The Crowned Princess

Chapter One - Duel For The Crown

Chapter One -
Duel For The Crown
•••

I sat outside in the cavea besides my parents, admiring the Birds Eye view of our garden. How beautiful the flowers would bloom this time of year, and how green the bushes were that tangled into a long winding maze.

I couldn't help but think back on the history of the Kingdom, how some of these plants were put into the earth long before my grandparents were born, yet they still stood bright as ever 100 years later.

"I want Luca to win." My mother said bringing me out of my daze and back to the reality of what we were out here to see. "He's good looking and he knows how to put up a fight."

My father hummed in response, not taking much notice of what she was saying, too busy focusing on the two men who stood in the arena fighting for my hand in marriage.

"Plus I heard he rejected his mate to come and duel it out for you." My mum gossiped, leaning back in her seat, while my father leaned forward entranced by the fight.

The crowd below belonged to the two men in the arena, both wincing or cheering when their alpha got stuck into the fight.

"He didn't reject her for me mother, he rejected her because he thinks he can own the crown." I was harsh with my words, but I've always been one to say it how it was than to sugar coat it. After all, I didn't know Luca besides in passing when we were younger.

Both men staggered closer to each other, covered in blood and bruises, their clothes ripped and dishevelled but they both weren't ready to back down, refusing to give up the chance to own the crown and be the King of the Unknown world.

These duels have been going on for 6 months, all titled wolves were offered to duel it out for my hand in marriage, just in time for my 18th birthday.

In the werewolf world, turning 18 meant more than becoming an adult, it meant being able to find your mate- the one created just for you. But for me, it meant being married off to the winner of the competition to be able to inherit my position in the Kingdom.

You see, my father was a believer in old wives tales, believing in the curse that the Moon Goddess herself put a curse through our blood to always pair us to unworthy mates after one of our ancestors betrayed her.

My father confessed he didn't believe it when he was younger until he saw it for himself. Being mated to a human woman who knew nothing about the werewolf world, on the spot he rejected her, later marrying my mother who was the second in command in her pack.

My father was the King of The Underworld long before he married my mum, but for me it was different. I was their only child, and I was a girl, meaning I wasn't considered strong enough on my own to control the Kingdom, so my father deemed it fit to marry me off to the man who could prove himself to be the strongest leader.

It was unfair, but it was something I knew was going to happen since I was younger.

Just as I managed to distract myself again with the pretty birds flying in the light blue sky, the crowd below let out a hiss which ran in waves, making me look at the scene before me.

The man who I know as Angelo Marvel, a 26-year-old man, had sliced open the left leg of Luca Soto leaving a 3 inch gash running down his leg.

It was hard to see Luca's face from so far up, but from the amount of blood that was pouring out, and how his stride had changed from one of cockiness to stiffness I knew he wasn't going to last much longer.

"Oh, he was my favourite." My mother moaned which my father quickly shushes her, his eyes peeled to the scene in front of him.

Something wicked flashed in his eyes, almost daring Angelo to finish the job and prove he is more than worthy of his thrown.

"Please excuse me." I said, standing up in my traditional royal gown that had slits in both sides up to my thigh with flower patterns around the sides to add detailing.

Both my parents nodded, too enthralled with the competition to even care where I was going.

The sound of people yelling slowly faded away as the door behind me closes, leaving me on my own in the castle that was always busy with maid running around to fulfil my families every need.

My heels echo though the desolate halls, as I make my way to my room where I could try to shake the uneasy feeling of what is to come next week.

Although I was raised knowing what was expected of me, what I had to do in order to appease my peers, I couldn't help but wish it wasn't like this.

So many wolves waited for this day to come, the day they were given the scent that would attract their mate, but I had no choice other than to deny that bond to keep the crown on my head and rule over the Kingdom to keep peace in place.

I open my door with a soft click before closing it after me, letting out the sigh I had been holding in and letting the back of my head hit the door behind me.

I walk over to my window nook, taking off my shoes and picking up my long dress to sit on my side, staring out at the view of the front of the castle.

There were small sections made for some medium sized trees and bushes that brought some colour to our mostly grey stone castle.

It felt nice to live in the peace even just for a second, giving me the opportunity to forget about the pressure that weighed so heavy on my shoulders for the past 17-years.

"Miss. Quinn." I heard a soft tap come from outside my door.

"Come in." I say loud enough for the maid to hear turning away from the window, and turning to my door that opened ever so slightly.

"Sorry to bother you miss, but you have been summoned to the Ball room." Freya, one of our maids said in her soft polite voice.

"Okay, would you mind telling them I'll be on my way." I ask, standing up from the nook and putting my heels back on.

"Of course miss." She said hurriedly, starting to close the door behind her.

"Oh also," I said which stops her in her tracks "would you happen to know who won the trial?"

"I believe it was Mr. Marvel ma'am."*