The heavy wooden door leading to the King's palace was pushed open, revealing a world so different from the humble streets of the village. The Grand hall stretched before king Maltherion, the towering pillars and ornate tapestries, an unspoken testament to his power.
Sunlight filtered through the glass window casting a shadow on the cold marble floor.
He stood near his table looking at a map spread across it. The map was the outline of Alderyn and the neighboring kingdoms. The areas that were circled were Kingdoms he had already conquered. Maltherion could feel in his spirit that there might be a war soon and he needed to be ready.
"Your majesty," the soldier who had been to Xandria's house stepped in bowing down before the king, interrupting his thoughts.
"What news?" His voice was calm, measured. But his fingers drumming on the table made the atmosphere tense.
The soldier hesistated. "The visit was not as smooth as it ought to be. The people are beginning to question who you had chosen as a bride, and the marriage proposal..." He trailed of, uncertain how to continue.
His jaw tightened,"is she ready?"
The soldier exchanged a look with the King's royal advisor who was standing a step behind the king. "It's not a matter of readiness your Highness... The girl is... Unwilling"
The king's eyes narrowed, he knew an arranged marriage was not an easy fit especially for a young girl, but her reluctance was not anticipated.
"What has her father, Gideon Graystone said about the issue?" He sounded cold.
" He seems to be in agreement your Highness, but the girl is unwilling."
" She will do as I have commanded and that is final." He said, his voice like ice.
He stepped away from the table, moving towards the grand balcony that overlooked the courtyard below, where his soldiers drilled and his court bustled.
"She has no other choice."
In the silence that followed, the king turned around and faced the soldier who had his head down. "Make sure the preparations are ready."
"Yes your Highness."
"Prepare the royal carriage." He ordered.
"Why my king?" The soldier asked confused.
"I'm paying a visit to the Graystone household."
The soldier quickly masked his shocked expression as he exited the room.
"Your Highness?" The man in the shadows said.
"What is it Reagan?" Maltherion sounded impatient.
"Why are you so adamant on her being your queen?" Reagan asked.
" I felt it within me." Maltherion answered simply, rolling up his map that was on the table.
"What do you mean?"
"It's the Grand gias" Maltherion replied him. Sitting on his chair that was placed in front of the table.
The grand gias was an ancient divine gift.
Long ago when the kingdom of Alderyn and her neighbouring kingdoms were in chaos -wars and betrayals. The king married witches for power and not for love. The witches turned against the kings and brought destruction to the kingdom. This dragged on for many years. Then came a great king, king Mathias Duskthrone, who was said to have been chosen by the heavens. He was given a divine gift, the Grand gias.it was an unbreakable bond that will lead him to his true queen. It was given to any king from the Duskthrone bloodline who has the power to control the kingdom and who is a powerful ruler. One who will need a powerful queen beside him.
Reagan gasped, looking shocked, " I thought it was a myth"
" It isn't. It's real." He said simply.
" How do you know it is. What if it's just an enchantment?"
" Have you forgotten. I can't be enchanted. No magic works on me."
" But you can't just conclude it is the grand gias just like that."
" But it is. You know that the main reason I went to the festival was because that was the day my bride will be ready for me."
" Yes I know. That was the prophesy told by the priest two years ago."
" The reason I waited for two years was because her powers had not yet manifested.
Now it has. The moment I smelt her during the festival, I felt the connection with her."
" I thought you did not believe in the prophesy?" Reagan asked.
" I don't. But the grand gias seemed to say otherwise."
" What if she doesn't want to get married to you?" Reagan asked Maltherion.
" Like I said before, she has no other choice."
" The carriage is ready your majesty." The guard, who was standing outside the door opened it to inform Maltherion.
"let's go."
Maltherion and Reagan exited the royal court room and left the palace doors, entering into the royal carriage.
Elara sat at their front porch reading a new romance novel that her and Xandria have been reading for weeks. She looks up when she hears the galloping of horses arriving in their courtyard.
The moment she sighted the Royal carriage she immediately rushed inside to inform her mother.
"Mama,the royal carriage is in our courtyard." Elara shouted running upstairs to call Xandria who has been in her room since the news.
"What is the king doing here?" Janet came out of the kitchen wiping her hands on her apron before hanging it on the kitchen door.
She quickly straightens her clothes and rushed to open the door for the king.
"Long live the king." Janet bowed in front of the king.
"I'm going to live forever Janet, there is no need for your blessings." Maltherion said, taking a seat to the chair that was closer to the door and Reagan took the seat beside him.
Janet laughed awkwardly, trying to hide her nervousness.
" I believe you know why I'm here." Maltherion said with impatience written all over his face.
"My husband is upstairs. Let me go get him." Janet quickly replied about to go upstairs.
Maltherion chuckled softly, but it did nothing to reduce the tension in the air, instead it only made it thicker. "I'm not here for Gideon and you know it. Call Alexandria immediately."
Janet was about to say something when he husband Gideon, quickly came down the stairs.
"Long live the king." Gideon bowed in front of the king.
"I'm not here for your blessings Gideon. I'm here for my wife."
"I'll go get her immediately." Gideon quickly said, signalling Janet to call Xandria.
Janet went upstairs and after a few minutes she came downstairs with Elara and Xandria a few steps behind her.
Xandria looked as if hadn't slept for days and her eyes were puffy and red. She kept on looking downwards avoiding anyone's gaze as they stared at her.
"Xandria, won't you greet the king?" Gideon asked angrily.
"Long live the king" Xandria mumbled, bowing slightly and still avoiding everyone's gaze. "I wish lightening comes and strike you" She muttered under her breathe, no one heard apart from Elara whose eyes grew slightly wide when she heard it. Or that's what she thought.
Maltherion chuckled slightly as he placed his right hand on his jaw,
"Pack your things Alexandria, you are coming with me." Maltherion ordered, leaving no room for negotiations.