Chapter 3 MARRIAGE

CHAPTER THREE

MARRIAGE

I felt a sense of accomplishment as I walked into my chamber. Soon after, Marie walked inside when I was taking off my armor and she helped me with it. Now that I had General Declan by my side my plans would be much easier. In fact, rising through the ranks of the royal army would be a cakewalk. I smiled at the thought of it.

"So how did it go?'', she asked eagerly about my meeting with General Declan.

I sighed loudly, "It went well'', I smiled widely.

"You don't have to tell. Your face says it all'', she teased.

"Oh really?'', I raised my brows pretending to be surprised and we both laughed.

"I have his support now. I knew I could count on him''.

"This will be a tough and rough road but I know you will prevail and survive'', Marie cheered me.

A knock interrupted us, "yes'', I called out to whoever it was. Shortly after, a guard walked into my chamber.

"Your Highness'', he bowed deeply.

I nodded acknowledging his respect. I raised a questioning eyebrow to know the reason he was here.

"The king asks you to join him in the living room immediately'', he informed.

I looked at Marie who was beside me.

"Is it anything urgent?'', I asked.

"His Majesty has guests from the kingdom of Malipish. They requested your presence, my lady'', he explained.

Malipish was a very powerful and wealthy kingdom in the East. Why would guests from a foreign and wealthy kingdom request the presence of a princess who isn't involved in political and state affairs? What do they want with me? I reasoned.

"I will be there in a moment'', I said to the guard and without a word he bowed and left.

After he left, Marie combed my hair and helped me change into a black silk gown she chose for me to wear. Black? Weird.

I couldn't deny that the black dress looked good on me. It was a simple long-sleeve gown with a v-neckline that reached just above my cleavage. The top was fit, revealing my bust, but was loose from the waist down. The way I was dressed was subtle yet elegant even though I had no jewelry on. I looked over at Marie in the mirror and gave her a light smile before I stood up and left to meet the king and his guests.

As I made my way to the living room, multiple thoughts as to why my uncle would want or allow me to meet royal guests swirled in my head, that was something he never did or allowed. Even if the guests requested my presence, he could have just dismissed it with an excuse. Before I knew it, I already reached the living room where the king was meeting with his guests. I halted at the doors where two guards stood firmly at both sides. They saluted me by placing their right fists on the left side of their chests. I stared at the doors wondering what awaited me behind them. I nodded to the guards and the doors were opened and everyone in the room went quiet as I stood at the entrance of the room. I scanned the room swiftly, my uncle was sitting on his comfy throne with a goblet of wine in his hands and two other men whom I already assumed to be the guests sat across from him.

The guests rose from their seats knowing I was the princess whose presence they had requested.

"Lord Tariq, commander Noor, meet my nephew and the only daughter of late king Alexander, Ava'', my uncle introduced me, looking at me with those eyes I so much despised.

I raised my chin slightly and walked into the room elegantly."Your majesty. My lords'', I curtsied and stood in front of them.

"I must say your highness, your reputation precedes you. It is a pleasure to finally meet you my lady'', the shorter and older of the guests spoke with fascination in a local accent.

"1It is such an honor lord...'', I tried to remember his name which I had forgotten already.

"Lord Tariq. Chief of the royal council of Malipish'', he reintroduced himself.

Chief of the royal council of Malipish? I guess my uncle finally found such an ally because why else would such a powerful kingdom send a high-ranking official here if not for important matters such as an alliance? But why am I here? I thought.

"Lord Tariq'', I repeated, nodding.

I turned to the other guest who seemed to wait for his turn to shower me with appraisals, but it turned out to be the contrary.

"Your Highness, it is an honor. I am Noor, commander of the royal guards of Malipish'', he said stoically with the same accent as lord Tariq.

They then bowed in unison, brought their palms close to their foreheads, then placed them on their chests and then straightened up. It seemed that was how they showed respect or paid homage in their culture so, I curtsied in return.

My uncle sat there the whole time watching, and when the pleasantry thing was done, he motioned to me to sit in a chair beside him. I wanted to decline at first, but I obeyed. I shouldn't disrespect a king in the presence of his guests.

"So, what do you think of my nephew?''My uncle asked his guests and the question sounded a bit weird to me.

"Your majesty, I have heard words of the beauty and elegance and fierceness of her highness. But she is more to the eyes than ears'', lord Tariq remarked. "Now that I see you, there is truly no doubt you look a lot like your father'', he added. I heard that from people a lot, but the truth was I looked like both my father and mother. I just sat there faking smiles at his compliments and my cheeks already started to ache.

"Your majesty, I heard her Highness is a skilled swordswoman'', commander Noor who sat quietly the whole time finally spoke.

"She was trained by the very best in swordsmanship. She had her military training since she was thirteen. So, as you can see, I have raised my nephew well", he boasted.

I almost scoffed at his last sentence, although it was partly true. He raised me when he could have killed me or thrown me out. He didn't deny me anything, even when I told him I wanted to train in swordsmanship, he didn't object even though I was too young for that. He showed me no affection, but still, he did his best to raise me as his brother's daughter. Despite all these, I can't help but resent him deeply because.....

"Your Highness", someone called, interrupting my thoughts. Pulling myself together, I looked over at the guests and they seemed to await my response to a question I didn't hear because I was lost in thought.

Realizing I was lost, Commander Noor enlightened me, "We were wondering if you participate in state affairs also since you fight very well?"

"I studied politics only in the books. I take no interest in engaging in political matters. Besides, his majesty thinks it a dangerous and unbefitting involvement for a noblewoman or any woman", I explained. Both of them listened intently and nodded. Now is the time to let him know Ava, I said to myself.

"I assume you know we are going to war against the kingdom of Maracath soon. I am participating in the war and with his majesty's permission I'd like to join the royal army instead", I said as I turned my head to my uncle, knowing he wouldn't want to hurt his pride in the presence of his guests by declining my request. Although it wasn't a request, it was a way of informing him of my decision politely.

The guests' eyes widened in surprise, including my uncle. Then a look of confusion fell on the faces of the guests and their gazes shifted between the king and me. There was some sort of tension in the room and I noticed that something was going on that I didn't know about.

"Uhm...Ava", my uncle cleared his throat as he put down his wine goblet. "As you know, we are at war and we need a sustainable ally", he began to explain. "The kingdom of Malipish has offered to help and the perfect way to form a long-lasting alliance is through marriage", he narrowed his eyes and pursed his lips. That reaction I knew very well, he always did when he was about to say something he didn't like.

"So?", I urged him to speak.

"Ava, you are getting married".....