The pirate

Prologue

"I have told you. Your brother has told you. You do not get a choice in this matter. You are to finally do as expected. Now that you are at the age of 19 you are already past your prime. We are extremely lucky anyone has even requested your hand." The king speaks to me. My father. For 19 years I have not said anything and accepted how things were to be for me. As the princess, I was well aware of certain duties I withheld, and I knew deep down I had plans made for me. I always felt as though I was invisible, so having this audience with my father and speaking up for myself was terrifying. I've barely spoken to him over the years. Mostly I've been avoidant. Every time we spoke ended up in an argument and I'd be degraded.

"I refuse to marry someone I do not know. Why now?!" I yelled, my voice echoed across the throne room. My father was sitting on his throne. His red hair (matching my own) now greying with age slicked back and curling around his shoulders nearing tangling his beard in similar color and brushed scraggly. I took after my mother in appearance, who has long since been deceased, apart from the red ginger hair I sported and bright green eyes. Matching father and my brother Henry, the prince. Although Henry's hair was closer to brown it still held the royal genetic red tint. He was 4 years older than I, but was much more respected.

"Not that it is any of your business." Henry began as he shoved passed me to stand next to father. "There has been whisper of rebellion. Someone is out there causing problems. Murdering our royal people, scavenging islands. Pirates are becoming a problem. One specifically has had our eye since stealing a guard ship several years ago."

I frowned. Of course I've heard the tales. I never thought they actually existed. I've heard they terrorize, destroy, and attack women. Henry cackled examining my fearful gaze.

"We should just give her to one of them." Henry smirked and bucked at me causing me to jump back. It was normal for me to be hit. My cheeks flushed as I felt tears prick my eyes. "Is it the Crane pirate still, father? the one whose sunk several ships in our fleet one by one with his bare hands."

"You will marry off. End of story. We need the numbers and the king of Ellisom has graciously offered the hand of his son in trade of armies." The king stated.

"We need all the men we can get to take him on." Henry added as he pulled an apple out of his pocket and began to eat it.

"I wont! I will not contribute to this. We don't need anymore war. It sounds like people just want peace." I responded back in a sniffle. The fact that I was to be traded to assist our country in impending war.. In my mind I already knew what I had to do. I turn around to leave the room and I gasped as henry threw his apple core at the back of my head.

I had to leave.