CHAPTER THREE

The news of Princess Claire caught in bed with a man spread through the kingdom like wildfire, it became uncontrollable talk among the people of the kingdom not only that it became a source of discussion for young ladies and women but also criticism to the royal family and ridicule for the princess who according to the tradition couldn’t hold herself before marriage.

Among all the royal families the sixth princess has been seen as a virtue for all women but due to the spread-out rumor that she intentionally drugged the other victim as put by the people, there are many people wishing for her dethronement and asking for another princess to be put in place of her.

Due to the happening, the councils of the kingdom came together in an urgent meeting trying to find solution to the problem on ground, Aither kingdom is known to be the most respected and powerful of all the four kingdoms and the issue on ground is sullying the dignity of the royal family. Several times meetings were called but a final solution was not gotten as Princess Claire refuse to marry into Silverbell kingdom who is lesser than her kingdom, rather than Silverbell she would choose Mana kingdom which could be regard as the second of all the four kingdoms.

King Josh is thrown into dilemma, he never wanted his favorite daughter to leave to a lesser kingdom that doesn’t have enough protection or power for his princess besides Princess Claire is of big help to him here in Aither, she takes care of the economics and welfare of the people although he {the king} takes the credit for the good work but Claire was a brainy who does the real work behind the curtain and sending her off to get married is a source of worry to him. Unlike King Josh and Queen Madison everyone else seems to be excited about the fact that the sixth princess might get married faraway, being a proud and domineering princess she cares about nobody feelings and will always have things done her own way earning more hatred from the other members of the royal household.

Left with no option than to protect the image of the royal family King Josh went to meet Princess Claire in her personal abode to convince and plead with her into accepting the only solution available 

“My princess” he called looking at her with all seriousness, Claire turn her face away already aware of the reason for his visit, she has been hearing the rumors and angry comments from the councils and even the people, and she was also called to the council meetings but got angry at their discussion and stopped honoring their invite and calls 

“We have no other option than to do what is right, the royal family is being criticized a lot and we are being mocked by other kingdoms for having an undignified princess, this is to save your reputation too my princess” 

“Why are we being blamed and the Silverbell kingdom is seen as the victim?”

“Because…” the King wanted to explain but she cut him off 

“Because they planned all this father, it’s clear that he approaches me first and also drinks with me but then news was released that I drugged him and force him into sleeping with me, who else could have done that?” she asked angrily and the King stare at her a bit confused 

“What are you trying to say my princess?” 

“think father, if I really drugged prince Michael, they are ought to be angry and worried about their prince who got drugged in another kingdom but instead they asked for an engagement between the two kingdom, this could only mean that they had the whole thing planned beforehand” she explained more calmly

King Josh thought about what she said and it begin to make some sense to him, guessing that the Silverbell kingdom might have plan the whole thing out makes a lot of sense to him and besides they are the one benefiting from the whole situation, while their kingdom get ridiculed theirs got the public pity and also if the engagement between the two kingdoms happens they will benefit much more and have a connection and relationship with Aither kingdom

“I know what to do, King Edward will regret playing with me” the King resorted but Claire stop him again before he could make a move

“Whatever you are thinking to do won’t help much, we might end up being seen as a tyrant” 

King Josh look at his daughter confused again “what exactly should we do then?” 

“Go along with their plan, but then we trap them in their plan” she said and made a smugly face, King Josh nodded satisfied with her words

“A marriage between two kingdoms means an alliance that will grant partnership between the kingdoms but then that agreement and benefit we won’t let them have it” she explained further 

King Josh nodded again and grant her the permission to do whatever she deems fit regarding the issue so far it’s going to solve the problem at hand 

“And one more thing” she said halting his steps “I want to punish all royal members who has a hand in this” she added, the king nodded and left her abode.

An official meeting was called for both Kingdoms and King Edward again has to come to Aither but this time he was accompanied by two of his ministers, the meeting started and like King Josh anticipated the Silverbell kingdom agreed to the engagement and was quick to make their demands.

Aither kingdom is the wealthiest and has the most power which gives it connection intentionally, this is not the case with Silverbell who can’t stand to them but having an alliance with Aither kingdom brings the two together economically and automatically rate them as the second rather the third kingdom 

“This is not an alliance” King Josh blurted out alarming the court of officials 

“What do you mean your majesty? I thought we already have an agreement” King Edward asked, he was super happy when he heard about the princess acceptance to marry his son and had come prepared but hearing this now he couldn’t help but panic 

“Recently I found out the rumor spreading was leaked from your kingdom” 

“What rumor your majesty?” one of the ministers ask

“Someone from your palace rumored that my princess drugged your son and forced him to bed her” the King said, his countenance changing to an unfriendly look

The Silverbell people looked from one person to another not sure what to say, replying careless might cause a disaster for them and their kingdom 

“We are not sure of that, but if truly it is from our kingdom whoever is involve will be punish” 

“I investigated what happened that night and it seems to be a harmless encounter between the two royals which means that their relationship is based on love, my princess has confessed that she likes prince Michael and he also showed interest in her, so this will not be an alliance but a marriage based on love” the King affirmed and the rest looked at each other again, not able to argue they all bow to him and accept his words, King Edward rage inside of him as he gaze at King Josh in front of him, he has just futile his plans and there seems to be nothing he could do about it

“If it is an alliance, Aither will have to give something in return but if we claim it to be based on mutual love then Aither bear less responsibility towards Silverbell kingdom” King Josh remembered Princess Claire words and smile to himself.

Inside princess Claire abode there were decorations of all sort as they prepare the place for the engagement which is set to take place in four days, Princess Claire sat down in front of her mirror while the maids attend to her make-up and dressing, the last four days she’s going to live as a princess of her kingdom before she pledging her loyalty to Silverbell shouldn’t be wasted, she should atleast give her sisters some gift before leaving

The troll of dresses brought in front of her all seems unfit for today’s show and she glare angrily at the maids in charge of her clothing

“Don’t you have anything presentable for me to wear?” she asked looking at the dresses with disdain 

“You told us to bring clothes that will make you stand out, aren’t they to your taste?” the head maid ask looking glancing at the dress careful not to take her gaze off her 

“Of course they are not to my taste, bring me another set of clothing and throw away this trash……or better still send it to my sisters they would love it” she said and gave a corky smile.

All five of them bowed and left the room leaving three maids behind helping with her makeup, after rejecting another troll of clothes she finally settled for a short deep blue gown with crystal stones at the top of the dress giving it a beautiful look she was helped into her heels and then a mirror was put in front of her, satisfied with her look Claire smile and ask the other maids out except her two personal maids 

“Did you get me what I ask you?” she asked sitting down on her king sized bed, Sarah move closer to her and handed over what she asked for 

“But my princess don’t you think this is too extreme?” she asked 

“I still haven’t punish her for what she did during initiation ceremony and now that I will be leaving soon she should receive a last gift from me” Sarah nodded and step back a bit, there’s nothing she could say to change her mind her lady is always like that and trying to convince her will attract severe punishment, the last beating she got is still hurting

“Let’s go” she said and made for the door, Falon quickly rush to open the door for her and wait for her to step out

Claire stop in her steps and turn to her “you can go back, Sarah only would go with me” she said and walk out with Sarah brimming happily. Falon closed the door as gently as she could and gave a low hiss.

She never wanted to go with her anyway or else how will she inform her mistress beforehand about what is coming to her, walking back into the room she quickly brought out her cell phone even though they aren’t allow to own one in the palace and sent a message to her mistress.

Princess Zoey received the anonymous message and quickly hasten to meet her mother to seek for help, it was a great news the sixth princess is leaving but she should have known better that she would never leave without retaliating, Princess Claire is known to keep long grudges it’s a known fact to all members of the royal family even the king wasn’t left out in her resentments princess Claire is someone who would go to any length to make sure things goes the way she want them to 

“Mother! Mother!” Zoey yelled for Queen Giana 

Queen Giana asked the maids doing her manicure to stop and help her up to meet her daughter but before she stand up to meet her Zoey already got to her

“Mother troubles looms, Claire is at it again” she said and her mother eyed her to keep shut, she suddenly realize the maids in the room 

“All of you out” Queen Giana ordered and waited till they all leave the room, she pull her daughter to sit and sat down beside her

“I’ve warned you never to yell like that in the palace, a princess must be well composed in every situation any little mistake might cause you to lose places with your father the king” she cautioned 

“Am sorry mother, I was in a panic just now” she apologize calmly with a little bow 

“What caused your panic?” 

“Princess Claire is out like a raving dog and is planning to bite every single princess in the palace, I got a message that am her first target mother” she said looking agitated again 

“Then we should tackle her before she makes her move” Queen Giana resorted and exit the room with Zoey behind her, they both hurried to the throne room where the king is sure to be.

On getting there, they find out Princess Claire already beat them to it, Claire sat down with a big smirk on her face and turn to the two new presence in the room, they bow to greet the king and also took their seat looking anxiously they look across their seat and sight Queen Amanda with her daughter Ashley looking bitter and pitiful, they seems to be begging the king’s mercy 

“What’s going on here?” Queen Giana asked looking from the king to her co-wife

“Please your highness plead to the king on my behalf I don’t want my daughter to marry such a lowlife man” Queen said and crawl on her knees to meet her

Queen Giana stare at her a bit taken back, Amanda was his immediate rival and they’ve never gotten along since she arrive to the palace but seeing her almost in tears now pleading on her knees in front of her, Giana couldn’t help the shock on her face she turn slowly to the king confused 

“Your majesty…”

“I only set a marriage for her daughter and she’s making it a big deal” King Josh replied not sparing Queen Amanda and a daughter a glance 

“Marriage?” Giana wondered, according to the rank her daughter should be the next to get engaged since the first two princess are already engaged, but then it’s a good thing for Ashley so why is Queen Amanda begging her “is she trying to show-off and mock her daughter for not having a suitor yet” she thought and narrowed her face at Queen Amanda who is still kneeling in front of her 

“Father, you arranged a marriage for Ashley before me?” Zoey asked angrily 

“oh, sister Ashley already have a suitor and you don’t so I thought she could marry before you since am also getting engaged before you do” Claire spoke for the first time since they came in, Zoey glare at her with hatred she has no doubt insulted her in front of the king 

“I didn’t know you care about Princess Ashley so much” Queen Giana said and put on a fake smile 

“Of course Ashley is my older sister and since it’s improper to get married before her, I asked Father to get her married to her suitor Derek” she said with obvious sarcasm

“Derek?” never heard of the name before which household is he from?” Zoey asked curious 

“oh, it’s the same guard she committed adultery with months ago and if I remember clearly she also battered his whole family because the truth got out, I wish you well in your marriage Sister Ashley” she said and stood up with an air of pride making her way out of the hall 

“and one more thing” she stopped walking and turn back to face Ashley who is holding a furious look “the wedding is taking place tomorrow afternoon” nasty smile before finally walking out.

Ashley who couldn’t contain her anger run after her in rage, Zoey also followed after her in a haste, she grab harshly unto Claire before she gets to the foyer 

“You maniac!” she scream at her in rage

Claire push her off roughly and adjust her dress, Zoey rush to grab Ashley before she could fall but blinded with anger Ashley push Zoey off and rush to Claire again 

“I will kill you myself, your lowlife birth” she yell again attracting the guards in the vicinity

“I think the lowlife birth is known by both of us, only a lowlife will sleep with a mere guard” she hit her back 

“Whosoever I slept with is none of your business, so why the hell did you poke your nasty nose into my business”

“Because you poke yours into my business” Claire affirm and move daring at her, the look of mischievousness replaced with an aversion 

The two princess move back from her a bit scared, Claire could be scary sometimes and they could end up hurting theirselves, Zoey pull Ashley to her side and comfort her to calm down  “don’t think you are safe Sister Zoey, it will soon be your turn” Claire state a face in a grin again

“Am not afraid of you and besides you have nothing on me” Zoey replied confidently, she has always been careful in whatever she does

“my plan is to make sure all the older princesses get married before me but like you said you have no scandal with any man” Zoey smirked at her feeling triumphant 

“Am going to make sure you get married at the age thirty five” Claire reveal and watch the look on her face disappear 

“How are you going to make that happen? You are leaving soon to your fiancé’s kingdom anyway” she asked doubtfully 

“Watch me sister Zoey and by the time you are thirty five only old men will be suitable to marry you” 

“I dare you Claire” Zoey pointed a finger in a rising rage 

“You pretend to be a great princess yet you also stoop yourself low to sleep with a man before marriage” Ashley said trying to get back at her 

Claire chuckle before responding to her “I didn’t chose a guard to sleep with, I choose royalty” she fired back and walk away leaving them fuming at her back

“You will regret this Princess Claire” 

A familiar figure watch the three from a far distance, she couldn’t have heard their conversation if not for the loud voice of Princess Ashley, looks like she was a step late but then the hatred in the heart of the two princess will be used to her advantage later on, it also looks like she isn’t safe like others but thanks to planning ahead she will successively escape this time again. A devilish grin appear on her face and disappear immediately they appeared.