The Atlanea Kingdom.
Big waves of water were crashing on the rocks, making loud noises. Small birds were flying here and there as the heat of the hot sunny day finally subsided, and the cool breeze was soothing.
Some people were working on the shores, and small children were playing with water.
A small smile spread on the girl's face looking at the scenario from the high balcony of the castle.
Silja was looking down at small children playing at the seashore. A cool breeze of the evening wind was caressing her face. Small baby hairs were tracing her face slowly.
"My lady, Prince Benjamin is here." The maid came and informed her.
"Sija…." Benjamin entered slowly on the balcony.
"Benji…." She greeted him back with a smile.
"Done with your work?" She asked him and gestured to him to take a seat.
"Yes. Just came back," He said, and both the siblings fell silent.
The atmosphere was heavy today. Usual playfulness was gone between them and his heartfelt heavy.
The maid came and served them some refreshments.
"I have talked to our father about the invitation. He said we will find a way. You don't have to worry." Benji's face was serious.
"What way can we find brother?" Silja asked to look straight into his eyes.
"We will find a way to rescue our ships. It will be easy to defeat a few Northerners with our army." Benji said.
"And then… won't that lead us to war with the North," Silja replied.
The invite sent from the Northern King Zachary wasn't just an invitation but also a threatening note.
Atlanea isn't a suitable land to grow some food grains such as wheat and other spices. So they mostly have to rely on the neighbourhood for that. Although they had enough cattle and sea to survive, the income from trading goods overseas was a good source.
Every six months, the sailors and merchants sail toward the South or north to purchase the necessary food grains and other things.
Three months ago, more than ten big ships left Atlanea for this purpose. It took them around one month to reach the southern region and another to come back. In between, the merchant spread in the southern market to get the best quality products.
At the moment, all those ships were returning to take some rest. They had anchored Their ship near the outer region of Atlanea, a small island.
The small island was located in such a way that anyone who wanted to enter or exit Atlanea had to pass it.
If everything were normal, they would have started sailing again and would be here in the next four days. But now, King Zachary has sent their man to that island. In normal words, they were staying there to help the princess reach north, but in actual words, they were holding the ships captive.
They will release the ships once Silja reaches there and go to the North with them.
If not, they will keep the ships captive.
It was such a sly move. the ships contain the food grains for the Atlanean people.
First, Go to the island and rescue the ships. Which will be easier since King Zachary only has a small number of guards. But then again, killing northern guards will lead to a war with them. In any case, Atlanea can't afford it. They will be crushed by the north like tiny ants.
Second, they should let their man stay their captive. But how can a king let his people suffer?
The third and last option was to send Silja for a bride-choosing ceremony, which was no less than sacrificing her.
It was the price they had to pay for being so ignorant that none of them realized that the northern army had sneaked into their home without their notice. They gave the enemy an easy pass in, and now they were held by the neck, unable to breathe.
In the past two centuries, Atlanea has never connected itself with Northerners by marriage.
Atlanea was a small and peaceful kingdom while the north had a reputation of a cruel and wicked one.
Remember the reputation of northern kings who can even sacrifice their children for their benefit, let alone the wife and Princess of another kingdom.
Atlanea was a peaceful kingdom; they had hardly seen any war in the past centuries. And in front of them was a Northern Empire.
Those people are warriors from the centuries
War was not an option at all.
Benji kept quiet as if he were a prince of Atlanea. He understands this play very well.
North has already predicted that Atlanea will never choose war, and they can't let their people starve, so the only option left was to send their princess to attend the ceremony.
"I don't understand one thing. Why is he hell-bent on you attending the ceremony?" Benji asked.
Silja's Heart skipped a beat. She didn't know the exact reason. Does it have any relation to what happened that day, or was it just because he thought that she was a kind girl who saved his life?
Silja turned her head towards the blue ocean.
"I don't know." She replied.
"Look at me." Benji, who was sitting, stood up and walked towards her.
He lifted her face upward-facing him.
"No matter what, I won't let anything happen to you." He said. And Silja could see the unbreakable trust in his eyes.
She slowly put her hand on his and smiled while nodding her head.
She knew no matter what, she could rely on her brother, and he on her.
"I will talk to our father," Benji said, leaving the room soon after.
Silja glanced at his back and sighed