TRUCE BRIDE

In a land where the trees are green and the people are seen happy. Where peace and harmony is practiced despite the raging war threatening to shatter their beautiful land. This land is the south empire of LIREA, ruled by the humans who consider themselves superior over every other beings in Lirea.

Three years ago the vampires raided their empire, killed many and took away most of the children and women. Their only hope then was to call upon the dragon keeper, the empire consisted of different noble family each had a limited stratum of power but it did not apply to the dragon keeper family known as the YLIVIA family this family was the only hope and reason why the south empire was still standing tall.

Then during the war against the vampires General Gideon used the dragon as a weapon against the vampires and gained the upper hand in the battle. Still the war raged on the vampires still threatened to crash them. With the advantage of them being the creatures of the night, they only attacked during the night at an unexpected time and hour. This kept going on and on until six month ago when the east empire of vampires inugrated another king and an alliance was forged the two empires came into an agreement to ceasefire.

But the request of the vampires caused an uproar, the humans where not ready to give in as they couldn't do what they wanted.

'' No!!! Your Highnes, this can't happen we can't just let them do what they want. General Lucas

'' stated trying to convince their king.

'' General Lucas is correct your Highness, they are asking for too much. Princess Lisa of the YLIVIA ? You don't except us to let that lady marry a vampire do you? '' Another person asked.

'' Do you then expect us to keep fighting? Keep shedding innocent blood and keep loosing our women and children to be slaves to them? '' King Sebastian questioned them.

'' Your Highness, if I may ask have you spoken with general Gideon on this matter. He should have something to say about this, it his daughter we speak of here ''. A noble man asked.

Just as the king was about to answer general Gideon's presence was announced.

'' Welcome Gideon, welcome we have been waiting for you '' the king said.

'' I apologize for coming late your Highness, I got your message and I must say it has being very distressing. How can I allow my only daughter to marry a vampire? I have no heir no male child and this is a well known fact to every one here '' general Gideon's said with a sting of sadness.

'' I know general, but we have no choice right now. That's what they are asking for to seal the truce. You must make your family understand this most especially your daughter . they must understand the situation we are in and the urgency of the matter ''.

'' I will try my best your Highness, am not saying that there would be a positive response but still I will talk to my family and report back to you '' General Gideon said.

'' With this our mind can finally be put at rest '' the king breathed out in relief.

'' Your Highness, Let them I mean the entire vampire empire promise never to hurt her nor lay a finger on her including her so called husband. Let them make an oath binding then to us, it is a well know fact that vampires values oath and they can never break an oath intact they consider oaths sacred to them ''. One of the Elite men suggested.

'' Yes your Highness, let them we can't be the only once giving to them. They also have to give something to us too'' another Elite man spoken.

'' Well said men, well said. I would pass this message to their king when we meet to finalise the truce. Still I can't believe we would let one of our own become a bride to those creature, not just any bride but a truce bride '' The king lamented bitterly.

Its hard to believe your Highness, its really hard to. This misfortune had to befall the house of YLIVIA. But we need peace and can't let our people become slaves anymore, the faster we implement this the better for everyone

In a beautiful mansion with beautiful design of dragons telling stories of their relationship with humans. This is the house of YLIVIA. In a distance voice could be heard, loud voices of argument could be heard between a man and his wife.

'' no no no, I can't let my only daughter get married to those despicable beings. No I can't do that, a beautiful woman with raven black hair and beautiful green eyes yelled with tears in her eyes. She is our only child, don't you understand? how do you expect me to let my only baby get married to those creatures of the night? Tell me Gideon, Answer me '' Mrs YLIVIA's voice thundered with pain.

'' you need to calm down and think rationally, Mr Gideon tried to calm his wife down. Look woman many lives are at stake here and we have to do what to do to save them, those people look up to us and you know that ''.

'' and the only way to do that is to get our only daughter married to seal a truce? Can you even hear yourself at all. You... You want our only child, we don't even have a male child yet, no heir and you want to give Lisa out as a bride to those sickening creatures as a wife. Tell me at what cost and for how long will she live with them? ''

'' not for long my wife, not for long. We would do everything to save our little princess, I mean it everything we just have to do this for the land , our family and for the human race. All we need to do now is to convince Lisa, we need to make her understand and see reasons with everyone ''. Mr Gideon said.

In a beautiful garden, laughter could be heard and a beautiful lady with long silvery locks and beautiful Amber eyes shinning brightly as the sun that brightens the face of those who looked upon her. She was indeed a goddess to behold.

Your Highness, what character traits do you look out for in a maid of the lady's maid asked.

'' I... I want a man, a human man. Handsome, caring, hardworking, he must not necessarily be a prince or knight but he should be charming ''.

Oh! princess Lisa, why not aim for a prince? A beautiful lady like you deserves the most most charming prince in the world. One of her maids said happily.

'' but I don't want a prince, I just want a man, a handsome hardworking farmer. So we could plough the ground, till and farm together. We could evening have a ranch or more later, rear a lot of exotic animals '' .Lisa explained happily.

Nonsense! utter nonsense !, your Highness a farmer? You are a noble lady, you cannot have anything to do with a farmer. The senior maid said with disgust.

'' But why? Why can't I choose whom to marry, why must I marry a princess or Knight. Marriage isn't limited to a particular class is it? '' She asked sadly.

Yes your Highness, marriage is limited to a particular class. The rich for the rich and th poor for the poor. You see your Highness that's just how the the world works and it must be followed. So no more talks about getting married to farmers whatsoever it isn't permitted, the senior maid explained.

But... I want to be free. I don't want to be ties down by all these customs and traditions, I want to make a new era, an era where noble ladies and princesses can get married to men of their choice. I want to... Lisa Darling, Lisa. Her mother's voice interrupted from a distance, okay ladies this discussion continues another day.

'' mother, mother, oh mother there you are. You called for me right? ''

Yes darling , her mother said sadly which did not go unnoticed to Lisa.

'' oh mother, why art thou sad, why art thou soul downcast? You do not sound happy. Oh no!!! She yelled shocking her mother. Did something happen to father? Is he alright? Oh mother why art thou silent, your silence disturbs my soul mother ''. Lisa said with concern.

Come with me Lisa her mother finally said, we both I mean your father and I needs to talk to you.

'' oh mother you sound urgent, what is this about? ''Lisa asked curiously.

just keep shut for once and stop joking around. Her mother said angrily, shocking Lisa to the core. Her mother had never yelled at her for once in her life.

But mother... Oh father there you are, mothers seems to be in a very bad mood today, she sounds upset. She even... Even yelled at me, Lisa said tearfully.

No darling... your mother, she is perfectly fine. She is just tired you know, anyway that aside we need to talk to you Lisa and we want you to understand the reason we are doing this .okay?

Hmmm ... Yes father, I will try understanding as long as I can help Lisa answered .

Well Lisa... Your marriage has be fixed with the vampire Prince of the east and the marriage is to take place by tomorrow, her father said in a shallow voice.

'' wait... What father? My marriage and to a vampire prince. Come on father, this is one funny joke of the century. Me marry a vampire? No!!! Lisa yelled in shock, never father I had rather die than marry those nasty creatures. Never Father never '', her voice thundered with pain and anger.

'' calm down Lisa, calm down. This marriage is just for a while to solidify the truce with the vampire empire and for an unknown reason, you were the one chosen for their prince ''.

'' but father... I don't want to get married and not to a vampire ''.

Lisa dear, do this for the empire, for your family. I promise you dear I won't let you stay there for too long, I would make sure your mother and I seir an heir and I will come get you dear. So hold on there my love.

'' no father!!! No I can't do this not for you or anyone. You want me to lay down my dream, my future intact my entire existence on a platter of Gold just to end a war we never caused ? Mother you are not going to support this right? ''

Lisa lamented bitterly.

Lisa my Darling, her mother finally spoke . you have to do this , you need to Dave this entire empire by greeting married to that Prince, your father will save you. You trust us don't you?.

'' i do mother, I do ... I just can't believe all this. I can't it's so unbelievable, but just like Veronica said earlier I don't have a choice right. I will do what you all want.

And with a single decision a new era was about to be established.

' your Highness, they're here...the prince is here ''.

Lisa's shoulders immediately tensed up, upon hearing the shaken voice of her maids. Cold sweat dripped down her back revealing her fears and pain, she never wanted this marriage, she did not want to accept this marriage at all. Within the confines of heart she had decided to runway and get married to a famer as she always wanted.

But, fate and reality had is a different plan for her. Her entire life was about to take a different turn, she always despised vampires, no she called it fear. The stories of how they raided the human empire was imprinted in her heart casting a shadow of fear in her.

'' Mother '' , I can't do this. Am not brave enough to do this, let me runaway mother please let be escape, please mother. She pleaded with her mother who just arrived.

'' Lisa Darling, am sorry love but I can't let you escape. You can do this, remember why you're doing this - and remember what's at stake here.

Okay mother, I can do this. I will do this for this empire and everyone. Lisa vowe, I will never cry or act weak in front of those creatures, I will wait patiently for you and father to come rescue me.

That's the spirit love, now her ready while I attend to the guest . her mother said.

Lisa's eyes were closed an her maids immediately hovered around her, as she internally strengthened her resolve. She made a vow and she planned to to keep that vow, she never imagined that her once simple life would suddenly take a different path. This marriage was forced both for her and the vampire Prince involved.

'' your Highness... You look stunning, her maids said finally startling her, her eyes flew towards the mirror as she quitely scanned herself. Her face was beautifully painted and her sliver locks beautifully arranged to emphasize her natural innocent maiden features. It had finally arrived, her wedding day a day she had always daydreamed but it was different because in her daydreams she always got married to a farmer and a man of her choice but now she was getting married to a creature of the night that too in the middle of the night.

The doors at the entrance was opened and she stepped gracefully along the the stills, before proceeding calmly along the corridors.

She couldn't count how many times she had calmed her own heart while internally taking deep breath. She couldn't stop the loud beating of her heart. The fear of the uncertain kept threatening to crash her resolve as she walked closer to those double doors, doors that looked discouraging with each step she took, with one final step she finally stood before the large double doors leading to the wedding hall.

' Be strong, Lisa for the sake of your family and the empire she breathed inwardly. She squared her shoulder's, looked up once again as she waited for the doors to be opened. The moon and stars are shinning brightly on her revealing her beauty and elegance while hidding her fears. The sky was clear, calm and peaceful. The stars blinked beautifully at her but even with its calmness her fears couldn't be eased, her hands were shaking and it took all her strength to keep them calm.

Her presence was finally announced and at long last the procession began.

The hall she walked into screamed luxury and was an eye candy but witherward to the grandeur of the hall the atmosphere was as expected tensed and heavy. It was extremely rare for vampires and humans to gather under one roof unless on occasions of war but this time it was different as both races had gathered for a single reason.

As she walked closer to the altar, her long slender fingers clutched her dress an action that went unnoticed to the guest because her hands were swallowed by the voluminous folds of her gown. Her face were trained forward but her eyes, were fixed on that single spot 6 feet away in front of her on the floor. She felt like a small fragile lamb walking into the butchers house to be sacrificed despite being promised of safety by her soon-to-be husband and all vampires. The tension in the air was so thick, that all she wanted to do was to turn around and runway but she couldn't, she mustn't.

Lost in her thought, Lisa didn't realizes that she had reached the altar and she was instantly pulled back to the present when a hand appeared in her view, she almost stumbled in shock. She just knew this was the hand of the vampire Prince she was going to marry.

Slowly, she lifted her eyes, her gazes moving towards his hand up to his elbow across his abdomen before stopping on his chest. She breathed in silently before she continued upwards, finally stopping on his face.

And the moment their eyes met... Lisa's heart momentarily stopped.

The man before her looked nothing like she was expecting. No he was the exact opposite of what she had heard, no fangs it was as if he did not have any fangs at all, no blood like eyes and he wasn't pale as White instead he was pale as human. The most striking thing was that...he was sinfully beautiful.

Lost in her trance, she was immediately joited back to the present when she heart someone clear their throat. She couldn't tear her eyes off his as she slowly lifted her hands tonolace it on his outstretched ones. His eyes were slivery gray akin to the bright shinning moon.

Then there was this his lashes ... They were so indecently long and thick for a man. His lips, his jaws and his nose ... Every single part of him rendered her mute. Well no one would blame her, she had never seen a human this beautiful. But to begin with he wasn't even human. When she touched his hands she almost flinched because her heart thudded even louder in her ears. He then led her to stand next to him before releasing her that's when she felt the cool air replace where his hands were.

Why wasn't his hands cold, well she heard firm the human soldiers that vampires were cold blooded beings. But he wasn't, o he was warm in comparison to humans. This man, for some reasons she couldn't tear her eyes off him she felt like he had done something to her the moment their eyes met.

But Lisa didn't have enough time to ponder on this, as the wedding ceremony began quickly anyone watching from outside could easily see that everyone inside wanted this marriage to end quickly. And thus the wedding ended almost immediately it started, well it wasn't anyone's fault as on one wanted this wedding on the first place.

A deep, quiet sigh escaped her lips when everyone started to quickly moved and dispersed, she couldn't believe his quickly the hall became empty.

Her husband offered her his hands, she already prepared herself for this. She was now going to the east empire, the vampire kingdom with one more look at her mother the vampire Prince led her out.