Anastasia's POV
I walked to the queen's chamber to share the good news to her .
"I want to meet the queen " I said to the guards and they let me in.
"Mother "I called and bowed .
"Anastasia, am sorry your mother can't help you from this present condition of yours" She said and I smiled.
"Why are you smiling dear ?"She asked.
"Cause I already have a solution. Avery is gonna take my place and marry the monster king "I said and she gasped .
"Lower your voice so nobody will hear that . You know the king wouldn't let her marry that beast" She said.
"Of course , mother. He won't let her marry him if he knows she'll be the one going there in place of me" I said and she stared at me confusingly.
"Avery already promised me she won't let the king know about this. I've been helping her since we were kids so she should repay me by doing this little favour right ?"I asked and mother smiled.
"I've always known you'll benefit if you pretend to be her friend and it's paying "She said and I nodded.
"I've been worrying about you. The king has already made up his mind on letting you go there. It's the first time am feeling so helpless but am happy I raised a smart girl as my daughter" She said and patted my hair .
"Am grown now so you should stop worrying about me . I'll take care of myself and make you proud , mother" I said and she smiled.
King Lazarus' POV
Anastasia walked into my throne room and bowed before me then I signalled her to come closer .
"What brings you here, princess?"I asked.
"Am here to tell you that I've made up my mind and am now willing to go to Alonza kingdom in three days" She said and I nodded..
"Am not happy to let you go there but there is nothing I can do . So don't feel that your father doesn't want you here anymore" I said and she shook her head .
"Not at all , father. It is my duty to keep peace in our kingdom by doing this. I know father has my best wishes at heart " She replied and I heaved a sigh of relief .
Three days later.
Avery's POV
Anastasia came to my room and gave me the dress to put on . The dress had a veil which I used in covering my face .
"Are you sure you want to do this , Avery ?"Mary asked.
"Dont try discouraging me now , Mary. Let's go" I said and we both entered the carriage.
"Thanks a lot , Avery. I and mother will stall time for you so you can leave before father arrives here " She said and I nodded. Soon some guards came and we left for Alonza kingdom. I just hope nothing goes wrong. Our carriage suddenly stopped in the middle of the road and I told Mary to check what's wrong .
"Avery, there are bandits on the road" She said anxiously.
"What do we do? The guards should fight them off "I said and she shook her head .
"They're very plenty.The guards are fighting them but we have to go to a safe place for now " She said and the door of the carriage suddenly opened. If Anastasia was here she would have fought these bandits.
"Am the princess of Marooni kingdom and am on my way to marry the king of Alonza kingdom. If I get even a single scratch, you know what your fate is gonna be like " I said with pride and their leader emerged .
"How about we kill your comrades, take your treasures in that carriage then I'll kill you after having some fun with you "He said and stared at me flirtatiously.
"You won't do that "I said.
"Watch me do it " He said and ordered his followers to kill my guards and maid.
"Stop this nonsense" I said and he held my cheeks squeezing them painfully. I watched Mary crying and tears rolled down my cheeks.
The bandits suddenly screamed in pain and blood bursted out of their nose and ears. I saw a man in black cloak back facing us . I was about to approach him when he disappeared into thin air .
"Are you alright , princess ?" Mary asked .
"Am fine" I replied .
"These men are dead. I wonder what happened to them "She said.
"The man in black cloak must have done it. I don't know why he disappeared" I replied.
"Are you alright princess ? No man in black cloak came here " She said.
"What are you saying Mary ? I saw a man in a black cloak but I couldn't see his face cause his back was facing us "I said and the guards stared at me confusingly.
"Even the guards are confused cause no man came here " Mary said and they nodded .
"Then I must have imagined it" I said and walked into the carriage .
"These bandits deserved whatever killed them" Mary said and I shrugged.
Our carriage arrived in Alonza kingdom the next day.
"Their castle is bigger than ours , princess " She said and I nodded. We introduced ourselves to the guard and were allowed to enter the castle. I had my veil on my face though it wasn't fully opaque.
"My princess, I'll show you to your room. The wedding preparations have commenced" A maid said and I followed her along with Mary .
"You can't follow us. You will stay with the other servants and can only serve the princess if the king wishes you to " The maid said and we both frowned.
"She is my personal princess, from Marooni kingdom" I said and she nodded.
"Am aware of that but her duty as your personal servant ended the moment you came here with her. If the king permits her to continue being your personal servant then she she can resume her former duty. Until then , she will have to stay with the rest of us. Grace, take her to the servants quarters " The maid said and another maid approached us.
"I knew coming here was a bad idea. Stay safe princess" Mary whispered to me and left with Grace . Now I feel like going back .
"Shall we ?" The maid said and I walked after her .
"What's your name?"I asked.
"Emily " She replied.
"So the wedding is taking place today?"I asked.
"Yes my princess " She replied and soon we got to the room.
"This is your room, my princess. Some servants will come to dress you up for the wedding " Emily said and left the room . Now am all alone .