This goes to XDMidnightDancerXD. You are an amazing friend and deserve this! I picked this part out just for you! I know you like Evrio :) Also, check out her amazing stories if you haven't already! "Overrated" and also "The Unwanted Maiden". I couldn't pick one, so I posted both!
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A loud continuous knock interrupted her thoughts. “Come in!” She commanded, and turned to look over her shoulder. Her father entered without uttering a single word. He walked over to her, and stood to her right. She noticed he had changed his clothing, since the meeting. He was wearing his burgundy robe that was trimmed in gold, instead of the tunic from earlier.
“Daughter, we need to talk about an important matter.” He stared out the window as he spoke. Niahirra wondered what could be so important; he never spoke to her of these matters before. She folded her hands in her lap, as she looked up at her father, who continued to stare out the window, watching his worshipers below. “I’m listening, father.” Her heart hammered against her chest, as a million thoughts went through her mind. She tried not to fidget in her seat as she waited for him to continue. She studied him carefully- no emotion played across his features. His face was blank, like he didn’t care about anyone but himself. She bit her bottom lip, keeping herself from asking him all the questions that were running through her mind.
She was about to repeat herself, until he finally spoke.
"Daughter, I know how this ongoing war must be affecting you. These are hard times for our family. Tell me, daughter of mine. What do you wish for?" He didn't even look at her as he spoke. He kept his gaze at the window, with his hands folded behind his back. Niahirra paused for a moment. Something in his voice didn't sound right. She cleared her throat when he looked down at her, clearly growing impatient for her response. "I wish for peace for the kingdom, and for this war to come to a much needed end." She frowned, wondering why he asked her this. He knew what she wished for. She mentioned that almost every day. Neriko finally turned away from the window, and smiled sweetly at her.
“We have the same desires then. I’ve come up with a plan that will end this unnecessary bloodshed. You are to wed Seikah Rorizo’s son, Ariakos. The wedding will be held in the Great Hall in four days. I’ve already sent a letter to Seikah, offering you as Ariakos bride in exchange for peace. He accepted without hesitation. After all these years of war, that brought us sorrow and bloodshed, we can finally start anew.” He smiled with satisfaction, overwhelmed with joy.
Niahirra couldn’t comprehend what he just told her. This must be some kind of sick joke. Her jaw fell open as she stared up at him in horror. “Please tell me this is one of your pranks! You can’t be serious! He will kill me for sure! Can’t you see that? This is a trap, I’m sure of it!” She stood up, and grabbed his robe with both of her hands, as she looked up at him. “Father, please don’t allow this to happen! I don’t wish to die!” She never seen Ariakos before, and never desired to. She only heard about him from the guards’ stories of battle and her Father’s meetings, which she wasn’t ever allowed to attend, but sneaked in anyways, and found a place to hide from everyone. No one ever spotted her.
From the stories she heard about Ariakos, he already killed hundreds of their strongest guards without any mercy, without containing an injury to himself. He also killed innocent women and children while they were in their homes, all because he was bored. While his victims screamed for their life, he smiled down at them, with blood coating his hands, and tortured them before death took over. Their pain and misery gave him pleasure, and enjoyed every kill. If you asked anyone about him, they would tell you he contained a heart of stone, and possessed no soul.
