Sacrifice for the Crown

Chapter 3

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The sunlight streamed in from the broad windows making last night's storm seem nothing but a bad dream that was banished by the sun rays and the chirping of the blackbird's sitting on the pine tree's branches.

Andromeda got up from her bed and stood by the window, where memories began to overwhelm her. Memories that brought back a blurred but gradually defined figure. The figure of her late father, King Edric. 

Tears made their appearance on her eyes, she had become very sensitive lately and her feeling took control of her, replacing her strong, independent and utterly logical self with anger, fear and doubt. What was the meaning of having her future out there waiting patiently for her to grasp every possibility of happiness if she wasn't allowed to make her own decisions? 

Her train of thought was interrupted by the knocking sound on the door, it was her maid Dorothea. 

" Good morning my Lady, may I come in ?" The shy girl asked.

"Yes, of course" The princess replied, that was enough for Dorothea to detect her mistresses sharp tone. 

"oh did I scare you Dorothea? Didn't mean to I just had the worst possible sleep last night." Andromeda said as soon as she saw the maid's lack of eye contact, meaning that she had startled the poor girl.

Dorothea didn't speak but nodded her head instead, as to say, of course my Lady. She then got ahead with making the bed and helping Andromeda get in her exquisite blue velvet dress. 

When Andromeda had already worn her dress and had her hair done decided to go for a walk in the garden and hopefully find her inner peace, that thought didn't last long as she soon came to find that the queen required her presence. What could mother possibly want? Definitely something not good, she thought. 

"Oh me beloved daughter, there you are! How was your sleep last night? This atrocious storm lasted all night long!" The Queen said with a genuine concern-look on her well sculpted face.

"Please tell me what is it? Every time you are being so polite and kind with me, it is .....it is to prepare me for bad news. Am I wrong mother?" The young princess said knowing that her instincts were correct all along.

"Well the news are splendid, but, as your mother I know that your reaction won't be....the appropriate.....for such an event." Words now were struggling to come out of her mouth.

"Well", she continued, " my beloved daughter, your marriage will happen sooner than expected, to be more accurate .... the royal wedding will take place in a month from now." Her mother said. 

" What? Mother you can't be serious! This atrocious idea was yours, wasn't it? Tell me the truth mother!" said Andromeda whom was ready to faint or cry... or both. But she had to stand strong against her mother and crying was going to do the opposite in this battle. But was she as brave as she  considered herself to be ? 

" My child, this was your husband's idea and I wouldn't dare to object. He is a powerful king after all." She said as if she were the definition of innocence. 

"No, I cannot accept this." The young girl was now on the verge of tears but she still stood strong agains her mother. 

"Andromeda there in no other option! Now, I was also meaning to tell you that the king will be dinning with us tonight and next week we will be hosting a ball, a celebration for this powerful union." 

"I need to go outside." Andromeda said.

"As you wish, as long as you will be here on time to prepare yourself for the dinner."  The Queen said but her daughter was already out of the room, heading towards the stables and knowing that any attempt to escape would be useless. 

She stayed outside for at least two hours, riding her horse and thinking about that dinner. And there would be a ball? Her life as she knew it was crumbling.

After all this thinking she realized that she was running late , not that she cared, so she handed her horse to the stable boy and went off in order to wear a gown worthy for such a dinner.

What would the king be like? She was going to find out soon.....