At Dillonia ...
Within the Palace grounds landed an Eagle, General Juan patted it's head lovingly "Good job Ritty" it was a bird that both Kingdoms have been using to bring important or urgent information to each other, it was no ordinary Eagle, all black with only single white circle on it's neck, its eyes were inky red with Amber iris, it is considered faster and smattering than a human being. General Juan untied the thread on it's leg and get hold of a peace of paper that was tied with it. "You may go now" he uttered and patted it's head again and as if it understood him .... Ritty made weird sounds and then spread it's wing and flew away.
He didn't dare to open the paper given it's look, he knew from who this paper came from and how important it is due it's colour code, he quickly stroded to the King's study room, he was halted by the guards as a set rule not to enter without his consent. The guards announced his presence to the King and a second d later General Juan was allowed to enter. "Sire" he bowed, King Jeremy frowned "What is it Juan ..... anything urgent?" he said stamping patches with it's imperial seal, "Yes sire .... this is from Ximpton " he extended his hand handing over a small red paper. King Jeremy quickly opened it and soon after his eyes sharpened confusing Juan "What is it sire," it was his time to ask worriedly.
King Jeremy burnt the peace of paper to ashes using a nearby reading lamp on his table, he lifted his head up to face the already worried General..."It's a marriage proposal Juan, it's about time finally" his face and voice contained seriousness. "Absolutely sire ... finally the long wait is about to pay off" he supported looking down at his sword ok his hand.
King Jeremy got up from his seat walking towards the open window with his hands resting behind his back, "Call for the Queen and the Princess to meet me at the Royal secret room .... as soon as possible" he ordered staring at the dark sky that was sparkling with thousand stars. "Yes sire" and with that General Juan left to get the Queen and the Princess as ordered.
The room that only the Royal family are allowed to enter and that's too only if there is an emergency matter that no outsider was to hear. There were too many ears in the castle the King personally asked the room to be builded in a different form, some dark powers were used to seal it so that nobody from outside could hear what was going on inside, nobody knows about this except for the Royal family and General Juan who is a trusted man in the Kingdom.
"Zolan Lotheren, it's about to start,i hope you cam watch over your so up there, he is about to face a big battle" said Jeremy and one star twinkled on the night sky, he pushed a jar and shortly a secret door opened, once he got in .... the door behind him locked and lamps lightened o either sides of the passage.
General Juan went to pick up the Queen first before the two of them headed to Audrey's bedroom, he waited outside while the Queen entered to get her daughter, she was glad to find her still awake or else she would waste more minutes to wake her up and prepare her. "Hurry up dear! we are awaited at the Royal secret room" said Queen Ella ushering her outside, "Wait! What? the secret room! Why?" she bombarded her mother with questions for she was shocked about this sudden call. "Shhh ... shush now, even I'm concerned here, hurry up" she uttered "That's too in the middle of the night? we should hurry mama" she said holding the front of her night gown so they could walk faster, she was shocked, she knew it must be something extremely urgent to be called there, the mast time she remembered entering that room when she was told about her hairs and it's nature, that's too not too long time ago, she bit her lips becoming nervous, she just hopes it isn't anything bad.
They increased their speed as their shawls draped around their shoulders blows with the wind, General Juan escorting them silently from behind with his sword making her even more anxious. Thankfully they reached their destination, she let out a breath, they walked in only to be welcomed by her father's serious face sitting at his majestic chair, without being told the mother daughter duo sat to their respective seats, Queen Ella on his left while Audrey at their front so now they were facing each other, their was one more empty chair on King Jeremy's right hand which is a reserved one for Crown Prince Phelipe, who is now at the borders serving his Kingdom. "Jeremy .... is everything alright?" Queen Ella couldn't wait to know why they were here at these hours, he pressed on his wife's hand to calm her down, they were both panting for rushing here.
His eyes went to his precious daughter, his warrior Princess, he could see how worried she was too but she won't say a word until he does, just like how he taught her how to act at situations like this. The fact ghat she would be living him soon made him feel a prick on his heart but he managed to mask his emotions. "How old are you Audrey?" he questioned surprising her , she creased not expecting the question at all "Twenty one father" she answered awkwardly not able to understand why her father would bring up her age at such situation, even her mother was dumbfounded. "Perfect! you've already crossed twenty how did I miss that? you are at perfect marriage age" he said. Audrey looked at her mother, What was going on with her father tonight?.
Queen Ella remained quite now, just after raking her mind about his husband's words she could tell where this was going. "What?" she was speechless.
"I received a marriage proposal and I approved it so Audrey prepare to get married in a week" his words were like of a King ordering his subjects and not a father talking to his daughter, she shook her head "What do you mean father? and how could you approved it without asking me first?" she was furious and felt like she was betrayed by jer own parents.
"It's already arranged dear, you will be getting married in a week" supported her mother rendering her even more speechless, "You knew?" she stared at her mother her eyes stinging, What is wrong with these two? Just how could they not consult her first if she wanted to get married or not? She doesn't remember her parents being selfish before so why now? the tears that was threatening to fall finally rolled down like a dam that was set free.
"YES! Yes!!" she clapped her hands laughing painfully as she continued "How could i forget that I am just a good that shall be used to benefit my Kingdom? Anyway ... who is this man that got you becoming this selfish? I mean it has to be a very powerful man right!" She said in a verge of anger a d tears, she couldn't believe such thing was happening to her too! heaven what happened to me wanting a love marriage?.
King Jeremy held his wife's hand as if she was the only thing to keep him alive, going against his daughter was never his wish, seeing her painful tears was piercing his heart, Ella gave him a reassuring look to continue "King of Ximpton.... Levyndrion Zolan Lotherens and you will be his Queen" the words was a thunder striking the life out of her, she was even more confused now, Okay! now both of her parents must be drunk! They can't be blabbering this if they aren't.
"NO! No way! everybody knows he got a woman by his side who owns his heart father! What do you want me to be there? A Queen by name but not by love? No! I oppose this! Mama please explain to him!" she could feel her head spinning out the several emotions she was feeling, hurt, betrayal, confusion! She always dreamt of a love marriage like how she reads on many romance books, even her parents knows about it, but all of them are shuttered by her own father, "How could you do this to me? both of you?" she blurted between her sobs. How was she supposed to marry a man whose heart belongs to someone else? No she won't be able to live with that! Never!
"There is no room for opposition, you will marry Levyndrion in a week and that is final!" he yelled at her making her shut her eyes frightened by his thundering voice, she got up from her seat running to her mother's arms for help, maybe she would be able to put some sense in her father. "Mama! please talk to papa ... how can I live with a man who doesn't live me? he loves her dearly it's all narrated throughout the Kingdoms! so how could I Mama? please have mercy papa! please!" she sobbed dropping to her parent's feet, she wished her brother Phelipe was here so he could save her from this too like how he always does, she was helpless, she can't believe any of this! The parents that doted on her throughout the years are now making her despise them for this!
Huh! marrying her off to Levyndrion? That is more like sending him to a dark cell and ask her to stay in there despite the darkness consuming the cell, with no hope for a light to pass through. They are her own parents right?. It was unbelievable to her.