There were fourteen kingdoms on the second continent, and amongst them, three stood out the most.
The first was the bountiful kingdom of Roatia known for her vastness, armies, resources and refinement.
The second was proud Ganaia, located at the eastern part of the continent. The large kingdom shared borders with the Asashi desert, and was the home of beauty, rich cultures, diverse races and incredible arts. Although Ganaia was not as outstanding as the powerful Roatia, the eastern kingdom spotted the most exquisite libraries on the continent, as well as archives that had since been lost to time.
The third was Duslan. A small but mighty kingdom whose history dated back to the early days of the continents occupation.
Duslan was powerful, led by a long line of capable rulers, and owning some of the strongest armies in the realm. Her lands held the most intriguing history, and fostered the second largest trade company on the continent. Duslan was home to refined arts, elegant cultures, warring religions and magic.
Ophelia's father, King Johanas Augustus was one of Duslan's most admirable rulers.
He was a monarch that cared for the kingdom as much as he did his family. King Johanas made necessary sacrifices, quelled rebellions, struggled against the authority of the temple, and loved his wife and daughter beyond what any words could express, to him...they we're more precious than life itself.
The king was a noble ruler, one who was willing to give his very life for his family and kingdom. He fought wars by the side of his retainers, and in the end, he paid the ultimate price for peace.
"Princess...Princess..."
The words were low at first, soft and steady, like a gentle nudge on the weary lady's mind, but gradually they became constant, firmer and much more demanding.
"Princess please wake up. Princess!"
Ophelia's eyes opened with a start, her azul orbs reflected the shock that raked her body in that moment. The confused young woman glanced about in search of what had caused her such fright, and her gaze quickly settled on the face of the anxious culprit.
"Princess--"
A teary eyed Vilda threw her arms up in joy, as she engulfed the dazed lady in a warm and much too grand hug.
Ophelia who was very surprised by this, found herself unable to react to her handmaid's sudden display of affection. At least, untill she realized her environment was no longer the luxurious carriage she remembered.
"Where -aack-"
Her attempt to speak was foiled by the unusual ache in her throat. Ophelia could have sworn that her mouth had never been so dry or scratchy, it felt as if she hadn't had a drink in days.
"Sabina fetch a glass of water for the princess, quickly!"
Vilda commanded, her voice holding a foreign note of authority.
"Eidel please inform the physician at once that our lady has come to, and also send word to his grace-the Duke,"
Ophelia inclined her head towards the person whom Vilda gave instructions to, it was nothing but a foggy silhouette at first, the shape of her maid included, but it soon blurred into three figures.
"Before you return, make sure to inform the kitchen that our madame requires a simple meal, freshly baked white bread and grouse mortrew is alright. Do you understand?"
Vilda asked the woman, she looked like a lady's maid, and was clearly much older than the handmaid. However her commanding tone served it's purpose as the woman obeyed without complaint, this surprised Ophelia who quietly nursed the pain in her throat.
Just as the servant Eidel stepped away, the other one whom Vilda had called Sabina approached them. In her hands was a fine silver tray that held an intricately designed glass jug, as well as a silver rimmed goblet.
Ophelia didn't bother to admire the drink-ware, she quickly snatched the goblet of water and drank it all up in four rapid gulps, then requested for more. The second time her hands began to tremble from fatigue as she drank, an attentive Vilda quietly supported her and complied when she requested for a third drink.
'Water has never tasted so wonderful,' thought the princess, whose aching throat and burning thirst was instantly soothed.
"Vilda where is this?"
The chamber was unfamiliar, and quite grand. It was spacious, almost as much as the pearl chamber and for a moment she would've confused it for her former lodgings, had it not possessed a less gilded air, and a more sophisticated one.
"Vilda..."
The princess called again, unconsciously leaning towards the attentive handmaid who sat beside her. Sensing the princess grow tense as she warily took in her surroundings, she finally responded to her lady's question.
"This is your chamber princess"
She paused, watching with a calm smile as Ophelia's confused stare morphed into one of bewilderment. Then she continued.
"We're in the Chamlan palace, the...,"
"How...what?..I don't understand,"
Ophelia didn't feel like herself at all, her head hurt slightly, and the figures in front of her were still blurred. Aside from being unable to verbalize her words accurately, she couldn't quite grasp the current situation either.
'The Chamlan palace is located in the far north of Duslan, thousands of leagues from the imperial capital, it is impossible for me to be here.' she thought, looking from the maids that watched her to the large, opulently furnished room.
"How did we...Vilda? What is this?"
The question seemed to startle both maids, who looked at each other, then back at her.
"Princess you're the young mistress of the north now."
The older maid spoke softly, revealing an unexpected information to the still weary princess.
"W-what!"
Ophelia exclaimed, if the alarmed sound she made could be called that.
"You were married to the duke's heir days ago. Don't you remember?"
Vilda questioned.
Stunned speechless at the revelation of her marriage, she pressed her left hand against her throbbing forehead, trying to make sense of her vilda's words.
'Marriage.'
The memories of her near suicide and the speedy wedding ceremony that came afterwards, crashed on her all at once like a bucket of cold water.
"I don't expect anything from you princess. And just the same, it would be foolish of you to expect something of me."
Claude's cold tone resounded in her head, reminding her that the situation was too real to be considered anything else. But then the last thing she remembered was their awkward conversations in the carriage, just before...
A familiar pain shot through her scalp, causing a faint ringing in her ears, she groaned in discomfort.
"Why does my head hurt so much?"
"You fainted when we crossed the loch gates, it's been two nights since." Vilda announced and she groaned.
"The physician said it was because you were anxious and exhausted."
"Where is he, Claude I mean?" She asked.
"He is... away your highness."
The maid with a kind smile, Sabina spoke again.
"But he has been worried for your health, as are the other occupants of the palace."
She used a tone that Ophelia was unfamiliar with, one which held surprising notes of sincerity.
'So I'm in the north then.'
Taking another look around, she noticed the other exquisite furnitures that lined the chamber. Although the windows were shut, it was still well lit by the sun and a portable hearth burned at the far corner and warmed up the place considerably.
For the first time in weeks, Ophelia felt the crushing weight of the nightmares that had almost smothered her, begin to lighten. She'd done it, the first step towards escaping the doomed fate that haunted her.
The capital as well as the imperial palace was leagues away now, so was her uncle, aunt, cousins and everyone else that hated her.
"Thank the gods."
"Did you say something?" Vilda questioned leaning closer.
"We are free Vilda." She whispered tenderly. "We can start again."
The physician, Master Hammon came running to Ophelia's chamber at the Duke's behest. He was an old man, much shorter than everyone else and had a gruff look that made her uncomfortable.
After prescribing a set of bitter tonics to improve her strength, he announced the young madame well enough to move as she desired.
A long bath followed, and it was the most relaxing Ophelia had, had in ages. Different fragrant oils were mixed in with the water and it helped soothed her throbbing head. The princess pondered over many thoughts as she bathed, her sudden position that came with a husband, the so-called husband himself, the new environment and finally the events of her dreams that always seemed to be looming near.
After getting groomed and fed, she stepped out of her room.
Ophelia felt exhausted despite having been asleep for some time, her every step remained apprehensive, but just as much, she was ready to face the future and whatever it had in store.
"The duke would like to see you your highness."
"The Duke? Claude?"
She questioned the servant, wondering why Claude was being addressed as the duke, and how he'd suddenly returned from wherever it was Sabina said he'd gone to.
The old steward who'd personally come to summon her smiled at her confusion then answered.
"Not the young master your highness, rather the the Duke himself...his father."
'Just wonderful.'