The world of Realm was finally at peace once again. The 10 years long war between the human kingdom, woodland kingdom, light kingdom, ice kingdom, fire kingdom, and the dark kingdom was finally over. But peace came with a cost…
At the Duke's Office:
Lysbeth: "I'm marrying… the crown prince of the woodland kingdom?"
Lysbeth Aurielle, 1st born of The Aurielle Family, only daughter to Duke Lucien Aurielle and Duchess Aveline Aurielle. A prodigy in the world of literature and magic. Someone who is about to be lent off to marry the crown prince of the woodland kingdom. Lysbeth stood frozen as the royal family messenger stood in front of her. The messenger, although putting on a stoic face, has a slight warryness in his facade. Lysbeth looked at her parents, about to ask the question, but her father beat her to it.
Duke Lucien: "Princess Elowen has already been sent to the light kingdom, and Young Princess Briar is not old enough to be married yet… The only choice left is you, my flower"
Lysbeth looked down, contemplating the choices. Duchess Aveline looked like she was about to cry. Suddenly, the door to the Duke's Office slammed open. Asher Aurielle, youngest of the two children of Duke and Duchess Aurielle, prodigy in arts and alchemy for a 15 years old. Said 15 years old is now standing in front of all of them, his maid, Mirielle, is behind him looking guilty.
Asher: Sister is leaving!?
Duke Lucien: Asher, lower your voice!
Mirielle: I-I'm sorry, My Lord, My Lady, I tried to distract him but…
Duchess Aveline: It's alright Mirielle, you tried your best.
Lysbeth: Asher…
Asher: Sister, please don't agree to this proposal, marriage is supposed to be about love, not political matters!
Duke Lucien: As much as I'm still disappointed in you, young man… He's right, my young flower, you can still deny this choice, I could talk to the king about this, we can find another way.
Lysbeth: …
This made Lysbeth's mind drown in a flurry of choices. But, as much as Lysbeth contemplates it, there's only one choice that could make her and her family safe.
Lysbeth: I agree to the marriage, father.
Duke Lucien: Lysbeth, my young flower…
Duchess Aveline: My daughter…
Asher: …Sister…
Mirielle: My Young Lady…
Lysbeth: This is the safest choice, everyone. I will be fine, I'm sure of it.
Asher: But what about your feelings…?
Lysbeth slowly walked towards her brother. She stroked her brother's face with a soft smile.
Lysbeth: I will feel more sad if I denied this marriage and you, mother, father, and everyone we know will be in danger. I do not want to bear that guilt, my little brother…
Asher stood silent for a few minutes before slowly pulling his sister into a hug, tears slowly falling and wetting his sister's lilac gown. Lysbteh didn't care about the wetness, she just stroked her brother back. Nostalgia fills her body with warmth, remembering the time where Asher was just a little toddler in her arms, crying over his ruined sketchbook that was in a mud puddle. Lysbeth looked back to her parents, ushering them into the hug. The Duchess didn't waste any time, quickly running to embrace her two children in a tearful gown, makeup ruined. The Duke looked at his family with sadness in his eyes before slowly walking to them and embracing them. At that time, they were no longer the family that held the title of The Duke and Duchess, only the Aurielle Family. As the family slowly let go of each other, Lysbeth looked at the others in the room. The royal messenger who looked at them with compassionate pity in his eyes, Mirielle who's sniffling and holding back tears, and the other servants who are speaking from the frame of the door, tears and some even wailing from looking at the scene in front of them. Lysbeth sighed before blinking the tears from her own eyes away. She then looked at the royal messenger.
Lysbeth: Tell the royal family that I need a week to prepare for departure, please.
Messenger: Of course, my young lady.
The messenger swiftly left. The servants, not including Mirielle, quickly disperse, not wanting to interrupt the family. Lysbeth looked at Asher, who's a mess from tears.
Lysbeth: Oh Asher… Miri, please take him to clean up.
Mirielle: Yes, My Young Lady.
Asher: Sister…
Lysbeth: No quarreling with me, little brother. You have sword practice soon.
Asher: I don't want to…
Lysbeth: I'll join you later, okay?
Asher sighed but nodded with a weak smile on his face. After the young son of the family and his maid left, Lysbeth looked at her two parents with a soft smile.
Lysbeth: Mother, father, please clean up. Especially you, mother. I'll clean up myself and prepare for my sword practice with Asher. Of course, I will still prepare for this marriage arrangement.
Duke Lucien: Of course, my young flower.
Duchess Aveline: My daughter, so sharp minded… I could never be so proud…
Lysbeth chuckled, hugging her parents one last time before walking out of her father's office. The start of the whole week of her preparation starts now.
At The Woodland Kingdom, The Royal Family's Castle:
The royal family was finishing dinner as the royal messenger stood before them. King Sylvaris and his wife, Queen Lythiel sat in silence as the messenger informed them that the daughter of the duchess of Veldoria, the human kingdom, agreed to the request. King Sylvaris nodded before sending the messenger off for the day. He then quickly called his son, heir to the throne, Raphael Galanor. Said prince came into the room.
Sylvaris: I think you already know what I'm about to say, my son.
Raphael: …She agreed, didn't she?
The elf king nodded before sighing, his wife patting his arms beside him. Raphael's now sour mood can be felt from the already tense atmosphere.
Sylvaris: She will be here in a week, I hope you will at least not make her uncomfortable.
Raphael: I will do whatever I want with her, she's going to be my wife after all.
Lythiel: Raphael Galanor, that's not how you treat a woman. Human or not!
Raphael: If it means getting away from her, I will do whatever I want.
The king sighed before tapping on his chair.
Sylvaris: It seems we'll have to resort to extreme measures…
Raphael: What do you mean?
Lythiel: My love, you wouldn't…
Sylvaris shook his head, putting his hand onto his wife's hand. Lythiel looked tired but didn't say anything. Raphael quickly looked at both of them with rage.
Raphael: What are you two doing!?
The king shook his head before calling the family's wizard. Said wizard quickly came in, her staff in hand.
Wizard: Yes, My king?
Sylvaris: Put that new spell of yours to good use.
Sensing the king's already bad mood, the wizard quickly nodded and casted the spell. Raphael looked at his body, not sensing anything strange… until he saw an orb the size of his head, next to his head.
Raphael: What's this…?
Wizard: A sort of tracking magic, Your Highness. You can see whatever your future wife is doing through this orb. Even if she's far away. But, she can't see you.
Raphael: …You gave me something to stalk my future wife!?
Sylvaris: It's so you can't immediately give an opinion about her, before you even met her.
Wizard: The spell will wear off in a week, in time for when you and the queen pick her up.
Raphael: …
The crown prince was speechless to say the least. So the king just clapped his hands to signal him.
Sylvaris: Very well, you're dismissed. Get ready for your magic practice.
It was going to be a long week for the crown prince of the woodland kingdom…