บท 3: Alisha to marry the prince
Those words from Zen intrigue the king but he wishes him good luck for whatever he plans to do . Zen returns back to his room and stands in the balcony thinking about the night he heard that song and also her encounter with the red haired princess . Days pass on and the king of Isla steps down as Zen succeeds the throne . Zen was the youngest king among all the nations around Isla . He was proficient skilled and efficient in his day to day work .
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Alisha was sitting looking through her window . Her siblings were supposed to come the next day and she was too bored .
"Man ... I try to sneak out for once and people find me ... come to think of it I heard some prince saved me from falling down the balcony of some building ...Jeez was I drunk or something how could I not remember doing stuff like that and in top of that mum and dad were told I was going to attempt suicide... no no no... I would never do something so silly I mean I hold my life dear and precious more than anything else still how could I try to jump off ... well anyways I had a lot of fun !! " She pulls down the curtains and decides to go to her drawing room . She opens the door and is startled to find a tall , broad chested hefty man standing close to the door which makes her scream .
"What happened my lady ?"
"Uh... who are you and what are you doing here ? Who gave you permission to come inside ?"
"Your parents Ofcourse My lady "
"My lady ? What's that? Why are you calling me that ? And ... since when did ..Argh ! Nancy ..! " Running fingers through her hair she calls her care taker who comes running hearing her scream .
" What happened Ma'am? Are you alright ?"
"No ... " She walks away from the man and stands behind Nancy's back trying to take cover from the blonde guy . "Who is this guy Nancy ?"
"Oh did he frighten you ? I apologise for not letting you know beforehand . He is your newly appointed bodyguard ma'am "
"What ? My bodyguard ? But I don't need one Nancy ..."
"Well I don't know but your sneaking out other day has led to this . They wanted a bodyguard to look after you in case you think about running out again and try to commit suicide for no good reason ..."
"That's a stupid story I would never do that besides why a bodyguard "
"You brought this on yourself miss . In any case let me introduce you to your new bodyguard . His name is Ashia . He will protect you from here on out and keep a keen watch over you ."
"Ashia is it ? Cool name " She shows herself and greets him .
"Pardon me for my rudeness it was just unexpected you see ... "
"There is no need to apologise My lady "
"Hmm... well you don't really have to address me that way just call me by my name Alisha that's fine " She gives him a gentle smile but he humbly declines .
"I'll call you ma'am if that's fine calling your name is against my duties "
"Sure ... please raise your head . Okay so I guess you are going to accompany me wherever I go is that it ?"
"Yes ma'am . "
"I see. Now that's troublesome " She whispers to herself .
"Did you say something ma'am ?"
"No no nothing at all . Thanks Nancy sorry to bother you .."
"Don't worry about it ma'am . Shall I send your afternoon snack ?"
"Sure . " Nancy leaves as Alisha stands before Ashia trying to figure out something for her situation .
"Umm mm. .. so....will you come inside my room as well I mean is that a part of your duty ?"
"No ma'am I'll not intrude your territory. This door is my boundary but I'll make sure you dont use the window or any other means inside to step out if this place . "
"Huh ... alright . I'll go inside then but will you be fine standing all day long ..."
"That's not true ma'am . I'm only supposed to work in the day shift . I shall be replaced by another bodyguard in the evening so please don't worry about it " He says with a straight face . No emotions were seen on his face . He seemed very dutiful .
"Another one ? My my ..this is way too much anyways I guess I'm tired I can't take this anymore . Let me just take rest for a while ..."
"Yes ma'am ." She moves inside letting out a sigh while he stands stiff .
"Woah great my life is all messed up now and what did I do just tried to go out after being confined inside the walls of this building . Now I'm under someone's watch 24 /7 . " She lies on her bed looking at the room ceiling .
"I wonder how the prince was who saved me ... could it be that he is the prince charm I always dream of ?? Nah ! That can't be ... I'm just thinking too much ... fantasies can never turn into reality ."
In Lauderdale an official letter is dispatched by King Zen . Such letters are confidential and only the king is allowed to read it . The king reads it widening his eyes after reading the content which worries the court officials.
"This can't be .... how can he ? Still it's a matter of our independence we cannot let it fall into the hands of others especially Isla . " The king murmurs to himself and looks tensed much to everyone's curiosity.
"Your Majesty ! Is everything alright ? You seem disturbed. ." His advisor questions him.
"Well ... this is bad . I had my own doubts after knowing that Alisha was saved by Prince Zen that he won't stay quite . I'm sure her hair interests him and the secrets that lie behind it . Now he requests to offer her in marriage of the king of Isla or he will wage a war against us to conquer this land too . He already has many lands under control Lauderdale will not be an issue for him . Their military is better and I cannot afford to lose our soldiers in a war which won't benefit us . Furthermore our population is also less compared to theirs .... on the other hand Alisha .. .. I never thought this day would come " He says tapping his fingers on the table with an obvious gleam over his face .
"So does that mean we are giving them Alisha in order to save our country Sir ?"
"Hmm... I don't know . I have to talk this with her parents . This is a serious matter . This country's protection lies in her hands now even if her family disagrees there is nothing that can be done now . I have to take this step for the sake of lauderdale. "
"But Your Highness isn't there any other way to get out of this. Can't we request him to change his mind ."
"That's no use . He won't change his mind . We need to make some sacrifices in order to maintain peaceful relationships. This will definitely benefit us as well ."
"As you wish Your Majesty "
*******
"That's it for today Your Highness ! You looked through all of the matters at once . " Neil says praising the new king . While Zen keeps the documents aside aligning them .
"Did we receive any reply from Lauderdale? "
"No Sir . I guess they are still in progress to make a decision but still is it really okay Sir ? I mean don't you think it will cause problems later as you haven't discussed this with the royal family "
"That's least of my concern besides I'm the King now and my orders are absolute. Nobody is in the position to decide what's best for me and also I haven't really decided if she will be a wife or a concubine so let's just wait for their answer . "
"I see. Then let's just wait either way it will benefit us but why are you so determined to take that girl Sir I mean at the end of the day she is just a normal girl "
"You are wrong about that you know ! That girl is not normal and I know that . Her family knows full well what she is capable of and I might just be able to get something they were hesitant to share that's all .."
"Um.... I'm pretty sure that's going above my head but no worries I'm sure you are fully aware of what you are doing . Well then I'll take my leave please let me know of anything you need "
"Sure . " Neil leaves to attend a meeting with the irrigation department . Meanwhile tension arouses in Luderdale over Zen's letter . The king speaks about it and Zen's deal with Alisha's parents who are stunned .
"What ? Your Majesty ! This is insane totally unfair .. you want us to give our daughter to another country how do you think we must react to this ?" Her mother yells while the husband tries ti calm her down .
"I know I understand it's very difficult but we will lose our autonomy if we fail to give them Alisha but the king wants her hand in marriage. I'm sure she will be happy... she will be the queen . Think if it as an opportunity to grab for Alisha only the lucky ones happen to get such things "
"I understand but ...." She breaks down in tears.
"Your Majesty it's too sudden for us to take this please give us some time to think over this ."
"Very well . I don't mind at all . " With that the king leaves allowing the parent to take a quick decision. They then go and inform Alisha of the circumstances who is busy talking to her siblings enjoying their company .
"You can't be serious Mom and dad .... " She frowns unable to believe their words . " This can't be true ... you won't allow this to happen will you ? I mean I don't even know that person and you me to marry him ?"
"Alisha's right . This isn't funny at all " Her sister comes to her rescue .
"But it can't be helped dear the future of lauderdale lies in your hands now ... We don't cooperate and he will eventually take control of this land . We will lose our autonomy! "
"But...." Alisha cuts him short .
"It's alright big brother . I brought this upon myself . I should have known escaping from these walls has nothing but bad luck for me . I guess this is my destiny ... I feel like laughing ...I can't believe this is real ... but if it's for the sake of my country I'll happily do it " Tears fall down her face it was indeed difficult for her to imagine a life with someone else all of a sudden .
"Alisha my dear ..! " Her mom wipes off her tears while the siblings look at her with sad faces . There was no choice left her parents were fully aware of that and so they agree to five their daughter hand to prince Zen .
***********
Neil enters Zen's quarters. A room too big for a solo person . To his table one had to walk for 6 metres . The guards stood outside the room guarding his Majesty . Behind his table was a large glass window and the corners had elegant candle stands . The middle of the ceiling had a beautiful chandelier decorated with fine diamonds .
"Your Majesty I have some important news "
"What is it Neil ?"Zen looks up stopping his document writing straightening his glasses . He used to wear them only during work that made him look even more handsome .
"Lauderdale has accepted your offer they wish to ..."
"Give that girl in marriage. .."
"You knew it Sir ? "
"Well I figured they wouldn't prioritise her over their land ... that's how it goes in any case it's a happy news ask them to send her immediately I do not like to wait "
"As you wish Your Majesty " He bows and leaves as Zen looks up at dark night sky awaiting for food things yet to come . He raise his eyes to see a shooting star but that doesn't startle him at all nor does it pick his interest he did not wished for anything for all he needed was there before he knew it . While Alisha wondered all night how the king would be and will he be able to give her what she wants after all marriage never meant to be a deal to her it was much more than that ... A mutual relationship . Preparations begin to send her woth a group of generals and other members of the court . Her family wanted to go with her but Alisha didn't wanted them to accompany her . She was very excited as this was the first time she was travelling outside the country's premises and it would give her ample time and opportunity to explore and discover herself . Sho wouldn't have to be scared anymore as it wasn't a sneak out . She was anxious , curious and super excited which gave rise to her adrenaline . Looking at her parents standing at the gates as they bid her farewell she said ...
"You got nothing to worry mom and dad ..your daughter is far more strong than you think she is ..Besides I'm going teach that spoiled brat a lesson and also teach manners and etiquettes of life "
"Says someone who never paid a least bit of attention to her lessons"
"My case is different big brother ! Anyways I'm not going to forgive him .. I know ways to handle people like him this is just not the way you ask a girl's hand in marriage. .. TOTALLY UNACCEPTABLE! "
"Ma'am I really don't think you should be addressing your soon to be husband that way not to mention he is also a king "
"Who cares Nancy ? To me no ones different be it a king or a maid ..."
"That's my lady for you ! "
"Since when did you start calling her that Nancy " Maina asks raising a brow .
"Well I kind of liked it after Ashia suggested it . It will sure be lonely without you "
"Yes ma'am we will miss you "
"We should be leaving ma'am or else it will be difficult if night falls especially when we are travelling through sea "
"Yes yes I know Ashia .I'll miss you all too but don't worry I'll visit you soon I'll make sure to have that King in my control . Farewell then good bye "
"Take care Alisha "
"Sure big Sis . You too " With that they all bid her farewell as she waves her hand from the cruise . A new journey begins ..what awaits in Isla is still unknown .
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