King Lazarus' POV
"My king , we understand that you are fighting for your daughter but by marrying him , she's only fulfilling her duty as a crown princess. She has to marry him to restore peace to the kingdom " Bassey, a member of the council said and they all nodded in support. The door opened and the messenger came in.
"My king, a letter from the monster king " He said and I took the letter from him and dismissed him. The letter read: Send her to my kingdom in three days or I'll come myself .
I gave the letter to the council to pass amongst themselves .
"My king , we all know what will happen if that old beast comes here , himself " The duke said.
"The crown princess will have to marry the monster for peace to reign " Anthony said and they all agreed.
"This meeting is over "I said and they began to leave till none of them was left .
"My king " Elisabeth said and I signalled her to come closer .
"What was the outcome of the meeting?"She asked.
"Anastasia will get married to the monster king in three days" I said and she gasped.
"How could you agree to the words of those foolish old men" She said with a frown .
"I am a king , Elisabeth and I need to protect my people. This wouldn't be happening if Anastasia had married one of those suitors that came for her. Anastasia will marry the king of Alonza in three days and that is final. You may leave " I said and she angrily left .
Anastasia's POV
I sat in my mother's room and waited for her to come back from meeting with the king .
She came back looking disturbed and helpless . I hope it's not what am thinking.
"How did it go mother ?"I asked.
"Anastasia, my dear. The king and the council have both agreed that you will have to marry the king of Alonza" She said and tears trickled down my face .
"Why me mother ? I don't want to marry that sickened monster" I said.
"You don't have a choice " Mom said and I shook my head.
"I think I do " I said and left her room for Avery's. I hope that girl hasn't snuck out of the palace . I got to her room and knocked on the door and luckily she was in her room .
"Can I come in ?"I asked and she smiled and let me in .
"Sorry about that . Am just surprised you're here to meet me yourself " She said and closed the door.
"Am sorry , I don't visit like I used to . The queen forbade me from coming here that's why " I said and she nodded.
"Thats alright . You're my sister after all " She said.
"I have a very big problem, Avery "I said with a sympathetic face .
"What's the problem , sister ?"She asked.
"The Monster king sent a marriage proposal and father can't refuse him. He wants to marry me" I said and started crying .
"The Monster king ? Rumours have it that he's sick and cruel " She said and I cried more .
"Is there anyway I can help you sister ?" I asked.
"Am about to ask you for the biggest favour in my life, Avery " I said and she nodded .
"Marry the king instead of me "I said and she gasped .
"You know I can't do that . What if the wicked king finds out and comes for father?"She asked.
"By the time he does , you'll be married to him and then he won't be able to attack the kingdom since you two are already married "I said.
"I want to help you sister but this is very risky" She said.
"This is the only way I can be happy. Can you do this for me ? for my sake and that of our family " I said and she nodded.
"Am of no use here any way and I don't think any good suitor is gonna come for me since am not pretty and skilled like you" She said and I smirked inwardly. I knew she's gonna fall for my tears.
"You'll have to keep it a secret, Avery. Father won't let this happen if he finds out. So promise not to let him know " I said.
"I promise you that father will not know of this. You've been doing so much for me since we were little so by doing this am repaying you " She said and I hugged her .
"Thanks a lot, Avery " I said and she smiled .
"You can go to your room now , I need to freshen up" She said and I left .
Avery's POV
Mary came to my room and I narrated my discussion with Anastasia to her.
"How could you agree to do such a thing, Avery?"She asked.
"Anastasia has done so much for me, Mary. Even when the queen forbade the cooks from giving any food to me she would often share hers with me " I said and Mary made a long sigh .
"Avery, you did more than that for her when you both were kids. Anastasia loves having the prettier dresses, bigger toys and lots of them and just to make her happy you gave away yours to her.Marrying the monster king isn't a big favour . You are gonna be stuck with that old beast forever. What if he kills you and eats your flesh . Rumours have it that he loves eating the flesh of young maidens. So many young maidens have been brought to him and no one knows anything about them" She said.
"I already promised to do this for her so I'll do it. Am sick of this environment and need a change any way. If I don't do it , the kingdom will be ruined and I'll loose everyone I love" I said.
"Am reporting this to the king " She said and turned to leave but I held her hand.
"I know my grip isn't as strong as my sister's but please don't go to father. I promised Anastasia that father won't know of this . Help me keep that promise, Mary . please " I pleaded she nodded.
"Thanks" I said and she rolled her eyes. She's really angry with me.