The Princess Broken Wolf

1

In the world of Wasiz, five kingdoms ruled for over ten decades. With the end of the First War, also known as the Doom’s Day, the kingdom decided to live in peace and establish a central body of divinity, The Marigold Kingdom. It was believed to be the direct descendants of Lucina, the goddess of light. There was a child born with divine power in the Kingdom of Marigold once every year, who could foretell epidemics, heal any kind of wounds. These divine children were said to be fragments of light and had power that could change the future. The Marigold Kingdom was the PeaceKeeper of Wasiz. In the neighboring country of the Marigold Kingdom, was the Kingdom of Sahar Bagh, the magic master, and witchcraft. They have the ability to enchant and perform spells from Hecate, the witch goddess. They were the Protectors of Wasiz. Draunkoom, the Kingdom of mystical creatures and Fairies. It was known that they were quite vicious when it came to their territory. They were well versed in the Ancient Scripts of Wasiz and their land had a mine of World Stone, the power stone of Lucina, that was said to grant eternal life and an unimaginable amount of strength. The myth about Fairies being the Guardian of Lucina was well known around the realm. A small kingdom up north of Draunkoom whose border was separated by the River Meroun, was the Kingdom of Loswar, the empire of the lost soul. They were ruled by the spirit Queen, Olswa, who was said to indulge in dark magic and was born from the fragment of Hell. Little was known about the power they wielded. The last kingdom in the far east of Marigold was the Karkonz. They were said to be born from the shadow of the light goddess, Lucina. Their ability to shapeshift into animals and shadows gave them immense power. They were the only rivals of Marigold in strength and power.

In the last decade, the Queen of Loswar, Olswa, waged war against Marigold for the right to rule over the three continents. Threaten by the unknown, King Thomas of Marigold, fearing his loss of power, decided to ally with the neighboring Kingdom. Although the Draunkoom stayed neutral, the Kingdom of Sahar Bagh agreed to the alliance. Karkonz disagreed. Instead, the Queen Mother of Karkonz, Isolda, demanded the first princess as the symbol of alliance. It was a deal agreed by every official in the kingdom of Marigold.

It was at dusk that Rosamund heard from the Queen Mother after almost two years of not meeting her. A new tiring day was upon her, Rosamund thought.

“Esmeralda Grace Marigold, I told you before to not wander into your sister’s room mindlessly. When will you listen to your mother?” the Queen Mother sighed from exasperation. She always kept Esme away from Rosamund. It upset her whenever she saw both sisters giggling among themselves.

“I apologize, Mother, but please let me stay here for a while. Sister has been gone for so long and she will get going again in a few days too.” Esmeralda begged with her soft round hazel eyes, her honey-blond hair almost similar to the sun’s rays coming from the balcony windows.

“You have to get ready for the banquet. Your sister also has to get going. Don’t be a nuisance to your sister and get going.” the Queen's mother sternly spoke. Today was a special day, the day Esmeralda would be bestowed with the title of a high priestess at only 18 years of age. Esmeralda was the pride of Marigold's throne, the only young priestess with a power more divine than that of the Elders. Rosamund felt proud of her only sister. The world was cruel and, with Esmeralda being the priestess, it would protect her from the evil the world had to offer.

“Listen to the Queen Mother, Esme. It is, indeed, a very important day. Get going, I will meet you for afternoon tea tomorrow.” with the promise of an afternoon meeting, Esme’s frown changed to a bright smiling face. With dignified elegance and poise, Esme bid her sister and her mother goodbye.

The room was silent in the absence of the only light in Rosamund’s life. Her silver locks like a moon’s embrace fell like a curtain between her and the Queen Mother. Her hands clenched in tight fists, knuckles almost turning white. The air felt heavy on her lungs in the presence of the Queen Mother.

“I suppose you will be traveling to Krakonz in a week's time?” her heart beat a little faster. It was a hopeless wish of hers that one day she would be free from the commands of her family. Every night Rosamund would gaze at the Moon and wish for the end of this life. But the Luna they prayed for, remained silent throughout her 24 years of life. It was indeed cruel of her Luna to leave her wish unanswered. It was indeed unfair.

“Yes.” her soft reply seemed to satisfy the Queen Mother.

“I believe you haven’t told anything to Esmeralda about the…….um arrangements?” Rosamund locked her clear blue eyes on the Queen Mother. She wanted to scream her heart out at the mother who had disregarded her since infancy. She wanted to cry her heart out with the fear she kept well hidden. How desperate she was for her mother’s warmth that was never hers. It felt like burning in hell with the emotions burning in her throat, but she kept silent. Like an obedient trained dog. Silent and following.

“No.” her replies were always short, curt. There was no place to express her emotions. It wasn’t allowed for her to express even a spec of her emotions in anything she does or says.

“Do not tell anything to Esmeralda. It would only make her sad. As per your father's wishes, you will not contact your sister in the future. We will tell her when the time is right. You need not worry about her. I suppose this is the last time I will meet you. The banquet will last for a week. I don’t have any more of my time to spare for you. So be well and please the Krakonz prince the best you can. You understand the importance of stopping this war, right?” the Queen Mother’s question sounded like a mockery to Rosamund. There was nothing she could do but listen to the things the Elders and her Father had been drilling in her head for the past five months. She was the sacrificial lamb and she knew it well.

“Yes, Queen Mother.” with an emotionless face and rigid poster, Rosamund rose from her bed with grace just like Esmeralda. With a final bow directed towards the Queen Mother, she strode towards the washing room. It was only the break of the dawn and yet she felt so tired. It was perhaps her fate to be given to a brute of Krakonz's country as a peace sign so that her little sister could rule the Five Kingdoms with prosperity and peace. It was her duty as the First princess of Marigold to serve her kingdom however she could, may it be that she had to sacrifice herself for the cause.

Her sword lay heavy on her waist, the silver armor adorned with emeralds and rubies gifted to her by Esmeralda felt suffocating. She felt her legs rattle from the weight of her armor. A day’s rest seemed like a hopeless dream to her. Maybe when she gets shipped off to Krakonz she will be able to rest. She let out a sarcastic laugh at her thoughts. Such a childish wish still existed in her mind, she mocked herself.

“This might be the first time I have heard a small laugh from you, Rosamund Marigold.” Edward teased, with a small smile of his own. Rosamund lifted her silver eyes to his blue ones. There was the longing she had seen since they were mere young children. It was no secret in the Kingdom that Edward King loved her since the day she was born. Edward was the son of High Advisor Maxim King. He was the Captain of the Red Battalion of the King’s army, only second to the Silver Battalion and the most sought-after male in the whole kingdom. The first princess and the high advisor’s son were the perfect match everyone could ever think of. That was till they found out Rosamund had no divine power, she was just a mere human. A disgrace, as to her father, the King.

She didn’t reply to Edward’s teasing nor did she bother to react. It was useless, this banter and friendships that would have no future. Edward was Esmeralda’s and that was all he was to her, her sister’s betrothed.

Without a backward glance, Rosamund made her way towards the Silver Battalion’s Captain’s chair. Everyone was already looking forward to her seat. Would she be seated beside her mother, the Queen, in the high chair or would she assume her position as the Captain of the Silver Battalions, or also known as the Silver Wolf in the Marigold Kingdom.

Rosamund knew better than anyone what she was. The silver dog of the Kingdom, the Captain of the Silver Wolf, not the First princess of King Thomas Marigold and Queen Beatrice Marigold.

She was what everyone called her, the Doomed Silver Hound.

The Grand Hall of the King’s castle was decorated in gold and diamonds. Chairs were made from gold blocks, the carpet had engravings of jewels and precious stones. The white drapes, cast with protective magic from Sahar Bagh, hung over the castle balcony windows. Rosamund couldn’t help but sweep her eyes across the hall, in search of any danger that might come. When she was satisfied with herself, she obediently sat still on her chair, back straight in her silver armor. Next to her was Edward, who was trying to engage her in a conversation. Across from him was Demir Arawn, the leader of the Third Battalion, Magnus, The Shield of the Kingdom. He was the son of the First Elder, Aries Arawn, the man who first agreed to the terms presented by Karkonz. She truly hated Aries, but surprisingly, she considered Demir her friend. Even though the only conversation she ever had with him was when he was drunk and heartbroken over Letti Light, the sweetest girl she knew among the nobles. It was a delightful memory for her, to see the Iron Shield of the kingdom, crying like a baby.

The rumbling of the Holy Horn signaled the start of the Bestowing Ceremony. It has now begun.