The Bonds Of Destiny

The throne room of Eldrador is a setting of velvet and gold, where the murmurs of the nobles mingle with the smell of conquest and power. Princess Isla, with trembling hands, fixes the royal ring placed on a silk cushion. “Your Highness, the king awaits you,” the chamberlain announces, his deep voice echoing in the room. Isla takes a deep breath. Her father, King Henry, summoned her for a reason she does not know. Is it to announce her marriage to the crown prince of Valyria? Or for something darker. As I enter the room, Isla feels a shiver run down her spine. His father sits on the throne, his face serious and stern. “Isla, my daughter,” he said, his voice low and hoarse. “I have an announcement to make. An announcement that will change the course of your life… and that of Eldrador.” Isla approaches the throne, her steps light on the marble floor. Her father looks at her with an intensity that makes her uncomfortable. “Isla, I have decided to marry you to Duke Lorcan of Valyria.” He announces in a firm and decisive voice. Isla feels a shock. Duke Lorcan? The man who swore to destroy Eldrador? The man who killed his brother? “No, father,” she whispers, her hands trembling. “I can’t marry this man.” King Henry frowns. “It’s an order, Isla. The wedding will take place in a week. You will be the Duchess of Valyria and you will help seal the alliance between our two kingdoms. Isla feels trapped, as if the walls of the throne room are closing in on her. She is desperate for an escape, but her father, King Henry, is adamant. “I don’t want to marry Duke Lorcan,” she repeats, her voice trembling with anger and fear. “He killed Kael, my brother. He is responsible for her death.” The king sighs, his face marked by fatigue and pain. “Isla, I know it’s difficult but it’s a necessary sacrifice.Duke Lorcan has agreed to end the war between our kingdoms and help us strengthen our alliance against external threats.” Isla shakes her head, tears in her eyes. “There is no possible alliance with a man like him. He is cruel and heartless.” King Henry rises from his throne, his gaze stern. “Isla, you are a princess of Eladrador. You have a duty to your kingdom and to your family. You will marry Duke Lorcan and you will do everything in your power to keep the peace.” Isla feels a cold overcome her. She knows she cannot disobey her father, but she cannot marry the Duke either. She must find a way to escape, but how? Suddenly, the throne room door opens and a guard enters, out of breath. “Your majesty, an urgent message from Duke Lorcan,” he announced, handing the parchment to the king. King Henry takes the parchment and reads quickly. His face changes, becoming darker and more menacing. “Isla, it seems to me that Duke Lorcan has additional requirements. You will leave for Valyria tomorrow morning. » She lowers her head, her eyes burning with suppressed tears. “Father, I…I’m sorry. I don't want to disobey you but I can't marry the Duke. I…I can’t.” The king sighs again, his face marked with fatigue and pain. “Isla, I understand your pain but this is an order. You have to go.” She nods, tears filling her eyes. “Yes, father. I’m going to go.” She turns and leaves the throne room, her steps light on the marble floor. She feels the eyes of the nobles and guards on her but she does not see it. She only sees the face of her brother, Kael, and the memories she shared with him. She walks up the stairs to her brother's room, the room she has avoided since his death. The door is closed but she opens it slowly, as if she is afraid of disturbing someone. The room is as she left it, the sheets still unmade, the books and parchments scattered on the bed. Isla feels a pang in her heart seeing her brother's things, the things she touched, the things he had touched. She approaches the bed and sits down, tears in her eyes. She remembers the nights when Kael told her stories, the nights when they laughed together. She remembers the last time she spoke to him. Tears flow down her cheeks, memories of her brother around her, until night falls and the room is plunged into darkness. She gets up and goes to the window, the stars are shining in the night sky. She remembers the night Kael showed her the stars, the night he explained the constellations to her. She remembers the way he held her hand, the way he told her he would always be there for her. Isla feels a pang in her heart thinking of her brother, thinking of everything she had lost. She feels alone, abandoned, as if she is the only one who remembers Kael. She stays there for a while, lost in thought until it is well into the night. Then she decides to do something. She is going to tour the palace, saying goodbye to the places she loved. She leaves the room and heads towards the corridors of the palace. She passes the music room, where she learned to play the piano with her mother. She passes the library, where Kael had taught her to read. She passes in front of the interior courtyard, where they had played hide and seek. Eventually, she arrives at the portrait gallery, where portraits of the ancient kings and queens of Eldrador were on display. She stops in front of the portrait of her brother, her gaze fixed on his smiling face. She stays there for a moment, her eyes on the portrait, the memories of her brother still fresh in her mindshe feels a pang in her heart but she knows she must be strong. She must face her destiny, whatever it may be.