Helen's POV
I can't believe today is my wedding day. Well,most people believe that I've got the perfect life outside the castle,but no! Inside the castle is totally different. My dad is the king and I lost my mom at the age of four,my father got married to another woman and I have a step sis...Maddie
Our kingdom is on the Eastern part of Everest. It's blessed with riches and lots of livestock, the market as I hear since I've never been there before is quite attractive with different accessories and clothing of different colours and designs from my favorite stylist. I was told that royal clothes are made differently with the best material of great quality.
I've never been outside the castle or interacted with villagers,I only see them from the tower of the castle when I'm allowed to. My step-sis was always allowed to go wherever she wanted, she was given different trainings both physical and magical training. Yes! Only royals and few citizens have magic. I was not taught how to fight,ride a horse,perform magic or even to Stand up for myself, sometimes I doubt if I had magic...who knows.
Now, I'm getting married to the Devil himself the King of the Kuda tribe. He is feared by many...kings tremble before him,he bathe in blood and rumours had it that his shadow men kills unloyal servants that has worked for him for years.
My marriage to him is not that he finds me attractive but I was sold by my beloved father in exchange for a piece of land and Devil Lucas gets few magicians from my Father. He doesn't feel a thing for women..many has tried to seduce him but was either killed or Locked up forever since then he has been named heartless Devil by women...so I knew I was in the devil's trap. I was practically sold to him.
***
" Wake up princess Helen"
I rolled around in my bed and could hear footsteps walking around in my room. I tried to open my eyes but the ray of light from the window prevented me so I shut them close immediately.
" Today is your wedding day your Highness"
I heard Maria whisper to me from the edge of the bed.
Maria has been with me since my mother died and she's like my second mother protecting me from my stepmom and my step sis. There
we're about seven maidens in my room including the head maid. They helped me out bed and guided me into the bathroom. I could smell rose and honey.
" Your Highness the bathtub is ready,it's warm and scented with rose petals and honey just as you like it" She said and gestured me to enter the bathe, I nodded and gave her a warm smile. I wasn't actually happy but I had to comply with whatever my father says. I entered the bathtub and it was actually warm and it was what i needed to calm my nerves right now.
It hasn't been a minute in the bath when I heard a commotion outside the bathroom door
" Your Highness she isn't ready yet"
"Let me through you idiot!" The other voice which I was familiar with screamed
"Your Highness, I think it's Princess Maddie" Maria said while pepping through the bathroom hole
" What does she want this early morning" I thought waving my hand to Maria to let her in. She gently opens the door and my younger sister dramatically turned towards the door. She entered the bathroom and stared at me for about a minute and bursted into laughter.
"Is this the best you can do?"
"What are you saying Maddie?" I asked and arched an eyebrow to her indicating that I didn't get what she was saying
***
Maddie's POV
I knew Helen would be given the best of all but I couldn't bear that, I need to get her far away from me as possible. She's the rightful heir to the throne, I would be cast out and forgotten if she's enthroned. I planned everything with my mother and poisoned the King's mind against his precious daughter to get exchanged for a piece of land. I had to play my last card by visiting her for the last time,I can't wait for her face to disappear forever. I was asked to give her a token of love from her father it's also a reason why I'm visiting her
I got dressed and headed out of my room, her place was isolated and people were forbidden from entering her castle. Her place was dark and leaking from the roof of the building,it was dead silent and I could hear the crickets and the frogs from the nearby river. Even though the sun was up, giving the garden a beautiful look the inside was still dark and it was giving me chills 🥶 it was cold inside and I wondered how they survive during the winters.
The entrance was guarded by a lot of guards preventing the princess from escaping. Guards were stationed in each corner of the castle. 'nice move your Highness' I thought. The king wants the land so bad so he's selling his daughter. Not long I reached the entrance of her room but I was prevented from entering.
" And why am I not allowed to enter?" I faced the two maids guilding the door
" Her Highness is getting ready" a maid replied crossing her hands to prevent me from entering
" And no one is allowed to enter" the second maid added
I couldn't believe my ears,' the Highness is getting ready and no one is allowed to enter?' I was angry at what I was seeing and hearing. I turned to the maidens behind me " push them now!!"
It wasn't long before I was given access into the room. The room was decorated in blue fabrics and the bed was placed at the other end of the room, the other furnitures were arranged neatly. I could smell rose and honey. I scanned the room but I couldn't find her, all I can see were terrified maidens. ' where could she be'
" Where is Helen?" I turned to one of the maids
" She's having her bathe your Highness" She answered politely still terrified while bowing her head slightly
I stormed towards the bathroom but I was once again blocked ' what is happening today!'
" She isn't ready yet!" The maiden screamed pushing me back slightly
" Let me through,you idiot!!" I pushed her letting her land on the floor hard, two maidens rushed over to help her up. I turned to my maidens " push that door open now!!' but before they could move I heard the door crack open.
I turned back and saw Helen sitting calmly in the bathtub. I gently moved toward the door and entered. The room was filled with Helen's scent...rose and honey. I was boiling with anger because she was inside the room the whole time and made me go the stress of arguing with her maidens but I hid my expression and bursted into laughter.
" Is this the best you can do Helen?"
" What are you saying Maddie?" She asked raising an eyebrow at me
" Well, I know you are trying your best to look good for your husband, but this doesn't look good" I tried to get her upset so I could have the upper hand through her father
" What do you mean this doesn't look good?" She moved and got out of the bathtub...
I couldn't say a word and just stared at her, she got out of the room and I followed her gently trying not to bounce on her from behind.
"Why ain't you saying anything step-sis?" She sat down and stared at me. I knew she was planning to get on my nerves this morning but I wasn't going to give in.
" Right! I'm your step-sis,but I'm still more valuable to your father than you" I chuckled,I could see she was boiling with anger and I was happy. I didn't want her to reply me and I headed towards the door and turned back
" But don't you think? Why would your father exchange you for a piece of land, you should try to best at your husband's house so he won't kill you or sell you off to his siblings" I gave her a wicked smile and I knew that would shut her running mouth and left the room.
I was really upset today and I turned to the maiden outside the door
" Teez, slap her" I commanded one of my maiden to slap the maid that blocked me from entering earlier. She gave her two hot slaps and I was really satisfied with it and we moved on.
I haven't reached the entrance when I remembered that I didn't give Helen the token of love from her father. I turned back but I changed my mind and moved again
" Teez...hand me that box"
She gave me the box and I opened it . A diamond necklace was inside.. really beautiful and stunning.
' is this what the king wants to give Helen?' she's not going to get this anymore. I put the necklace back into the box and handed it back to Teez.
" Keep that in my room when we get back"
Her father really wants to give her that diamond? ' your Highness my foot! I hope not to see your face again from today' I thought and chuckled loudly...