Chapter 1
1157 Words
*QUEEN ERIS POV*
My name is Eris Hellion and I am the daughter of a well-known fighter king named Henry Hellion. He is known as the king who saved this dying kingdom named The kingdom of Imperium. This Kingdom is about to be erased from history because of civil war, but father managed to convince the people to stop the war and strengthen our kingdom's power more. My father then met my mother, Queen Anne. But unfortunately, she died when I was only 3 years old because of a disease. My father did not remarry no matter how many women take advances towards him and acts to care for me.
I excel in different subjects and I am quite talented when it comes to fighting and self-defense. I was taught on my early age different skills and how to survive by myself. People say I got the best leadership and I am good in making battle plans and win almost all of the fights I encounter. I first went to the battlefield with my father at the age of 11, Lead the army and won the battle at the age of 15. My enemy that time was a strong king from another kingdom who wanted to conquer one of our lands. It was said to be the most humiliating defeat by the king because of losing to someone like me. News has been spread but people from other places don't believe it. I really don't care about them believing or not, but our people praised me and proud of me. Even my father was proud and happy knowing about it. By father during that time was away, so it was only me.
Unlike the other girls, they are groomed properly and well-kept by their families. I am kind of different from them since I spend my time thinking of strategies and doing different things. That is why my etiquette as a princess is not that great. I am lively, one of the boys, and unpredictable. That is why marriage was never offered to me by the kingdoms because they don't like the reviews about me. They are afraid that I will bring shame to their family and kingdom. It never bothers me since I can just focus on my people and myself...Not until one day, when I just arrived after training, my father asked me to go to his room.
I bowed to my father and he asked me to sit. "What is this that you want to talk to me about?" I asked.
Father placed an old looking paper with writings and signatures.
"It seems like your single days are over, Eris." He said with a smile.
"What do you mean?" I read the one that's written on the paper quickly and I immediately stood up.
"What in the world is this?! An arranged marriage?" I said
My father just sighed. "Its not a big deal Eris. Usually, women at your age right now got children. You're already 24."
"You cannot just say that. I am not used being in a relationship let a lone being a wife. Specially to this man."
"Eris, don't forget you were engaged for 9 years to Prince Gilbert. Your relationship was going well if it weren't for his mother who breaks the engagement because of whatever rumors that get to her ears."
"Father, me and Gilbert never see ourselves in that way. We were just friends. And can't we just not follow this damned contract? And isn't that King who I'm about to be married with is already married?"
My father sighed. "His wife died a month ago."
"Where did you get that letter anyway? I'm sure we don't have that here." I asked
"It was sent by their kingdom. I was thinking if this was made up, but base from my father's journal, this is really mentioned. I also remember him talking about you being married to this man."
"But I don't want to marry him. Isn't he well-known as a merciless and brutal king?"
"If you won't marry him, then we will all be cursed. Don't forget that we have this belief that if someone made an arranged marriage contract, and the died, then following the contract is a must. Or all of us will be damned."
I don't know what to reply to my father after that. After all, we really do have that belief.
"Listen Father, you already know that I'm not fitted to be a Queen. I can fight for the kingdom, but I doubt my husband will let me. I bet he's the type who wants everything under his fingers. And all of the things he is tasked to do are the things I am great with. I am not so womanly you know. So I cannot promise you that I can pull this off. Nor I can survive a month or year with my head still attached to my body."
My father just laughed. "I guess you are right. I mean, if you die, you got cousins from my brother's side to replace you." I rolled my eyes after hearing what he said.
"I'm joking. Just treat this as a survival mission, My Princess." He hugged me and I bowed to him before leaving the room.
When I went out of the room, I exhaled strongly. My lady in waiting, Beatrice went to me and bowed. "Your highness."
"Beatrice, ever heard of the king of the kingdom of Divinus?"
Beatrice was shocked. "M-my apologies, but I never expected you to mention that. But all I ever heard about him is that he's feared by the people and no one dares to stand up against him. Except for the rivalry kingdom, of course."
I rolled my eyes and sighed. "I can't believe I need to be together with a ferocious beast."
I went to the castle's library, and when I got there, I ordered the people to gather information about the Divinus Kingdom and about their king.
They displayed the information they got from their collections.
"I am sorry, your highness, but we don't have much information of the king himself. Since people tend to avoid him and we hear nothing but bad news about that man." A journalist said.
"Oh don't worry. I just want to know something about him so at least I won't be standing there with my mouth open when I saw that guy." I said while scanning the pages.
"Your highness, why is it that you want to know about that king?" Beatrice asked.
I raised the paper I want to read first, level to my eyes. "Because this King Richard Acantho...Will be my husband."
Everyone in the room went speechless and their eyes widened.
I looked at them.
"Oh come on, I'm not that fragile that someone like him will beat me up so easily okay?...I can at least survive months, at least." I said while looking irritated.
- Writer
