Alita entered her chambers, and she saw Nadir arranging clean clothes in the wardrobe.
"Nadir," Alita said.
Nadir looked up from her task, a soft smile on her lips. "You are back," she said, her tone a mix of relief and curiosity.
"Yes," Alita replied, "I am so sorry for threatening you, Nadir. I was so consumed with myself I just threaten...."
Nadir smiled and said, "It is nothing to worry yourself on, the moment you stepped out of the king's study with your eyes on the verge of tears, I knew the king had told you something that greatly angered you."
Alita nodded her head, her lips thinning into a bare line, "He wants me to marry Philippe fairybug."
Nadir's lips curled up in disgust, "That peachicken, don't the king knows he is a spoilt brat? Zra!"
Alita was glad someone was on her side, "That was my exact sentiments I shared with him, I can't marry a person like Philippe."
Nadir frowned, "Do you think the king will change his mind about you marrying Philippe?"
Alita sighed, her heart sinking in grief, "I don't know, you know my father. When he says something, he doesn't go back on his words."
Nadir was silent, she didn't know what to say to comfort Alita.
Alita's widened as she remembered that she left someone at the gate. "I want you to go outside. A male is waiting with the guards. Take him to the Clintons and tell the butler to find a place for him to work."
Nadir's eyes widened slightly, but she bowed without question. "As you wish, my lady," she said, and with a graceful turn, she left the room.
As the door closed behind Nadir, Alita allowed herself a moment of peace.
Nadir moved swiftly through the hall paths of the palace, She reached the gates and approached the guards, her eyes scanning the area for the visitor the princess had mentioned.
"Excuse me," Nadir addressed one of the guards, "I am to escort a male visitor to the Clintons. Where is he?"
The guard exchanged a puzzled glance with his companion. " no one has arrived," he said, his brow furrowing in confusion.
Nadir's heart skipped a beat. "Are you certain?" she asked, her voice tinged with urgency.
The guard nodded. "We have been here the entire time, and no one has approached."
Puzzled, Nadir thanked the guards and decided to check the perimeter herself. She walked around the palace, peering into every nook and cranny where someone might hide. But there was no sign of the visitor.
As she completed her search, a chill of unease settled over her. Nadir returned to Alita's chambers. She knocked softly before entering.
Alita looked up at the bed. "What is it, Nadir?"
"My lady," Nadir began, choosing her words carefully, "I searched everywhere, but there is no sign of the visitor you mentioned. The guards said no one has arrived."
Alita's expression hardened. "That's impossible," she muttered under her breath, her mind replaying the events of the day. "He was there when I left him."
Nadir approached cautiously. "Could there have been a misunderstanding? Perhaps he left?"
Alita shook her head, her eyes narrowing in thought. "No, he was instructed to wait. Something isn't right." She rose from her chair and paced the room, her thoughts racing. "Did anyone see him leave?"
"No, my lady," Nadir replied. "The guards would have seen anyone approaching or departing."
Alita paused, considering the implications. If the visitor had vanished without a trace, it could mean several things—all of them concerning. 'Where did he go to?' the palace was wide enough, he might have gotten lost.
As Alita was still talking to Nadir when she heard a knock at the door. The sound was sharp and insistent. A guard's voice followed, firm and formal. "The king is here."
Alita's heart skipped a beat, and she looked at Nadir in alarm. "I don't want to see him now," she whispered urgently, it has been ages since her father entered her rooms, it was always her going to meet him.
Nadir hesitated for a moment, understanding the gravity of the situation. "But he wants to see you," she replied softly, her eyes filled with concern.
Before Alita could protest further, Nadir cleared her throat and called out, "The princess is ready."
The guard outside acknowledged the statement, and the door swung open. The king walked in, his presence filling the room with an aura of authority and command.
Nadir bowed deeply and exited the room, closing the door behind her. She took her place outside with the guards who had accompanied the king, her mind still reeling from the unexpected visit.
Inside, Alita stood frozen, her eyes meeting her father's. The king's gaze was intense, his expression unreadable. He took a step forward, and Alita forced herself to remain composed, masking her emotions behind a veil of calm.
"Father," she greeted him, her voice steady.
The king studied the room for a moment before speaking. "Alita, it has been too long since I have been to your chambers, it is still the same."
"Indeed, it has," she replied, her tone carefully neutral.
The king glanced around the room before settling his eyes back on her. "We need to talk," he said.
Alita nodded, gesturing to the seating area by the window. "Please, have a seat."
The king sat down, and Alita took a chair opposite him. An uneasy silence settled between them, each waiting for the other to break it.
"I know about your reckless behavior, but I will let it slide this time. Don't repeat such acts. Your engagement is fast approaching, and I want you to be prepared." The king spoke.
Alita's heart pounded in her chest. She hadn't even agreed to marry Philippe, and now her father was speaking as if it were a foregone conclusion. "Father," she began, her voice tinged with disbelief, "I can't marry a man I haven't seen for over ten seasons."
The king's gaze was steely, unyielding. "True. I will arrange a meeting between the two of you. But understand this, Alita—I am here to tell you to get used to the idea of Philippe as your betrothed."
Alita felt a surge of anger and frustration. "I am the princess of this kingdom, and I refuse to be cajoled into a loveless marriage," she declared, her eyes blazing.
The king laughed, a sound devoid of warmth. "Do you think your mother and I married for love?"
Alita blinked, taken aback. "Yes," she replied, her voice faltering slightly. "I mean, you love Mother."
The king's laughter grew louder, more mocking. "Our marriage wasn't purely based on love at first. Your mother was the first daughter of the king of Median. It was an alliance. I agreed to it, and it made our union bearable when I discovered she was my fated mate after I spent time with her, who knows, maybe Philippe may be your fated mate."
The revelation struck Alita like a blow. Her parents' marriage, which she had always believed was built on love, was instead a strategic alliance. "I don't want to marry Philippe," she said, her voice trembling with emotion. "And I will never be forced."
The king's expression darkened, and he took a step closer to her. "If you don't, I will start with your beloved mare. I will torture the poor thing until it dies, and then I will move on to Nadir and if you are still stubborn, I will deprive you of everything."
Alita's eyes widened in horror. "You wouldn't dare," she whispered, her voice filled with desperation.
The king's eyes were cold, merciless. "That is all I have to say. Good night, my princess." With that, he turned and left the room, leaving Alita standing there, shaken and distraught.
As the door closed behind him, Alita felt a surge of emotions—fear, anger, helplessness. She sank into a chair, her mind racing. 'How had it come to this? How had her father become so ruthless, so willing to use her loved ones as leverage?'
Nadir entered the room cautiously, her eyes full of concern. "My lady, are you all right?"
Alita looked up, her eyes brimming with tears. "No, Nadir. I'm not."
Nadir rushed to her side, kneeling beside her chair. "What happened? What did the king say?"
Alita took a deep breath, trying to steady herself. "He... he threatened to harm my mare. And you, Nadir. If I don't agree to marry Philippe."
Nadir's eyes widened in shock. "He wouldn't," she whispered, but the fear in her voice betrayed her uncertainty.
"He would," Alita replied, her voice hollow. "I don't know what to do. I can't marry Philippe. I don't even know him anymore. But I can't let Father hurt those I care about."
Nadir took Alita's hand, squeezing it tightly. "We will find a way, my lady. You are not alone in this."
Alita looked into Nadir's eyes, drawing strength from her unwavering loyalty. "Thank you, Nadir. I don't know what I would do without you."
"We will figure this out," Nadir said firmly. "But for now, we need to be cautious. The king's threats are not to be taken lightly."
Alita nodded in agreement.
As the night wore on, Alita couldn't help but worry over her bleak future.