The Announcement
Princess (softly):
“So… tomorrow is my wedding after all.”
The words lingered heavily in the silent room.
Stonehaven Throne Hall
In the grand hall of Stonehaven, the Prince paced before the throne of the King, his fists clenched, voice echoing through the chamber.
Prince (shouting):
“Why is my wedding tomorrow, and I wasn’t even informed?!
What are you planning?
Are you trying to sacrifice me for your schemes—for the so-called sake of the people?!”
He slammed his fist against the throne’s edge.
Prince (furious):
“I refuse!
I will not marry that Princess!
Do you hear me?
I will not accept this arrangement under any circumstances!”
For a moment, the hall fell into silence.
Then—
A soft knock broke it.
Soldier (announcing):
“Your Majesty… the Princess of Moonyvale has arrived.”
The doors opened.
The Princess entered gracefully and bowed.
Princess:
“Your Majesty.”
The Prince’s expression twisted in frustration.
Without a word, he turned sharply and left the hall.
The heavy doors closed behind him.
The King and the Princess
The King observed her quietly.
King:
“Yes, Princess.
What brings you here?”
Princess (calm, composed):
“I came to discuss the wedding arrangements.”
King:
“Very well.
Let us speak.”
The Private Chamber
Later, they sat in a quieter hall.
Sunlight poured through tall windows.
A tray of tea rested between them.
King:
“This is better for conversation, don’t you think?”
Princess:
“Yes.
Thank you for the tea, Your Majesty.”
A pause.
Princess:
“Why the rush for this wedding?”
The King studied her before answering.
King:
“Your kingdom needs us… and we need stability in return.”
Princess (careful):
“You mean manpower.”
King:
“Yes.”
Princess:
“But why now?
We are not at war.”
King:
“Our forces are weakened.
We cannot afford vulnerability.”
Her eyes narrowed slightly.
Princess:
“Then I can offer protection.
Why force marriage?”
The King leaned back.
King:
“A union of kingdoms is stronger than any contract.
It ensures trust… permanence.”
The Princess exhaled slowly.
Princess:
“From what I see… neither I nor your son want this.”
A pause.
“I hope you understand—we should find another way.”
The King studied her for a long moment.
Then—
A faint smile appeared.
King:
“You are bold, Princess.
Few speak so freely before me.”
Princess:
“I speak the truth.”
The King nodded slowly.
King:
“Then perhaps you should speak directly with the King of Stonehaven.
A proper conversation may clear these matters better than rushed decisions.”
The Princess tilted her head slightly.
Princess:
“You suggest I speak with him directly?”
King:
“Yes.
And I respect your honesty enough to allow that choice.”
Outside the Hall
The Princess stepped out, her expression calm—but her eyes carried restrained anger.
Princess:
“Tell Commander Marco to come to my chamber immediately.”
Soldier:
“Yes, Your Highness.”
Princess’s Chamber
Marco stood before her, attentive.
Princess (firm):
“The King will not cancel the marriage.
It is moving forward—but I need to know why.”
Her gaze sharpened.
Princess:
“We are not in crisis.
So why this urgency?”
Marco remained composed.
Marco:
“Your Highness… we don’t yet have the full picture from our kingdom.”
Princess (coldly):
“Then get it.
Immediately.”
A pause.
Princess:
“I want full intelligence on what is happening back home.
Do not let decisions be made blindly.”
Marco:
“It will be done.”
Guinevere Joins
Later, Guinevere stood near the window, arms crossed.
Guinevere:
“Tell me this is a joke.”
The Princess didn’t turn immediately.
Guinevere:
“That old King… I could strangle him myself.”
The Princess finally glanced at her reflection in the glass.
Princess (calmly):
“Lower your voice.
Even walls listen.”
Guinevere scoffed.
Guinevere:
“So what’s really going on?
If food is the issue, there are other solutions.
Why a marriage?”
The Princess adjusted her sleeve.
Princess:
“Stonehaven is one of the few kingdoms still producing crops.
The curse has destroyed most lands—including ours.”
She paused.
Princess:
“This alliance ensures survival.
That is the truth.”
Guinevere’s jaw tightened.
Guinevere:
“But this timing… it’s too fast.
It feels like pressure, not diplomacy.”
The Princess said nothing.
Guinevere continued. The source of this chapter is g.com.
Guinevere:
“And that Prince… I can’t stand him.”
The Princess exhaled.
Princess:
“This isn’t just politics.
This marriage places Lumivale at the center of every kingdom’s attention.”
Guinevere thought for a moment.
Guinevere:
“Stonehaven is strong in food… but weak in power and military.”
She stepped closer.
Guinevere:
“They gain influence over us.
And access to everything we have.”
The Princess nodded slightly.
Princess:
“Now you understand why their King refuses to break it.”
A pause.
Then Guinevere’s voice dropped.
Guinevere:
“Then why not take them by force?”
The Princess shook her head.
Princess:
“The world is already suffering under the curse.
Another war would only deepen it.”
Guinevere clicked her tongue.
Guinevere:
“That’s exactly why they’re doing this.
Control through marriage.
Today food… tomorrow authority.”
A silence fell.
Then the Princess smiled faintly.
Princess:
“Do you really think I would allow that?”
Guinevere blinked.
The Princess turned fully toward her.
Princess:
“Just wait and watch.”
Guinevere sighed.
Guinevere:
“…Fine.”
Night — Soldiers’ Quarters
The camp was quiet.
Most soldiers slept.
But John lay awake.
Staring at the ceiling.
John (thinking):
She’s getting married…
A strange tightness pressed in his chest.
He turned slightly.
John (thinking):
Why does it feel like this…?
Nearby soldiers whispered.
Soldier 1:
“Did you hear about the Princess?”
John sat up.
John:
“What are you talking about?”
Soldier 2:
“She doesn’t seem happy about the marriage.”
John’s expression darkened.
He said nothing—but the feeling inside him deepened.
Princess’s Chamber — Late Night
The palace was silent.
Inside her training space, the Princess swung her sword repeatedly.
Fast.
Controlled.
Frustrated.
Her thoughts raced.
The kingdom… the marriage… this pressure…
A knock interrupted her.
Princess:
“Who is it?”
The door opened.
John stood there.
…CHAPTER 17END…