The Rogue King

No! I will never marry the rogue king! You can't be that heartless to make me suffer this way," The air in the throne room froze at the outburst. Ravenna looked at her parents, her eyes filled with anger. 

"She talked you into this didn't she, father?" Ravenna cast an accusing glance at her mother. The queen had a plain look on her beautiful face. Ravenna's tantrums didn't faze her, her head held her crown, her eyes focused on Ravenna. 

"Ravenna, child, it is for the good of the kingdom." Her father said, his voice calm. 

"Good of the kingdom you say? You're whisking me off like an object, without a choice? I refuse to marry the rogue King. I'll rather spend the rest of my days in the dungeon." Ravenna spat, her tone defiant, her eyes suddenly begining to water.

No, she wouldn't cry, she wasn't weak. She will refuse this shackles of slavery in the paintings of a marriage. 

" Oh stop your childish mindless tantrums, Ravenna. You are a princess and it is your duty to marry for the good of the kingdom. You are twenty and three already, grow up." Her mother said with a rather stern voice. Queen Elyria stood up and walked down, her gown swooshing with each graceful step. She stood facing Ravenna. 

"Ravenna, child, this is not as bad as you think. The king of Cestria is good. My dear, it is your royal duty and you have no choice in this." She said again with a stiff smile as she took out the twig in Ravenna's hair. Her long dark hair was made into two big braids, dropping to her waist. 

 Ravenna glared at her mother, wishing more than anything to disappear from her intimidating presence. She was nothing like her mother- fair skinned, fair haired and blue eyed. 

Ravenna looked to her father, the one she was similar to. " Father, please, don't make me marry the rogue King. I promise, by the gods, I won't sneak out of the palace and go night riding anymore. I'll take my classes seriously, please don't make me suffer this way." She begged. Ravenna walked up to her father, tears in her eyes. 

"The king of Cestria has promised to take care of you, my lamb." Her father's heart broke to see her cry.

"But I can't marry a man I do not love, a man I do not know!" She said. 

Her mother tutted, turning her stern blue eyes to face her. " This isn't about love, Ravenna, it is about duty. Besides, I hear he's quite eye catching. You'll fall in love with him as time progresses." 

The door flung open and Xanthea came in, looking exactly like their mother.

"Mother, Father." Xanthea said as she did a graceful courtesy.

See? This was a princess!

"Why didn't you just give him Xanthea? She is the prettier one and has learned a lot. I still have a lot to learn. You can't just whisk me to be queen in some strange land when I haven't learned being a princess." Ravenna said, her eyes darting from her mother to her sister. 

"Stop with the excuses, Ravenna. Xanthea is already betrothed, and the king chose you. You will marry the rogue King and that is final..." Her mother said.

"A war is coming and we need to be in alliance with Cestria to save Valtoria from the raids." Her father added.

A war? They were sending her to be some sort of plea?!

"So, you're offering me as wife to the rogue King just so you can be in his good books? How hypocritic of you!" Ravenna snapped. 

"You do not speak to us in such manner, Ravenna." Her father's voice thundered. 

Ravenna let out a hysterical laugh. 

"Ravenna!" Xanthea called softly.

"Oh, stay out of this, Princess." Ravenna spat at her sister, her voice heavy with sarcasm. 

"You are offering your daughter as a bride to a ruthless king to avoid war? Are you not King Wolfric Valois the great? Cause I see nothing great in this-this marrying me off to prevent a war is a sign of weakness, father dearest," Ravenna said. 

Her mother launched at her, slapping her across the face. " How dare you?" 

Ravenna held her face, the faint sting from the slap still ringing in her ears. She looked up at her parents in disbelief.

"I am not asking you as your father, Ravenna, I am ordering you as your king. You will marry the king of Cestria in two days and that is final!" King Wolfric said, his eyes flashing with anger. 

In the end, she was unable to hold it tears streaming down her face in an instant.

"I will never marry the rogue King. I will run away and you'll never find me!" Ravenna yelled and ran out.

"Ravenna! Get back here!" Her mother called. 

"Leave her be, mother, she'll come around." Xanthea said softly to her mother. 

Ravenna ran as fast as her feet could carry her, holding her gown as she went. The sheer bulk of the gown made her stumble a few times but she didn't bother with it, tears of rage and sadness blinding her.

"Raven?"

Even Percival's call hadn't stopped her. She breezed past him heading straight for her chambers.

Ravenna sobbed into her bed, her shoulders rising and falling with each sob. 

"My lady, I have prepared your riding clothes." A dainty looking maid said as she entered the princess's chamber. 

"Leave me, Isla." Ravenna said into the pillows.