Love Before Blood

Chapter 2

“No,” my answer echoed off of the marble walls of the throne room. Behind me, my mother drew in a sharp breath, Queen Rosario’s expression grew furious, and the king’s eyes were wide with shock.

“Why?” he asked. “Are you worried about your status?”

I scoffed,” It has nothing to do with my status, but it has everything to do with my disgust and hatred for you.” I felt my mother trying to shy away from this conversation, but it didn't stop me.

“Eighteen years, you never looked in my direction or even acknowledged me, as a matter of fact. And then all of a sudden, you look in my direction to save your ass from actually losing this war. Not only that, you are forcing me to take part in a marriage alliance as if I owe you for the eighteen years that I have been alive.”

“It’s a lot more complicated than that,” he said softly. “The humans drafted into the war have never returned. Not only that, we have exhausted our resources to the point where innocent people are suffering on the sidelines.”

“And whose fault would that be?” I asked, but only silence replied, and it was enough of an answer. “The upper classes who feed off their desperation and raise taxes in order to stay in their luxurious homes that most others can’t enjoy.”

“Which is why we are trying to end the war,” Queen Rosario finally spoke up. “At this rate, all of us will die.” King Locke looked at her incredulously.

“Yeah, you should’ve thought of that before this war started.”

In frustration, he shouted,” Enough! Avalon whether you like it or not, you are going to be a part of this. I have already sent out a decree that your rank be raised from maid to Princess Avalon Locke. And you are now of royal blood.”

Ugh! I storm toward the doors of the Throne Room. The maids tried to stop me, but I easily pushed them out of the way. Before I reached the door, King Locke shouted,” How much more blood must be shed in order to gain peace?”

Peace in this land was always a dream, which is why it never came true and never will. They don’t know how to wake up to the reality that there was no such thing as peace. Even if an agreement between two countries is achieved, they each need to fight their internal wars. That’s not peace.

I ran towards the only room that I’ve ever known. I slammed the door shut and jumped into my bed and placed the pillow on top of my head.

Not even a few seconds later, someone knocks on the door. “Go away, Mom! I don’t want to talk about it.”

The door swung open and heavy footsteps walked in. I know the sound of those heavy footsteps. Bryce tries to cheer me up by saying,“ Y’know, if you really don’t want people to bother you, you should consider locking the door.”

I didn’t bother moving my head from under the pillow. He tries to tickle me, which by the way I’m not ticklish. How does he keep forgetting that? “What do you want?” I asked annoyingly.

“I heard what happened,” he said. There was hesitation in his voice when he said,” Congratulations.”

Like what the hell!

“Congratulations? Are you f*****g kidding me?” I asked. I finally raise the pillow to look at him. “There should be no congratulations, okay. I only got my status raised to save their ass from being handed to them in this war…”

I rant on for a long time, and he didn’t stop me. He just let me continue until I ran out of things to say. Whenever I rant, he is always there to listen, though sometimes I prefer to talk to a wall, instead, that way I don’t get a reply.

“I know you’re upset by this Avalon, but you have to do it. Even if it’s not what you really want.” I wanted to say something, but I couldn’t form the words.

“Look, less and less family members are returning home from the war. And because of that, we don’t have enough farmers to provide for the people. More women and children are now becoming victims of the war without even fighting in it.”

The reason I can’t form the words is because deep down, I know he’s right. There have already been more people who died off the battlefield than on. If I don’t participate in this marriage alliance, how am I any better than the enemy the army has been fighting against for so long. Right now, I have the power to make it right, even if it’s for a short time. I couldn’t or didn’t want to imagine if my mother became a victim of the war.

“Look, if you won’t do it for them. Do it for your mother’s sake...or maybe do it for me.”

We locked eyes for a second, but I turned away and said,” I’ll do it, but there are going to have to be some conditions that he is going to have to come to terms with.”

“What conditions?” he asked confused.

I turn to him and smirk,” You can start by calling me Princess.”

When I got back to the Throne Room, King Locke was talking with my mother alone. Without bowing, or whatever they do to greet the king, I walked straight to him, and siad,” I’ll do it.” My mother let out a sigh of relief. She must’ve held her breath this entire time.

“BUT,” I said loudly,” I have conditions that you have to keep.”He looks at me with amusement in his eyes.

“One, my mother has her status raised, as well. She’s already been through hell more times than I could count.”

“Consider it done.” he said.

“Two, the bodyguard you assigned to me comes with me. It would be rather uncomfortable for me to be in a strange land all by myself.” He looks at me again with that same amusing smile, I guess he already took care of it. “Three, you will provide all the people shelter, food, and jobs until they can get back on their feet. That also includes decreasing taxes.” He almost burst out laughing. Almost.

“And four, there are no schemes behind this marriage alliance. I don’t want to be a part of this if there is an alternative plan.”

His smile disappeared right after I said that. He then nods his head. Shortly after, a person brought a sheet that had everything I said written down--word for word--on a clipboard. I don’t know if this is some way of mocking the deal we just made, but he signed the contract where his signature was meant to be and I did the same afterward.

King Locke then held his hand out, which of course I shook, and said,“ You have a deal.”