The Lineage

Chapter II - The Meeting of the Monarchs

Ilyan Mallet

I've always known since I was little what I should and shouldn't do. My destiny as successor to the throne was already certain. And, of course, with the power and lives of the subjects in my hands, I should make careful, well-thought-out decisions. When my father told me about the proposed marriage to King Aaron's daughter I accepted right away. He knew that an alliance like this with the Bievelliant Kingdom would be imperative. Of course, like anyone else, I also wanted to marry someone I loved, but first and foremost, I must put the needs of my people above my own. I had never seen Princess Mayleen, as I had never been outside the Kingdom, but I hoped that she would try to understand that this would not only benefit Bonheur as well as the Bievelliant. A few days after my father sent his proposal letter we received a letter from King Aaron with his confirmation. As soon as my dad read the letter he wasted no time in asking them to get a room for Mayleen. He was practicing fencing with Ethan, my best friend since our childhood when my dad shows up.

"toucher" I say smiling as soon as the tip of my sword touches Ethan's chest.

"I don't know why I still have hopes of beating you" Breathing heavily with a smile Ethan says placing his right arm around my neck.

"I'm sure if you keep training you can get better than Ilyan, Ethan." My dad smiles welcomingly at Ethan.

"don't get my hopes up King Nolan" says Ethan with a small laugh.

"I'm serious, believe me, you're really good" says my dad putting his right hand on Ethan's shoulder.

"I thank you sir" He says bowing slightly.

"Ilyan, can we talk?" My father says now a little more seriously than before.

"yes my father" I say and put my sword away leaving the great hall where Ethan and I trained. The castle's corridors were wide and decorated with various decorations, from swords and armor to paintings and sculptures. The weather today was pleasant. The day was breezy and a few rays of sunlight crossed the windows of the corridor where we passed. My father opens the door to his office, letting me in.

"What happened my father? Has the kingdom of Déspéré attacked us again?" I ask with concern in my voice. Désespéré is one of our neighboring Kingdoms, it is the only Kingdom where we have not reached a peace agreement with the King, an extremely arrogant man if you ask me.

"No my son. It's about the arranged marriage." He says and stares at me with his fingers crossed having his chin on top using them as support.

"And what would it be?" I ask with an arched brow as I sit down in the leather chair across from him.

"As you well know, our proposal was accepted by King Aaron." He says looking at me. I nod my head in agreement. "But even though he accepted the proposal, King Aaron imposed a condition." Seriously, same says.

"A... condition? what condition?" Question a little confused.

"The condition is that Mayleen stays here for six months, but if the two of you don't fall in love then the marriage proposal will be reconsidered." He utters with his face without any expression.

"I understand..." I'm serious.

"I think you can already imagine how important this 'increase' is in our alliance with Bievelliant, don't miss this opportunity son." Say it seriously. I sigh, looking at him the same way.

"Of course, I won't let you down and our Kingdom my father." I say getting up from my chair. He gets up next to me and looks at me now with a more relaxed face.

"I know you won't," he says and looks at me with a small smile. I go towards the door with the intention of withdrawing but I hear him call me. "You've improved your swordsmanship, congratulations." He says looking at me smiling.

"Thanks." I just say, giving him a smile and leaving the room. I start my walk through the castle corridors with the intention of going to my room. The sunlight streaming through the tinted windows of the castle hit my blonde locks and blue eyes, making me squint slightly.

I arrive in my room letting out a tired sigh. I knew royal life was exhausting, but sometimes I just wish I could... forget about it all. Knowing that I'll have to marry someone I barely know doesn't make me very happy, but I can't just do as I please. King Aaron's condition took me by surprise. Of course I thought Mayleen would deny it at first, I never thought it would be easy. But I didn't think such a condition would be imposed. I cannot miss an opportunity like this. In a week Mayleen would arrive in Bonheur. I hope she's not someone too difficult to get along with...

Mayleen Fontainelles

Finally, the day to go to Bonheur Kingdom had arrived. My belongings had already been taken to Bonheur two days ago so that when I got there everything would be ready. I was already outside the gates and looking at the castle a little depressed. The idea of leaving my Kingdom behind made me sad, especially leaving my father here alone. When my beloved mother was gone, my father had only me to turn to. Leaving him in this huge castle left me with a tightness in my chest, but there was nothing else to do. At least I would try to make him proud of my stay in Bonheur. Not that I'm going to give Ilyan any chance, but at least I can treat him well with all the education I received and still receive from my father. I hand the little luggage I have left to the coachman who keeps it in the carriage. I look at my dad with a small smile feeling tears wanting to flood my eyes.

"I will miss you dad." I say hugging him feeling my father's warm and cozy embrace for the last time.

"I will too my daughter. Remember, be kind to Prince Ilyan." He utters it as a form of reprimand keeping his simple smile on his face.

"I'm not going to see you for six months and this is what you tell me?" I say jokingly feeling a being deposited on the top of my head.

"I just wanted to make sure you remember, you have the same temper as your mother." He says looking at me with a warm and kind smile.

"I love you so much dad" I say feeling a lonely tear roll down my cheek. Wiping the tear, my father looks at me affectionately.

"I love you too my daughter." He says hugging me. "Now, you better go soon, before you see me cry." He says turning his face to the side in a joking tone. Laughing i look at him with lovely eyes. I will miss those moments with my dad.

"Goodbye father..." I said waving and getting into the carriage, still looking at him through the small window that was in it.

He nods at me with a smile. I poke my head into the carriage as soon as it starts to move. I take a deep breath, releasing the air that was in my lungs. Being in a place with a culture other than Bievelliant made me fearful. Even having studied a little about the local culture, I was still afraid of saying or doing something wrong. I try to put these thoughts aside by picking up a book that I had brought with me to read. Reading was something that soothed me. Several worlds to explore. Adventures to be lived. Stories to be told. Sometimes I wish I had the courage that the characters in my books have to face the new, even with fear and doubts. The day was calm and peaceful. There were no clouds in the sky, which makes the landscape even more beautiful to see. The trip would take a few hours, but for me it would not be a problem. I love looking at the places I passed, imagining how many things could be happening at that very moment. I finish the book in short order, soon turning my attention out the carriage window. We passed by a huge waterfall with crystalline waters. The calm that the place felt helped me to relax and feel less tense about Bonheur. A few hours later, we finally arrived in Bonheur. As soon as the carriage entered the streets of Bonheur, I could already see the movement of the citizens of the Kingdom. The Kingdom of Bonheur was relatively larger than the Kingdom of Bievelliant, but it was poor in its soil, which made it difficult to grow food, something that in Bievelliant was not a problem. A few minutes later the carriage passes through the palace gates. The castle of the Monarchs of Bonheur was majestic, which was to be expected. I feel the carriage come to a slow stop. I take a deep breath and wait for the carriage door to open. One of the servants helps me down, closing the door behind me. I thank him giving him a gentle smile. He guides me to the palace entrance. The castle was grand. It had in some places details in gold that made it even more charming. Walking through the long and wide corridors of the palace, I looked at every part I could see, taking my attention to the beautiful paintings that rested on the smooth and well-painted walls of the castle. Sunlight streamed through the glass in the hallways, bringing a sense of comfort. It really was a very charming and beautiful place. The servant leads me to a large hall where the King of Bonheur was. He was talking to someone I suspected was his royal adviser, judging by his clothes. As soon as he sees me he opens a small smile and says something to the Counselor, who bows and leaves. I approach King Nolan bowing in respect and greeting.

"Your Majesty." I say as I bow before him.

"No need for all that my dear. Just call me Nolan." Nolan says with a kind, warm smile.

"As you prefer your... Nolan." I proffer returning a smile.

"your paintings are very beautiful, but I must admit that your real beauty is much more charming to behold." He utters with his friendly smile.

"Thank you for your compliments King Nolan, it's very kind of you. I must say you also look quite majestic indeed as in your paintings." I say smiling politely at him.

We heard footsteps echoing through the huge hall. King Nolan looks behind him at the top of the great staircase that the hall had where the steps came from and smiles. As he had a height much taller than mine, I couldn't see who the person was. He looks at me smiling gently.

"Mayleen, I want you to meet my son and your future husband, Prince Ilyan." Says King Nolan going a little to the side giving me the vision of a young man in his twenties, with blond hair and blue eyes, tall and had a beautiful smile on his face. He bows before me, holding my hand and leaving a light kiss afterwards.

"Princess Mayleen, it is a pleasure to meet your Majesty." Profere looking at me with a simple smile on his beautiful face.

Alright, one thing we can't deny. Ilyan is extremely handsome. But I won't get carried away by his enchanting beauty.

"Likewise, your highness." I say bowing and smiling back at Ilyan. I am definitely not going to fall in love with Ilyan. That's out of the question...