
"You are obliged to marry the Lord of the Fireborn Realm," his father said.
"Lord what what?" Briar exclaimed. "I thought you're going to marry me with the stranger awhile ago."
His father massaged his temples. He couldn't believe how dumb his child was.
"The stranger awhile ago is him. The Lord of the Fireborn Realm." His father said, trying to be calm.
"Why are you marrying me off to him?" She asked. "Why so sudden?"
"He was looking for a bride and it happens that you don't have a husband yet so I offered him you," his father said.
"Why me?"
"To secure the Earthborn Realm's future," he answered. "The threats of the vicious clans are rugged these days. I'm afraid that we'll experience it once more."
His father emphasized the word 'it'. Briar immediately understood that he refers to the incident years ago. The incident that made them lose the Queen, her mother and his wife.
"You know how powerful the Fireborn Realm is, Briar. They can guarantee our Realm's safety... And I don't want to lose you, my only child... But marrying off to him is the best way to make you safe," the Lord of the Earthborn Realm said.
The Fireborn Realm was the most strongest Realm as of now. The people that live there are almost immortals because they age slower and can live up to a thousand years. They control flames and can destroy with a flick of their fingers. While the people of the Earthborn Realm can be considered the weakest, they can only live up to a hundred years unlike the people of other realms that can live more than that.
"Okay. I'm marrying him," Briar said. His father smiled then hugged his precious child.
The next day, the Lord of the Fireborn Realm came for his bride.