Married to the arrogant king

ZARA'S POV

"You'll have to marry king carl," dad said, and I looked at him like he had gone nuts.

" Dad you are are joking right, why would I marry king carl?"

King Carl was our enemy, ad he was very dangerous and ruthless. I've never seen him, but I've heard stories about him.

"Dad, I can't marry carl, not now not ever."

"You don't have a choice, my decision is final. I'm not asking you, I'm giving you an order."

"But dad, I can't believe you're willing to sacrifice me to that monster, how could you? I'm your daughter why are you treating me this way."

"This is not about you Zara, it is about our nation Azrael, and our people. If it means I have to sacrifice one person, for the good of others, I will do it, even if that person is my daughter."

But dad.....

"You're a princess Zara, you should know that you have a duty to your people even if it's hard, That's the price royalties have to pay. we don't live for ourselves but for our people, so I beg you to please understand that right now, your nation and your people need you."

I thought about what he said, I can't believe I'll have to marry that ruthless king. Why, why do I have to be a princess? I wish I was just an ordinary person, maybe that way, I'll get to live my life the way I want.

"I need some time to think about this," I said walking out.

"It needs to be quick Zara, there is no time and king Carl will not spare us if we don't ally," dad yelled after me.

I used to think that my case will be different, that I'll marry for love and not a marriage of convenience. But I guess it was just a dream.

I was just lying to myself, I'm a princess after all, I should have known better.

I walked into my room and closed the door behind me. My heart was broken, but I wouldn't cry. What's the point when my tears would change nothing.

I sat down on my bed thinking. I have to leave my home, my people, my family, and everyone I loved. If I was getting married to someone I loved, I wouldn't mind. But that was not the case.

I guess this is my destiny, and fate has played a cruel game on me.

I sighed, standing up from my bed. If this will be my last day here, I might at least have fun. I can't just sit here, thinking about my ill fate.

Lia, I called walking out of my room. Lia was my personal maid and my best friend and we've been friends ever since we were Little.

"Come, Lia, we are going out,"

"but your highness...

"Don't call me that Lia, we're best friends."

"Okay princess, are you okay?" she asked, I guess she was concerned because she found out about my marriage.

"I'm fine Lia, you don't have to worry about me. Now come let's go have fun, I said dragging her."

"You know, you are strange princess, if it were other girls in your place, they will be crying and worried, but you just want to have fun."

"I'm not other girls Lia, why should I worry and cry, when it would change nothing. Instead of worrying about what I can't change, I rather just go have fun and eat lots of food."

"You're crazy princess," she muttered, and I laughed.

"Let's go grab a horse," I said running, and Lia ran after me.

"Zara, you need to stop running or you'll get into trouble, Zara, she called and kept on chasing.

I rode my horse fast into the woods, loving the feeling of the wind on my face. Earlier I sneaked out of the palace with Lia.

I knew my parents would be worried but I didn't care, I needed to make the most of this day.

"It's dangerous out here, we need to go back," Lia said trying to convince me. but I didn't listen to her.

"I'm going to be married soon and maybe I won't be able to do this again, just stay quiet and come with me."

Seeing that I was not going to listen, she gave up and decided to go with me, after all, once my mind was set on something there is no way to convince me otherwise.

We rode to a stream and I quickly jumped down from my horse, running towards it.

"You're such a tomboy, Lia yelled, and I chuckled. It's was said that women are not supposed to use a sword or any other weapon.

But I would always hide and practices, I would even go hunting and the king would be so angry. He got tired of me and let me continue since it was in secret.

I took off my clothes diving into the water, Loving the way the water felt against my skin.

"How can you swim naked? You're a princess what if someone sees you? you're just so crazy, and I've never met anyone as crazy as you princess."

"Come on Lia, don't be a spoilt sport. just come into the water, I yelled.

Lia looked around to make sure no one was there before taking off her clothes and jumping into the water. We swimmed for a long time, and it was dark when we got back to the palace.

We sneaked in through the back like thieves and both ran to my chambers.

Immediately we walked in, we saw the queen and flinched. What is she doing here? I thought.

mother never comes to my chambers she always sends for me. is it something urgent? I thought.

"Where have you been?" Mother asked in a stern voice.

I racked her brain for what to say. I can't tell her I sneaked out to have fun. I turned to Lia for help but it looked like she was also out of excuse.

"I know you sneaked out again. How could you be so careless? What if something happens to you, what if you got captured by the enemy? And you, she said pointing at Lia. you suppose to stop the princess from sneaking out how could you encourage her behavior."

I could see the queen was furious and I immediately stepped in to defend Lia.

"It's not her fault, it's mine. I was the one who forced her, even though she was against it, she didn't have a choice.

The queen sighed, knowing who I was, she knew no one could talk me out of it.

"You're so reckless she muttered pulling my ears playfully, she just couldn't stay angry at me.

NEXT DAY

The king summoned me and my heart was raising.

"Zara, have you thought about it, did you make your decision?" he asked, immediately I entered his chambers.

"I've made my decision dad, I will marry king carl."

He looked at me, giving me a sad smile.

" I'm sorry Zara, I have to choose the people over you."

"It's fine dad, you are a king and you need to make hard decisions sometimes, You don't have to feel guilty, I understand."

"Thank you, he muttered, patting my hair."

"You should get ready Zara, you have to leave the day after tomorrow."

ZARA'S POV

Its was morning already, I got up lazily from my bed. Today I had to prepare all my stuff and say goodbye to my friends. It was too soon for me but dad said we didn't have time.

I took my bath and dressed up in a simple gown. I looked just like an ordinary person and I loved it.

The maids helped to pack my things, and I just sat down thinking about what fun thing I should do before I left.

Princess, Lia called running into my room.

" Lia, what's wrong?"

"I found something fun for you to do before you left, Lia muttered.

" What's that?" I asked.

"There is a horse outside that needs taming, it refuses to allow anyone to ride it, I just thought that maybe, it will let you.

I smiled, running outside, I saw a white Bnbeautiful horse and a man was trying to get on it but it wouldn't let him.

"Zara, that's the horse," Lia said from behind me.

I already liked the horse from looking at it, and since I didn't have a horse of my own, I will have this one.

I ran towards the horse, not caring if people were watching. The man trying to ride the horse before has already given up, so I saw it as an opportunity.

"Zara, what are you doing?" My mom yelled from the balcony, but I didn't even answer her. All that was in my mind was how to tame the beautiful beast.

"Princess, you should not even try or you'll get bruises on your beautiful face," the man trying to ride the horse before said, but ignored him.

Nothing can stop me now. I rushed to the horse, climbing its back, but it threw me off and everyone around started laughing.

But that was not enough to make me back down.

"Zara, stop it, you are embarrassing yourself, come here now," mom yelled.

"You should let her do what she wants, besides you know she's not going to listen to you," my father muttered.

They all stood by watching me, as I tried to tame the horse.

I got on it the second and a third time and it threw me off again.

"Princess, maybe you should just give up and let it be," Lia muttered

"You should know by now, that I don't give up on something, once I've started, I must end it."

"But princess, you...

I didn't let her finish her statement, I ran to the horse again, jumping onto its back, it tried to throw me off, but I held on to it tightly. It twirled and stood on its two feet, but I still held onto It.

"You may be stubborn, but you are no match for me," I told the horse.

After much twirling, it finally let me ride it. "Good girl," I said patting its head.

Everyone around was now clapping, and I raised my head in pride.

"Hail the princess, Hail the princess," they cheered, and I smiled, waving at them.

What do I call my beautiful horse? I thought, getting down from my horse.

"Princess, you were incredible," Lia said, running toward me.

"I know right," I replied, putting my hand on my waist and giving her a pose.

"What are you going to call her?" she asked

"I'll call her fury because she's fierce."

"My fury," I mumbled with a smile.

"You tomboy," mom said from behind.

She dashed forward, pulling my ear hard

"Mom it hurts," I said trying to get her hand off me but she held it tightly.

"It didn't hurt when the horse was throwing you off its back, what if you broke your bones, or your face got bruised. you're leaving tomorrow, you should leave with a beautiful face, not a bruised face, what will king carl say if you go there with a bruised face," mom scolded.

"Mom, Look my face is not bruised at all, even if my arm was, and I don't care what king Carl thinks about me."

She let go of my ears, looking into my eyes.

"I know you're not happy about getting married to king Carl, but honey you have to bear with it for the sake of your people."

"I know mom, you don't have to worry, I already accepted it as my fate."

She patted my hair, smiling sadly.

"Come, we prepared a goodbye party for you," she said walking away.

"Let's go, I muttered holding Lia's, while we followed mom.

It's was a grand celebration with a lot of people, a lot of food and drinks, I was also given lots of gifts and blessings.

Some gave me a look of pity, while others looked at me with admiration.

"Zara, why are you so happy even when you're going to marry the devil," my aunt Anna asked.

Aunt Anna is my father's younger sister.

"Aunt because being sad won't change a thing,"

"I really admire you, she muttered," with a sad smile.

"Aunt, you don't have to worry, I'm a strong girl, after all, I'll be fine."

We celebrated till it was dark, and mom asked me to go sleep early since my journey was going to be a long one.

*****

I opened my eyes, and it was morning already. Is the universe conspiring against me, how can it be morning so soon. I was still feeling very sleepy, but I had to drag myself from bed.

I took my bath and dressed up as a boy, I was going in disguise because my journey was going to be a dangerous one.

My things were set already, looking at my room one last time, I walked out.

"Good morning dad and mom," I greeted hugging them.

They will not be traveling with me, but they will be coming to my wedding. My wedding was going to take place a week from one.

"Why are you dressed as a boy Zara?" Mom asked looking at my outfit."

"Mom, it's going to be a long and dangerous journey, so I need to go in disguise."

I had breakfast with my family, and it was time for me to say goodbye.

I hugged my family and said goodbye. Even if I'll be seeing them again, I felt sad.

I climbed onto my horse, Lia was at my side on another horse, At least, Lia was coming with me, I wouldn't be alone.

There were at least, a hundred soldiers to accompany us. I had told dad, that they were too much, but he didn't listen.

I looked at my home for one last time, I felt tears in my eyes, but I held them in.

"Goodbye Azrael," I muttered, before riding away.

ZARA'S POV

It's been two days since I left home, and we stopped at an inn to rest for a day before we continued our journey.

King Carl's nation, Everton was a three days journey and by tomorrow, we'll be there.

"Princess, I mean Zara...

"Lia don't call me that, remember I'm in disguise."

"What should I call you then," Lia questioned

"You should call me captain, after all, I'm the leader of one hundred men."

Okay, captain, she muttered, giggling.

"Are you going in disguise all the way to Everton, or you will change when we get close?" Lia asked and I thought for a while.

"Hmm, why don't I just play a prank on King Carl."

"What do you mean prin..., I mean Captain?"

"I mean, I will go in disguise and ask someone else to act as the princess."

"But isn't that risky, what if the king gets upset."

"It's not for long, I just need him to think that the other person is the princess before I introduce myself."

"You are something else Captain," Lia muttered and I chuckled.

I stuff food into my mouth like someone who has not eaten for days. I'm sure no one will believe that a princess would be eating like a glutton, but I didn't care.

It's was just me and Lia in the restaurant, while the soldiers were outside.

"Captain, you should take it easy, or you might choke. how can a princess eat like that?" Lia muttered

"It's a good thing that for now, I'm a captain, not a princess, so I can eat however I want."

She sighed, shaking her head, and I chuckled.

After resting for a day, we continued our journey.

"Princess, watch out Lia yelled but it was too late, I fell into the trap. we were in the middle of a forest, and the place looks like where someone could easily be ambushed.

"Protect the princess," Jamie, the leader of the soldiers yelled coming to my side.

"You should not call me that, or I will be in bigger trouble if the enemy finds out."

"You should call me Captain until we get to Everton."

"Protect the captain," he yelled, and some group of soldiers immediately came to free me from the trap.

They rounded me, forming a shield to protect me. A group of bandits came out and began fighting our soldiers. They were more in number than we were.

This was the reason, my father sent a lot of men with me, but I told him they were too much.

"Zara, we need to go now. we are outnumbered, and if we don't leave, they will capture us," Lia muttered.

"Captain, she is right. you need to leave, I will fight along side the other, to buy you more time," Jamie said.

"I should also fight with you, after all my fighting skills are not bad," I muttered.

"No Zara, the fate of Azrael is in your hands, and if anything happens to you, it will be a disaster," Lia muttered.

"She's right, leave now before it's too late," Jamie muttered.

I climbed my horse and Lia also did the same.

"Go fast fury, I yelled and she rode fast through the forest. It didn't take long before the enemy started chasing us.

"Lia, stay beside me," I yelled.

They chased us and even fired arrows at us. Fury was riding really fast, leaving Lia behind.

"Lia, hurry, Lia," I yelled but she fell from her horse.

"Leave Zara, just go," she shouted, but I was not going to leave her behind no matter what.

Fury, let's go back."

I rode back to where Lia was, in an attempt to carry her, but I was late. we were surrounded by the bandit.

I could fight them if they were small in number, but they were like twenty men. They looked dangerous and some even had tattoos and piercing on their noses. They looked like savages.

"Look who we have here, a pretty boy and a pretty lady, we must be so lucky today," one of the men yelled and they all cheered.

Lia held on to me tightly, and she was shivering.

"But, isn't this one too pretty to be a boy," another man said and the first man scanned me.

"Yes, he is. Look at his smooth face, look at those pretty eyes, they look so fierce."

He came towards me, grabbing my hands roughly.

"Ahhh, so soft, he must be from a wealthy family, we are very lucky, if we sell him, we will definitely get a huge amount of money," The man said and they cheered.

It looked like the first man was their leader, he had more piercings and tattoos.

"Take them and the other men we captured," he ordered and they tied us dragging us with them.

CARL,S POV

"My king, our spy confirms that princess Zara was on her way but got captured, should we send me to go rescue her?" Jeffrey asked. Jeffrey was my right-hand man. He was my most trusted person and friend.

"And why should we. They could have sent enough men to protect her."

"But my king, she is going to be your wife and the queen of Everton, I think you should send some men to rescue her."

"I won't send any men to rescue her. They should figure it out by themselves. How many men did they send with her?"

"One hundred."

"One hundred, and they couldn't protect her, They must be incompetent."

"My king, they were ambushed by bandits."

"That's not an excuse and stop taking their side."

But my king, you...

"Just keep quiet. This will be their challenge, if they can save themselves and bring the Princess to Everton, it will prove that Azrael is a strong nation, but if they are unable to save the princess, I won't spare Azrael."

"But my king, the bandits who kidnapped the princess are one of the most dangerous. they sell women for slavery."

"That's Even better. Ask the spy to keep an eye on them, if they're going to sell the princess, then he should buy her.

"My king, no one knows what the princess looks like."