5. Change of plans
923 Words
CHAPTER 5
“How dare he? “The king spat venomously from where he stood inside my chambers.
I had barely said a word since he got here quite some time back. He had been raving for quite a while about how uncouth Prince Theo’s behavior had been to ask him to move the wedding to today.
“Or maybe he dared because I asked him to,” I finally turned around, watching color drain off the king’s face.
“You wouldn’t dare,”
“Should that not be a cause for celebration for you father? After all you and the Queen are very much eager to get rid of me,”
“I really have no idea what you are talking about,”
“See, after the ball, sleep seemed to elude me and I found other things…to keep me awake till the wee hours of the morning. It turns out even though the citizens of the kingdom knew an alliance was forged between Varci and Gatiah by betrothing Princess Mayra to King Leon that was not really the truth. Unbeknown to them, the real arrangement had been between me and King Leon. You loved your legitimate daughter so much over me so you didn’t care if I got killed by your enemies. At least your daughter would still get to rule in Gatiah. Whether I died or lived in Varci, there would be no harm done. Go ahead father, tell me all this is a lie,” Tears brimmed around the edges of my ears.
“Elizabeth,”
“No father. Tell me I made this up or at least deny it on my face,”
“These are politics Elizabeth. Sacrifices must be made for the benefit of the kingdom,” There was no sign of apology or guilt.
“Politics? And I really thought I was your favorite daughter,” He shrugged like nothing I said had any impact on him.
“Remember this day father because the daughter you gave away as collateral damage will win the King of Varci over. And when I do, I’ll be back and you better be ready for me. I may be just eighteen years old but even I know when boundaries are crossed. Mark this day because this was the day you made an enemy out of your own blood!”
“You have no right to threaten your King!”
“I think I do. Now if you’ll please make haste and leave my chambers so I can get ready for my wedding, I would appreciate it,”
“Elizabeth,” There was an edge in his voice but that was the least of trepidations right now. Only anger mixed with betrayal and disappointment clouded my mind.
“Your Majesty,” I bit back with a sardonic smile on my face.
“I’m not going to agree to that wedding. It will take place tomorrow as it was agreed earlier on,”
“How about you tell that to the convoy from Varci? I really fear for that kind of insult to them. King Leon could send a whole army to Varci and he could even buy mercenaries with his known wealth of gold. I would love to see you and the queen at his mercy, begging for your lives,”
“Fine but don’t think you have won. You are still a bastard forged after your mother was convinced laying down with a king could fulfil her dream of becoming a royal,” A pang of pain suddenly shot though me and I could never have felt more insulted in my life.
“I’m really getting late for my wedding and I don’t think you’d like me to call my men to drag you out of my chambers,”
He huffed and walked out. The moment the door closed, I slumped on the bed, tears finally rolling down my cheeks. I heard movement in the room and soon enough warm hands engulfed me.
“I’m really sorry sister,” Mayra murmured.
“Even if I die Mayra, at least I will be at peace knowing the future of Gatiah will be in the hands of a very capable Queen,” I smiled sadly through my tears.
“Just don’t tell my mother I told you this. She will bite my head off for it,”
“Thank you. Honestly I wish you didn’t have to fake hating me so we could be friends in secret. But why were you really mad when you found out I would be married to King Leon, your supposed betrothed?” I asked, patting my cheeks to dry the tears.
“Because honestly for long I had been dreaming being the queen of Varci despite our kingdoms being enemies. You don’t have to worry, if anything ever befalls you and you are in dire need of my help, find the Village of Mel in Varci. Then find a woman by the name of Eleanor and tell her I sent you,”
“I will never forget this Mayra and if by the will of the gods I rule Varci, then I promise we would reunite out kingdoms and bury this feud forever,”
“Yes, Queen. I’ll see you at the wedding celebration,” She walked out of my chambers.
- Writer
