NOVEL ONLINE FREE Chapter 6: What Should I Do
Princess Bella sat frozen in disbelief, her stomach churning as she recalled how swiftly her father, and his generals had shifted from the gravity of a marriage alliance with Prince Leo to discussing their latest mistresses. The casualness with which they spoke about infidelity made her skin crawl. "How can they so easily trivialize such matters?" she thought, feeling a wave of disgust wash over her. The contrast between the weight of her potential fate and their flippant banter left her feeling more alone than ever, gripped by a mixture of anger and revulsion.
Bella waited for her father, and his generals to leave the library before she came out from her hiding place, her heart racing as she recalled the hushed voices of her father, King Patrick, and his generals. She pressed her back against the cool stone wall, trying to steady her breath, but the words echoed in her mind like a haunting melody. "His reputation precedes him," one general had said, his voice low and gravelly. "Prince Leo does not shy away from bloodshed. He'll do whatever it takes to expand his power." "What choice do we have?" her father had replied, a note of desperation creeping into his tone. "The kingdom's coffers are nearly empty, and the debt looms over us like a dark cloud.
An alliance with Leo could save us." "An alliance?" Bella muttered, her voice trembling. "What kind of alliance?" She turned sharply as someone entered the library. It was Donna. "Princess Bella, I have been looking for you everywhere. My Princess, you look troubled. Is something wrong?" Bella shook her head, though her heart raced with fear. "We cannot talk here, Donna. Meet me in my bed chamber."
In Princess Bella's bed chamber, Donna watched as Princess Bella paced nervously, her brow furrowed in concern. It was evident that something weighed heavily on her heart; the lines of worry etched across her face told a story of anxiety that resonated deeply within Donna. As she observed her friend's troubled expression, a pang of empathy shot through her chest, making her own heart ache in tandem with Bella's silent turmoil. She longed to reach out and offer comfort, but the uncertainty of what troubled Bella held her back, leaving her feeling helpless yet determined to support her friend in any way she could.
Bella finally spoke, "Donna, I overheard my father and the generals talking. They mentioned an alliance with Prince Leo of the Eastern kingdom." Donna's eyes widened with concern. "The ruthless one? The one they say has no mercy?" "Yes!" Bella exclaimed, her voice rising with panic. "They want to form an alliance with him. But they shared horrible stories of him and his kingdom." She began pacing again, her hands wringing together. "What if they intend for me to marry him?" "Princess, surely your father wouldn't—" "But he might!" Bella interrupted, her voice shaking. "What would that mean for me? For our kingdom?" Donna stepped closer, her expression softening. "You are a Princess, Bella. You have the right to make your own choices." "Choices?" Bella laughed bitterly, the sound echoing in the chamber. "What choices do I have? I am still a woman. The fate of my life is already decided by my father and his alliances. I'm nothing but a pawn in this game of power." "But you are strong," Donna insisted, her eyes shining with determination. "You could speak to your father." "And say what?" Bella snapped, her anxiety bubbling over. "That I refuse to marry a man I don't know? A man who is rumored to be a monster? I would be shaming our family even further! And he is a foreigner."
Donna took a step back, her brows furrowing with worry. Bella cried, her voice breaking. "I see how foreign women are treated. Don't you see? They all married noble men of our kingdom to avoid their family's shame!" Donna nodded in agreement. It was common knowledge that the foreign women in the kingdom were often treated as second-class citizens, their status marked by a palpable sense of exclusion. While the noble women of the realm enjoyed privileges such as fine garments, lavish feasts, and opportunities for education, the foreigners were relegated to the shadows, their worth diminished in the eyes of society. They received fewer resources and were often denied the same rights to participate in courtly affairs, leaving them isolated and vulnerable. Whispers of disdain followed them, and their attempts to forge connections within the kingdom were often met with cold indifference, reinforcing the stark divide between them and the kingdom's own citizens. Bella burst into tears, "Donna, I cannot marry a foreigner, I will be ruined."
Princess Bella, "We will figure it out together," Donna said, placing a comforting hand on Bella's shoulder. "You are not alone in this. We will find a way." As Bella looked into Donna's eyes, she felt a rush of gratitude mixed with fear. The uncertainty of the future loomed over her. "I will speak to him," Bella whispered, her voice barely audible. "But I fear the consequences." "Whatever happens, I will stand by you," Donna vowed, her gaze fierce.
Suddenly, there was a loud knock-on Princess Bella's door jolting her from her thoughts, her heart racing. "Who is it?" she called, her voice trembling slightly. "It's the King's guard, Princess Bella, his majesty requests your presence immediately," came the stern reply. Bella's stomach dropped, a wave of dread crashing over her. "I do not feel well?" she whispered, fear knotting her insides. "Can I see my father later in the day?" Bella asked. The guard was silent then he spoke again, his tone urgent. "The king requires your presence, Princess Bella." Bella could feel panic rising in her chest. "What if he talks about the alliance? What if he forces me to marry Prince Leo?" She whispered to Donna. Suddenly Donna went to the door, "Sir, Princess Bella does not feel well, I am Donna, her hand maid and I am attending to her." The guard bowed respectfully to Donna and said, "Pardon me, I will inform the king right away." Though Bella could hear the doubt in his voice.
Before facing her father, Bella knew she needed a plan, and fast. "Donna, we can't just go in there unprepared," she said, anxiety creeping into her voice. "What if he insists on the alliance? I need to find out more about the Eastern Kingdom and Prince Leo!" "We'll think of something," Donna replied, her eyes bright with determination. Bella nodded, "Yes, let's gather our thoughts."