The Dragon King's Bride

Regret

At first King Greggory wasn’t certain he had heard his guest correctly as he frowned with a polite smile hiding his true feelings.

Had this man just demanded that he trade his own daughter in exchange for his Kingdom’s safety?

“I’m sorry, gift you?” Greggory enquired, as if to ensure he had heard his guest correctly.

“My daughter is no mere gift to be handed out to some random-”

Once again, Draxus’ voice cut off his gracious host.

“-Your second option of course, is that you outright refuse my offer. In that case you and your entire Kingdom would then become my enemy and the next target for a full-scale war.”

Greggory could feel his hands trembling as he sat down and looked down at the table, deep in thought.

Draxus continued, his voice remaining somewhat calm considering he was discussing such things as war.

“My army would wipe out every single man, woman and child that resides here. Your Kingdom would burn to the ground, becoming nothing but cinders and ash. And then I will take your daughter from you...”

He paused for affect, grinning before adding more.

“Before making an example of you and your lovely wife, of course.”

King Greggory and all of his advisors seated around the table were dumbfounded, with their eyes and mouths wide open in complete disbelief at what their apparent guest had announced before them.

He clearly knew he was more powerful and therefore at an advantage, but it appeared that the rumours of the Warlord King’s lack of mercy may in fact ring true after all.

He was utterly relentless!

After what felt like a minute of complete silence, King Greggory focused to steady his breathing, licking his cracked lips and forcing himself to speak the unthinkable in response.

“Well... supposing I were to consider such an arrangement...”

He looked directly at Draxus now, adding more.

“I must ask, what exactly are your intentions with the Princess?”

“She will be well cared for. You have nothing to be concerned about. The Princess will have everything she so desires for the rest of her life...”

Draxus leaned forward suddenly as he went on with a sinister smirk curving both corners of his mouth.

“... I intend to make her my Queen.”

The sounds of gasps filled the room, even General Shasharan turning to Zaar; a surprised expression painted on both of their faces.

It appeared that this was also news to them!

“I... see...” Greggory replied softly, looking down for a second to gather his thoughts.

“And the wedding? Where are you planning-”

“-It will take place once we arrive back home.” Draxus cut in, seemingly having no sense of manners.

“Up until then she will remain by my side and under my protection at all times.”

“Of course...”

Greggory was beyond stunned.

The discussion had veered off in an entirely different direction than the one he had mapped out and he needed to take some time to consider his options.

Not that he had many options.

In fact, he had but one.

But what worried him most of all was how both his wife and daughter would react to the news of this decision having been made without either of their consent.

First of all his daughter knew nothing of this sudden arrangement, nor that she was being negotiated over at this very moment in exchange for their Kingdom’s security.

And he would need to inform her of this decision as soon as possible which would be extremely difficult.

Greggory knew that this would not go down well with Lillian; she had always been such a high-spirited woman and never obeyed a single order she didn’t agree with.

He knew that there was no way she would go along willingly with this arrangement!

Lifting his crowned head, he swallowed hard before making his announcement clearly, for all to hear.

“I will need to speak with my wife on the matter before I decide.”

“Does your Queen make all of your choices for you, my lord?” General Shasharan taunted with a grin.

Draxus’ men all chuckled to themselves at his taunting comment.

Greggory looked from the General back to King Draxus.

He knew he needed to make a decision and fast, in order to save his people from certain death.

The truth was he had no choice; it was either he agree to hand over his daughter to become the tyrant’s Queen, or they all die!

And it was now clear that Draxus expected an answer immediately, which meant there was no time to discuss this with Katherine or Lillian herself.

This was one of the many times where he as King had to step up and make the tough decision in order to protect his people.

With a heavy heart King Greggory nodded his head, signalling for his scribe to come forward and stand beside him to draw up the contract they would both need to sign to legitimize the arrangement.

“I... I have decided.”

Greggory paused for a moment, gathering himself before he then continued.

“I will accept your proposal, King Draxus. You may have my daughter’s hand in marriage, in exchange for our two Kingdom's continued alliance with one another.”

As he spoke Greggory was still unable to make eye contact with the man seated across from him.

“I’ll have the contract drawn up immediately for both of us to sign.” he said in a huff.

A small smirk curved the corner of Draxus’ mouth upwards as he realised that he had what he wanted, yet again.

This was all too easy!

“Excellent-”

This time it was King Greggory who cut in on Draxus, mid-sentence.

“-However, I do have one stipulation in order for this to proceed.”

Draxus’ amber eyes narrowed beneath his helmet as he sat in silence, listening carefully.

King Greggory continued. His tone had come across a little more serious now given what was at stake.

“All I ask King Draxus, is that you marry my daughter here at Castle Woodsend, with her parents in attendance and before her people. Let them witness this important event first-hand; the union of our two great Kingdoms by marriage.”

King Draxus stared at Greggory in silence for a few moments longer before he then seemed to think it over.

Turning and leaning in to whisper with his General, the two exchanged conversation silently for around a minute or two, leaving everyone else in the room in wonder.

They were forced to wait and hear what the Dragon King's response would be.

After all, the fate of every single person living in Rykiss right now depended upon this single decision.

Sweat had begun to pool upon his forehead as King Greggory stood nervously waiting for the answer to his sole demand; that the wedding to his daughter take place here, at Castle Woodsend.

It was a last-minute idea but at least he and his wife would be able to take part in the wedding and be there for their only child in this difficult time.

But it was ultimately up to King Draxus and the mere thought of that terrified him.

After what felt like an eternity, Draxus and his General moved apart and both faced their host.

General Shasharan spoke on behalf of his King, once more.

“My master has decided to allow the wedding ceremony to take place here as requested.”

Greggory could not help but smile as he felt somewhat relieved to hear it. He let out a relieved sigh as the General went on.

“Not only will the ceremony take place here, but also the reception, along with their first night spent together as man and wife. I assume you will organise suitable accommodation for them, King Greggory?”

Greggory did not like the last part of that proposal one little bit, though he hid his feelings from plain sight at that moment.

With pursed lips, he gave a nod to show his silent reply.

“King Greggory, how soon can you arrange the ceremony?” the General continued to question.

“Uh... well, as soon as you wish.”

“Tonight then...” General Shasharan announced, beginning to stand from his seat.

“Excellent, it's all been arranged.”

King Greggory looked up in shock.

“What? So soon?”

“Of course, my master has a very tight schedule I’m afraid, and cannot be delayed from our current course any further. You understand, I'm sure.”

“Of course. I will make the arrangements for the ceremony to be held this evening, as requested.” Greggory spoke with obvious hesitance lacing each of his spoken words.

It was clear that this entire arrangement had him in against a corner with no way out whatsoever.

“The ceremony will commence at sunset.”

King Draxus suddenly chimed in, standing from his seat and looming high over the others seated around him.

“Ensure that she is prompt in her arrival to it.”

His King’s Guard then began following their King's lead, also standing from their seats and moving to surround their ruler.

“As you wish, King Draxus.”

Greggory spoke whilst bowing his head, forcing his hatred aside for the moment.

“The wedding will take place at sunset. I will ensure that my daughter is prepared for the ceremony, you have my word.”

“Excellent. Have the contract drawn up and brought to me once it's done.” King Draxus gave his last commanded before turning and making his way back toward the room's exit.

King Greggory watched in a stunned form of shock as his apparent guest and visiting King’s Guard exited the room and the doors closed loudly right behind them with a resonating 'thud'.

Both his hands were balled up into fists which sat on the oak table just below him as he stood hunched over it.

He was trying to understand what he had just unintentionally done, yet he still had trouble wrapping his mind around the entirety of it all.

The only people remaining in the room with him were the scribe standing beside him and his own King’s Guards, who stood silently surrounding him.

“Um... sire? What are your orders?” the scribe asked hesitantly.

The scribe clearly sensing his King's built-up anger as Greggory continued to stand silently.

And then he finally spoke.

“Prepare the contract for signing. Have it sent to King Draxus once it is done, then returned to me for the final signature.”

Greggory’s words were laced with hatred as he spoke them through his gritted teeth.

“Yes, my lord.”

With that the scribe then bowed his head and immediately left the room, leaving the King alone to simmer in fury.

Falling back into his chair hopelessly, Greggory raised his hand up to his head and removed his heavy golden crown.

As his fingers massaged his temple gently, he wondered how he would possibly go about breaking this unfortunate news to his beloved wife.

And his daughter, what would she think of this?

“Oh my god... what have I done?”

He whispered quietly to himself as dread started to consume him.

“What the hell have I done?”