Alda was sitting in the big hall of the palace with her sisters, Quinn and few ministers surrounding her.
"Your highness, I've checked the contract, the amount that is mentioned would be really tough to return back." one of the ministers spoke out.
"It'll take us like 5-6 years to collect this much revenue if we go on the normal pace." another minister spoke.
"What if we pressurize the farmers to collect more revenue-" the revenue minister spoke but stopped midway when Alda spoke out, "We can't do that and also, it's of no use since he needs it tomorrow."
He hung his head low.
"He could've told us about this contract before, but he didn't. He did this on purpose." Revena spoke out.
"I never knew King James did something like this. I always thought, Sam did everything out of his brotherly love." Quinn spoke out.
Alda sighed at his response.
"Your highness, I beg your pardon, but I think the marriage offer will be better." the head minister spoke out.
"Why did you say so?" Noa asked.
"My princess, if 2 kingdoms merge, it'll be better than King Sam snatching half of the Durian kingdom. If it happens, families will be separated, many will take up their lives as nobody ever wants to stay in the Carplett kingdom. I've heard about how they treat their people, how the King doesn't care about anything. The only thing they he wants is to expand his kingdom and make it an empire as soon as he could. We can't risk the lives of our people in their hands. If the marriage happens, at least we could keep a check on them, we could have our opinions and they'll be safe." he spoke out.
Alda nodded her head.
"But the thing, that is roaming in my head is that, why did he kept marriage as an option? I mean, the things you said right now are true and I know things must've crossed his mind too, he's not that foolish. Then, why did he do this?" Alda spoke out.
"I am afraid I don't have answers to that, your highness." the head minister spoke out.
"We don't have time for this, just few hours." Revena spoke out.
"Are you agreeing on the marriage thing?" Lovisa, who was quite for a while now spoke out.
"I'll have to, there's no other option, it was one of his demands, the other lies up to you 3" Alda spoke out.
3 of them glanced at each other.
"I'll do it." Revena spoke out, a few minutes after.
"Me too"
"Me too"
Lovisa and Noa followed Revena.
The news spread like wildfire about how the Durians will be marrying the Carpletts.
"Get ready, we'll start our journey tonight." Gregoria spoke out as she smiled, one of that filthy smile of hers.
It was soon night and they were ready. Lovisa's body shivered as the cold wind hit her body.
After around 6 hours, they reached the harbour of the kingdom.
There were carraiges waiting for them.
"Is it me or they are really acting suspicious?" Noa spoke again.
Gregoria coughed at her words and Lovisa gave her an apologetic look.
As they were on their way to the palace, the girls couldn't help but notice how a man, who's probably a farmer, guessing by his looks was begging for mercy in front of what it seemed like the revenue collector. He was being hit by a hunter whilst his wife and kids cried for him.
This scene was enough to make Lovisa and Noa to clutch Alda and Revena's hands ever so tight, while the 2 older sisters just sighed looking at each other.
This place only held a lot and lot of negativity and nothing else. It felt like, it was a place where even the sun doesn't dares to shine.
Soon enough, they arrived at the palace. In the midst of all the depressing surroundings, one will have to admit that the palace shone like silver. The garden seemed so lively and it felt so ironic that the pretty yellow dandelions grew here too. It'd be egoistic if Alda didn't accept the fact that the dandelions seemed brighter and more attractive here.
The thoughts were disrupted as one of the soldiers, motioned them to get down and so they did.
They followed Gregoria and Sam and soon heard big drums which were played as a sign that the King and Queen are back.
All of them soon went inside as the soldiers were bowing to them as well as Alda out of respect.
Shortly after, the King and Queen sat on their thrones and so did Alda, with the 3 princesses behind her back.
"Where are my lovely sons?" Gregoria questioned while Revena scoffed at her words.
"They'll be here soon, your majesty" the minister said.
One could hear footsteps and soon after 4 male figures could be seen, approaching the court.
All 4 of them bowed in front of the King and the Queen. Sam and Gregoria got up from their seats and hugged each one of them. Unknowingly, a smile plastered on Alda's face seeing the mother and son reunion.
Sam introduced all four of his sons to the girls . The eldest prince, prince Eldrick, the second eldest, prince Conolly, the second youngest, prince Aiden and the youngest prince Eason.
"It's a pleasure to meet all of the Carplett princes. I'm Alda Durian, the Queen of the Durian kingdom." with that, Alda bowed infront of them and they did the same. The rest of the girls introduced themselves too.
"My sweethearts, these are uncle James's daughters and they're here for the marriage that is to be held tomorrow with you all." Gregoria spoke.
They way each one of them furrowed their eyebrows except Eldrick, showed how it was a sudden surprise for them too and it really did shook them to the core.
"Why-" Aiden was about to question, when Gregoria shushed him.
"You shouldn't question your mother, honey." she spoke. The word "honey" sounding so forced.
"Now, now, we have some important matters to discuss with Eldrick and my dear Alda. Connoly, Aiden and Eason, please be kind enough to show your future brides your rooms, so that they can adjust to it." Gregoria spoke while she ordered the other princes.
Connolly looked over Aiden while he did the same.
"Sure, your majesty." Eason spoke out, as he held his hand outwards motioning for Noa to hold his hand.
"Can we go? Princess Noa?" he asked while Noa nodded her head lovingly and they left.
Both Revena and Lovisa couldn't help but giggle at Noa's crimson tinted cheeks.
On the contrary, the other two brothers were still looking at each other.
YOU ARE READING
THE HIDDEN FATE
Fiksi RemajaI'm sorry,its messed up. I deleted the story first and rewriting it again. She was crying with tears staining her face which was shining in the moonlit night. "Some girls look pretty when they cry but that doesn't apply to you." "You mean I'm ugly...
