THE ROYAL BRIDE OF DAMUNDA

Words cannot describe how I feel right now! I'm so tired, what can I ever do to make Madam Charlotte teach me the art of designing? I just don't want to be the spoilt brat my father is trying to bring up. Carolyn a twenty years old lady whose father is a priest is seen walking on the market street of Tanisha a small village in the state of the magicians,as she walks the wind started blowing her blue waist length hair,her green eyeballs seems dull from the day's heinous activities. In the same street a young boy of thirteen years old is seen running towards the lady, he's about four feet with brown hair and blue eyeball.Due to his tears he didn't see the young lady coming up and they bumped into each other,on knowing that she's a noble,he started begging the lady with his already stained teary face. Oh! don't you worry about a thing boy, what's your name and why are you crying? Carolyn asked. My lady,thank you so much, please save my mother, she's been beaten at the market square!the boy sobbed What are you waiting for, let's go save your mother...the two ran off in the direction of the market's square. On getting there,they saw crowd and and woman tied on the legendary punishment Cross for the slaves...the young boy started sobbing loudly which caused Carolyn to feel so angry. The environment started reacting to her mood,heavy wind started blowing furiously,thunder started striking all around her. Startled, the young boy leaped away from her,there was chaos everywhere,mothers started calling on their children, everyone started running Helter-skelter, even the revengers that are punishing the boy's mother were petrified with fear. Who could be as powerful as this to control the nature if not for the chief priest's daughter,the punished victim also looked up with extra fear in her eyes. Who dare cause commotion when I'm enjoying?a baritone voice boomed and everyone was stucked to where they are. I can't imagine what this beast will do to me if I don't stop this!the mother of the boy thought With loud voice she shouted "my lady, please don't be angry,it's my fault for asking questions from a Royalty, please let me face the judgement" What nonsense are you spewing, who's your lad?,let her come out and face me now, how dare you use magic in the presence of a Royalty...a tall and skinny prince is seen ranting,his hair is standing alert because of fear but he's seen covering it up with boldness. Everything seems to die down at his word except occasional thunder strike. Good evening my prince,this humble servant greets you,pls may I know why you're here in our village? Carolyn looked on defiantly like a young tiger facing an angry elephant. With a loud snort,the prince made to stand from the chair which made a loud screech and ended up being destroyed with a kick Hummph!who are you that I have to report to?Are you the priest or are you the daughter? With a cold look and a puffed up shoulder Carolyn declared with a loud voice saying....you're right my prince, I'm the priest's daughter and I'm pratically the judge of this village, so may I help you? As she finished introducing herself loud laughter erupted from the prince and his people,with a mimicking voice the prince repeated "you're right my prince, I'm the priest's daughter and I'm practically the judge of this village,so may I help you? laughter continued ringing from the environment and the prince raised his hand calling for silence. With a mocking bow the prince answered Ok my lady,now that your identity is confirmed, this woman talked against the Royal decree and that's why I the great prince Danny is punishing her,do you have any complain? On hearing his words, everybody got on their knees and started trembling, this is the legendary wicked prince that's famous for torturing his servants to death,why will he be sent to terrororize the people? Only Carolyn remain unfazed in the face of this danger, though deep down she's shaking with fear... You're welcome your highness! please can I know what to do for you to release this woman?she screamed as the thunder kept striking. Come warm my bed!the prince blurted and watched as different gasp and terror stricken face looked up to him, the girl...no lady he's talking to seems to be paralyzed in fear,her cheeks turned red in anger and her eyelids kept twitching. With a loud laugh "milady, don't tell me you're afraid?I was only joking about that, don't worry about doing anything,she has just ten lashes left and not even you can stop it. Can I be punished instead of her? she'll die if you continue beating her like this, she'll die, Carolyn lifted her two hands and started rubbing it against each other in an attempt to plead. Every living thing seems to be frozen while awaiting the prince's decision due to Carolyn's mood. The prince started laughing wickedly and he declared with a chilly voice, Ok, I'll release her and have you take her punishment but with extra ten on your back, do we have a deal? Everybody seems to be in shock, how can someone be so wicked to his fellow human,tears started forming on the eyes of everyone present. With deep anger that caused loud thunderstorms and fierce wind, Carolyn moved closer to punishment arena and leaped elegantly unto the platform, "yes! my prince,we have a deal" Oh lest I forget, I'll do the whipping, so please control your babies or else,if I'm hurt, you'll be killed said the prince. Rest assured my prince, let it start,it can't be that painful right? Carolyn asked with fear. Oh!I can't guarantee that, experience is a good teacher unlike theory...guards,tie her to the cross and let her back face me I want to see how defiant she is he said while stretching his hands. You're so full and well rounded, your back got to be soft for my whip,Fiam!the first whip landed draw a gasp from Carolyn. You're coming up baby, lemme search for another soft spot,brace yourself,my whip isn't so gentle, fiam! another whip landed on her back drawing a sharp gasps from the audience and a small whimper from Carolyn.... Oh!I like stubborn people like you,it's gives my whip great Joy, fiam!the third whip landed and there was a loud reverberating thunder causing the prince to jump back. I thought I warned you about controlling your thunder,I'm not so soft tempered little lady. After saying that, the prince lashed out with full anger and started beating her mercilessly. After the beatings,he unhooked the lady and pushed her down the stage where people came to the rescue. With Cold reverberating sound the prince started reading the Royal edict Listen to the Royal edict again, "Gather all the virgin in Tanisha village and it's surroundings to the Royal palace, the search for the Royal bride of Damunda is going on, and the emperor asked everyone to present all their virgin young lady from age 18-24....you're needed at the palace. I have the register of those who fall into this category, please get ready in two days time willingly or (he smiled wickedly) I'll use force as usual. He leaped from the stage and started walking elegantly away from the market square followed by his equally arrogant servants. Tiamy inn has been established since 1800 and now in year 1900 it's still standing tall and beautiful.its one of the prides of the village and also filled with comfort.its own by an ancient high priest and bought by Carolyn.The attendant who's a stout bald man was shocked to see new people when it isn't time for tourists or vacation.He welcomed them and started asking questions, you're welcome young men, how can we help you? what's the purpose of your visit to Tanisha village? we'll give you the best provided you tell us what we can help you to do... You can simply shut up or face dire consequence,a young escort following the prince threatened with a show of his sword which glitters with the touch of the moon. Trembling, the inn attendant gave them the key to the best room and quickly urged them on. The crown prince have never been the one to keep anyone who's not cooperating with him alive.Apart from bringing the virgins to the palace,he came to extend his network and whatever it takes, he'll give. Even if it takes the life of the Royal Chief priest. The Royal Chief priest is in charge of knowing the heaven's mind when it comes to choosing the next king and the man have been against the appointment of this particular crown prince. Mr black! what's the situation? Your highness, I've carried out the operation and I've clean up,no one will ever know it's us,you gave me enough time for it. You've done well, I've paid to your family,it's a shame you won't get to enjoy the money. Your highness, what are you saying? I'm here, let me get the money myself,my family doesn't have a use for it,I want to pay my debt and...he could not finish before he was stabbed from the back. Your highness,I... don't... you...trust...me? Oh sorry mr black,I trust the dead better,they don't talk so you can still say I trust you, I'll give you a befitting burial.Guards, clean up this mess and don't leave a trace, do your job perfectly, and come change my robe for me,it's dirty. That's how a bad deed is been done without anyone knowing. Hello! milady are you alright? you should have allowed me to get my punishment myself,where does it hurt? what's your name? I'm Bethlyn and I... Let me answer your question madam, lolz,my name is Carolyn,it hurts so much but I'm alright, you know if I've allowed you to be punished,you might not have made it alive, where's your sweet little boy, what's his name? What!My own Jeffrey is already a big boy! don't you dare call him a little boy Bethlyn answered while stamping her foot in fury. Oh Oh Oh!Ohk!Ohk he's a big boy, can you help me to my house, today's my birthday and my father will have already cooked delicacies, he'll be worried about me. No problem, nice to meet you milady. They both limped down the street towards the big mansion owned by Carolyn... So tell me, what do you want to do to the king's decree, are you going to go as asked? Seeing the lady's smiling face,she paused and screamed "don't tell me you're going to go"? Ah!it's alright, Carolyn whispered into her ear "everyone is looking at us, can you keep your voice down? Oh, I'm sorry milady,I was carried away please don't punish me! Bethlyn started bowing to Carolyn. Shocked to the bone about the amount of attention she's getting,she burst out laughing and in a commanding tone she said "Mrs Bethlyn, what you've done is punishable by beating, thirty beatings on your bare back and I'm going to start now. She watched as the expression on the woman change from pure mocking to horror and then to serious tears. Milady, I'm sorry, you said it yourself that I'm going to die if I endure anymore beating, forgive me milady, she pleaded with tears on her face... I'm only joking madam, please stop embarrassing me, Carolyn reached to lift her up while laughing but the pain made her stop in her attempt while gasping in pain.... Seeing the pain on the face of Carolyn, Bethlyn made to stop her as she struggled to stand up... Don't worry I can manage to stand, let's go milady. There was absolute silence between them as they both reminiscence the happenings of the day. Before long,they got to the Chief priest's mansion gate and say a good bye to each other. Carolyn made for the gate carrying one step after another trying to come up with various excuses as to why she came late,she kept looking up and down but soon dashed towards the big gate with joy written all over her.On getting there,she knocked the gate and to her surprise the gate opened itself. What could have happened to priest jones?why will he open the gate like this at the time?she thought as she carefully walked towards priest jones house beside the gate,she was shocked when she saw the house opened too. She tiptoed into the room and met him tied from head to toe and gaged,she quickly untied him and remove the gag,with trembling lips,she asked "sir Jones, can you tell me what happened here,who tied you up? Moving towards the exist priest Jones drew Carolyn and said,we don't have time for this, let's go check on others. Due to her state of panic, the nature started reacting,there was earthquake in some part of the world, furious wind and thunder started in an alarming rate, everyone on the street quickly looked for cover,death toll kept increasing. On getting to the main house, the door was open and it everywhere was quiet,them both moved with absolute care and started whispering. chief priest, father where are you? I'm here can you come out please,it's Carolyn! who's at home? stop scaring me. They walked towards the main room very quietly and what they saw shocked them,priest Jones quickly cover Carolyn's face while the young lady started fighting frantically, let me see it, let me see what have been done to my father,oh no! she screamed as tears started falling from her eyes. The outside world is already in chaos, heavy rain started falling, thunder plus heavy wind is disturbing the peace of the people,no one could sleep comfortably, everyone started praying to God for peace,kids couldn't sleep because of fear, when priest Jones saw that there was chaos everywhere,he knocked her out and lay her on the altar,he covered her with the altar cloth and proceed to clean up the blood stained room while the nature still rages outside. A lot of things got destroyed in the raging storm, things like the market square punishment arena, some stores were flooded, some house roof were removed completely from the house,a lot of goods were destroyed and there was weeping in almost all the household as one or two things affected them from the nature disorder. No one has ever witness rain storm in a dry season and this particular rain storm is worse than that of the rainy season itself. In the inn,chaos has broke out and all the inhabitants of the rooms were thrown out into the rain as a result of continuous thunder that kept entering through the window, whether locked or opened, even the prince wasn't an exception, everyone was drenched in the rain from the fear of being striked by the thunder as the thunder of a dry season is used for destruction of the brain and body. Time flies too fast and its the day of departure for all the virgins within that age range,the chief priest was buried at the back of the sanctuary, and everybody returned back to their various houses or farms for necessary preparation for the departure of their daughters, everybody was carrying out their duties inside the rain as the rain didn't stop a bit but thunder as at least stopped striking and the furious wind had stopped blowing. Carolyn is seen with priest Jones who kept packing tons of clothes for the lady. Bethlyn is to follow as the chaperone and Jeffrey as the servant. Everyone assembled in front of the priest's mansion where the departure will start from, people were chattering with each other as the prince hasn't shown himself yet, only a soul seem lost and filled with sadness. Milady, you need to stop burying yourself in grief as you've seen for yourself what your grief can do, for the well being of the people, please snap out of this and let's find solution to this,how are you going to live out there, do you know why the king demands to see you at all? milady! eeeish! I don't want to leave here, how do I do it, will I have to leave my family behind? these are the words that kept flying around to cheer her up.it was at this moment that the prince arrived. All hail the crown prince of Tanisha! The hope of the next generation! And everybody chanted "Long live my prince" Oh! please don't worry!my condolences to you all and the kingdom of Tanisha for the lost of our Chief priest, I'm definitely going to mention it to my father, let everyone drop the grievance and face the next thing on ground. I hope we are all ready for today's journey, hope you've packed some food and most importantly your fine clothes and beauty ingredient, get yourself prepared and we'll be moving in the next two hours,miss Carolyn will be the team leader,I don't want any mistake... Excuse me my prince (an elderly woman interrupted) should we be expecting our children anytime soon? What should become of us if you take our children from us? Ahem!I don't know what will become of you,but I advise you not expect your children in the next six months,you can come together to take care of each other or perish for all I care,if you'll excuse me please! and just like that, the crown prince left the people, various complaints began to fly about...why is he so cruel? what are we doing there exactly for six months? what do we need the fine gowns for? Everybody started dispersing to get prepared, the village which still looked desolate as a result of the bad weather which hasn't tried to stop a bit Exactly two hours later, the prince came back to the arena which is fully packed with people of different beautiful robes and gown. Yes! it's time to move, everyone say your farewell and go to your own carriage. Everyone started saying their farewells, mothers were crying,fathers were patting their daughters, siblings in form of servants were packing loads into the carriage and after a few minute everyone except a maiden is in their own carriage ready to move,but an unexpected incident happened that brought everyone out of their carriages in fear and trembling like a leaf in the face of storm