The morning sun filtered through the narrow windows of Elira’s chamber and cast pale streaks of light across the floor.
Elira lay motionless on her bed refusing to move.
Her eyes were swollen as she stared into absolute nothing.
While dried tears stained her cheeks.
She had cried until no more tears would fall.
Yet, the pain in her chest refused to lessen.
Only one face occupied her thoughts.
Adrian!
Each time she closed her eyes, she saw him standing before her beneath the moonlight as he shielded her from her father’s soldiers.
Elira remembered the determination in his eyes as he fought so hard to protect her.
But Adrian!
This wasn’t what she wanted for him.
She had only wanted to escape with him and their unborn child.
To travel far and live a happy life.
Four months of being with him had been blissful.
And now, she never thought she would put him in danger.
A sob escaped her lips… “Please…
be alive…” Elira cried while holding her chest.
She had ruined him.
She had lied to him to get what she wanted and now he was serving what shouldn’t be his punishment.
She sobbed again.
Her mind was occupied with Adrian and she kept imagining a lot of ‘what if?” What if he was wounded?
What if he was captured after she was taken away?
What if…?
Her breathing became uneven and she nearly screamed “No…” She buried her face into the pillow as fresh tears escaped.
She knew Glomon a bit.
But she knew he always has his ways to win.
Just then, she heard loud voices outside her door.
She strained her ears only to realize that voice belongs to the crown prince,William!
Before she could think of any possible reason as to why he would be here , the chamber door swung open and Prince William strode inside with his usual arrogant smile.
His hands rested behind his back and he walked as though he owned the room.
“So…” He slowly looked around before fixing his gaze on Elira.
“The peace offering is crying again” he said but Elira remained silent.
“When will you ever stop crying, baby girl.” William chuckled.
Then he clicked his tongue.
Tsk, tsk, tsk.
“I heard of what happened and I felt so bad for you, trust me.
Oh!
I also heard your lover wasn’t easy to deal with?
Or was he?” He asked with a sarcastic smile and Elira’s fingers curled into a fists, but she ignored him.
What could she possibly do.
“Do you know.
Sometimes I find you so brave with your actions.
But still, your actions also remind me of how useless you are!” And with that, his face turned cold and he stormed towards her and dragged her out from her bed, forcing her to kneel before him.
Elira whimpered and cried out in pain.
Her whole body had suffered so much from the things she had gone through.
And now, she was facing an even bigger pain, William!
“You’re hurting me!” Elira cried out but he shoved her down instead and struck her across the face.
“You bastard!
Do you have any idea of how much trouble you have caused?
Do you know of how much your existence breaks me?” He asked and ran his hands over his hair.
Then he strengthened himself before walking across the room.
Elira kept suppressing her cries.
Her cheeks hurt but she would not give William the satisfaction of watching her cry like a fragile girl she was.
And maybe he would let her be if she doesn’t give in.
But she was wrong.
Instead of leaving, he walked across the room and hit the vase on her wooden table off its position and it crashed so hard.
Elira screamed, it was her mother’s vase.
William went to her and grabbed her by the neck, forcing her up.
“You’ve brought nothing but disgrace upon this kingdom….” His voice hardened.
“And it’s a good thing you’re leaving, at least to a place where life would be more unfair to you” he released and threw her across the room.
Elira fell hard while gasping for air.
William was raging.
But he restrained himself.
He doesn’t care if she dies but he couldn’t afford the consequences of it.
He turned to leave but stopped and turned towards her.
His eyes were cold as he spoke.
“When you leave for Nebuzza, remember one thing.” He crouched down making Elira to raise her tear-filled eyes.
William leaned closer.
“Always know your place.
Know where you belong.
If I found out that you’ve spoken against Elarion…
if you dare bring shame upon this kingdom…” A cruel smile spread across his lips as he delivered his threats.
“I will make your life more miserable.” He straightened his robes.
“Don’t think Nebuzza will ever favor you.
Their king wouldn’t even spare you a glance because you deserve nothing good.
And good will be the last thing you would ever experience” he cupped her face with his palm.
“My reach is longer than you think.” He stood up.
His coldness disappeared, replaced by a warm smile.
Without another word, he turned and walked away.
The heavy door slammed shut behind him.
Elira collapsed on the floor.
Her eyes stared at the closed door.
And her tears sprang free.
The door opened again, and Lillia and Rosa rushed in and helped her up.
The guards positioned at the door had denied them entry as long as the prince was there.
“My princess!” Rosa called her out as they helped her up.
But Elira’s eyes were distant.
“I’ll be fine!” **** **** Evening arrived.
Elira still lay in her chamber, while Rosa and Lillia sat beside her.
She had refused to eat or drink but Rosa had to remind her that it would affect her baby.
Her only reason to eat.
“King Zareth might not be hard on you my princess, he choosed you himself….” Lillia said “I doubt that!
My father offered me.
No one outside our kingdom knew of my existence” Elira closed her eyes.
Just as she was about to say another word, the door to her chamber opened and King Budegha entered.
The room froze!
‘Why is he here ?’ Elira thought as anger engulfed her chest.
Lillia and Rosa bowed to the king and excused themselves.
But Elira, she looked away.
Refusing to look at him or acknowledge his presence.
For several moments, neither father nor daughter spoke.Then he looked at her swollen eyes and sighed heavily.
She was still crying.
Then the king slowly approached.
“I’m trying to protect you Elira” he said and she looked at him.
“To protect me or to protect your kingdom?” “To protect you and also our kingdom!” He answered and came closer.
But Elira was already angry.
“Have I ever been part of this kingdom?” She got off the bed and stood before him.
“Elira!” “Have I?” She yelled “I was trying to protect you Elira” the king was getting angry too at her stubbornness.
But she could care less.
She laughed bitterly.
“By locking me away?
By forcing me to marry a man known as a monster just to protect your people when I’m supposed to be one of the people you protect ?” She screamed at him and his expression darkened.
“You don’t understand what is at stake!
Do you think you would be the one marrying King Zareth if not that he made you his choice?” King Budegha screamed back at her and she quieted down.
He has had enough.
“I asked you if you had been leaving the royal palace of Elira.
Yet you looked me in the eye and lied to me!
I have been wondering how king Zareth got to know of you and it was all because you have been sneaking out of my watch.
What if you had been hurt or taken away?” He asked and a sob escaped her lips.
“I never wanted to marry you off to a place you would not have wanted to be, but the decision is not mine to decide now.
You brought it upon yourself.” Tears welled in her eyes and She stepped back.
“But I love someone else.” The words hung heavily between them.
King Budegha closed his eyes briefly before speaking.
“A messenger arrived from Nebuzza this morning, king Zareth will be arriving tomorrow at dawn himself to take you along.” Elira froze!
The room fell silent.
“No…” she shook her head.
That sheer stubbornness returned.
“Elira!” “I won’t marry him!
I rather die than to marry a man even you fear.” She looked straight into her father’s eyes and the king froze.
The his gaze darkened and his face became cold as stone.
“Then, So be it!” Elira blinked.
He took a step closer.
“My soldiers are already searching every village, every forest, and every woods ” he took another step closer and her breathing stopped.
“What’s his name again…
Adrian right?”he paused and nodded “I will have him beheaded, right in front of you.” His voice carried no emotion.
Her knees weakened.
“No…” “I will have his head displayed before your eyes.
I know how to play this game more than you Elira.” “You will do no such thing father” She rushed toward him, grabbing his sleeve.
“Please!
Please , he has done nothing!
It was all my fault.” She cried and went on her knees.
“He only wanted to protect me.
I never told him the truth father” she pleaded but the king remained unmoved.
“You will only follow my rules without your opinion Elira.
But you… you have been challenging me!
I think it’s time I let you know who rules who!” He said as he watched her crumble.
But she needs to learn.
Without another word, he turned and left chamber.
The sound of the closing door echoed like a prison gate.
Then he stopped and turned towards Rosa and Lillia who waited outside her chamber.
“Make sure she doesn’t harm herself.” he ordered and turned towards the guards incharge of her chamber.
“Protect her!” And he left.
For the first time since ascending the throne…
His victory felt like defeat.
**** **** As the last rays of sunlight disappear, the royal house of Elarion was thrown into haste.
Servants decorated the ceremonial hall with different types of flowers, candles, golds and all sorts of beautification.
There must be no mistake!
The king was coming himself.
The queen was in charge of seeing through every settings, but her heart was filled with venom.
Mirelle locked herself in her room, she cried that she was treated unfair.
She was ready to face death than let her rights be taken away from her.
While prince William, he walked around the royal palace trying to soothe his heart.
‘His father was a coward and he won’t be like him.” But the king, king Budegha.
He was in the council chamber having meetings with the Duke’s and lord’s of Elarion.
“What if he turns against his words after marrying princess Elira?” Lord Harrow asked “King Zareth might be a heartless one, but he never goes back to his words!” King Budegha answered and opened the royal seal which he had already prepared.
His signature has already been stamped remaining that of king Zareth.
“Have you ever thought of a reason as to why princess Elira was choosen my king?” Lord Harrow asked again.
“We should not be overthinking for now, rather, we need to be prepared.
He’s marrying a princess of Elarion but we would not let our guard down.
Our soldiers will be divided into two, the first half will be on a lookout in the cities of Elarion, while the others will be guarding the ivory crown of Elarion!” The king said and there was a total agreement.
The king summoned Glomon!
“As the General, I believe you would not stand and watch your kingdom fall in the hands of the enemy” king Budegha said and Glomon bent over one of his knees and knelt the and put together his hands in sign of respect.
“Send out the words my king and it shall be done!”.