Since all you've known is fighting on the battlefield, allow me to teach you the decorum and etiquette that a princess should possess," The queen said, entering my chamber. I didn't even bother to show her any courtesy; she disgusted me.
"You must be delighted to finally be rid of me. What have I done to deserve your hatred? You don't treat the other princesses like this, so why me?" I demanded.
She paused, then approached me, using her index finger to raise my head. "Blame your filthy mother, and blame your creator for giving you such a face," she sneered, her sharp nails digging into my skin. I quickly recoiled, blood welling up where she had scratched me.
"Strip her," she ordered, and the maids advanced towards me, seizing me.
"What do you think you're doing? How dare you lay your hands on me!" I protested, struggling to break free. In my fury, I managed to slap one of the maids, but the queen's retaliation was swift as she also slapped me back.
"You need to face reality. You're nothing but the future wife of those lowly barbarians. It's best you learn your place," she spat, raising her hand to strike me again. But before she could, a guard burst into the room.
"A message has arrived from the Wraitmoor Nation," he announced and the queen's face brimmed with joy as she quickly moved closer to the guard.
"Where is the king?" She demanded.
"He's heading to the throne room," the guard replied, and she hurriedly left. I attempted to follow, but the guards blocked the door, locking it behind them.
A glimmer of hope stirred within me. If the Wraitmoor Nation had responded positively, it meant the alliance was secured, and I wouldn't have to marry those barbarians after all.
According to legend, the Wraitmoor Nation commands the largest armies and holds sway over the biggest territory. Their military forces have remained undefeated for many decades which makes other nations scared of them. It was even rumored that they have spies across all nations as they are aware of any threat before the enemies launch at them.
Joy flooded my heart, as I let out a loud, piercing scream and punched the air.
"Alright, I need to compose myself," I muttered, taking a deep breath and trying to regain my composure.
**********
I paced around the room as anxiety gnawed at me as it had been hours and there was still no news. Something could have gone wrong. Suddenly, the door creaked open, and the king's guard entered.
"The king sent…" Before he could finish, I dashed out of the room and rushed to my father's chamber, only to find the witch and her three daughters already there.
With my head slightly bowed, I greeted my father but refused to acknowledge the witch. Father seemed to want to say something about it, but she gave him a reassuring nod, indicating that she was fine.
"We've finally received news from the Wraitmoor Nation, and we are leaving in two days for a proper discussion with their king," Father announced, happiness flooding through me. But to my dismay, I saw a smirk on the witch's face, and her daughters were also smiling.
"That doesn't change your marriage plans, Akira," the witch interjected.
"Why? Now that we have the most powerful nation backing us, why do you still insist on sending me there? What need do we have for such an alliance?" I protested, already feeling frustrated and angry.
"That is my decision, and you must obey me. Your marriage has been postponed until we return from our journey," Father declared, rising from his throne and heading outside.
"Congratulations to your sister on her upcoming marriage to the king of Wraitmoor," Father said before exiting the throne room.
I wondered which of my sisters was to be wed to him. Judging by the attention lavished upon Beverly, it seemed she was the chosen one. With her entourage, whom she referred to as sisters, closing in around me, Beverly couldn't resist a taunt.
"Poor you. Do not worry; once I'm queen of Wraitmoor, I'll rescue you from those monsters. Although I am not certain you will survive until then," she sneered, followed by laughter from her companions.
"I thought you desired the crown. Why settle for the title of another nation's queen instead of ruling Astrra?" I challenged.
"Even an official of Wraitmoor holds a higher position than the king of Astrra. Why settle for less?" she retorted, chuckling as they exited the throne room.
Left alone, I fell to my knees, my gaze fixed upon the throne I had longed for my entire life, now feeling nothing but ridicule.
TWO DAYS LATER
As I wasn't accustomed to traveling by carriage, I opted to ride on horseback. The queen tried everything to make me stay behind, but I volunteered to lead the entourage, ensuring a smooth journey to the Wraitmoor Nation. Eventually, everyone agreed.
My decision to join this journey was solely to facilitate my escape, but I knew it wouldn't be easy, especially with Jasmine, the queen's dog, keeping a close eye on me.
After days of travel, we were finally welcomed by a towering wall, which seemed impenetrable even to enemies. Presenting our pass, we were granted entry, and I was mesmerized by the sheer size and grandeur of the nation. It was five times larger than our own, adorned with beautiful and magnificent houses. As we were led to the palace, I couldn't help but admire everything around me.
"Welcome, King Edward of Astrra. The king awaits you in the banquet hall," An old man greeted us, leading the way. However, I was stopped from following.
"Armored individuals are not permitted inside the palace," A guard informed me.
I glanced at my father, who hesitated before explaining that I was his daughter but more akin to a son, which made me dressed in armor. The old man then signaled the guard to permit only me to enter. Eventually, the guard allowed me to enter, while the rest of the guards were stationed outside.
Inside the gigantic palace, I observed the queen congratulating Beverly on her forthcoming marriage to such a prestigious nation. I couldn't fathom what kind of mother would offer her daughter to an elderly king for wealth and power.
"She is really crazy," I muttered to myself.
After a while, we arrived at the banquet hall. As we entered, I was mistaken for a guard again, by a young man. I watched as father and his family were led to their seats and I felt like I did not belong to that family, so I decided to stay with the guard and just watch from a distance.
"Why is the prince seated on the throne instead of the king?" I inquired, finding it peculiar that the king was absent, replaced by a young man on the throne.
"That's the king," the guard replied, leaving me in awe.
Unable to get a proper view from my vantage point, I drifted in and out of the conversation, as I also scanned the room for an escape route, only to be met with Jasmine's intense gaze.
Returning my attention to the discussion, it seemed to be concluding as Beverly rose from her seat and approached the king, bowing before him. However, instead of reciprocating, the king's attention shifted to me and he stood up from his throne.
As he drew nearer, I finally got a clear look at him, struck by his undeniable attractiveness with his brown eyes. He leaned in close and I stood still, his breath grazing my skin, as if he were sniffing something, leaving me to wonder what exactly was going on.
He stepped back, and our eyes met.
"I hereby lay claim to her," He announced, to everyone's astonishment.