Amrta of Mythica (Destiny Bound)

Chapter 1-The Hunting Game

Kingdom of Ather-Ayveri's POV

As I stand admiring the beautiful sunrise from my chamber, the castle is bustling with the preparations to celebrate the harvest week. Harvest week, the most awaited time of the year is symbolic of prosperity at Ather. Atherians celebrates this week every year by hosting fairs, friendly warrior matches, and many more memorable events. Like always, father and brothers will mark the beginning of the harvest week by hunting a wild life today. 

Ayvl and Ayer, my older brothers always bet each other on who will be the first one to hunt down, and I get to choose the reward and the penalty. I laugh as I recall Ayer losing the bet last harvest week, as a punishment-we had him dress like a princess for a day.

"Ayva! Heart, you must start preparing to get ready for the afternoon", my mother speaks while entering my chamber.

"Ma! It is such a lovely day. I simply cannot wait for the hunting game today", I embraced her and continued talking about how eventful this week is going to be.

She smiled, "Ayva, you are not to accompany your father and brothers today. You will remain behind with me and your sister in-law to welcome the Queen of Taxilard while the King of Taxilard will be a special guest at the hunting game"

"But! You know that I have never missed a game since I was 10. You and Cynthil are here to welcome her, I will meet her at the dinner. I promise!", I exclaimed. We have always had guests during the harvest week from our neighboring kingdoms, but mother had never asked me to stay behind to welcome them.

She caressed my cheek and spoke while holding my hands, "Heart, they have proposed your betrothal to Prince Zynar, their only son. Your father and I are very thrilled with this proposition. We believe there could be no better match for you than the Prince"

My heart skipped a beat, I couldn't trust my ears. I could feel tears brimming in my eyes, however I made a decent attempt to hold them back. I knew my parents were searching for an appropriate match ever since I turned 23 last year but they had not come across a suitable one. I thought they had given up their search. In addition, I never considered my marriage talks seriously; and now the sudden realization of me being afar from my family, my home frightened me and I just wished this was not true. I couldn't find my voice and all I could articulate was, "I do not wish to be married mother. Could we please refuse this?"

She sat me down, "Ayva! We love you and wish only the best for you. Trust me when I say that we do not wish for you to be away from us. But when we met Prince Zynar a year ago, we just knew in our hearts that he was the one for you. Have faith in our choice heart. And your brothers also approve of him. This is the first time everybody in the family has given their consent for a proposal, which conveys that he is special, isn't it Ayva? We are asking you to only meet him and know him better. In the event that you do not like him after you meet him tomorrow, we will say no to this proposal"

I looked up at her to meet her eyes, all I could see was love and only love for me. I knew that if I refused, my family would support me, but seeing them in pain is something I cannot bear. I gestured my head gradually giving my consent to meet the prince when Ayvl's better half, Cynthil entered the chamber.

Mother asked Cynthil to help me get ready to meet the Queen of Taxilard. Cynthil awaited while I bathed. The water relaxed my tensed body and eased away the painful thoughts of separation from my family. 

She had picked up a beautiful sapphire colored dress for me, and brushed my long black hairs. She insisted on styling my hair and blushing my cheeks, however I denied. Simplicity is the most genuine nature of beauty, something that I have learnt from my father and I truly believe in it. 

"You said yes to meet Zynar? I am so glad you will be gone in the matter of a few days and I can eventually take over your delightful chambers Ayvi", exclaimed Ayer while sheepishly smiling. 

I marched in anger towards him just when Ayvl entered the room to embrace me and kissed my forehead, "Do not listen to him Ayva, he is the one who will miss you the most whenever you leave. Remember one thing! If you do not like him, just inform me. Okay?"

Ayer joined the embrace, "Brother is right! I will be truly sad when you are gone but not because I will miss you but because I will have no one to tease!"

I turned to hit him and everybody ended up laughing. I felt so relieved to see my brothers stand with me like always. I knew nothing evil could ever touch me when they are shielding me. Just when we were recovering from our laughs, the guard conveyed the message that the King and Queen of Taxilard have arrived and my father is anticipating my brothers so that they can leave for the hunting game.

I wished my brothers luck in the game and saw them depart from my balcony. I suddenly felt restless and uneasy seeing them disappear from my sight. As I attempt to understand the underlying cause of my anxiety, Cynthil asked, "Dear, Are you ready to meet the Queen?"

I took a deep breath and replied, "I am"

Author's Note

I hope you all enjoyed the first chapter. I am really sorry for any grammatical errors, and I would love to hear your suggestions so please do comment. I am not going to give a celebrity face to my characters just so that you guys can see them as your personal favorite celebrities. 

We will meet our warrior very soon in the upcoming chapters :).

Enjoy!!!