Chapter 3

Kaylan gasped and looked at him. 

What the...What's he talking about?

"What?" Her face crumpled up instantly. "I don't...I don't understand". 

Even her mother was looking patently shocked.  

"You heard me right, Kaylan. Get ready because first thing in the morning, you're leaving for his mansion" the King answered blatantly, but Kaylan still wanted to let believe she was misunderstanding him. 

No; she definitely wasn't hearing him clearly.

She looked at her mother who was shocked to the teeth, her eyes dilating.

"Father!" She turned back to the King. "You can't...you can't possibly be serious, right? I mean, this is not possible! You can't just marry me off to... to that Master? It's not possible!" 

"Well, it's possible, Kaylan and it's happening tomorrow. Guards!"

Two guards came scuttling in immediately. 

"Escort the princess to her room and make sure she stays in there" he ordered and the guards bowed and took hold of Kaylan's arms.

"Father!" She gasped. "no! You can't possibly do this to me! I'm not getting married! No!"

"Take her away;" the King said fiercely and the guards forcefully dragged Kaylan away.

The Queen was in shock. Her daughter was getting married to that monster?

"My King..." She called but suddenly ran out of words.

She didn't even know what to think or say and the King didn't make any attempt to help her. 

She took in a deep breath and hurried out of the throne room, going after her daughter. 

*

*

Later in the evening...

*

*

The Queen walked into the King's chambers, holding the small tray in her hand.

"My King..." She bowed and dropped the tray on the table.

The King had been reading.

"Hapitha" he called, sparing her a glance. 

"Good evening, your Majesty. Sorry to bother you. I just felt you might be needing some company" 

"Oh! It's okay, Hapitha. You can take a seat" The King replied and she smiled lightly and took a seat.

Soemthing in his guts told him she was there for her daughter.

"Um...I made you some tea, my King. Hope you'll like it" she moved the tray closer to him and the King sighed and took the cup from it, taking a sip.

"Thank you" he muttered. 

A short silence passed with the King just reading his book and the Queen staring at him. Then, she decided she had to spill out her reason for being there. 

"Your Majesty" she began. "I..I thought you didn't want to give any of the princesses to the Xander community?" 

There was a pause, then King Moreh sighed and replied:

"I didn't want to, Hapitha. But your daughter's actions has made me change my mind". 

"Oh! Your Majesty!" She exclaimed softly. "I know Kaylan is extremely stubborn, but there are so many ways to punish her". 

"My points exactly" the King cut in, taking his eyes off his book. "Kaylan is extremely stubborn and needs a man like Xander to tame her". 

"Your Majesty... he'll kill her".

"Then, so be it. If she values her life, she'd change for him. But if she really wants to die, then she can go ahead and act stubborn towards him. At least, the Creators would know I tried my best for her". 

"My King..." She called almost ruefully. "I know what Kaylan did was bad, but she doesn't deserve such a life. Xander...Xander is too ruthless. He doesn't even know the meaning of love or romance. And to think...to think he's lost his previous wives...Oh, dear God! I feel so scared for my daughter".

The King didn't respond as he flipped over a new page on the book. 

The Queen sniffed and decided to use the last option she had because it was obvious the King wasn't going to change his mind.

"Your Majesty..." She began.

"Since she's been too much of an embarrassment to you... permit me to take her far from here. I've spoken to her already and she's promised to change. she gave me her word. We... we can go very far and start up a new life. At least, that'd be better than having her marry that man". 

"That isn't possible, Hapitha" The Kings voice was cold. "Kaylan's never going to change and no matter where she goes, she's only gonna keep making so much trouble. So, I need to give her a new name - a new identity. And marrying her to Xander would definitely do all that. She'd be known as Xander's wife and the shame and responsibility would reduce drastically" .

"Oh God..." The Queen bent her head and sobbed softly.

Her daughter's life was doomed. It was completely doomed. 

Oh! Why did this have to happen to her?

She tried using her tears but unfortunately, the King was someone that was never moved by tears. So, she just had to give up - completely.

"I'll.. I'll be on my way now, My King" she bowed ruefully and left .

***************

She returned to kaylan's room and found her on the floor and as soon as Kaylan spotted her, she sprang up on her feet. 

"Mother" she called anxiously. "How did it go?"

"I'm sorry, Kaylan" the Queen shook her head ruefully. "But the King is adamant and wouldn't change his mind. You're getting married to Xander"

Kaylan felt all the blood drain from her system as she stared at her mother.

Her hands became weak and she stepped back. 

"This is all your fault" The Queen queried. "if only you had listened to me and just minded your business, none of this would be happening Kaylan. None of these" 

"So, is that enough reason to send me to my death?" She half yelled, pointing her finger to the west. 

"Why doesn't he just behead me instead? Does he prefer a slow death?" 

"Kaylan! Stop it!" The Queen gasped. "You mustn't speak that way about your father. To be honest, this all your fault". 

"Well, I don't want to get married, mother! I'm not ready for marriage; not to Xander, not to anyone!" 

She marched angrily to face the window.

Argh!! How dare he? How dare he punish her this way over some little offences?

She wasn't ready to become anybody's wife because definitely, she'd make the worst wife ever!

*******************

Jaden stood at the entrance of the hallway, still trying to convince the guards.

"Please..." She begged. "You have to let me in. Come on; I won't take long". 

"You're just wasting your time, Jaden. No matter what you do, we aren't letting you in. The King has given specific orders not to let anyone - especially you - into the princess' Chambers" one of the guards replied bluntly and Jaden gasped.

Whaat?? The King had given such order??

She fiddled with her nails and looked left and right. Oh! What does she do? She had been really worried about her 

That was the first time the King had caught her red handed and she knew he'd be really really mad. So, she wanted to know what punishment he had given her this time around.

"But...how about you just pass a message for me?" She turned to the guards and said. 

"Just tell her... I came to check up on her and... I'm really sorry for whatever punishment the King must've given to her". 

"We're not delivering any message, Jaden. Get out" The second guard replied grumpily and Jaden glared hard at him.

"You..." She pointed her finger at him. "You so rude" she mumbled and finally walked away. 

***************

Next_morning

**************

Kaylan sat in front of the mirror as they dressed her hair. 

Her face was so long and portrayed anger and dissapointment. She felt so bittered.

Finally, she was getting married - getting married to someone she's never met before.

Although, it was very common in their culture for planned marriages to take place - it was possible for two strangers to just get hooked up by their parents and get married the following day, but she's always hated it. Yeah! She did. 

She's always dreamt of getting married to a guy she'd - at least - like, if not for love. She's always wanted to get married to a man of her choice and not just some strange cruel master with a bad image. 

Goodness!

She had even pleaded with her father to post pone the meeting so they could get married in two days time, but the old man wouldn't listen and insisted on marrying her off that very day and ite was so so annoying!

"I'm done, Princess" the hair dresser said and Kaylan glanced into the mirror. 

The hair had been styled and beautified with some jewellries. 

She was putting on a bridal attire and couldn't believe she was actually the one looking that matured. 

Hmph. 

"Do you like it, my princess?" The hair dresser said ecstatically but Kaylan only glared hard at her. 

"You want to know the truth? It's ugly" she answered bluntly and rolled her eyes.

The hair dresser gasped in shock, wondering if the princess was speaking the truth or she was only being angry. 

She was sure she had done a great job. 

The door opened shortly and a guard showed up. 

"Princess Kaylan, your carriage is ready. It's time to leave" the guard said and Kaylan felt like puking.

Gross!

"Princess Kaylan" the guard called again when she didn't respond and she rolled her eyes and stood up. 

"I heard you the first time, Okay? You don't have to yell at me" she snapped and walked out the door while the guard followed.

*

She walked out of her chambers, her countenance getting worst and when they got to the carriage, she found her mother waiting there for her.

She lowered her gaze to the floor and fiddled with her nails, not wanting to look at her. 

"Kaylan" the Queen called with a sigh. "I understand that you're angry, but there's nothing any k us can do at the moment". 

Kaylan didn't say a word and the Queen took her hand into hers. 

"Remember everything I told you last night. Be polite to him, gentle and who knows? You'll be able to survive it". 

Kaylan only scoffed. 

"My dear" she continued. "I know we've heard a lot of rumours about this man, but it's possible..."

"There's no need for this, mum" Kaylan cut her off, politely tho. "No matter what you say, it's not going to change the fact thst I don't want to get married to anyone at all! I just hate this" 

The Queen sighed and touched her face. 

"I'm going to miss you, dear. Goodluck" she pulled her into a hug but Kaylan didn't reciprocate. 

"You should go now" the Queen said when they disengaged from the hug and quietly, Kaylan turned towards the carriage. 

And as she was about walking in, she spotted her step sistes, gawping and sniggering at her. Obviously, they were happy for her misfortune. 

She decided to ignore and just walked in, the curtains being closed afterwards.

In no time, the carriage was moving, making her shake a little.

That man - she thought angrily.

She was definitely going to make sure they divorce. 

Yes - she'd make him so angry to the extent he'd have to send her back home. Exactly! That was going to be her plan!

******************

In a dark room...

Master Xander stood in front of the three men who were on their knees, tied up in chains.

Their whimpers echoed in the silence, accompanying the damp smell that filled the place.

The day was bright, but due to the purpose of the room, Xander made it dark.

"I won't ask you again" he said after so many seconds, his sword in his right hand.

Three of his guards were in the room with him.

"Who do you work for?"

"No one... Please...we work for no one. Everything we did...was by our own will..." The first man lied again, his voice shaking 

In a split second, Xander lifted his sword and sliced through his neck, making him drop dead on the floor..

Terror filled the eyes of the last two. Only his guards didn't really flinch because they were used to the view already. 

Xander looked at the second man on his knees. He didn't need to repeat the question.

"Please, My Lord..." He shivered. "We are not..."

Another sharp sound was heard immediately as Xander sliced through his neck, making him drop dead on the floor 

The last man...fear was a word too small to describe how he felt and he didn't even let Xander look at him before spilling out the truth.

"It was Royce!" He said aloud, his eyes dilating so bright. 

"Royce... Royce sent us!" 

There was a pause.

Xander was a little surprised. Royce?

He glanced at the floor, then slowly took his eyes to the man 

"Please my Lord! That's the truth!; I've told you the truth already! Please!" The man gibbered and for a few seconds, Xander was silent.

Then, in his usual cold tone, he said:

"You shouldn't have wasted my time". 

And 'swipp!" Went the sword on the man's neck as well.

Xander dropped the stained sword on the floor and started walking out afterwards while two of the guards in the room set out to take care of the bodies. 

The third followed him.

His steps announced power as he marched towards his chambers, fully dressed in his armor.

All the maids and guards he'd come across stopped walking and bowed to pay their respect to him. And finally, he got into his chambers.

"My Lord!" One of his guards came running in immediately, but he didn't turn to look at him as he concentrated on taking off his armor.

"I just wanted to inform you that princess Kalyan's on her way already" 

Xander paused and turned slightly to look at him from his shoulders. 

"Who's Kaylan?" He asked and the guard wouldn't say he was surprised.

"Um...the lady you're getting married to" he replied and with the same blank expression, Xander looked away.

"It's today?" He mumbled as he walked towards his closest and that was the part that cracked the guard up. 

He had actually forgotten his own wedding date!

"Yes, my Lord. The letter was brought in yesterday" he replied anyway, with a bow.

Xander completely took off his heavy clothings, then walked into the bathroom afterwards; not saying another word.