Chapter 2 The Later Of Fate

In Leo's hands, the letter shook, its thick parchment sealed with wax nearly scorching her skin. This was not what she had anticipated despite her many expectations.

Her heart was racing as she glanced up at Ana, her personal maid. Her voice was tense and strained as though speaking too loudly would break the delicate silence that had descended upon the room.

"What is this?" she asked.

Ana's dark eyes flicked to Charles, who was waiting in the doorway with a predatory composure, but his face was unreadable.

Leo's gut told her that she couldn't ignore the letter's obvious message that whatever was written in it was going to change everything.

"You know It's from your father," Ana said, her voice hardly audible above a whisper. "He left instructions before he passed away. He was aware that this was what would happen, Leo. He anticipated your refusal."

Leo's stomach turned over. "What does it say?" She asked but What it said she already knew.

There could only be one awful thing that would force her into a situation from which she would be unable to get out. A man of honour, duty, and love for his people, her father may now be dragging her into an uncontrollable destiny following his untimely death.

She took a deep breath and opened the letter, the wax snapping beneath her fingers as she broke the seal. As she read the final line her heart stumbled as her eyes swept over the exquisite handwriting.

The letter was succinct but decisive...

Loved one Leo.

My moment has arrived if you are reading this. You have to wed Charles. There's nothing else to do. This union is necessary for the kingdom to survive. Our people cannot be protected by you alone. The throne is where your power resides and it must be preserved for the benefit of our family and our kingdom.

Although I am aware that you are finding this difficult I have faith that you will comprehend when the time comes. Because it is your duty your heart will come to love him. With all of my affection.

Richard King.

The floor seemed to vanish beneath her feet Leo thought. As a wave of nausea overcame her the words appeared to blur on the page.

There would be no other option and her father had known that she would be compelled to do this. It felt betraying to read his words now though. Leo said in a whisper "No...." her voice cracking. Her knuckles turned white as she crumpled the letter in her hand." I cannot wed him. For the rest of my life, I will not be bound to him."

Charles took a step forward at that moment, his eyes dark and nearly victorious. Smoothly, he said," You have no choice, Leo", with the same sneaky composure that he always exuded."These days, the throne is about what is required, not what you want."

Ana moved and took a step in her direction. "Your father knew what he was doing Leo. You have to realize that power isn't the only factor here. The goal is to protect the kingdom's legacy."

Leo felt her chest heave as she struggled to control her fear and rage. She whispered," I never asked for this in an emotionally charged tone. I never requested to be a pawn in someone else's scheme."

Her heart sank as she gazed down at the crumpled letter in her hands. She knew that in his last days, he had been worried about the kingdom's future and that Leo was too young and inexperienced to handle the difficulties that lay ahead.

Could this have really been what he meant? However, to mandate that she wed Charles? When her mother, who had left to handle some matters, entered the room, her eyes were red with tears her face drawn, and her thoughts were interrupted.

With a mix of desperation and resolve she gazed at Leo. Queen Aurelia said in a low, almost pleading voice," Leo, please. I thought we were over this now. You are ignorant of the repercussions of disobeying this. Your father had a purpose when he made this choice. There is instability in the kingdom. There is nothing else that can save us except Charles's wealth and power."

Leo started to argue but the words got stuck in her throat. Leo could see the silent fear in her mother's wide, beseeching eyes. Her mother was fully aware of the consequences if Leo declined. Everything her father had accumulated-the legacy he had dedicated his life to building-would be destroyed and the kingdom would collapse.

Leo shook her head and said," I don't care about the throne. I value my life and my freedom. That's not something I'll sacrifice for this for him."

With a spooky twinkle in his eyes, Charles grinned." Leo you're not required to love me. You wouldn't marry me for that reason. The issue here is one of survival. About protecting your kingdom."

" You don't understand," Leo said, her voice cracking." You've never given a damn about my best interests. All you've ever desired is power. You can never have me."

Then her mother moved forward reaching for Leo with a shaking hand. "Please Leo..." she said in a whisper." This is the only option."

Her breath came in short shallow gasps as Leo stepped back. Her voice was hoarse as she said," You're asking me to be trapped in a life I didn't choose. You want me to wed someone. I hate someone who is solely interested in the kingdom's riches. This has nothing to do with love. It has nothing to do with duty. It has to do with your desire to defend your own standing."

For a brief moment, Leo could see the tiniest glimmer of guilt in her eyes as her mother winced at the words. However, it soon disappeared and was replaced by a resolute, icy resolve.

" You'll see," her mother muttered." As you will see there is no other option."

Turning away, Leo felt her heart pounding in her ears. She had run out of things to think about. Her thoughts were still filled with the finality of her fathers words, he had penned:

Your heart will learn to love him.

She never learned to love a man like Charles so how could she? The room appeared to close in on her, but then the door swung open once more, this time with such force that Leo recoiled.

In the doorway stood Smith Charles' devoted friend and advisor, his face beaming with excitement.

Smith stated sharply "Everything is in place. . Tomorrow the mate will arrive. I hope you're prepared Princess?"

Leo felt sick to his stomach." Mate?" she asked again, her voice trembling." What's happening tomorrow? What do you mean?"

Charles smiled broadly." Leo, your mate. The person who should be by your side. The person who will arrive tomorrow to...take you back..."

For Leo the implication made his blood run cold. "What is the meaning of that? Who is coming?"

Smith looked over to where Charles stood, grinning from ear to ear with her mother and said," Someone you can't refuse," his smile growing." A person who will ensure your compliance."

When Leo realized how serious the situation was she felt a sudden wave of dread. She had no other option. The kingdom was on the line. As she turned to face her mother, who was standing quietly waiting for Leo to do something, her heart pounded in her chest.

She could feel the chill of inevitable fate sinking into her bones as the room's walls seemed to close in around her.

"Mother," Leo said in a tremulous whisper." Who is my mate? Who is this man?"

Her mother initially remained silent, her face a mask of concern and determination. She finally spoke after a long pause, her voice full of passion." You'll run into him tomorrow. He can keep you safe. You already know him"

Leo experienced a rush of annoyance and betrayal. "To be a pawn to a man I don't even love? To sacrifice my life for this... this nightmare? Is this the future you want for me?"

Her mother reiterated" You don't understand. The kingdom will benefit from this. We need to live. Protecting the throne-your throne-is essential. Leo, you will see this. You will understand all this eventually "

Like the last stone in a tomb, Leo sensed the icy truth sinking deep inside her. There was nowhere to go. Her future was predetermined. She faced the men who had imposed this path on her as she turned back to the door.

Smith was still waiting, still grinning. "Don't be afraid Princess. All of this will change tomorrow."

The truth of the situation crushed Leo and her heart thumped in her chest. The following day. Her supposed mate, Charles would arrive to take her. Firstly, she had to do something. Secondly, what does she do now?