THE GREAT LADY OF ALKION

CHAPTER 19

Starting from this chapter, I will mention some known ancient kingdoms and empires. Alkion is totally fictional while the others were real. I love the new nations I will introduce even though combining them with Alkion won't make an accurate real life match but hey this is fiction so let's go with the flow.
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The kingdom was safe no more as the raids on the borders increased. The neighbouring kingdom had also began stealing produce from the farms of the nearby citizens of Alkion.
The kingdom would soon be under threat as a whole and there would be war. A council was held quickly to discuss the way forward because if there was war, Alkion would be on the losing end.
For hundreds of years, it had not involved itself in war and maintaining that legacy was something Anthony wanted so badly. Besides, he didn't want any bloodshed. Losing his soldiers would weaken the kingdom and soon it would be taken over by some powerful king. Every court officials had something to say about what they thought should be done. Others suggested that Alkion go to war and so the soldiers should begin training harder to protect their beloved country. Others suggested that there be a revision of the peace treaty between the two kingdoms but that kingdom had violated the treaty their ancestors had signed with Alkion years ago. This was not a good option. The kingdom couldn't be trusted. Some suggested an alliance with a much powerful empire since this would scare away the enemy. The binding of two or more nations made them feared especially if one was a powerful nation. Nobody would dare think about attacking without thinking twice.
This was favourable for Anthony and so he settled for the last option. Alkion needed an alliance with another kingdom after all. The suggested nations were Egypt or Greece.
A letter was sent to Greece and to Egypt each requesting for an alliance.
Some weeks later, the Greeks sent back their response. They sent a marriage proposal between both kingdoms. Their prince Atticus would marry one of Alkion's princesses and the princess who would marry into the Greek royal family would be Astrid.
Preparations were made for the Greeks to come to Alkion for negotiations. Anthony fervently hoped that this would work out in his favour. Astrid on the other hand didn't want the day to finally come when she would be betrothed so some suitor she had not known. If only she found a way to escape the arrangement,then she would.
The awaited day was finally here and Alkion's royals stood at the entrance to the castle as the Greeks wheeled in on their carriages and chariots.
Out came three men. They all wore tunics. All but one wore red tunics while the other wore a purple one. They all had their hair cut short and wore sandals. They approached the royals and one of them walked in front of the others and made a small bow.
"It's good to see you King Anthony of Alkion. A pleasure to meet your acquaintance," he said. He was short and plump. His voice too was repulsive to Astrid. This was definitely not the king of Greece. Anthony had met the Greek king years ago and he wondered why he had not come himself but had sent a representative.
"The pleasure is all mine," Anthony replied as they shook hands feeling definitely uncomfortable.
"My name is Perimedes. I am the king's brother and his representative here. Allow me to introduce to you Atticus, the third son of the king. This is Menelaus,my son. Atticus is the one whom the king suggested to marry from your family."
" Let us go inside and discuss this shall we,"Anthony said.
Everybody followed him inside and walked behind him and Perimedes. Aretha wasn't impressed so was everybody in their family. Atticus was tall,had tanned skin and was muscular. He was handsome as well and Astrid wondered what type of man he was. He looked mature.
The Perimedes and Menelaus were given high places to sit in the throne room as the court officials walked inside for some discussions. The family took their places on the throne but Aretha and Astrid were not supposed to be in attendance. For Fabian,this was a learning opportunity for his future role. Aretha went to her room while Astrid was made to sit outside in the gardens and have a conversation with Atticus for them to warm up to each other.
He was sitting in the garden having some tea and cakes when Astrid was escorted to him by Luciana. He stood up and greeted her.
"How are you ?You must be Princess Astrid."
"I am doing fine," she said as she looked away."
"I love this drink. I have been told that it is tea. I have never had such before. And these, what are they ?"
" They're cakes."
" Oooh," he said." I love them too. Back at home, I enjoy having figs, beef,quail, goose and eggs. Mostly eggs."
" I'm glad to hear that but could we talk about something else ?"
" What do you want to know about me now that we could marry ?"
" I want to know about you,your family and your kingdom."
" My name is Atticus. I am the third son of Amyntas. My mother's name is Penelope. I can't say much about my family. My older brothers are married and they like to pick on me a lot. I hate fighting and I'm forced into doing it by my father because he wants me to be an army leader someday but that is not what I want."
" Then what do you want to be ?"
" I want to be King."
" And why is that ?"
" Because I want to be wealthy and powerful. You should see the power my father has."
" What would you do if got power and wealth ?"
"I would lead the luxurious life I always want to. Have the most beautiful women in my court. Throw parties everyday.Have my palace made of gold and just live the life."
Astrid had heard enough and she was not going to subject herself to more torture by listening to this man who was foolish as she put it. There was no way she would marry him. Her life would be miserable and even if marriage was the only way to save the kingdom, she wouldn't do it. Luciana was laughing silently at what she heard. She knew that Astrid wouldn't marry such a man with poor vision. Astrid rose up and said,"I've heard enough already. Excuse me."
With that she left him sitting alone and he continued to eat.