The Alliance

Chapter 5: The five jewels of King Maises

The golden light of the sun baths the royal garden and the five daughters of King Maises move like treasures through its lush expanse. Each princess, unique in beauty and talent, a gift gotten from their rigorous father. The royal garden is their place of solitude; where they gather to gossip, storytell, paint and play music, with the supervision of the King’s guards and the help of their maidens.

The Eldest, Princess Aurora, 22, is a statuesque beauty with deep auburn hair and striking hazel eyes. She is a skilled diplomat, fluent in six languages and often accompanies her father to court, her intelligence and grace earning admiration from all who meets her. Aurora has a love for falconry, often seen with her prized falcon, Salvador, perched on her gloved arm.

Princess Astrid, 20, is the warrior of the family, with a raven-black hair tied in practical braids and piercing green eyes, she trains daily with the castle’s knights. She excels in archery and swordplay, her athletic frame and determined spirit for a tribute to her mother’s legacy.

Princess Bianca, the middle child who’s 18, with golden curls and sea-blue eyes which gives her an ethereal charm. She loves storytelling, weaving fantastical tales that enchants her younger sisters and the court alike. Her imagination knows no bounds and her playful laughter fills the palace halls. She also has good musical skills; she can play the harp and flute.

Princess Amira, the fourth, 17, has a quiet bookish charm. Her soft brown hair falls in gentle waves, and her warm, doe-like eyes reflects her love for literature and history. Amira spends hours in the royal library, pouring over ancient texts and mastering the art of calligraphy.

Finally, Princess Calista, the youngest, 15, is a spirited artist. Her chestnut hair is often stained with paint, and her amber eyes, sparkles with mischief. Her sketches captures the life of the palace with breathtaking accuracy, from classic portraits of her parents and siblings to the stern guards to the gardens in bloom.

The princesses are loved and respected by all. No one dares to cross them. One time a drunken nobleman mocked the usefulness of the princesses to the throne and the king’s inability to bare a male heir, at a wedding feast. Princess Astrid beheaded him, herself.

That goes without a mention of the importance King Maises places on his daughters. Princess Aurora was declared his rightful heir when she turned 18, a decision that caused clamoring and doubt amongst the counsel of elders but King Maises stood his ground. “They are my legacy,” he often said “Each of them is worth a thousand sons “ this totally silenced the whispers about a lack of male heir in the royal court.

He spoils his daughters, lavishing them with gifts that matches their unique passions; a harp made of pure gold for Bianca, a custom-forged blade for Astrid, rare tomes for Amira, fine pigments for Calista and for Aurora, ancient epigraphs and manuscripts.

He often calls them his five jewels and places no one above them, no one,except their mother. Queen Elenna.

King Maises met her on the battlefield years ago, her scarlet cloak billowing as she led her troops with ferocity and passion. Elenna, the great warrior princess of Norway fought to death to defeat her nation. Her beauty had struck Maises like a lightning bolt, it made him weak to his knees but it was her courage and brilliance that won his heart.

Now his queen, Elenna is adorned with treasures that matches her radiance. Necklaces of gold, bracelets encrusted with emerald and tiaras that sparkles like starlight yet her most cherished adornment is Maises’s unyielding love, expressed in the way he looks at her, as though she were the only person in the world.

Together, the king and queen nurtures their daughters in a palace alive with music, laughter, and the hum of life, each princess a reflection of their enduring love and the bright future of the kingdom.

***

After painting for a while, the princesses seeks refuge under a large tree in the royal garden, it is a bit chilly so the need for tea and pastries suffices. Saturated on a large picnic blanket, the royal maidens place varieties of freshly plucked fruits,sandwiches, cookies, a teapot, lemonade, a jar of chocolate milk, cupcakes and orange juice.

“You’re excused “ Astrid dismisses them.

“Bianca I have something important to share with you, rumor has it in court, that father has arranged your marriage to the Duke of Edinburgh—Prince Phillip. Aurora says, waving her hand fan hysterically to tease her sister.

“What?” Bianca almost drops her tea cup in shock “when was this?” She asks her sister.

“About two days ago, the Riverlanders joined forces with the eastern kingdoms, only the intervention of Mercia and Wessex—-England can stop them from attacking us now, we need to make an alliance with Mercia before it’s too late—“

“But we have a great army, Father commands an army of 50,000 men, our enemies are outnumbered.” It is obvious Bianca finds the idea of an arranged marriage revolting and cannot stand the thought of it.

“Never underestimate your enemies Bianca, besides we all know why you do not wish to marry the prince.” Astrid says, sliding her sword back in its scabbard.

“And why is that? Pray tell, Princess Astrid, the great warrior of Eldermere.” Bianca asks, with fury and a hint of disgust in her voice.

“Because you want to marry for love, that’s all you’ve ever wanted. It tells in your stories, you think yourself a common woman, who has the liberty of choice but your royal blood has cursed you. Your duty is to the crown, and you must fulfill it”

“Astrid thread cautiously with your choice of words—“ Amira scolds her.

“Astrid is right” Aurora cuts in “Her duty is to her kingdom, she must set aside flimsy desires, to fulfill her royal duties by all means necessary, she is a princess, not an autonomist.”

Bianca, unable to stomach any more reproach, stands to her feet, picking up the heavy fabric of her gown and storms out of the royal garden. Jasmine spotting her from afar, runs towards her, grabbing an umbrella to shield her from the sun.