The war continued for three years. Bozao, Ellen's kingdom was the lossing side. Many of their soldiers died in the battlefield and they were at the verge of losing the war woefully, It was at this point that Avalo decided to offer a bit of compromise and offer a truce which was to be sealed with a marriage
Of course, Bozao could decide not to accept the truce and continue the war, but for a kingdom that was at the verge of losing. Accepting the truce was their best bet.
They could not loose and have Avalo take over their kingdom. But in other to save their face King George asked the Avalo courier for some time to deliberate on it before giving their response.
The Courier agreed and told them that they had only three days to send their response and the bride must be from the king's family. Since she would be married to their crown prince.
The royal court was silent for a long time after the courier from Avalo left. The royal council was thrown into a fist. They must act fast or lose their beloved kingdom.
On the bright side, peace will finally return to the land if they accepted the truce, but the sacrifice was great. It was an open secret that the crown prince of Avalo is cursed.
Rumors have it that he encountered a witch at the age of twelve years. As of that time, the kingdom of Avalo was at war against the four mighty kings. The war was fierce but it was not a fair war as it was four against one. Avalo tried their best to hold up but they were losing.
So when the young prince met the powerful Witch he asked for the power to save his kingdom. The witch granted him his wish but it came with a price. Some rumored that he was turned into a beast, others said that was a dragon cable of breathing literal fire.
Neither of these rumors was verified but, one thing was clear the crown prince of Avalo was ruthless and vicious. He lead Amies at the age of twelve and won the war against the four powerful kings. He has never lost a battle since then, Not even a surprise attack.
So everyone seated in the royal court knew that whichever princess was sent to the prince, Can be likened to a lamb led to the slaughter.
"your highness" a council member bowed as he got up to speak. "I understand that this is a tough decision for you to make. But we all seated here know that we cannot defeat the cursed prince. Though sad we have no other option, but to dance to their tune. If we refuse and continue the war more people will die and we will eventually loose at the end of the day. Once we lose the prince can still have our princess. That is if he does not throw them to his Amies for savages" the man stops talking and sat down.
All the council members nodded their heads in agreement with what Lord Bowon has said. Even the king helplessly nodded his head.
He could feel his heartache for his daughter already. He was not sure which one of them he could give up.
Princess Ellen was his gift of love and Princess Ema was also his bundle of joy. He felt his head hurt from the thought that he would have to sacrifice one of them.
"it is decided we would accept the truce from Avalo" king George's voice rang all through the courtroom.
The council members nodded their heads and breath in relief. "your highness which of the princess would be given?" Lord Tyler asked.
"I am yet to decide, I will pass the information across once I make up my mind" king George replied before he got up from his throne and walked away with a heavy heart.
A father should be happy when suitors came knocking on his door but even as a king he is forced to send his daughter into a dead zone.
He felt disappointed in himself because he could not protect his daughters. He walked straight to his study and summoned a guard to fetch the Queen.
A few moments later the Queen arrived at the king's study.
"Your majesty you sent for me" Queen Regina announced her presence and bow a little to the king.
"Sit," King George replied feeling his heart aching again.
The Queen saw the king's dilemma, after all, she has her ears in the courtroom and she was well aware of the tough decision they had to make. She already made her decision, all she just needed was to present it to the king in such a way that she doesn't appear selfish.
There was no way on earth she will let her daughter get married to the cursed prince of Avalo, but it was not in her place to decide on which Princess should be married off, So she needed to convince the king stylishly.
She walked over to the chair and sat gracefully while acting ignorant of the current situation. The king took a deep breath before explaining the situation to her. Although he knew he could make his decision without asking for her opinion, he felt that since the decision had to do with their children, there was need to let her have a say.
king George believed that his wife the Queen treated Ellen like her own daughter. Queen Regina bent her head and acted as if she was in deep thought.
"Your majesty is there no other way?" she finally spoke her voice broken and tears raining down her delicate cheek.
The king turned his head helplessly unable to look at the pitiful face of his Queen. He felt very frustrated.
"Oh my poor Ema she is so young how will she cope with the curse prince. She snob putting her plans in the next phase.
"What about my little Ellen, she has been so dedicated to this kingdom. Even if she acted bravely she is still a woman that needs to be loved" the queen continues with her sobbing. When one listens to her, it seems like she could not decide which daughter to let go of but she clearly hinted that Ema was weak and Ellen was brave.
The king patted his Queen's shoulders a little to comfort her.
Queen Regina cleaned her tears "what can I do I must lose a daughter. Ema Will be so frightened. Ellen has been a great big sister always trying to shield her baby sister. How would they cope if they are separated" she stated and started crying once again.
After a while she cleaned her tears. "your majesty I can't make this decision, I will accept whatever decision you make" she stated like an obedient wife.
Of course, she knew she has sown a seed and she was sure the king will pick Ellen. She already stated the fact that Ellen was the senior and should protect her baby sister. Knowing the way her husband thinks, she was certain he will choose Ellen.