A Letter From Aragón , Again...

“Tell me Mother. What was written in the letter?” Princess Annabelle asked again. She was afraid of hearing it but life left her with no choice. She needed to know the truth before her father wakes up.

“The Emperor asked for your sister’s hand in marriage. I don’t know what to do anymore” the queen buried her head in her hands. Crying in front of Annabelle, made her weak but it was better than tearing in presence of Rania.

“But that is no bad news mother. Rania liked prince Alaric right from the beginning” Annabelle said, as she smiled forcefully. “She will be glad to marry the man she love.”

“You don’t understand, do you?” The queen dragged the blanket from the edge of the bed and covered her husband. “This is not a normal marriage. Rania always wanted a love marriage. I even promised her many years ago that the man she will marry will be madly in love with her.”

Annabelle understood perfectly when her mother said One of them was to marry the Emperor’s son, she knew it was Rania. In order to save the kingdoms from slavery, The king sold Rania to clear all the debts years ago.

Despite this act, she did not for once blame her father. He was a king and  father. Being a father to his entire subject was very important. But why didn’t the Emperor chose her? Rania was her younger sister and such punishment should not be given to her.

“I thought the Emperor has forgotten about Rania. Why bring her matter up again ?” The Queen asked, bitterly.

“Don’t weep , mother. According to Rania, Prince Alaric promised to come and ask for her hand in marriage. This is just one of his ways” Annabelle explained.

“I hope so. Rania will be mad, if she find out the truth” The queen said. ‘The letter said prince Ivar not Alaric'

****

“Did he send you here?” She asked the young man who stood in front of her. He was finding it difficult to give an answer.

“Let’s go Rania. Mother is waiting for us” Isabel said, looking back at the messenger of death. She hated anything that came from the capital including that prince Alaric, who stirred  her sister’s heart.

“I will find out the truth from my father. Thank you” Princess Rania gave a smile and went to meet her sisters. Together they made their way to the king’s chamber.

Annabelle stood closer to the bed their father laid on. The queen sat beside him on the bed. The princesses were surprised to see their mother crying.

“Mother? Father?” Isabel went to hug her. Something like this happened and nobody care to inform them. Is father sick?”

Before the queen could say no, the king coughed twice and hard. He moved his hands to another Position. “Rania..Ra..nia”

His eyes were still shut. His lips moved which assured the girls that he was still alive.

Princess Rania was confused whether to go close or not. She was her father’s favorite. He was sick and no inform her about it. This was wrong. They were hiding something from her.

“What happened to father?” Arya asked, with tears forming in her eyes. She loved her father so much that the thought of losing him might drive her crazy. The look on Rania's was most shocking. They were not expecting it.

With a smile, Rania moved to where her mother was and knelt down. Placing a hand on her laps , she said "father will be fine. He is a strong warrior."

More tears escaped the queen's eyes as she nodded. If only her daughter knew the reason behind the king's illness. Whether, he recovers or not ... He will never be the same again.

“Rania , please take your sisters to their room. Your father need rest here. I will inform you when he wakes up” The Queen said , stroking her hair gently.

Rania stood up and went to her room with her sisters. The queen was hiding something away from them. It was obvious that the king's sudden illness was caused by the Emperor. But what really happened?

The door of her room and Salsa , the maid walked in to the room with her hands, under the dress she wore. 

The girl served princess Rania for years now. These years she could not count. Salsa was also her best friend.

“Salsa, what are you hiding in your dress?” Princess Rania asked , curiously. 

“My lady, I have something important for you” she said looking at the other princesses in the room. 

“Come to the terrace” Princess Rania said as she noticed the look on her face. It was a secret.

Salsa followed her mistress to the terrace. When princess Rania turned her back, salsa knelt down with a scroll in her hands. “A message from prince Alaric of Aragón, my lady.”

A smile appeared on her face when she took the letter. Quickly , Rania opened it and started reading. The prince wrote about the wedding that was going to take place in her palace. He was coming with his parents for the wedding. 

“I don't understand, Salsa . Who is getting married?”

“My lady, haven't you hear?” She was surprised that the queen did not good her daughter such an important news. She learnt about the proposal from the prince.

“No, salsa. What happened?” Princess Rania asked with a brow furrowed in confusion. Her hand became sweaty as she waited for the news. 

“The Emperor asked for your hand in marriage” Salsa finally told her. The princess was shocked. Now she understood the content of the letter which prince Alaric sent.