Blinded by Love..

“Go back to your room , salsa. I need to rest now” Princess Rania said , looking away. Happiness and curiosity took her mind away that she forgot about her ill father. Was that the reason for his sudden sickness?  Poor king!

The Emperor was cruel and wicked. Rumors said his second , prince Ivar was heartless. Only those who went to battle saw him. They said he fought like a creature from the underworld. This scared people away from him.

Princess Rania wished never see the favorite prince of Aragón. Such a heartless man was supposed to be thrown in a den full of Lion. Whatever may happen to him there, should be recorded in the book of criminals.

She hated him before seeing him. But why thinking of man that did not deserve it?  Depressing the thought,  she went back to he room to join her sisters.

**

The next morning, Princess Rania took her bath and dressed up. A maid came to inform her that the king has woken up . She was excited to meet her father, who has been sleeping since yesterday.

Arya walked behind her maintaining her pace. If there was any act she learnt from her big sister, happily was the gorgeous footsteps. 

Princess Rania walking steps made her famous. Last year ball, which was organized by the king, many men asked for her hand in marriage but he declined. He told them that she was not ready.

Isabel smiled when they got to the last stairs... Even she was not ready to let go of her world best sister!

The guards opened the door when Princess Rania got closed to the door. She entered the room with her eyes darted forth and back. Her heart leapt for joy, when she saw father's smiling face.

“Father” Rania called walking faster than before. She hugged him tightly as tears escaped her eyes. “You scared us yesterday. What happened to you ?”

“Nothing is wrong with me. I am perfectly fine , my princess” He assured her with a smile which was fake. 

“Rania don't worry, father is fine now” Annabelle told her. She was standing next to the queen which was quite suspicious. Did she knew about the proposal too?

“Father, I know the reason why you became sick” Princess Rania said, sadly. The king looked at Queen , who gave him a sign that she did not say a word to their daughter concerning this. "Don't worry, mother told me nothing. I find out by my self. A letter came from Aragón.

The queen and the king were surprised. Did the emperor told her the truth? If yes, then why was she not angry that prince Ivar was going to be her husband??”

“Really? So are you ready to marry that man ?” The king asked , all of a sudden.

“Yes father. I will do anything to save this land and you from shame or the Emperor's anger. He chose me and only me can marry his son” Rania said, teary. The thought of leaving her family behind hit her.

“Call the messenger here. He should send my reply to the Emperor. He will set a date for the wedding” The king told one of the servant present. 

*****

Princess Rania's POV.

I left my father's chamber with a smile and joy . Prince Alaric has been my dream man for years. The handkerchief, he lent me during the ball has always been with me.

A tall young man with red hair. His lips were thin. The broadness of his shoulders got many women talking. His unique smile teased me and mocked my lips. I wished for something like this ... Now, we were going to get married and live together forever.

“Salsa” I shouted when I entered my room. She ran to me as if something bad has happened. “Why are you running to?”

“My Lady, you called me” She said , confusedly. Her purple dress remind me of the times we wore purple to church for Lent. We prayed and fasted during those seasons. Isabel always cursed. She wished mother and father were never Christian.

“My marriage has been arranged. The wedding date will soon be set. Tell Maria to give out coins to the poor” I said, adjusting the edges of my dress. I noticed that the hems were loosed. This was strange. Mother always told me that it was a sign of ill luck. No wonder father became sick.

“Yes my Lady. I will do that” Salsa said, happily. When she left the room, I laid quietly on the bed to mediate, the life I  was going to leave after the wedding. I wished prince Alaric would build a small castle out side of Aragón , we would have lived there happily with out the interference of parents nor siblings. 

Many thoughts ran through my head as I tossed on the bed. When it's was evening, announcement were made. People came to visit and they wished me well. They were afraid to tell me that I was going to hell to meet the Emperor and his son. 

But I ignored them. Prince Alaric would never disappoint me no matter what.

Fourteen days has passed and there was no reply from the Emperor. My heart was beating faster than usual. I was worried. Did prince Alaric change his mind? It was possible, he might have chosen another princess whose kingdom was closed to him. Like Elizabeth. I heard she was one of the most beautiful women from the East. She came for my Birthday even though I did not invite her. When I asked they said, she was a guest of prince Alaric! Could you imagine such  a thing??

I stayed in my room most of the day. My mother taught me all the laws of a married woman. She told what was right and wrong.  There were many dos and don'ts. Don't shout at your husband. Do not go out of the palace without his permission. Do ask him for blessings every morning.

I became sick after hearing all these. Was this a marriage or a hell bond! 

On the fifteenth day, I rushed to the throne room when  the messenger arrived from Aragón. He said the reply would have reach us few days ago but there was a little argument about the wedding. 

“What happened?” My father asked. “Why the delay?”

“Prince Ivar. He was sick so the Emperor had to wait for him to recover first”  Antonio answered with a bow. He went to where my father was sitting and handed a letter to him.

My heart beat faster as he struggled to open the letter. My eyes moved with his, when the letter was read silently. Was the news bad?

“Tomorrow?” The king asked with a surprise look. I wonder what was the content of the letter!