III

Ilena could feel her heart thundering in her chest in fear of what she had just heard from her father, the king.

Loud murmurs filled the banquet hall by the nobles, they were all shocked by this new information that was just said from the king.

Sir Glint stands abruptly. “We are to provide a wife for the Northern King as tribute for him to spare our lives!” he announces.

Asla panicked, silently happy that daddy had spared her from marrying that Barbaric monster of a king.

King Dreg of the Northern kingdom of Sulcar was known to be a fierce and vile king who kills without a second thought.

King Egret cleared his throat. “I am to offer up one of my daughters for a wife as a tribute and I will be damned if I offer up my Regal princess of Thanes to that barbarian.”

All nobles and officials nodded in understanding, they all drank from their chalice in celebration of peace in their kingdom.

Meanwhile, Ilena stood numb with the chalice in her hand. This was a death sentence that she had just been told, to be the wife of the ruthless king of the North....

She had no say in this, she glanced up at king Egret smug face in rage at how pitiful her life is about to end. “I d-do not want this....” she trembled.

King Egret, filled with disgust and anger, he swings his hand and lands a harsh slap to her face, knocking Ilena down which caused the nobles to snicker.

“Who says that you have a say in this, you should be grateful that you are of some use to the kingdom!” he snarls in anger.

Ilena rubbed her sore cheeks as a sob wrecked out from her lips. She never would have thought to be married off to a ruthless man but if it is to save the kingdom then she would oblige.

The banquet ended and everyone had retired back to their quarters and himes. Ilena cried in Oana’s arms at the mere thought of her future to come with the Northern King.

“I have heard how ruthless he is and how the North’s treat their women....” she choked up with tears.

Oana comforted her by rubbing her back. “Its okay child....see this as an opportunity to leave this dreadful place that you call a home.”

Tears gushed out of Ilena’s eyes in fear of what life is ahead of her and what could happen once she is joined to the king of the North.

That night, she tossed and turned in her worn mattress, unable to have a good night rest because of the jumbled thoughts of the Northern King in her head.

A few days have passed and it was now the day of her wedding to the Northern King who had sent an Eagle to relay his message that he is already at the Eastern boarder.

Ilena was shocked with the amount of maids that were sent to get her ready for the wedding. She was surprised to see the beautiful cream coloured wedding gown that was brought in by one of the Maids.

Her mouth was agape. “This is for me?” she asked in awe.

The maid nodded with her head bowed for the first time, showing respect to Ilena. “Yes princess, this was also ordered by the king to be brought to you.”

Ilena was taken aback as a beautiful glass mirror was carried into the room by a few guards. The mirror stood at about six feet tall with intricate bronze detailed frame.

Oana gushed at the sight of her reflection, mirrors were only used by nobles and royals so to have this here was such a privilege.

Ilena felt a surge of excitement to be finally treated much more better than before just because she is to be married to the Northern King. Her hopes that had been crushed was finally being revived.

The Maids took their time with getting her ready, they all giggled as they spoke about the wedding night, only for Oana to shush them up to which they did.

Ilena being twenty winters old was sheltered and kept within the castle walls, still kept virtuous and pure before her marriage.

She was naive to the acts of a man and a woman in private so she wondered why the girls giggled to themselves.

Once her makeup and hair was done, they put her in the heavy wedding gown which hugged her figure nicely. She made an internal note to thank the royal simstress at the wedding ceremony for this beautiful dress.

Suddenly, she hears loud cheers and the welcoming bell being rung for the arrival of the Sulcarns which struck anxiety mixed with fear into her heart.

The maids rushed over to the window in curiosity and dread as they spy on the parade outside but they couldn’t make much of it because Ilena’s room was located at the back of the castle.

Oana gasped. “You are so beautiful my child.”

Ilena smiles tightly, tense from the Northerners arrival. “I’m sure that I look like a rat in a dress....Asla is so much more beautiful.” She mutters shyly.

“Nonsense, come on....” Oana guided her to the front of the mirror to view her beautiful reflection.

Ilena gasped at the woman standing as her reflection, she couldn’t believe how beautiful she looked. Her copper red curly hair was styled in an up do, the light makeup on her face brought life to her emerald green eyes.

She flushed red as she noticed her womanly features which was encentuated by the gown she wore. The intricate beading on the lace made her look like a true royal.

“Is this me?” she whimpered in awe.

Oana reached behind her with a smile and for a final touch, she places as beautiful silver crown on her head which brings Ilena to tears.

She felt so beautiful at the moment and even though this day is probably the first day to unhappiness, she was going to enjoy every second of this treatment.

Meanwhile at the welcoming parade, Dreg the king of the Northern kingdom of sulcar sat on his horse confidently, he adorned himself in gold Northern jewelries and his kingdom’s royal attire.

“They really seem to like us!” Levion comments with a smile.

Dreg knew that this was all a facade to ease some tension between the two kingdoms which he didn’t mind as long as he gets to be joined to the woman that has been giving him restless nights.

They were guided straight to the kingdom’s worship house which was a huge building with ancient statues of their gods and carvings on the walls and pillars.

“King Dreg, you are welcome to the kingdom of Thane!” King Egret greets.

Dreg scans his overjoyed look and swiftly slides down his horse with his men following suit. “You have a welcoming kingdom.” He comments.

Egret laughs and goes on with the formalities of introducing the other officials and nobles with him while citizens rushed into the worship house for the wedding.

The procession had began, King Dreg walked in oozing confidence and his handsome looks were a treat to the female gaze.

Asla’s mouth was agape at the sight of the Northern King, this wasn’t what she had imagined to be the king of the North, she had imagined a big and Barbaric looking man not this handsome man walking towards the altar.

She became enraged with the thought of Ilena being joined as one to this man. She snickers to herself in confidence, once he sees how horrid she looks, he’ll switch choices to her.

The royal musician began playing the melodic tune which was meant to introduce the bride, princess Ilena.

“All rise for the bride, princess Ilena!”

King Egret painfully tightens his hold on her and leaned down to whisper. “If you mention anything to the king of the North about your discipline sessions then you would be dealt with.”

Ilena trembled with anxiety and fear for what is waiting behind the closed doors, she had accepted her fate and seen this as an opportunity to finally be set free.

The doors to the worship house opened, revealing the multiple rows of citizens who stood with attention. She squints her eyes for a better vision on the blurry figure that stood far at the end of the aisle, who was now her fate.