Chapter 2

"This is the myth of the legendary werewolf of mankind, evil and fierce and he kills without mercy, so brutal and relentless" The voice of Mama Gunad, the oldest woman in the village echoed in her small abode surrounded with candles and little children who sat in her most, their eyes wide open in fear and curiosity.

"Is he alive, mother?" a young child among the children asked with little eyes that were covered with fear.

Mama Gunad's expression was suppressed as she looked at the child with a scary face, "Yes!" She roared, her eyes scanning the little children before her, "He lives far away from the reach of humans, bound with a curse that can never let him out, he…" 

A soft chuckle cut her through as a figure walked into her hut, her long black hair flowed gently behind her back, "Oh mother, when will you ever stop telling such tales about a legendary werewolf, we all know that he doesn't exist" Princess Lilia said on sarcasm as she stood beside the children who stared at her with a mixed expression.

"No princess Lilia" a little child called out in a sad tone, "Don't say that, the legendary werewolf is real, Mama Gunad never lies" she opposed with blurring innocent eyes. 

Lilia scoffed and turned to Mama Gunad who smiled at her. Mama Gunad diverted to the eager children, she gazed out of her hut and back at them, "Children, it's time to go now, we will continue tomorrow night" she announced with soft eyes.

With grumbling voices, the children stood up one after the other and walked out of the hut, their eyes filled with disappointment. 

Mama Gunad turned to Lilia with a skeptical look, "You child" she nodded, "Ever since you were a kid, you have always doubted the myth of the legendary werewolf" she said not removing her eyes from the young princess. 

Lilia laughed and sat before her, her deep blue eyes sparkled in amusement as her small pink lips stretched in a smirk, "I don't believe in an absurd tale of a legendary werewolf who was placed under a curse by his mother thousands of years ago, it isn't real mother" her eyes enlarged as she tried to convince the older woman who glared at her with a smile.

"A story as old as this can never be a lie Lilia" Mother Gunad asserted, her head covered with gray hairs that prove her old state. 

Lilia rolled her eyes nonchalantly and scoffed again, "Mother, if you believe in such tales of a mighty werewolf" she teased, "Why has anyone not seen him?" She implored with a raised eyebrow. 

A soft chuckle escaped from Mother Gunad's lips, "He is bound by a curse Lilia and you don't have to see before you believe" she asserted with calm eyes. 

A gentle breeze blew into the hut, Lilia gazed up at the open window. She got up and walked towards it as she carefully closed it, "it's a cold night mother" she muttered as she averted her gaze to the older woman.

Mother Gunad nodded with a soft look, "Yes, it is" she replied, "You have to go back to the palace Lilia, it's getting late and your mother must be worried now" she contended. 

Lilia walked towards her, "That place" she groaned, "Honestly, I wish I am not a princess, that place is just not for me and now my father is insisting that I choose a suitor from the men coming over to take me as their wife" a look of disgust overwhelmed her face.

"But Lilia," Mama Gunad said, "You just turned eighteen two days ago and obviously, you are ripe for marriage" she paused with a smile, "Look at you, you are a very beautiful princess and no man will be able to resist your charm. Finding a husband is your next goal Lilia, you have to do what is right" she assured the young princess.

Lilia groaned as her words filled her ears, "No" she asserted, "I don't want to get married to any prince who thinks he can have his way with me" her eyes shone firmly, "I won't be underneath any man all in the name of getting married, being a princess or a woman! No mother, this isn't the life I have dreamt for myself" she spoke out softly as she bent facing the older woman, their hands wrapped together in union, "You know me far better than even my mother, you know my dreams and my wishes, I just can't throw them away" her blue eyes glittered in sadness.

Replenished with love, Mama Gunad slowly touched her soft hair and smelled like flowers, "Dreams are meant for sleeping, child" she smiled, "This is the 18th century and women must be married" she informed the young woman. 

Lilia studied her for a while, "But you never got married mother" she let out.

A soft laugh escaped the old woman's mouth as her missing teeth became obvious, "Don't be silly Lilia, everyone in this village knows that I lost my husband a few days after our engagement" 

"But you never remarried after you lost him even till this day" Lilia pressured as she tried to prove a point.

Mama Guna inhaled deeply, "I did want to get remarried but every young man in my days labeled me as bad luck due to the death of my husband" her eyes were filled with pain but she smiled weakly, "As a result of their constant insult and evil looks the women whose sons find interest in me, I decided to live alone till this day".

Lilia wrapped her hands tightly but lovely, she could feel the pain in the woman's voice as she spoke and she wished she hasn't spoken about it, "I love you mother and I know that your husband knows that you are a kind woman, don't let this get to you, you are….".

The sound of galloping horses cut through her as the door of the hut flung wide open.

" Princess Lilia, your father needs you at the palace this instant!" A hefty soldier spoke out, his eyes fixed on the young princess. His eyes were dark and fierce as his tall legs stood firm to the ground. His bald head added a more terrifying look to him and a mustache stood firm on his face. 

Lilia turned to him with irritated eyes, "Tell my father that I will be at the palace soon and you don't have to barge into here without anyone's consent" she warned sternly.

The soldier bowed to her, "I am sorry about that my princess but your father insists I come to the palace with you this minute" he announced.

Mama Gunad touched Lilia who turned to her, "You have to go along with them, remember, your father is still the king of this kingdom and he should be respected".

Filled with rage, Lilia stood up and walked past the soldiers, she saw a carriage waiting patiently at the doorpost. She rolled her eyes, got in, and folded her hands in anger as she refused to gaze at the soldier who sat beside her. 

The journey to the palace began as the horse galloped away, some villagers stood nearby as they watched it ride away.

The great kingdom of Anedo was ruled by King Arthur, ruler of the neighboring seven kingdoms. He was a fierce king that governed with a hard hand, brutal to his enemies and merciless to his traitors. The Kings of the seven kingdoms were very much afraid that no one dared to overthrow his kingdom to take first place as the ruling kingdom. King Arthur has fought and won so many battles with just the stroke of his hands. He leads his soldiers into a war of victory making the opponent king dance to his tune. Not regarding his hard nature, he is a true king to his people hereby providing peace in the heart of his villagers. 

The horse galloped faster and got towards the palace. Lilia sighted the large gate of the palace, she sighed, placed her scarf over her head, and couldn't wait to step out of the moving carriage. Soon the horse galloped into the palace, not waiting for another minute, Liala got down from the palace and walked into the large front door. Some maids who passed by her glanced at her with unbelievable eyes at the sight of her dressing and the angry look on her face.

Lilia was so angry and wondered when her father would give her the freedom she has always wanted, she never wanted to be held to any law or orders by her father. She is a grown woman now and can decide for herself, being a princess is something she can wish to change about herself, all she ever wants is to be a normal village girl, explore things and different places but fate never gave unto her wish. 

As she walked towards her room, she heard footsteps behind her and a familiar scent filled her nose.

" Where are you coming from Lilia?" Her mother, Queen Mena let out with a stern tone.

Lilia breathed loudly in frustration, she turned to her mother with a bizarre look on her face, "Mother, I was out in the village" she replied.

Queen Mena scanned her quietly, her blue gown had stains by its side and was a bit torn at the edge. Her mother's eyes lit up in anger at her daughter's unkempt look, "What Is Wrong with you Lilia?" She asked in anger, "Look at your dress and what is with the scarf on your head" she pointed at the brown scarf tied firmly.

"Mother" Lilia's blue eyes glittered, "I was just out in the village with my friends, I am no longer a child mother" she reminded her with a sad look. 

"And I don't care about that!" Her mother spat out in rage, "Just look at you Lilia, you are a grown-up woman and you should start acting like one!" She paused as her raging eyes softened, "Lilia, you are my daughter and you know that I love you" Queen Mena walked closer and placed a hand on her face, their eyes locked together, "But you are a princess that will be married off soon, please act like one and going to the village through the trench, that is what keeps on spoiling your dresses and making you look dirty" she advised.

"Alright mother, I will do as you say" Lilia responded calmly with her head bowed down.

A smile appeared on Queen Mena's face, "Good girl, go in, bathe and dress, your father awaits you in the throne room" she announced as she began to walk away.

Lilia narrowed her puzzled eyes, "Why does he need me, mother?" She inquired.

Filled with smiles, Queen Mena turned to her, "You have a new suitor, of course, he is the youngest prince of a neighboring kingdom and very good looking, I am sure that you will get along with him" her eyes shone in excitement.

Lilia's face fell, "Another suitor?" She implored, "But mother, I am not ready to get married, not now," she argued in alarm.

Queen Mena's smile disappeared that instant, "Lilia, we talked about this already, you are the king's only child and if you don't get married, your father won't have an heir to his throne. And we both agreed that you will pick a suitor from the suitor's present, so please don't make this difficult, go in and be at the throne room as soon as you can" she raised an eyebrow, nodded, and walked down the hallway.

Lilia stood still as she gazed at her disappearing mother, her heart shattered into several pieces at her most dreadful news.