1: Decision

       ZARA'S POV

"You'll have to marry king carl," dad said, and I looked at him like he had gone nuts.

" Dad you are are joking right, why would I marry king carl?"

King Carl was our enemy, ad he was very dangerous and ruthless. I've never seen him, but I've heard stories about him.

"Dad, I can't marry carl, not now not ever."

"You don't have a choice, my decision is final. I'm not asking you, I'm giving you an order."

"But dad, I can't believe you're willing to sacrifice me to that monster, how could you? I'm your daughter why are you treating me this way."

"This is not about you Zara, it is about our nation Azrael, and our people. If it means I have to sacrifice one person, for the good of others, I will do it, even if that person is my daughter."

But dad.....

"You're a princess Zara, you should know that you have a duty to your people even if it's hard, That's the price royalties have to pay. we don't live for ourselves but for our people, so I beg you to please understand that right now, your nation and your people need you."

I thought about what he said, I can't believe I'll have to marry that ruthless king. Why, why do I have to be a princess? I wish I was just an ordinary person, maybe that way, I'll get to live my life the way I want.

"I need some time to think about this," I said walking out.

"It needs to be quick Zara, there is no time and king Carl will not spare us if we don't ally," dad yelled after me.

I used to think that my case will be different, that I'll marry for love and not a marriage of convenience. But I guess it was just a dream.

I was just lying to myself, I'm a princess after all, I should have known better.

I walked into my room and closed the door behind me. My heart was broken, but I wouldn't cry. What's the point when my tears would change nothing.

I sat down on my bed thinking. I have to leave  my home, my people, my family, and everyone I loved. If I was getting married to someone I loved, I wouldn't mind. But that was not the case.

I guess this is my destiny, and fate has played a cruel game on me.

I sighed, standing up from my bed. If this will be my last day here, I might at least have fun. I can't just sit here, thinking about my ill fate.

Lia, I called walking out of my room. Lia was my personal maid and my best friend and we've been friends ever since we were Little.

"Come, Lia, we are going out," 

"but your highness...

"Don't call me that Lia, we're best friends."

"Okay princess, are you okay?" she asked, I guess she was concerned because she found out about my marriage.

"I'm fine Lia, you don't have to worry about me. Now come let's go have fun, I said dragging her."

"You know, you are strange princess, if it were other girls in your place, they will be crying and worried, but you just want to have fun."

"I'm not other girls Lia, why should I worry and cry, when it would change nothing. Instead of worrying about what I can't change, I rather just go have fun and eat lots of food."

"You're crazy princess," she muttered, and I laughed.

"Let's go grab a horse," I said running, and Lia ran after me.

"Zara, you need to stop running or you'll get into trouble, Zara, she called and kept on chasing. 

I rode my horse fast into the woods, loving the feeling of the wind on my face. Earlier I sneaked out of the palace with Lia. 

I knew my parents would be worried but I didn't care, I needed to make the most of this day.

 "It's dangerous out here, we need to go back," Lia said trying to convince me. but  I didn't listen to her. 

"I'm going to be married soon and maybe I won't be able to do this again, just stay quiet and come with me."

Seeing that I was not going to listen, she gave up and decided to go with me, after all, once my mind was set on something there is no way to convince me otherwise. 

We rode to a stream and I quickly jumped down from my horse, running towards it.

"You're such a tomboy, Lia yelled, and I chuckled.  It's was said that women are not supposed to use a sword or any other weapon.

But I would always hide and practices, I would even go hunting and the king would be so angry. He got tired of me and let me continue since it was in secret. 

I took off my clothes diving into the water, Loving the way the water felt against my skin.

"How can you swim naked? You're a princess what if someone sees you? you're just so crazy, and I've never met anyone as crazy as you princess."

"Come on Lia, don't be a spoilt sport. just come into the water, I yelled.

Lia looked around to make sure no one was there before taking off her clothes and jumping into the water. We swimmed for a long time, and it was dark when we got back to the palace.

 We sneaked in through the back like thieves and both ran to my chambers.

Immediately we walked in, we saw the queen and flinched. What is she doing here? I thought.

 mother never comes to my chambers she always sends for me. is it something urgent? I thought.

 "Where have you been?" Mother asked in a stern voice.

I racked her brain for what to say. I can't tell her I sneaked out to have fun. I turned to Lia for help but it looked like she was also out of excuse.

"I know you sneaked out again. How could you be so careless? What if something happens to you, what if you got captured by the enemy? And you, she said pointing at Lia. you suppose to stop the princess from sneaking out how could you encourage her behavior."

I could see the queen was furious and I  immediately stepped in to defend Lia.

"It's not her fault, it's mine. I was the one who forced her, even though she was against it, she didn't have a choice.

The queen sighed, knowing who I was, she knew no one could talk me out of it.

"You're so reckless she muttered pulling my ears playfully, she just couldn't stay angry at me.

             NEXT DAY

The king summoned me and my heart was raising. 

"Zara, have you thought about it, did you make your decision?" he asked, immediately I entered his chambers.

"I've made my decision dad, I will marry king carl."

He looked at me,  giving me a sad smile. 

" I'm sorry Zara, I have to choose the people over you."

"It's fine dad, you are a king and you need to make hard decisions sometimes, You don't have to feel guilty, I understand."

"Thank you, he muttered, patting my hair."

"You should get ready Zara, you have to leave the day after tomorrow."