“What is love papa?”

“Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It does not dishonour others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, and it keeps no record of wrongs.”

“Is this how love is done then, papa?”

“Yes darling”

“So, is this how Mama loved you?”

“Come on now it’s time to sleep” Saying this the man took his daughter to her room to sleep.

After making his daughter sleep, he finally sat all alone in his room staring at the picture of a beautiful woman who was smiling and looking at the flowers. He kept staring and staring while reminiscing about the past, staring at the moments again playing in his mind.

But must he say that the one who writes the destiny is really strong.

7 YEARS AGO

“Your Highness”

“Yes Herman”

“Her Highness the Queen Mother is asking for your presence; I think she wants to discuss an important issue with you regarding the kingdom.”

“All right, I’ll be right there”

“Yes, your highness”

Closing the door of the study the personal guard of the prince went away. Arthur knew what was coming for him and he knew his mother was right but what he could do? Running after girls was not his thing after all he was His Highness Prince Edward Arthur Boleyn the heir apparent to the throne of The Kingdom of Elden Wood.

Getting up from his study chair he dusted his clothes and moved towards his mother’s chambers. His mother Her Majesty Queen Adeline was a kind woman yet knew how to command the kingdom she was witty and virtuous and that was what secured her position as the queen. She knew how to command and rule the kingdom together with the king.

Arthur reached the wide doors after walking for 5 minutes. Upon seeing him as usual the guards bowed to him and opened the door of his mother’s room.

His mother was sitting on her wide couch enjoying the tea while patting her pet dog, a golden retriever whom she called Lulu.

“Mother” called the young prince and moved to sit beside his mother.

“Arthur'' Adeline called affectionately to her son and patted his head “Herman said you wanted to talk about the kingdom.” Asked the young prince.

“Ahh yes, you know Arthur your father’s health is gradually falling and you being the heir apparent are supposed to take over the kingdom but you know the conditions and I think I do not need to explain them to you”.

“Mother, I know I need to get married in order to inherit. But you know right I am the heir apparent. I have my duties and obligations, and I don’t have time to run after a woman”.

“All right then I have no choice but to hold a ball and you are supposed to find your bride there all right?”

“Okay your highness”

“Good boy,” his mother smiled at him.

“I shall take my leave now”

“All right”

Exiting his mother’s chambers, he directly went to his study. He sat there looking towards the lady in the painting staring right back at him. He smirked, he knew she would hear this and won’t let go of such an opportunity, and he will make sure to get all the arrangements done. The time has finally arrived for the tigress to return home, her home for the rest of her life and he will make sure to never let her get away again.

The lady in the red gown looked smiling and was staring right back at him, he stared at the painting for as long as he could and wished to get all of her and he will make sure to get it.

The night arrived and he went back to his chambers. He looked at his empty bedroom where he could never find solace but he knew just a few days  more and then the emptiness will soon be filled by her. He will make sure to love her day and night so that the thought of leaving him will never ever cross her mind ever again. And just the thought of it made him more than excited. Sighing he laid down on his bed to take a good rest to start the preparations for her bride from the next day.

The next day all the invitations for the ball went out from the palace. All the noble ladies were excited, after all the ball was being held for the prince to find his potential bride. Everybody in the capital was very excited about the approaching ball.

The invitations were given not only to the nobles of the kingdom but to the neighbouring kingdoms too. Every princess and noble lady was excited after all a very powerful kingdom was finding a potential bride for their prince. It would be very beneficial not only for the woman to get married to the prince but also to the kingdoms. Everybody had Elden Wood as their allies.

AZTLAN KINGDOM

A new day brings new hope and new energy and with that energy, she woke up and got ready for the day. She was the princess. Yes of course she lived in the luxury of the palace but she had a different life than any other princess. She was trained to fight and to be a warrior. Not that she complained about anything, she knew she had a goal and she would do anything to accomplish it after all this is what she was taught since childhood.

“Your Highness, his majesty the King wishes to see you”.

“All right, I’ll be there”

She got ready in a beautiful gown with the princess tiara on her head and started to head towards her father’s room. She had an older brother and her mother had died when she was 5, right before her eyes she still remembers the day which still gives her nightmares.

Reaching to her father’s room the guards bowed and opened the door to her. She went inside. Her father was standing in his royal robes all ready to attend the court.

“Good morning, Father”

“You came” her father smiled towards her.

“I had to after all you had summoned me” She smiled at her father

Turning towards his daughter he said with a serious expression

“The time has come” The king showed her the invitation letter to the ball.

“I am more than ready,” she said while smirking after all this is what they had been getting her ready for.

“You’ll enter the ball as the daughter of Viscount Edmund and you will remain as his daughter until the time, keep in mind everything you’ve been taught. I’ll be waiting for the news of victory.”

“Yes Father, rest assured soon you will hear the news of victory”

“I hope so. Pack your things the carriage has been prepared”

“Yes Father”

Bowing one last time she went to her room. She was more than ready for the things awaiting her.

She packed her things and bid an emotional goodbye to her brother.

“I will be fine brother.”

She assured her brother for the hundredth time.

“As much as I hate it but take care Ari, I’ll be waiting for and in any circumstance never hesitate to come back to me okay?”

“Yes your highness”

They both chuckled and gave each other a hug. She looked back at the palace more exactly at the window of her father’s office only to find her father staring back at her. She nodded at him and sat in the carriage not turning at all because she knew she wouldn't be able to do it if she looked back.

“We are about to reach the capital of Elden Wood, your highness,” her carriage driver announced.

She looked outside, and the huge building of the Empire’s royal palace could be seen.

“Here I come Elden Wood, Beware”.

“Ariana, run”

“No mummy, not without you”

The little girl clutched the fringe of her mother with tears in her eyes not ready to leave her at any cost. The mother took her in her arms while crying. Fear, pain, this was all they could feel.

Running through the woods they were exhausted. The sound of footsteps getting nearer and nearer every passing second.

“Baby listen to mummy, will you?”

The little girl nodded with fear lurking in her eyes. Her mother making her sit behind a huge tree covering her with grass and mud made sure that no one would be able to see her.

“Sit here quietly until mommy comes back, okay?”

“Mummy don’t leave me alone please” the little girl said while sobbing

“I won’t baby I will come back okay” saying she kissed her and stood away from her. She could hear people surrounding them. She could hear them making fun of her father.

Hearing her mother’s cries, she stood up wanting to run to her mother. Yet before she could reach a bulky man stopped her not letting her go to her mother.

She cried, wanting to be with her mother. They tortured her mother in front of her. And finally, after getting done to their heart’s content they pierced her killing right in front of her eyes. She was traumatized, hating her situation, hating the whole world. They finally left her; she ran to her mother calling her to wake up yet her mother never woke up.

“Mummy…. Mummy wake up please”

“Mummy”

“Mummy”

She opened her eyes. Once again, the nightmare which has haunted her sleep for decades, the nightmare which has fueled her to get ready for revenge.

She touched her cheeks feeling the wetness, she wiped the tears and looked outside. The day was dawning, one more day bringing her near to her destination. It has been 2 days since she has  reached the capital, the count's house and garden is really very big and spacious. The count had introduced her as his daughter who was under the care of her Aunt in neighboring kingdom and has now returned to her father's side.

Not wanting to experience the dreadful past through her dreams. She got up and got dressed in a light gown and went outside in the garden to freshen her mind.

The flowers were blooming, and so was her desire to get revenge every day.

Wandering through the garden which was facing the woods, she suddenly remembered the lake where she used to go with her mother when she was a child to play.

She started walking towards the lake which was in the middle of the woods. Not many people knew about that place, and even if they did then it was dawn nobody was awake, so she wouldn’t have to face the people anyways. Soon she reached the place. There was this beautiful lake in the middle with wildflowers blooming since the spring had come. She sat on the green grass by the lakeside. The fresh air of morning and the peaceful environment, this was all that was needed for her.

She sat there reminiscing the past as if living through them again. The moments when she was surrounded by joy, gladness, love, and peace. When she was naïve yet was happy. She remembers her mother who used to sing her melodies and songs.

She, already lost in her own fantasy world, starts to sing the melody, which her mother taught her.

Oh, the sound of love, so soft and sweet;

Oh, the sight of love, so gentle and meek.

Pride shall fight, with jealousy and strife;

But oh, the victory of love is so bright.

As she sang, unaware of the fact that there was someone else there too seeking peace, and was very well finding it in her voice.

Let the whole world stand ‘against thee;

Vicious serpent, the strongest weapon

But oh, the victory of love;

Shall forever stand bright.

As she sang, as the animals stopped their talks, the whole forest stood still, wanting to listen to her with great concentration.

For years the fight has gone,

Whether love or hate is strong.

When hate reigned people died,

But power with love has always shined.

Whereas on the other hand, certain someone was in awe of her voice and the words coming forth, finding so much solace in them.

What an amusing irony could be seen, here she was singing about the significance of love yet at the same time was burning in revenge. She hated the King for his hypocrisy and yet was being hypocritical herself. Having sung to her heart’s content, she stopped singing and sat there quietly for a while. And he sat there just gazing at her beauty wondering what might have brought this beautiful soul here in the middle of nothing.

She sat there closing her eyes wanting to forget the world for a while, wanting to get lost in the beautiful memories she had cherished of her with her loved ones. While on the other hand he was there gazing at her face wanting to lose himself in her soul in hope to find solace.

Walking back home she got dressed for the day and the things awaiting her.

“My lady, the viscount wishes to know if you will accompany him to the palace today”

“I will, when will we go there?”

“In the afternoon my lady”

“All right, prepare the bath”

“Yes, my lady”

The carriage stopped at the entrance of the palace. Viscount got down first from the carriage.

Ariana got down after, unlike others she was not at all in awe of the beauty of the palace, after all she had grown up in one.

Walking down the halls of the grand palace, the only word that came to her mind was extravagance. Even though she had herself grown up in a palace still this was much grander than her childhood home. They came across a set of huge doors with beautiful designs on them. Walking inside there was what she assumed was the lounge with a sofa arranged in the middle and a beautiful coffee table completing the look. Right across the sofa was a huge glass window which gave them a beautiful view of the mountains and village houses.

“My Lord, the king and queen will appear right after a moment until then please have a seat and enjoy the view”.

“of course, thank you”

 Bowing to them the servant went away not before pouring tea in their cups.

*Door Opening

Two servants opened the door with the king and queen entering the room.

“My King”

Viscount and Ariana bowed to the king and queen.

“Viscount Edmund, what a pleasant surprise!”

“Yes my king, yet returning to the capital was even more pleasant”

Viscount said with a smile on his face with a laughter followed by the king. The king looked toward Ariana with smiling eyes.

“And this must be your daughter I assume.”

“Yes, your majesty” the viscount said.

“Your majesty” Ariana bowed to the king and queen. Although she looked calm and collected outside, she was burning in rage inside. The same disgusting laughs ringing in her ears.

“Come let’s sit,” the king said.

“Come dear, let us take a walk to the garden” The queen said to Ariana.

“Of course your majesty, it's a lovely day afterall.” She sighed in her mind. She could not help but be thankful to the queen for the and probably for the last time in her life.

Walking through the garden Ariana was really impressed by the beauty of the garden. Maybe the garden was the only pretty thing she could find about this family.

“Ariana, have you ever heard from the royal family of Aztlan. Since most of  the time of your life you lived there.”

Ariana went stiff at the question. Since she had learnt well to hide her emotions she didn’t show it on her face. She knew that the queen and her mother used to be friends but everything fell apart after that horrible incident. She knew the queen was innocent but she could not help but feel disgust for that bastard whom they also call the king.

“Ariana! where are you lost?”

“ah! pardon your majesty, I was just a bit lost.”

“Are you fine my dear?”

“ yes your majesty”

“Your majesty, his majesty the is asking for your presence”

“Alright, I'll be right there.” Adeline said while dismissing the servant, turning to Ariana she said “Dear i think i need to go if you wish to spend some time here you can by all means feel free alright.”

“Yes, your majesty,” Ariana said, bowing a little to the queen. Aeline smiled a little and went away.

Watching the queen going away Ariana sighed. Turning and gazing at the garden she couldn't help but feel refreshed and feeling a sense of deja vu too. After all this is where most of the time her holidays were spent. She walked around caressing the beautiful flowers unaware the same eyes gazing at her drinking all of her as if afraid she’ll again get away from him. But this time he had planned to make her his completely and eternally his forever.

Turning to look around the pretty roses never had she ever thought that her eyes would get locked with the same pair of eyes gazing at her with so much passion making her shiver again. The eyes which were diverting her from her path. Which was not to mention was very dangerous for her, for him and for everyone. When their eyes met, It was as if a storm had started and it was never going to end, not  until they all would submit themselves to it. To let it reign forevermore.

The storm had started, the fight had begun. Now it is in the hands of the one who writes destiny to decide whether love or hate will win.