Everyone present was enjoined a royal celebration. During the dinner the King addressed Prince Valentine who was happily laughing and drinking with his brothers and sisters. " there are still a lot of people who are against my putting you on the throne. But do not fret that's not something a good marriage cannot fix. I sent a Messenger a month ago to The king of Ujarma, Machubi Iona Dumil, to ask for the hand in marriage of his only daughter. Today i received a satisfying reply. Never has Ujarma ever given away their descendants, through marriage for a political alliance. This is truly a day to remember. The representative himself is here Lord Gogi Mtiel. Please lord Gogi, relay to us the Kings response."
Lord Gogi stood up placed right hands fist to his heart as was custom in Ujarma and bowed respectful first to the king and then to the princes. "Greetings king Matti Ushgul. I am more then grateful for your splendid welcome. As my King says we are pleased to receive a marriage proposal from a country as strong as yours and from a prince as promising as prince Valentine. You all know that no member of a our royal family has ever been married out to another country's royalty and this will be the first precedent. The princess is making her preparations and will arrive to Dali in seven months time. I know it is early but es tradition dictates in Ujarma, the future wife has to spend the six months leading up to the marriage with her future husband. I would also have to request to respect the kings choice of raising the princess. She has been wearing a vail to cover her face ever since she was born. Our King decreed that only one who will see her Majesty's face will be her future husband. So we have to insist that no one touches her, or requests for her vail to be lifted under any circumstances. Our tradition also dictates that a man can not have a mistress or cheat on his wife, but since this is not the way it is for you, we will only insist that the crown prince will not take a mistress for two years after the marriage, to try and dipped the love with his wife and also so that the wife bears the first child. " As he finished his speech he bowed again and this time stayed like that.
Many whispers filled the room. "Isn't the princess sed to be the ugliest being to ever live" " I heard her father himself gave the order to hide her face since the day she was born" "No wonder they're so willing to give her up" "Poor prince. Such talent and good looks and his forced to marry a monster" "doesn't it mean that the king treats the prince himself as a joke" "shhhhh be quite. Bad mouthing Ujarma in this court is one thing, but to slander our King and the a heir to the throne is a crime big enough to be beheaded for. "
Lord Gogi was getting more and more angry. He was a fighter, a respectable man who always protected his country's and royal family's honor. He would have cut the throat of the rat who dared to gossip behind his back and slander his beloved princess. He gripped the handle of his sword which he was allowed to carry in the Kings presence as an exemption. The King knew that Ujarmas citizens always carried their weapons wherever they went. Suddenly the king slammed his cup on the table. The room went completely silent and Lord Gogi released his hand from the handle. King Matti frowned. He could not understand this peculiar requests but it was clear that this was not under negotiation. Yes Ujarma was a small country that left alone did not pose any sort of threat to a country as grand as Dumil, but if added as allies to any country the tides would change greatly in their favor. Ujarma was the home of the best fighters and for the last ten years it had grown stronger than ever. There soldiers were protecting all the royalties on this great continent and there loyalty was never under question. Even the Dumils King and all his descendants were protected by Ujarmas soldiers. " I understand lord Gogi. Of course we will honor the Kings request. You can rest assured. Although i do think two years is a long time, but traditions do need to be honored. " Said the King and gestured to the Lord to take his seat.
Prince Valentine was a tall, well build man. One could tell from just a glance that he had been training every day of his life. He had black hair that was not to short, but just long enough tu be put back with a hand swipe and a little help from some hair product. He was to young for any facial hair yet but if he did have it, it would only add to the perfection that were his facial features. His eyes gave him a stern look and were a perfect shape that made a thin black contour, which encircled his beautiful deep black eyes. he was well mannered and levelheaded since young.
Now throughout the conversation prince Valentine was becoming paler. Finally he could not stop himself and spoke up. "King father i always wished to marry Acacia Chalorite. We have been together for five years and she is also the eldest daughter of the royal army general. Even though this is my dearest wish i still agreed to make her the mistress. It was not easy to convince her and i had to promise her that i would bring her in first. Two years that's.... that's asking for to much."
The kings expression changed. He banged his hand on the table yelling at his son. " How foolish can you be? I chose you against everyones advice, your brother even gave up his place for you and you're telling me you would throw away all that, disregard my citizens for one mans stupid desire for one woman?! Do not make me change my decision or i will make you and her both regret this greed. I know you are a smart boy that is why i chose you and you WILL understand that Acacia can only ever be a mistress. With the Ujarmas princess by your side your position will be guaranteed. Yes Ujarma is small, but it's a military country full of fighters who are experts in many areas. We don't even know completely how many secrets they hold. Do not show such unsightly behavior in front of our distinguished guests and our people again."
The color completely left the young princes face. He still managed to keep his dignified appearance, stood up, placed finger tips of both hands to his chin and bowed as the sign of respect to the king and responded calmly " I understand father king. I apologize for my lack of judgment."
The king was pleased and with the wave of his hand gestured to the prince to return to his sit. He liked that prince Valentine quickly understood the gravity of this matter and made the right choice. Even so the matter of Acacia still worried him. He had watched them being together for three years. King Matti himself had some affection for the sweet and kind girl who was the same age as one of his daughter. She was after all a daughter to a grand general and a good friend to the King. Her being by Valentines side would be advantageous but her status could never allow her to be a queen. He decided that he would not let her lose her happiness, or let anyone bully her. Man were dominant in Dali so even if Valentine had a queen he did not have to love her. After the marriage the two years promise could be disregarded. Acacia would be by his side and bring him happiness. King Matti felt solace with this thoughts in mind.
"Yes Ujarma is really strong from the inside." sad the third prince Datvi Ushgul, bringing the King back to reality. "Especially the last ten years have been very good for them. I was quite intrigued by this sudden development in there country and rankes."
The King nodded and said " Yes and no information ever lives the gates of Ujarma. I am looking forward to meeting the princess of this mysterious land."
Everyone was discussing the country of Ujarma now and were looking forward to the arrival of the princess. Some out of curiosity, some for good of the country, but most just wished to see this ugly being that managed to marry into one of the strongest country's on the continent. The ones who were not pleased with this were prince Valentine, the queen and Acacia. All with different thoughts in mind.
The banquet ended and everyone retired to there quarters. Prince Valentine was exhausted from all the events of today. He opened the doors of his room, excusing his most trusted aide Otar for the night, turned his back on him and started undressing.
"Well do you really wish to see me naked, or are you leaving already Otar?" sad prince Valentine jokingly.
"No my prince" sounded an unusually serious tone behind him." Have a good night"
Suddenly a chill ran up Prince Valentines back. He jumped to the side and barely avoided his childhood friends and most trusted aids sword piercing his heart. Otar expecting to kill him from the first swing could not bring himself to do so again locked with his eyes. Valentine was to shocked to process this horrific event but his body was trained for this. Swiftly after the first jump he grabbed the sword from the bad which was near him now. He docked and charged with full power to not kill his friend bot to do something. Unexpectedly Otar did not even defend himself and the sword easily pierced through his chest cavity. Blood burst out from the wund and his mouth. Valentine was shocked. He let go of the sword and the body of his friend plummeted to the ground. Suddenly he heard an all to familiar scream for help outside. He leaped to the door and swung it open. What lay in front of him was Acacia unconscious on the grout and blood underneath her. Valentine lost his breath...