Elara:(Sternly)I accept.
King Malakar: (Smiling)Good, my dear. You've made such a wonderful choice.
Queen Seraphina: (To the maid)Announcement We are to prepare for a wedding the day after tomorrow. Spread the word and assign a room to our guests, attending to their needs.
King Malakar:You know, I wasn't expecting it to go this smoothly, but hey, it's better to remain calm than to cast spells and draw swords.
King Thalor:In Eldoria, we seek peace and find the best possible ways to avoid war. That's how we prosper.
King Malakar:Well, it's your choice.
They were then taken to their rooms, and Elara went to her chambers.
Elara:Wow, so this is how my life will be—married without love.(She sighs.)
Immediately, a gentle breeze caresses her skin.
Voice:Don't accept the marriage.
Elara:(Confused)What... Who's there?
Voice:Don't accept the marriage.
Elara:(Looking around but seeing no one, she creates a fiery ball.)Who's there?
Voice:(Calmly)Just don't...
(There's a knock on the door.)
Elara:Who's there?
Prince Eamon:It's your bethroted
Elara:(Scoffs)Come in.
Prince Eamon:Hello, my love. Happy to see me?
Elara:(Sternly)What do you want?
Prince Eamon:You, obviously.
Elara:(Sternly)Please, I repeat, what do you want?
Prince Eamon:(Smirking)Honey, what is it? Can't you be nice to your husband?
Elara:Don't be so sure.
Prince Eamon:All the girls in my kingdom adore me.
Elara:I'm not other girls, Eamon.
Prince Eamon:Elara, getting married to me doesn't mean I'll be a boring, faithful husband. I'll still go on with my ways.
Elara:(Sternly)What are your ways?
Prince Eamon:(Smiling)You'll find out after marriage, my dear.
Elara:The kingdom of Eldoria doesn't need a frolicking king like you.
Prince Eamon:Frolicking?
Elara:I think I'm done having this conversation. With all due respect, Eamon, leave my room.
Prince Eamon:(Smiling)And what if I don't?
Elara:Then I'll leave. You can have the room all to yourself.
Prince Eamon:(Hands in the air)Fine, I'll leave. But know all this will stop the moment we get married.
Elara:Eamon, your threats don't fancy me. I'd rather be threatened by a careless prince than a frolicking one. Have a good day.
Prince Eamon was shocked after hearing her response, leaves Elara's room and heads for his own.
Elara:Such a disgrace to the throne.(She remembers the voice and starts to meditate.)
Prince Eamon:How dare she?(Smiling to himself.)All this nonsense will end once I've claimed the throne.
The Wedding Day
The palace buzzes with activity—servants setting tables, decorating the wedding hall, and more.
Maid:My princess, this gown is beautiful.
Elara:(Silent)
Maid:The prince will be awestruck.(The queen enters.)
Queen Seraphina:(To the maids)Leave us.
Maid:(Bows)Yes, my queen.(They exit.)
Queen Seraphina:My love, how are you?
Elara:(Silent)
Queen Seraphina:(Calmly)My love, I know you aren't happy, but it's what you must do.
Elara:(Sternly)For the best of the kingdom, I know, Mother. It's already a lullaby—you don't have to tell me twice.
Queen Seraphina:You will end up—
Elara:Don't worry, Mother. Just end it.
Queen Seraphina:(Sternly)Don't interrupt me next time. Get dressed and be ready for the ceremony and your future husband. Don't—
Elara:(Calmly)He's not my husband and will never be.
Queen Seraphina:(Calmly)Elara, I know you're hurt, but—
Elara:(Breaks into tears)
Queen Seraphina:(Hugging her)I'm sorry, my love. It was done to save your life. It's hurtful, I know, but there's nothing that can be done.
Elara:(Sobbing)I know, Mother, but—
Queen Seraphina:(Consoling her)It's okay, my love. I'll be by your side in every decision you make.
Elara:Thank you.
Queen Seraphina:Wipe your tears, my love. You're a strong princess, and I believe in you.
Elara:(Cleans her tears)Okay, mummy.
Queen Seraphina:Let's go.
The ceremony had begun.
Elara:(Takes a deep breath)Let's get this over with.
Queen Seraphina:(Nods)Yes, my dear. It's time.
They walk into the ceremony, where Prince Eamon is waiting, smiling sheepishly. The priest begins the ceremony, but Elara's mind starts to wander.
King Thalor:(Smiling)She's beautiful,(sighs) and feels caged.
Queen Seraphina:I know.
King Malakar:(Smiling)Gorgeous.
Queen Morgana:Certainly. She'd better not do anything stupid.
King Malakar:(smirking) Even if she does, I have everything under control.
Elara:(Thinks to herself)I can't believe I'm doing this.
(Suddenly, the voice from earlier speaks up again.)
Voice:Don't accept.
(Elara looks around, wondering if anyone else heard the voice, but obviously, no one did.)
Priest:Now I stand to bless a union and the joining of two kingdoms. Elara, do you take Prince Eamon to be your lawful husband and your king?
Elara:(Silent)
Prince Eamon:Why are you silent? Respond.
Elara:(Sternly)No, I don't.
Queen Seraphina:(Alarmed)Elara, what are you doing?
King Thalor:(Sternly)Elara, don't do anything stupid.
Elara:(Stands tall)I won't marry him.
Prince Eamon:(Angrily)Better rephrase your statement.
Elara:(Defiantly)No, I won't marry you.
Queen Morgana:(Tries to stand)
King Malakar:(Holding her)Calm down, my love. Like I said, I have everything under control.
Queen Morgana:(Sighs)Okay, my love.
(The guests gasp in shock as Elara turns and walks away from the altar. Prince Eamon's face turns red with rage.)
Prince Eamon:(Furious using his powers to subdue the guards close to her)Guards! Seize her!
(The guards move to seize Elara, but she stands her ground, her eyes flashing with a fiery ball. Unfortunately, Drakoria was known for dark arts, and Prince Eamon used it to drain her of her powers and the guards held her.)
Queen Seraphina:(Trying to intervene)Eamon, stop! This isn't necessary!
Prince Eamon:(Coldly)Silence, Queen Seraphina. I am now the ruler of Eldoria, and I have taken over.(He uses his power to make all the guards succumb.)
Prince Eamon:Guards,hold her tight
King Malakar:That's my boy...(to Elara) I knew you would do something stupid.
Elara:Let me go... You have no right.
Prince Eamon:I have all the right, my dear. You see, no one takes action against me. Seize her parents too.
Elara:(Shocked)You can't.
Prince Eamon:I can.
(The guards seize the royal family of Eldoria.)
Queen Morgana:Very impressive, hun.
Prince Eamon:(To Elara)Second chance marry me or be banished.
Queen Seraphina:Elara, please accept.
Elara:(Sternly)I won't marry you.
Prince Eamon:(Takes King Thalor's crown and wears it)People of Eldoria, I hereby banish Princess Elara and strip her of her royal lineage. All of us will accompany her to the gate.
When her parents heard this, they were shocked but couldn't do anything their powers drained. They stayed silent. Their kingdom was taken away from them, and their daughter was banished and stripped of her kingdom.
At Eldoria's gate...
Prince Eamon:Your last wish, Elara.
Elara:(Silently, glancing at her parents, Prince Eamon, and his parents, then back to Prince Eamon)
Prince Eamon:Then it's settled.
Elara stood up and walked out of the kingdom.