Six Years Later
King Thalor:(sighs deeply) We must begin preparing her for the future. Unfortunately, the debt I owe can't be compromised.
Queen Seraphina: (firmly but understanding) She is just a child, but she is also our daughter. She deserves to know the truth and be prepared for what lies ahead.
King Thalor:(nodding) It is the only way to ensure our kingdom's survival.
Queen Seraphina: (steadily) I will not let her be a pawn. We will train her, make her strong, and equip her to face her destiny with courage, not ignorance.
King Thalor: (placing a hand on hers) I know, but...
Queen Seraphina: It's okay, my love. You did what you had to do for the child's safety and mine.
King Thalor:(smiling faintly) What can I do without you?
Little Elara runs in.
Elara: (smiling) Good morning, mummy. Good morning, daddy.
King Thalor: (lifting her) My little reindeer, how are you?
Elara:(giggling) Fine, Daddy.
King Thalor: Have you had breakfast?
Elara:Yes, Daddy.
Queen Seraphina: (smiling) You look dressed, my love.
Elara:Yes, Mummy. I wanted to be prepared for whatever today would bring.
Queen Seraphina: Nice, my love. Okay, have you had breakfast?
Elara:No.
Queen Seraphina: Maid!
Maid 1:Yes, my queen.
Queen Seraphina: Take Elara to have her breakfast.
King Thalor: (putting her down) Okay, dear. Go have your breakfast.
Elara: Okay.
Queen Seraphina: (looking at the princess determined) I'll join forces to train her and make her more than ready.
King Thalor: She will be more than they expect.
Queen Seraphina: More like a force to be reckoned with.
After breakfast, Elara begins her training.
Elara:(panting) Mummy, this is too hard. Can I rest?
Queen Seraphina: You can only rest when you are satisfied with the day's progress.
Elara:Okay.
Training Elara wasn't easy; it normally takes her a month to learn one particular skill. But the queen persists, training her daughter relentlessly. Days turn into weeks, weeks into months, and months into years.
Thirteen Years Later
Elara: (forming bursts of energy) Okay.
Queen Seraphina:You remember the steps?
Elara:Yes, Mum. (She mentions them.) Labyrinth of shadows, windswept crossing and oracles eyes
Queen Seraphina: Good. Again, but stronger and more accurate.
Elara:Right.
She continues training.
King Thalor:How is she doing?
Queen Seraphina: Better than before. She has improved over time.
King Thalor:(Smiling) Better.
Drakoria
King Malakar: I've told you repeatedly never to disobey me.
Old Woman:But, my king, she needed help. She was going to die if I hadn't intervened...
King Malakar: Then why didn't she come to me?
Young Girl: (whimpering) I'm sorry, my king. I didn't know how to approach you.
King Malakar: Well, you're already owing me, and I don't like debtors.
Old Woman: Let me pay her debt, my king. What should I do?
King Malakar: (shouting) Nothing! (He creates a blast that drains their energy, and they drop dead.) Clean up this mess.
The queen enters.
Queen Morgana:Not again, my king.
King Malakar: Good morning, my queen. (He grabs her and kisses her.)
Queen Morgana: Okay, how are we preparing for the wedding?
King Malakar:Oh, I've forgotten. It's been how many years?
Queen Morgana: Thirteen years already.
King Malakar:Wow, I've been a little merciful. It should have been done years ago. (To a maid) Go get me Prince Eamon.
Maid:Yes, my king.
Queen Morgana: We've waited for so long.
King Malakar:Yes, I know, right? Emerging kingdoms will make me the strongest, most powerful king to rule. (The prince enters.)
Prince Eamon:You sent for me.
King Malakar:Yes, I did. Do you remember what I told you six years ago?
Prince Eamon:(sighs) Yes, that I have a wife.
Queen Morgana: Yes, love. Get prepared; we'll be leaving in two days' time.
Prince Eamon:Seriously, why me? What happened to...?
King Malakar:Don't even go there. I've allowed you to frolic around with mere girls of this kingdom for too long. And you think I don't know?
Prince Eamon: It's not what...
King Malakar:(shouting) Shut up! You've enjoyed your dalliances. From now on, anything I say to you must stand, or I'll make you stand myself.
Prince Eamon:What? I'm not going anywhere.
Queen Morgana:(using her powers)You must comply.
Prince Eamon: No, no!
Queen Morgana:(chants a spell)
Prince Eamon:Okay, so when am I meeting my bride?
King Malakar:This is why I love you.
Queen Morgana:(smiling) Anything for the throne.
King Malakar: Get prepared; we leave in two days' time.
Back in Eldoria...
The princess was seen training diligently. Her movements were fluid, and her focus unwavering.
Sir Galen:Maintain your stance and channel all your energy into your hands and surroundings.
Elara:(Focusing and performing a precise footwork sequence, she struck the target, causing it to explode.)Nice.
Sir Galen:You're doing exceptionally well.
The king and queen entered the training ground.
King Thalor:We need to tell her now, my love.
Queen Seraphina:(sighs)It's better late than never.
Sir Galen bowed as they approached.
Sir Galen:My king, my queen.
Elara:Mother... Father.
Queen Seraphina:My daughter, how are you?
Elara:Fine.
Sir Galen:The princess is making remarkable progress.
King Thalor:Good to hear, Sir Galen.
Sir Galen:She has completed her training with me.
Queen Seraphina:(surprised)Wow, right on time.
Sir Galen excused himself and left.
Queen Seraphina:Elara, there is something we have to tell you.
Elara:Okay, what is it?
Queen Seraphina:(Sighs)You have been betrothed since birth.
Elara:(shocked)What? I don't understand.
Queen Seraphina:It was necessary to save both my life and yours.
Elara:(tearfully)And the only solution was to give my hand away?
King Thalor:My love, you won't understand. Things had...
Elara:(shouting)Then make me understand!
Queen Seraphina:(sternly)Elara, that's no way to talk to your dad...
Elara:All my life, I've trained to do what's best for the kingdom. I've never asked for anything. And now, when I was ready to make a request, you tell me I've been betrothed?
Queen Seraphina:I know you're upset, but...
Elara:What if I don't love him?
King Thalor:(sighs)That's not how this works, my love. You have to marry him regardless.
Elara:Then I'm sorry, but I can't.
Queen Seraphina:(being strict)You can, and you will, Elara.
Elara:(shocked)But, Mum, what...
Queen Seraphina: That's final, Elara. You are the princess of this kingdom, and you must do what is right and best for your people.
Elara:(surprised) But dad...
King Thalor:No more questions. It's decided.(To the queen)Let's go, my queen.
They left, and the princess felt dejected, heading straight to her room.
King Thalor:Being hard on her is the best option for now.
Queen Seraphina:Sure is.
The next day...
Elara:(To herself)Can't believe this is happening. I never asked to be the princess. I...(A knock on the door)Who's there?
Queen Seraphina:(From outside)It's me.
Elara:It's open.
Queen Seraphina:Hello, pumpkin.
Elara:Yes, Mom. Anything the problem?
Queen Seraphina:Honey, I know you're upset, but your dad had to do something for us to survive.
Elara:But why marriage? Mum, this is a lifetime experience. I can't be tied to someone I don't know.
Queen Seraphina:I know, but it's for the good of the kingdom...
Elara:But what actually happened exactly?
The queen started telling her the story.
Meanwhile, in the Throne room, King Thalor was talking to his commander...
King Thalor:It's okay; the Wedge formation is better.
Commander Storm:Yes, my king. It's better to make the South and East wings tighter.
Chief 1:But the bakery is down.
King Thalor:Okay, I'll see to it. Add it to the construction schedule.
Chief 2:The kingdom's fashionista sent her regards, and now our kingdom is lit when it comes to the making perfect and presentable dresses.
King Thalor:Great.
A soldier walks in...
Soldier 1:My king, you have guests.
Commander Storm:You expect someone?
King Thalor:No, call them in.
The Royal Family of Drakoria enters...
King Malakar:Greetings, my king.
King Thalor:(shocked but firm)Greetings.
King Malakar:(looks around)Aaah, a king's work is never done.
Queen Morgana:Greetings.
King Thalor:Same.
King Malakar:Now let's get to the point... How's the princess?
King Thalor:She's well.(To a maid)Send for the princess and the queen if possible...
In Elara's room...
Elara:Mum.
Queen Seraphina:The kingdom is counting on you, my love. Don't settle for less.
Elara:(feeling caged)Yes, Mummy.
Queen Seraphina:Good girl. You have a duty, and that is to do what's best for the kingdom.
A knock on the door...
Queen Seraphina:What?
Maid:(from outside)The king summons you and the princess.
Queen Seraphina:Why?
Maid:(from outside)Some guests have arrived and are looking for the princess.
Queen Seraphina:(surprised) Will be out in a jiffy
Maid:(from outside) ok
Queen Seraphina:Okay, they are here.
Elara:What... Why I am not ready?
Queen Seraphina:Yes, you are. Get dressed now.
The throne room:
King Malakar:My son is just right for your daughter.
King Thalor:(sternly)It's just a debt, King Malakar. You and I both know that my daughter is getting married to your son not because of love, but because of a debt I owe, in which she is to pay instead of me.
King Malakar:It's nothing to argue about. Or would you have...?
The princess enters.
King Malakar (surprised):Wow, isn't she a speck?(to the queen) She's beautiful, honey, isn't she?
Queen Morgana (smiling):She sure is.
Prince:What a pearl.
She goes to stand in front with the king.
Prince:I must say you are gorgeous.
Elara:Of course a princess must look her best
Queen Morgana (shocked and whispering to her king):Did you feel the aura, my love?
King Malakar:I did, my love.
Prince:(smirks)So, you are my betrothed. Do you accept or not?