Chapter-1

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”.

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