Price of Possession

Princess Hera Ravencrest sat in the grand hall, the sun filtering through the high windows and casting long, sharp shadows across the marble floors. She held the letter in her trembling hands, the edges of the parchment crinkling under the pressure of her grip. The words etched on the paper seemed to burn into her soul: To the Princess of Seraphis, The Commander of the Hellrune extends his proposal of marriage. I have waited a full fortnight, and I request that you give me your answer. She felt her chest tighten as she read the lines over and over, as though hoping for some change in the words, some sign of mercy. "Princess," came a voice from behind her. It was Knight Harold Cinderfell, his deep voice thick with frustration. "Surely you don't intend to accept his proposal? They are savages, Princess! Savages who know nothing of human decency! The audacity of this commander to propose, especially when they know you already have a worthy suitor!" His words came out with raw emotion, the protector in him rising to the surface. Hera turned slowly, her gaze lost in the vastness of the kingdom outside the castle windows. The scene before her was a stark contrast to the world she had once known—where the fields were rich and green, and the people went about their daily lives in peace. Now, there were bodies lying in the streets, the dead marking the slow suffocation of her kingdom. She trembled as she almost crumpled the paper in her hands, the weight of her decision crashing down upon her. She bit her lip and whispered to herself, What other choice do I have? What happens if I refuse? Ser Harold stepped forward, his gaze stern, yet laced with concern. "You must refuse him, Princess. We have the strength to fight. For you, I am ready to lay down my life." His words were full of passion, but they were not enough to shake the icy grip of fear surrounding her heart. Hera closed her eyes for a moment, her hand tightening around the letter. "You all know we don't have the strength to drive them back. The Hellrune army has surrounded this castle for half a month now under the guise of a marriage proposal. A fortnight. A mere fortnight, and yet our supply routes were cut long ago. Our food and water are long depleted. My people grow weary, the guards have lost their spirit." Her voice cracked slightly as she continued, her eyes drifting to the dead bodies of her people, their souls trapped in the cruel hand of fate. Our enemy is the most savage, ruthless band of mercenaries in recorded history. No nation dares to stand against Hellrune. Even Wraithspire, the largest kingdom on the continent, was forced to its knees, signing a humiliating peace treaty with them. Hera paused, her breath heavy. "For them, a crumbling little kingdom like ours is nothing more than a sport. A rabbit hunt for their amusement." Her voice lowered to a whisper, "To fight back would be hopeless. It won't be long until everyone inside these walls starve to death." She looked into the eyes of her loyal knights, their faces filled with desperation and hope, as though they could somehow turn the tide with sheer will. "I must answer his proposal." "No, Princess!" Ser Rye Eboncrest interjected, his voice full of defiance and concern. "You say that because you do not realize how monstrous the Hellrune can be!" "I do know," Hera replied softly, her gaze distant. "I've heard enough rumors to know. They say those men are godless—forsaken by the divine." Ser Rye Eboncrest, who had thought of her as a daughter since she was young, sighed, his voice heavy with defeat. "So you knew. Then are you also aware of the reason why?"" She turned her eyes to him, narrowing slightly. What monsters. "But they wouldn't kill me in one night," Hera said quietly, looking at the letter in her hand once more. "If he were to do that, he wouldn't have proposed." Ser Rye's face darkened. "Princess, do not entertain their intentions. Or have you forgotten about Sir Kleinfelter? Why he isn't here right now? Your beloved, who cherishes you more than his own life." Hera clenched her fists. "That man promised he would bring reinforcements from the Kingdom of Soulbane and return within ten days. But that date has long passed." Her voice shook slightly. " All the while, the Kleinfelter family remains silent, merely watching the situation unfold. Ser Harold stepped forward, a hint of urgency in his tone. "But the House of Kleinfelter is still the most powerful family in Seraphis. We cannot sever ties with them without proper discussion." "Discussion?" Hera scoffed, her voice cold. "A discussion will not change anything. And we can't afford to wait any longer." Her heart ached with the realization that this was the truth. The delay had only cost them more lives, more pain. "Princess!" both knights cried in unison, their voices filled with a mix of disbelief and fear. Hera closed her eyes tightly, the weight of the decision pressing down on her. She had always known her duty as a Ravencrest—to protect Seraphis, to protect her people. But now, the price of that protection seemed to demand more than she had ever been prepared to give. "If I alone must pay the price," she whispered, her voice thick with emotion. "As a bearer of the bloodline of House Ravencrest, I am bound by duty to protect Seraphis. If I can save everything in Seraphis by accepting his proposal..." Her eyes turned towards the dying kingdom she loved, her resolve hardening. "I shall send my reply to the leader of Hellrune... accepting his proposal." The hall fell silent, the weight of her decision hanging heavy in the air. Her heart broke for what she was about to sacrifice, but deep down, she knew that sometimes, duty and survival required choices no one should ever have to make.