Chapter 1: Compensation
A bloody scene, screams can be heard from from all directions.
No one anticipated an attack from Arving this time. The people of Rivesaw found themselves in utter despair. Losses of loved once ached in the bones wherever you looked. The sound from clashing swords could be heard.
A young girl, black hair and green eyes. Her lifeless body is tightly held by her brothers desperate clutches. He cries and he screams as the only remaining family member exhales her last ever breath in his arms.
…
Even I where shocked to find out about what had happened.
My family is cruel, I know that first hand.
But to attack a civil area with noting but civil people living their every day life.
disgusting…
But to make things worse. Rivesaws leading family happened to visit that precise area at the moment of the attack. The sister of their leader, brutally killed.
Rivesaws leader, Frenci, 25 years old, and already a powerful and respected leader who has his peoples support. He was chosen as leader at the age of 20 and has been occupying the role ever since.
Personally… I was not surprised when Rivesaw picked another young ruler. That has been the trend for almost 80 years now. Ever since the civil war started, Rivesaws side has had a tendency of only including the young citizens in official affairs. It is because of what happened in the past, they believe that the ones who are part of the military should be the once who rule over it.
In comparison… my father. 40 years old. Has been in power for 15 years. King of Arving they call him.
He is respected. But I know that this so called respect is founded in nothing but terror.
…
Right now… I am being called to the throne room.
To be honest I am very nervous. You never know what he wants when he personally calls you.
Did I do something wrong?
Did I not perform well during the last display?
Lately I have been training like a maniac.
The bruises from my last whipping are still not healed... I don't think I can handle another today.
…
Now that I arrive outside my fathers door… cold sweat starts to form. It has become a habit.
"His highness is waiting for you princess Asraa"
I give the guard a subtle nod.
He opens the door and I am greeted by the cold atmosphere in the room.
"Asraa, my daughter", the king exclaims.
It is a bit of an unusual greeting…
To my suprice, my two older sisters are also in the room. As well as my mother.
"I have news for you third princess"
That felt more like usual.
"You have finally been made useful", he says with an emotionless expression.
"As compensation for killing Rivesaws beloved sister, we have decided to offer you".
What…
I freeze… not only my body but my mind as well.
So the reason for gathering here, everyone, except for me. Is because they collectively planed my offering.
I am used to my family's cruel schemes, but this tops it all. I am to be sent as compensation for my fathers attack that killed the leader of Rivesaws younger sister?
"Sorry? What did you say, father?", is all I manage to say.
"You are not only incompetent, but also deaf it seems like, stupid child"
"I made use of your existence, and you are to go to Rivesaw territory in one week"
I turn to look at my sisters and mother.
Atlas, first born princess has a disgustingly amused look on her face. It is like a can read her thoughts.
Aviv the second princess, my sister also looks at me with content.
I know what they are thinking… that me being gone ups their chances of succession. Me gone only means that their chances of survival rises.
My mother avoids my gaze. I know she doesn't care. Me being born only made her life miserable.
For the queen to only birth daughters was seen as a disgrace. All throughout Arvings history, male successors are ideal. But after the third daughter was born, her royal highness was deemed cursed. It was decided that the three princesses had to prove themselves worthy, and only one would live past 25 and inherit the throne.
I know that my chances are close to zero, but to die this way is too much even for me.
"Why!? Why not just fight them in the fields?", I argue in desperation. In this moment I hardly recognize myself. I would usually never encourage an attack against Rivesaw.
My father gives me a displeased but shocked look.
"It is disappointing that you know so little".
"Rivesaw threatens to unleash a bio war if we do not compensate them properly, sister", Atlas says mockingly. Happy to turn any moment into a oppertunity to impress father.
I close my mouth, clench my teeth in defeat.
A bio war would mean death for everyone. It was deemed so deadly that Rivesaw and Arving made their first ever peaceful agreement together.
"You can leave now third princess"
I bow before I leave, "Yes your highness".
I turn around and march out with a rapid tempo.
I knew I was to die sooner or later, but not like this.
Not like this…