Assortments of the Uncanny.

Salencia

Once upon a time, there was a land named Salencia. It was ruled by an intelligent Queen named Alenna. She only ruled over a small kingdom with a grand supply of good farming land and rivers. She was well loved by her people and foreign lands. Far away kings tried to woo her. Alas; she always replied that her duty was to her kingdom, not to make alliences through loveless marriages.

Usually, when people from far away kingdoms sent love letters,she politely wrote back that she wasn't interested. She often remained in contact with her suitors, but in a friendly way, with no hints of romance.

On a certain day, she got an invite to a ball. It was to the neighboring kingdom of Euleric. She had only visited the main kingdom, Eulineas, only a handful of times. The kingdom itself was a grand 6x bigger than her own (but, certainly not the biggest at the time). She was hesitant to go because of the stories she heard about the king, Uldren.

Uldren was known to be a very militant leader who didn't hesitate to give into his own desires. He had conquered places to gain land and wealth. Alenna feared that he would resent her for not attending and take over her land so she accepted the invite. A few days later she attended the Ball.

Like most Balls held by royalty, upper nobles and other royals from all over were there. She danced her away around, talking to her familiars. During one conversation, she was grabbed from behind and brought into a waltz. The man who did so was none other than Uldren. She was shaking because their opposite built. Alenna,despite being strong, was petit and thin boned, Uldren was muscular and tall, looking like a military leader rather than a king. She allowed him to have several dances with herself.

Eventually, the ball cleared out. She was one of the last to leave. Before she left, Uldren slipped her a letter and told her to read it when she got back to her kingdom and to reply promptly. She did as he said. The letter was a love letter... a very threatening letter. It read;

"Alenna.

I have been watching you for a while now and i'd enjoy you to be my wife. I know you refuse all the other marriage proposals, but I think it'd be best if you would accept. I say this because if you don't reply in a month or refuse, I will obliterate you and your kingdom. It is in your best interest that you accept, darling. I have a dress fitted for you and will be joyed to have you next to me nightly. Reply soon.

Uldren."

Of course, she was disgusted by this letter. She pondered what to do for a few days. She would never want to give herself away... yet... she wanted to protect her kingdom. Her army was much smaller than his. She contemplated asking for help,but thought people would belittle her. After a week she sent a letter. She told him that she was in love with another.

Of course, he responded negatively and told her to forget her lover because if she married him, he would die too. Soon enough, it came to about a month. She sent multiple letters, pleading to save her people and just get rid of herself. He ignored these. Once it hit exactly a month, disaster struck.

All around Salencia, cities and towns were burned,citizens were killed in a variety of cruel and unusual ways, children were stolen from the cities. The army of Salencia was quickly murdered. Alenna was defenseless. Finally, the devastation encroached upon the capitol city. Uldren himself arrived at the castle. Instead of killing her on the spot, he kidnapped her and burned down the castle.

He brought her back to his castle with a choice-- marry him or be burned at the stake. Of course, she chose the latter,stating that she would never marry someone as horrid as himself. He decided to hold off her execution so he would have a child with her. Everything went according to his plan. Right after the child was born, she was held in trial. Right before her execution, in front of the horrified crowd, she was asked a simple question.

"Alenna, ex-queen of Salencia; you denied the king his happiness and told him you loved another. Is that true?"

With hesitation, Alenna replied "...... It was true. Alas, you shall never harm him. You could never touch someone like him. You believe your king is the most brutal person to live?... Ha. Haha. No... he is far more powerful than he'll ever be. He is feared among the royals, among the strongest soilders of every land. He is amazing..."

Just before she finished, they lit her on fire and the crowd, consisting of Eulericians and Salencians,wept for the fallen queen. Uldren had an expression of horror on his face. It was obvious who she fell for. She fell for a monster. She chose death instead of living wthout her love. She lied. She loved a man outside her own kingdom. She loved Crocell and he resented that the rest of his life.