It was a calm morning in the Kingdom of Duville when the Duke of Hamington, Duke Fredrick III arrived. His carriage was pulled by six white horses and a horde of armed knights followed behind him, some on horse back and the rest on foot. His carriage was made of solid gold and he caused quite a spectacle as he passed through the Kingdom square, heading towards the castle. Trumpets were blown to herald his arrival and the great gates of the castle were opened to receive the Duke. The guards at the castle all ran and stood in formation, preparing to welcome the Duke while King Cyrus walked gallantly out of his throne to the terrace to witness the coming of his closest friend.
Duke Fredrick of Hamington was one of the closest allies of Duville and a closer friend to King Cyrus. He was also a high ranking demon. Duke Fredrick was a terror in his city. He was feared by many, and no one dared to challenge him. He was a blood thirsty Duke, who enjoyed torturing his captives before killing them. He invaded lesser Kingdoms and took prisoners as trophies. His Duchesses were wives of King's that he had conquered in battle. His recent battle was one with the Kingdom of Valeria. It had been a tough battle, with bloodshed and killings. Duke Fredrick had singlehandedly beheaded the King of Valeria and taken his two Queens as his trophies. No one had the power to challenge him and whoever tried met instant death.
Duke Fredrick had seven children. Four boys and three girls, born to him by his Duchess and the others he captured. His sole motive for travelling all the way from Hamington to Duville was to discuss a potential marriage between the crown Princes of Duville and his daughters. He had a hidden agenda though. He planned to stay longer in Duville so he could personally watch Cyrus' sons and find out which of them had the strongest demon blood in them, and which would end up as the next King. He wanted his first daughter to be married to the next King of Duville. Behind his carriage was another carriage that was pulled by four horses. Inside this carriage were his three daughters. Princess Arabella who was the eldest, Princess Regina the second and Princess Janessa, the last. They peeped through the curtain on the window of the carriage, their eyes filled with awe at the magnificent Kingdom.
"It's so large. And beautiful",Princess Regina said softly and turned back to her sisters. "It's even bigger than father's mansion".
"Of course it's bigger",Princess Arabella said. "In the world map, Duville is one of the largest Kingdom in the world".
"And the Princes are said to be the handsomest men in the Kingdom",Princess Janessa said with a light blush on her cheeks. The three of them giggled and then sat upright as the carriage stopped inside the castle.
King Cyrus left the terrace and emerged from within the castle.
A footman jumped down from the carriage and rushed to open the door. Duke Fredrick stepped down from the carriage dressed in the finest of clothes, his golden crown glittering with a thousand jewels, his shoulders robed with the finest of silk materials. He looked every inch the wealthy Duke of a large city.
A smile split his face as he turned towards King Cyrus.
"Fredrick",Cyrus said with a similar smile and walked towards him with his arms outstretched.
The two hugged, each patting the other in the back.
"Good to see you Cyrus",Duke Fredrick said. He was around the same age as King Cyrus with a full head of gray coloured hair and pale eyes.
"It's good to see you too",King Cyrus said just as the three Queens emerged.
"Ah",Fredrick said as his eyes fell on the women. "As beautiful as always".
"It is an honour to have you Duke Fredrick",Queen Catherine said with a smile and extended her hand.
Fredrick bowed slightly and took her gloved hands in his, planting a kiss on the top.
"It's such a pleasure to see you again Lady Catherine",he said. "I must say, the years have made you more beautiful".
Queen Catherine laughed softly. "You and your flattering Duke Fredrick".
Fredrick just smiled and went over to Queen Annabelle.
"The King's favourite",he said as he placed a kiss on her hand. "Your beauty grows with each passing day Lady Annabelle".
"Your flattery will get you anywhere Duke Fredrick",Annabelle said and curtsied a little.
Fredrick's eyes rested briefly on Queen Annabelle before moving to Queen Diana.
"And it is my greatest pleasure to meet you again Queen Diana",he said and placed a kiss on her outstretched hand.
"The pleasure is all mine Duke Fredrick", Queen Diana said. She wasn't used to such open declaration and she wished the Duke would let go off her hand so she could look away from him.
"Come along Fredrick",King Cyrus said and pulled him away from his Queens. "I shall call for a banquet feast to celebrate your arrival".
"I haven't travelled here alone Cyrus",Duke Fredrick said and turned towards the other carriage. At a nod from him, the footman opened the door and Fredrick announced.
"Allow me to introduce my daughters",he said grandly. "Behold, the Princesses of Hamington. Princess Arabella, Princess Regina and Princess Janessa".
The Princesses stepped down from the carriage and curtsied to King Cyrus.
"It is indeed a blessed day for me to witness such great beauties",King Cyrus said with a smile towards the Princesses.
Arabella spoke up on behalf of her sisters.
"You're too kind Your Majesty",she said. " It is a great honour for us to be at your presence".
"Welcome Princesses",King Cyrus said. Then he turned to Duke Fredrick and said quietly to him.
"Am I to assume that a possible wedding between your daughters and my sons might be approaching?"
Duke Fredrick smiled, the corners if his fangs visible underneath his lips.
"Your assumption is correct Cyrus",he said. "With both our Kingdoms strengthened by the marriage of our children, it would make us unstoppable".
"Of course Fredrick",Cyrus said. "Please come in. I'm sure my sons will be delighted to meet the princesses".
King Cyrus and the Duke entered the castle, conversing loudly while the Queens and the Princesses followed behind them silently.