The Knight's Princess

Chapter 6

CHAPTER 6

Demenia's royal family has arrived in the realm of Rose Thorn. It has an odd beauty to it. The castle was painted red all throughout, like a rose-covered wall. It was built of red earth stones on the highest and most powerful cliff. A cliff that reaches to the heavens and overlooks the sea. They also have enormous territories and resources, as well as a diverse culture. Their customs of greeting visitors are unrivaled. They are considered to be friendly, welcoming, and if everything goes well with the formation of an alliance, they are known to value nurturing relationships and supporting one another. Because of their resources and the many more troops they have than the kingdom of Demenia, King Hashu Medina picked this kingdom to establish relations with. Hashu and his family lower their heads in respect and greet their hosts, while king Remond and his family do the same.

“Welcome! My friends to our humble kingdom. I trust the trip was relaxing?”

“Thank you we surely did King Remond”

“Excellent! Now it's time for some introductions. My two kids, Prince Zulu, my firstborn, and Prince Alonza, my secondborn.”

“My wife, Queen Nova, and our two daughters, Princess Azaria, my firstborn, and Princess Naliyah, my secondborn.”

After introductions were completed the Medina family was brought to the banquet hall, where they were greeted with a large welcome party. There were dancers everywhere, a band in every corner, and a buffet table as long as the banquet hall itself, full with delectable and diverse cuisine. The golden knights Nkosi and his Mother were never to far behind the Queen and Princess Azaria. They stead in the shadows for now as the rest of the family watches the amazing moment unfold. Alonza, the second prince, approaches Princess Azaria.

“Having a great time?” Before responding to Prince Alonza, Azaria raced up to gulp a mouthful of food.

“Yes…..yes I am. Your father surely knows how to throw a party.”

“Yes, but only when we have visitors and our customary holiday celebrations.”

“If such celebrations are anything like what I'm experiencing here, I'd love to be invited.”

Alonza takes her hand and smiles at her with a flirty glance into her eyes. Azaria's cheeks flushed with anxiety, something she had never experienced before.

“Maybe we can next time when the opportunity presents itself. May I have this dance” replied with a “Yes” and was led to the dance floor by Prince Alonza. Nkosi wasn't pleased to see Azaria dance with Prince Alonza, but he couldn't tell if he was jealous or protective. Mean while as the two were dancing on the dance floor, King Remond and King Hashu were talking about forming an alliance.

“So, what brings you to my country, King Hashu?”

“We'd like to make an alliance with your kingdom by marrying one of our offspring to one of yours.”

The reason being is that a marriage between two kingdoms can serve to initiate, consolidate, or guarantee peace between nations, king Hashu brings up the idea of forming an alliance by marriage. Alternatively, kindred through marriage could secure an alliance between two kingdoms, reducing the threat of or the need to launch aggression against one another.

King Remond began to chuckle loudly, drawing attention to the table where they were seated. King Hashu was perplexed, as he tried to figure out what was so amusing about his proposition. After King Remond had stopped laughing, he walked up to King Hashu and Queen Nova.

“That appears to be a fantastic idea; However, because my firstborn is in line for the throne here, it would have to be my secondborn. What's even great is that they're the same age.”

“Then it'll be official: Alonza and Azaria will marry.”

King Remond and King Hashu both stood up because they had an announcement to make. Everyone in the room came to a halt to listen to the two kings. For the time being, the band stopped playing and the dancers left the banquet hall.

“King Hashu and I have an announcement to make. We've decided to forge an alliance through the marriage of Prince Alonza and Princess Azaria.”

Azaria and Alonza exchanged shocked looks after hearing what they had just heard. They had only recently met. How can they possibly consider marrying each other? Alonza was stunned, attempting to come up with the right words to tell Azaria about what had just happened. Azaria didn't even give him a chance since she was too shocked and ashamed by what she had just seen to give him a chance and stormed off. Queen and Nkosi both pursued Azaria to see if she was okay and to speak with her. Azaria came to a halt at a little quiet corner on the balcony, where she began to cry as she gazed up at the stars. When her mother and Nkosi, who isn't far behind, enter. While the Queen and Azaria have some alone time to converse, Nkosi waits by the double doors that go to the balcony.

“Tonight's twilight stars are shining brightly.”

“Hi mom; I apologize for storming off like that.”

“Yes, you should apologize; yet, I understand and it's fine.”

“Why did my father serve me up on a silver platter without informing me? I was completely taken aback.” Azaria was so angry for she was not ready for marriage.

“My little phoenix, I understand; yet, as the future queen, you must make sacrifices for the country and its people. You may not like him right now, but with time, you will.” Azaria asked the queen one more question as she was departing.

“Mom! Is that what happened between you and dad? You got to know each other and learned to love one other?” the Queen replied with a “Yes” After the queen left princess Naliyah comes from the shadows to stir up some trouble.

“Hello sister; are we crying again about what it truly means to be a princess.”

“What do you want Naliyah?” but the is she didn’t want anything to bare witness her sister being miserable.

“Oh nothing just came to see you feel and look miserable for its my favorite pass time.”

“Go away im not in the mood for one of your antics” Naliyah moves closer to Azaria to where they’re almost like ear to ear.

“Fine but one more thing”

Azaria takes a step back to give them some type of space apart.

“You may have mom, dad, and everyone in this entire kingdom fooled but I know the truth.” Azaria was confused at what truth she is talking about.

“That you’re spoiled and unfit to be the heir to the pearl stone amulet. Also you will never be anything except a failure and you will bring this family down into a gutter of darkness.”

“Leave Naliyah before I” Naliyah closed the space that Azaria made.

“before you what my dear sister?”

Nkosi jumps in between the sisters facing Naliyah with his sword to her throat. “Before I cut you down if you take one more step closer to princess Azaria or lay one finger on her.”

“im the princess you can’t kill me.”

“I will kill anyone who would bring harm to princess Azaria and that includes you your highness.”

“You don’t know what I can do to you” The Queen walks in on Naliyah making threats.

“No tell me; what can you do Naliyah”

“mother!”

Queen Nova didn’t know what was going on but it was neither the time or the place. She had Nkosi put his sword away and Naliyah go back to the party. Naliyah slowly walks away whispering in Azaria’s ear before leaving.

“This isn’t over Azaria”

“Mom”

“I don’t want to hear it. We will deal with little incident later. Now go back to the party. Azaria leaves while whipping tears from her eyes and Nkosi follows.

So Azaria and Nkosi walked back to the party along with the Queen. Nkosi walked over where his mother was standing. Queen Nova walked over to stand next to King Hashu. Lastly Azaria walked back to Alonza.

“Are you alright?”

“I am now; thank you”

Alonza grabs Azaria’s hand and looks at her with reassuring eyes and tells her everything is going to be ok. She smiles at him and just squeezes his hand a little tighter as a sign of reassurance that she believes him. Meanwhile the party goes on till late in the night. Once everything had whined down Alonza asked Azaria if he could show where her living quarters are for the remainder of her visit.

“Are you really feeling ok? The reason I asked is because you ran off after finding out we are getting married.”

“No; don’t get me wrong I’m feeling the chemistry we have. I just don’t like my decisions being made for me and then don’t tell me.

“I understand I hate being blind sided”

The two walked and talked most of the moon lit night away laughing holdings etc. they finally made it to Azaria’s room.

“Thank you for tonight I really needed that”

Azaria gave him a firtatous smile and look before going into her room. She said her goodbyes and good nights and went into her room to sleep.