Chapter 01 – Lioness caught by the wolf
1515 Words
Chapter 01 – Lioness caught by the wolf
Theodora’s POV
I saw him fighting like a killing machine. He was covered with the color of the war. The red! The bloody red of innocent human soldiers of our kingdom and he was not thinking twice about snapping their necks or stabbing them with his sharp pointed sword. He was slaughtering men like he possessed someone.
He was none other than the Alpha King Keelin!
I heard that wolves existed, but I had never seen them before or even faced one. I didn’t see him shifting to his wolf. He sniffed in the air and I slowly reached toward him by pushing the wolves who faced me on the way. I must say that fighting wolves was not easy, it was like fighting with five men at once. They were fast, furious and dangerous. That’s why I kept my father in the throne room and strictly instructed my warriors to protect him and not let him come out under any circumstances. He was too old to fight with these animals.
While he was busy snorting I got closer to him from his behind, because I knew that from the front I wouldn’t be able to attack this masculine man. I was not a coward to stab someone from behind, but I understood that I couldn't fight with him or kill him face to face.
“Die, you cursive animal. You have come into the wrong place to mess with!” I raised my bloody sword to stab him behind, but something sharp hit my right shoulder from my back, and the immense pain from it made my hand senseless and the sword slipped from my hand.
“The princess was wounded!” I heard someone yell, probably it’s a soldier from our army.
I felt like someone stabbing me from inside and cutting my limbs because the pain was unbearable. Fear, pain, and hurt burned behind my eyelids and stewed in my chest. I felt that a terror started to cloud me, the terror of losing my kingdom, the terror of losing my people, and the terror of seeing the death of my loved ones. I knew that we were losing against them, I should command them to retreat, at least it would save their lives, but I couldn’t speak.
I was falling back when my eyes met with his pitch-black eyes!
Before my eyes shut it was the last thing I saw!
A few hours earlier on the same day
“Father, I would like to speak with you” During breakfast time I caught Father for speaking. He was busy with the wedding arrangements more than me.
“Quickly brief it, Theodora,” He said churning a piece of roasted poke into his mouth.
“Father, do I have to do this marriage?” I repeated the question I had asked him ever since he fixed this marriage with Prince Adam.
“Theodora, how much time do I have to tell you that this is not just a marriage my daughter? This is about two kingdoms getting together and becoming an empire. Think about it, you will be an empress soon and your children will be….”
“Yes, I understand Father” I interrupt his elaboration about our future.
Children? Isn’t it funny to hear?
I saw him on the day when my father fixed our marriage in front of everyone. I couldn’t speak against Father, because I thought it would be a disrespect to the king. Prince Adam looks perfect, he has all the qualities suitable for a prince, but I felt something was missing. I was not sure whether it was from his side or my side.
He came to visit me every three days per week, but I ignored him bringing as many excuses as I could. Who knows that he also feels the same towards this marriage? I don’t have a man in my life to love, but I wanted to fall in love badly with someone and then marry the man I love. How can I make children with a man about I don’t know anything? How can I sleep with him on the same bed?
“Your grace” A warrior interrupted our peaceful conversation. I sighed deeply and looked about my plate.
“Lots of gifts are received from all the kingdoms wishing for a beautiful wedding to our princess. We just received another cart full of gifts. Would you like to see them?” He asked bowing to Father.
“Ah, I don’t have time to look for each gift. Theodora, how about you check them, because those are for you anyway” Father asked finishing his breakfast.
“I will Father, but before that can I visit Mother’s graveyard and spend some time there” I asked before he left the table.
“Of course, my dear!” He kissed my forehead and gave me a small smile.
I had no appetite. By tomorrow morning, I will be someone else’s wife. I have left twenty-four hours to enjoy my single life and walk around my castle.
“Princess, your wedding dress was ready. The designer asked to escort you to her room” A maid came to me when I was about to leave the table. I exhaled deeply.
How much work do I have to do within these twenty-four hours of the window?
“Fine, let’s go” I was not angry with the maid, no matter what happened I had never been rude towards the staff of the castle, but I was tough towards the soldiers and guards about the safety of the castle.
I greeted everyone met on the way to the designer’s room. I took some time to look outside from the tall castle towers. Our kingdom was surrounded by the Modado rainforest. Except for the best warriors, I and father was allowed to go beyond that deep dark forest. Our supplies were carried through this forest once a week and to escort that cart rally, I went beyond that tree line. The princess didn't need to go with the warriors, but I was stubborn to run our horses through that gloomy forest.
“Princess” I came out from my deep thoughts with the voice of the maid.
“Are you all right my lady?” She asked in concern.
“I am fine, just a little bit stressed with the wedding. I just want this to finish quickly” I said keeping my feet forward to see my wedding dress.
“Princess, please come this way” I entered the sawing room of the designer. I saw another ten to fifteen men and women working on different gown designs and father’s outfits.
I saw a white long wedding gown hanging decorated with golden threads and I gently touched the gown to feel how comfortable and soft the material was.
“Princess, you may wear it and see for alterations,” The designer said with a bow towards me. I must admit that the gown was absolutely beautiful, but from the corner of my heart, I wish that I wouldn’t be able to wear this dress tomorrow.
Honestly, I wanted to postpone or cancel this wedding!
“It's fine. I can see that you have done it beautifully. By here I can say that you have made the dress exactly to my measurements” I served her a gentle smile.
“Princess, I still insist. It’s your wedding dress and I know how a lady would love to see beautifully and eye-catching on her wedding day” She replied.
“Thank you for your generosity, but I have some important work to do before my wedding. I will come later when I have some time” Saying I left the room before she said anything else. Her face looked amused, maybe this must be the first time that a bride was rejected to re-check her outfit.
I walk towards Mother’s graveyard alone. I wanted to spend some time alone there. I kneeled in front of her monument. She died there years ago due to blood cancer, and with her death, our happiness was also gone. The day we buried her, we buried our happiness also. My father and I became too busy to forget her painful memories.
“Mother, I am getting married tomorrow. I wish you were here” I kept the flowers I brought from the garden on the ground in front of her monument.
“I don’t know whether I have taken the correct decision, but I think the father was happy. Now he is my mother and father both. I miss you very much Mother” The last few words came out as a whisper and I lowered my head to hide the tears rolling through my cheeks.
“We are under attack!” I heard the huge bell start to ring continuously to alert everyone while I was in the study.
“Princess, we are in big trouble!”
That’s how our story began!
- Writer
