Married To The Cruel Master

"Arianna, are you sure about this?" Hera asked in a whisper as they crouched behind the bush, looking left and right.

"Of course! Stop asking me" Arianna replied in a husky whisper.

"For the first time, I pleaded with someone not to report me to my mother, but the dump man still went ahead to paint me black. So, he needs to pay".

Hera sighed, knowing she wouldn't be able to change her best friend's mind.

Arianna looked left and right again, and when she confirmed there was no one watching, she stood up and tip-toed out of the bush.

Gideon's little house was right in front of her and his tables of fruits were well arranged, drawing her attention. Well, that was exactly what she was heading for.

He was actually a fruit seller and she figured it must've taken him a lot of effort to arrange those, but hell, she didn't care. He was a wicked man and needed to be taught a lesson.

She got to where the table was and with a little effort, she pushed it down, making the fruits roll over on the floor.

Gideon came out of the house immediately and his eyes dilated in shock when he found his table of fruits rolling on the floor.

"What?" He flinched.

"Princess Arianna?! Princess Arianna?!"

Arianna giggled and without much hesitation, picked two apples from the floor and ran back to the bush.

"Here. Let's go" she gave one of the apples to

Hera and they started running away immediately.

"Hey! Stop right there!! How dare you?!" Gideon called out and ran after them, but they were way faster than him. So, he couldn't catch up with them.

Arianna and Hera laughed as they ran heavily and only stopped when they were sure Gideon wasn't after them anymore.

"Oh my God! You're such a badass, Arianna!" Hera laughed so hard as they both fell on the floor, resting their back against the wall.

"Well, yes. That man is so mean. The very day I'd gotten to know he'd beaten up his wife and chased her out of the house over a minor argument, that was the moment my hatred from him increased. Big fat fool" Arianna snapped and took a huge bite from her apple

And so did Hera.

"Whatever, Arianna. Your father warned you to stop causing trouble around. How were you able to leave the palace alone, anyway? I thought he's assigned some guards to you?" Hera asked.

"Well, I offered them drinks. But unknown to them, the drinks were drugged" she paused and giggled. "They're fast asleep in my room at the moment".

"What the...Are you kidding me, Arianna?"

They both busted into hearty laughter.

"Sometimes, I wonder if you're truly a princess".

"Oh, please! To hell with royalty. It's boring" she rolled her eyes.

"Do you know what my plans are?" She paused and took another huge bite from her apple.

"In a short time from now, I'll run away from home. I'll go far to a place where I can live the kind of life I want - as a free lady. I'll make sure father doesn't get to know of my location so he doesn't bother me with his boring queries" she rolled her eyes.

"Huh? Are you kidding me? What about your mother?" Hera nudged her.

"Oh... That's true. Mother would never agree to go with me" she placed her hand on her jaw in thought.

"Anyway, I'll definitely think of something" she concluded and continued eating her apple.

Ahhh! If she had known, she'd have taken more than two.

"By the way, Arianna. I overheard my father discussing it with one of the King's cabinet this morning" Hera said after a few seconds.

"They said...Master Aldo's cabinet is looking for a bride for him. They had actually requested for one from your father, but your father turned them down, saying he couldn't marry any of his daughters off to someone like Aldo"

"Hold on" Arianna clicked her tongue. "Aldo is that cruel Master, right? Who's lost 2 wives?"

"Yes, yes. Exactly".

"Huh? So, he's looking for another wife?"

"Well, Personally, Aldo wouldn't want a wife. But having an heir is important to the community. So, he needs to. He isn't even making any efforts about it as his cabinets have been the ones doing the search".

"Oh..."

Arianna turned back to eat her apples.

"What happened to his late wives, anyway?" She asked.

"Well, I don't know. Nobody does and I guess it's a mystery. But Aldo is really cute. Just that...he's very mean. I heard his people are extremely scared of him. And I heard he's never lost a battle. He's a very powerful man". Hera enthused.

"Oh! Whatever. Why did father turn down his request, anyway? He should've married Hannah to him. That witch deserves to be with a devil"

"What? You're unbelievable, Arianna" Hera nudged her and they bursted into laughter.

"Well, despite how Popular and powerful Aldo was, people are still scared to marry their daughters out to him. I heard before his previous wives died, he was very mean to them and never showed love to them - not even for once. That man is really scary, you know? Most people nickname him - the handsome devil" Hera paused and giggled.

"Anyway, I hope for the..."

"There they are! Get down!" They suddenly heard a voice and turned to see Gideon running towards them with some boys.

"What?? Arianna!" Hera exclaimed and they sprang on their feet immediately and started running away.

"Make sure you get them! I need those brats alive!" Gideon roared in anger as the boys ran ahead of him.

Oh! He really couldn't wait to lay his hands on them - especially the princess.

Arianna and Hera actually found it amusing as they kept running away from the boys.

They ran into the marketplace, accidentally ruining people's goods as they bumped into them.

"Oh! Good heavens!

"What Is happening?"

Some of the market women flinched as their goods came crashing to the floor.

"Sorry..!"

"I'm so sorry..!

"Excuse me...!"

The two ladies apologized and giggled as they ran away.

They bumped into a paint man and different colors of paint got poured on their faces - especially Arianna.

Hers was from her hair to her legs.

"Oh my God! Arianna, you look like a clown!" Hera laughed so hard at her.

"They're coming. Come on!" Arianna urged and they continued running.

Finally, they stopped running when they ran into a carriage.

The rest of the people around were actually standing aside with their heads bowed, but Arianna and Hera were too overwhelmed and by the time they could notice, they were already standing in front of the Royal carriage.

"Oh-oh" Hera shook her head and took some steps back when she realized it was the King!

The King was sitting on one of the horses and couldn't believe his eyes when he saw his daughter, looking like a local tout.

And unfortunately, it was too late for Arianna to run away.

Arianna paced to and fro in the room, feeling so impatient.

She couldn't believe her father had locked her up in a cell!!!

Not exactly a cell, but a room that looked like a cell to her!

She marched angrily, her baggy dress swaying left and right with her

Ahh! She was in trouble. Yes, she could feel it.

But why did she have to bump into him anyway? Like... Why did he have to ride through the market of all places and at that particular time? He just wanted to get her into trouble, huh?

Urgh!! He was looking so mad at her! And definitely, he must've gotten to know she drugged the guards so she could sneak out of the palace.

Oh!! This is really a mess! What is she going to do?

Shortly, she heard the door opening and stopped walking, guessing it was him. Or maybe, her mother.

She watched keenly as the door opened and unexpectedly, it was Hannah and Arbee - her step sisters

Urgh! Seriously?

"And here she is," Arbee chuckled as they both stood by the door.

Hold on... why did the guards let them in, huh? Arianna thought angrily.

"Goodness! Arbee, look at how she's looking like a clown" Hannah said in a whisper, but loud enough for Arianna to hear.

And the two girls bursted into laughter.

"This lady is definitely not my sister. I mean... which princess in her right sense would act this way?"

"Hey! If you know you have nothing else to do, I'd suggest you go feed the dogs before I turn you into one myself" Arianna snapped at them and they laughed heartily.

"You really have no shame, do you?" Hannah scoffed. "You're such a disgrace to the family - always moving around like a tout".

"You really want to know how able tout behaves? Well, I can show you...".

Arianna was about to go to her when the door opened again and one of the guards walked in.

"Princess Arianna, the king wants you in the throne room" he said with his head bowed and Arianna took in a deep breath.

"Oh, please! You can just call her Arianna. She doesn't deserve the title" Hannah said sarcastically and walked out of the room, giggling with her sister.

Arianna glared hard at them, trying so hard to control her temper.

It wasn't so difficult for her to go after them, pull them by the hair and give each of them a desirable beating. But she's made the King angry enough already and didn't want to add to it. At least, not yet.

She took in a deep breath and followed the guard out of the room.

*

Getting to the throne room, she found her mother, the King, and two men and one woman as well. They were all familiar.

Arianna bent her head in contrition as she knew what was going to happen. Those people were definitely there to lay complaints on her and knowing how badly she had upset the King today, she knew it wasn't a good idea.

She arrived in front of the throne and took a glance at the villagers.

"Good day, father" she turned to the King and said, but he didn't respond.

Her mother was wearing a bittered look as well.

Slowly, the King turned to the first man and said:

"Go on".

"Your Majesty," he bowed. "I don't mean to bother you, but what happened is really disheartening and I just need to say it out loud. Right now, my son is lying on the bed, bruises all over his face because the princess had beaten him up mercilessly".

Arianna's cheeks got heated immediately. Damn it!

The King glared at her and looked at the second man.

"Yes?"

"Your Majesty," he bowed. "The princess had almost burnt down my farmland. Although, she didn't, but she threatened to return at night and do it and I just wanted you to please, My King, talk to her so she doesn't carry out that threat"

Arianna pinched herself slowly. Definitely, these people were devil - sent.

"And you?" The King said to the last complainer who was a woman.

"Your Majesty," She began. "The princess actually pushed down my goods while running earlier on at the market today. Everything got mixed-up with the sand and became ruined! I know I shouldn't be bothering you, My King, but I had to sell off my important jewelry just to start up that business. And now that it's gone, I really don't know what to do".

Arianna's head was bowed the whole time, not wanting to look at the King.

Oh God! She was done for.

It took some time before the King spoke up.

"Guards!" He called and two guards came scuttling in.

"Your Majesty" they bowed.

"Take them to the financial secretary and tell him I want some compensation given to them" he ordered.

"Yes, your majesty".

"Oh! Thank you so much, your Majesty! Thank you so much!"

"May you live long!"

The villagers greeted them happily and left with the guards.

"Hungry things" Arianna jibed angrily in her thoughts.

"Arianna!" The King's voice broke into her thoughts, sending cold chills down her spine.

Oh! Damnit! And here it comes!

"What exactly do you want me to do with you, huh? How can you go around, causing havoc like a pest?! You've made commoners have every reason to visit my palace at any time they please. You've turned my throne room into a room of complaints and mockery!

"Other Kings make jest of me - discussing amongst themselves that I have a daughter who behaves like a tout! How could you go around beating people up and burning down their farmlands?!"

"Caleb was at fault, father" she said with her Head bowed. "He had thrown a stone at me and that's the reason I chased him and beat him up. And as for the other man, it was just an empty threat. I can never burn down his farmland. I'll never do such a thing to anyone at all. And..."

"Shut up, Arianna! Shut up!!" He roared and her mouth clamped shut immediately.

Goodness! She's never seen her father that angry before.

"How about the woman whose goods you ruined?" He asked, but she didn't say a word.

"How about Gideon's fruits? And how about the guards you drugged! Are you so bent on bringing shame to me?!"

A stunned silence stepped in.

"Your other sisters are mature. They make me proud and have earned a lot of admirations from great Masters and rulers. But you, all you've brought to me is nothing but shame and disgrace. Not even a single prince has ever written to you, or made any form of advancement towards you. And with this, it's shamefully possible you're only going to grow old here in my palace without ever getting married! Is this the kind of life you want, Arianna?!"

Another silence stepped in.

"I've made up my mind, Arianna," he continued, his voice sounding more cold. "I'm sick and tired of having you here in my Palace. And I'm not going to punish you anymore because I'm tired of it as well".

"You're leaving this family, Arianna. You're leaving this palace. You're getting married".

Arianna's eyes dimmed.

What??

"And it's to no other person but Master Aldo", the King added.

"What??!!"

Arianna 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, Arianna. Get ready because first thing in the morning, you're leaving for his mansion" the King answered blatantly, but Arianna still wanted to 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, Arianna 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 Arianna'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 Arianna 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.

"Aria" 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, Aria. You can take a seat" The King replied and she smiled lightly and took a seat.

Something 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 Aldo community?"

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

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

"Oh! Your Majesty!" She exclaimed softly. "I know Arianna 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. "Arianna is extremely stubborn and needs a man like Aldo 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 Arianna did was bad, but she doesn't deserve such a life. Aldo... Aldo 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 in 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, Aria" The King's voice was cold. "Arianna'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 Aldo would definitely do all that. She'd be known as Aldo'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 Arianna's room and found her on the floor and as soon as Arianna spotted her, she sprang up on her feet.

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

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

Arianna 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, Arianna. 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?"

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

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

She marched angrily to face the window.

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

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