To Wed A King

The Scroll of Consequence

Princess Adeline lay in bed long after the sun had risen in the sky, beckoning thee dawn. Her eyes were wide open and fixed on the flowers that Evander had given to her last night. His kisses still lingered on her lips, his scent still strong around her, the sensation of his touch still very much alive.

It was the way she liked to see herself. Surrounded by his aura. Completely submerged in his presence. It was pure and utter perfection.

She turned so she was lying on her back, her hair falling down the bed, sprawling around, the sun reflecting the golden allure of her tresses. She gave a small sigh and closed her eyes.

She could not wait till she was officially married and taken away to Corvalon as Evander's wife. She sighed again, the sheer pleasure of the imaginations filling her up. Suddenly, a knock came on the door, followed by the sheepish voice of her personal handmaiden.

"My lady. His Majestu has requested your immediate audience. He awaits your presence in the personal chambers."

Adeline gave a small huff, then sat yp, the gold colored clouds that had been hovering above her head immediately clearing off.

"I will be there," she answered, her voice low.

With a reluctant groan, she moved the silk sheets away, then let her feet slowly touch the cold floor. The gold anklet she wore on her right leg gave a small sound as she carefully trudged to the bath house.

The water was warm and infused with rose and lavendar. She gave a small smile, the pleasant smile immediately enlivening her mood.

Her fingers delicately pulled up the plain satin gown she had been wearing. Carefully, she pulled it upwards, her hair catching inside it, and then tumbling down once she slowly pulled the dress over her head, remaining bare.

With slow grace, she walked into the waiting bath, her eyes closing as her body slowly sank into the warmth, her breath held in her throat.

Her hair immediately started to soak up water, and she leaned back, her hands reaching out to pick the petals. They were almost always the main attractions of her bath, and she only managed to spend less time playing around with them when she remembered the urgency of the meeting with her father.

She quickly concluded the bath and then stepped out to the waiting servants. They had picked out a dress for her as usual and jewellery to go, while her handmaiden waited patiently to help her dress.

She gave a small smile as she succumbed to the routine, yet again, sitting in front of the massive mirror, her eyes focused on her reflection.

The servant slowly combed her hair dry, then gently started to pin it up with laced gold, fitting it till it all came into a simple flowery arrangement in her hair.

She helped herself to the inner garment, and the servant returned with a corset, fitting it around her waist. Once it was done, she brought the dress to fit her in. It was a sky blue assemble, one that had a high neckline. The sleeves dropped mid arm, and the bodice, even though flattering, remained more on the modest side.

The lower part of the dress dropped in tulles down to her feet, and while the servant leaned to fix it, Adeline took a minute to watch herself in the mirror.

She looked like a proper princess. The sort her father always craved for. The type she could only bring half her heart to care for.

The servant came back to fix the cuffs around her ears and the long pearl layered necklaces that would rest on her chest.

Her face was slowly dusted off, her complexion carefully evened, and the colour slap was put between her lips to darken the pale pink of her rosebud lips. The perfume was pressed, the shoe fitted, and the servant took a step away.

Once set, she set out of the chamber, closely accompanied by the handmaiden, her fingers lightly clasped in each other as she reached towards her father's personal chambers.

She stopped for a minute to examine the environment. There were a few troops carrying a flag she did not recognize, but from the treasure in their armoury, she knew it was no small kingdom.

She felt her blood slowly run cold, and she quickened her steps towards the chamber. She stopped to take a breath as the guard announced her presence.

"Let her in," came her father's voice, and it only further aggrieved her.

He sounded concerned, his voice low, and it was not the usual light tone he had once he heard of his only daughter.

She opened the door and slowly entered, her eyes low. Slowly, she bowed elegantly, her eyes lightly closing.

"Your Highness," she said.

"Come here," he said with a wave of his hand, indicating towards the plump cushion right in front of him.

They were alone in the dimly lit chambers, and Adeline's anxiety only heightened further.

"Is something wrong, father?"

He swallowed. "It is not... yet."

Her brows shot up, her chest tightening. "Yet?"

He swallowed. "Have you been to Vahrenhall?"

Her mind reeled, her chest heaving as she met her father's eyes. She was not completely sure, but for some reason, the memories of her encounter with the two men yesterday immediately came to mind.

"I..."

"Have you been to Vahrenhall, yes or no? Did you trespass into their kingdom and catch the emperor's attention?"

She swallowed hard, now almost sure that Vahrenhall was the kingdom she had gone to yesterday. Was he asking for her head? Was he asking for war? Had she brought doom upon her family?

"Yes, Your Highness," she finally answered, her breath catching in her throat, her knees feeling nonexistent. She was sure she would have collapsed had she not been sitting already.

"All my life, I have lived it trying my very hardest to avoid any sort of contact with Vahrenhall. Especially when the present emperor took the throne. How could you, Adeline?"

She looked up, tears filling her eyes. "What do they want? War? Father, I can... I can..."

He sighed, then let go of the scroll he had been holding all through. It slid off and bounced, then rolled straight to her feet, stopping once it came in contact with her toe.

She looked down at it, then back up to her father. "Your Highness?"

"Pick it up and read the consequences of your actions."

Princess Adeline slowly picked the scroll, then brought it to herself. She met her father's sark eyes once more before she slowly opened the cover, revealing a paper. It was stamped with Vahrenhall's royal seal, and she felt her breath catch in her throat, her chest heaving with dread.

Slowly, she opened up the letter. It was short and concise, and she let her eyes skim over the words without actually reading anything.

Slowly, she let her eyes go back to the beginning of the letter again, this time, her focus on it, and she started to read.

"From Emperor Lucan of Vahrenhall." It was a rather arrogant start to a letter, especially one addressed to a king, with no greetings whatsoever.

It did not define heedless arrogance, however, and showed a dominance she knew was not false from the scared look buried behind her father's anger.

"I am sending this letter today, tonrequest for a gift from you. It is of utmost importance to me. That my wish is immediately granted. I have found a woman whom I have come to realize is a royal daughter of Olyndria. Princess Adeline has caught my attention, and I want her to be bestowed upon me as a gift to keep the peaceful relations between our countries."

Princess Adeline's lips parted, her brows firrowing. She slowly dropped the scroll and looked up to her father.

"It is not war," she said, her voice low. "This is easy. He only wants..."

"Are you foolish, or is this your way of coping with this trouble?"

She swallowed. "I... What does he want, then? Will you give me as a gift?"

"Adeline..."

"I am betrothed!" She yelled, standing, her eyes wide, tears filling them.

"And if he does not get what he wants, Adeline, best believe, none of us will see the sunrise! If I do not give you to him, all of us will be dead!"