The Princess's Ultimatum
Months pass and my birthday is coming up fast. We are outside sparring, when I hear a voice call my name.
“Lilja!” I turn to my mother’s voice.
My mother knows English, she just chooses to use Italian instead. I walk over to her. She is very beautiful. I look a lot like her. I have her small hands and feet, her round face, and small ears, as well as her long legs and medium torso. Another thing I’ve obtained from her, is my long, wavy, soft, violet black hair. Her complexion is fair, and she doesn’t look a day over twenty, but I know better. She would pass soon, so would father.
“Yes mother?” I ask once I’ve reached her.
“Who is that young man?” She asks, pointing over toward Alex.
“Oh, him? He’s a foreigner. His name is Alexander.”
She looks from me to him once or twice before she says, “I think you should get to know him better. I know he’s been around for a few months, unfortunately though, I have yet to meet him. Though if he’s a foreigner then he might be important. He may just be dressed in peasants clothes for appearance. Like you do at times, when you go into town. If he is someone important, then I’d like it if you arranged a marriage with him.” I look at her like she’s grown a second head.
“What? Absolutely not!” My voice grows sharp and raises a bit. “I will not seek out an arranged marriage. You know who I’ve grown fond of, and it is certainly not him. I’m not going to do it.”
I settle down, and look for composure while she takes the chance to say, “You will do as you’re told. I am your mother and your queen.” I look at her, my eyes devoid of emotion.
“I will not.” I turn and walk back over to the boys.
“Lilja, I’d like you to spar with Alex for a bit.” Simon says, gesturing to Alex. I shake my head, but do as I am told. Alex looks at me but says nothing. I get into my fighting stance.
“I won’t go easy on you just because you’re new.”
He smiles then replies, “Wouldn’t dream of it, Princess.”
I take the opportunity to strike. He blocks it easily. He strikes and I block. Blow after blow, we block each other’s moves, striking when the opportunity seizes itself. We sparred for a while. I am mad at my mom, and I realize he is mad at me. I had hurt him, all because I made an accusation that wasn’t true. I am afraid, and nothing could take away that fear. Because whoever “they” were, they were apparently coming, and I have absolutely no way of saving those I love. I maneuvered around Alex’s punch, and duck under then punch up, hitting him under his chin. He flies up and onto his back, cursing when he hits the ground.
“Geez, Princess. What exactly did I do to upset you?” He looks up at me.
“Nothing. Sorry, I have a lot on my mind. I’m going to get cleaned up. I’ll meet you in my room, then we will head to the library.” I help him up, then walk back to the castle and straight to the bath.
My bath is warm and soothing, and I feel surprisingly better. I walk back to my room wrapped in a towel. I find Alex laying on my bed and Lili sitting in a chair near him.
“Alex turn around please so I can get dressed and we can head to the library.” He turns around and I smile as Lili helps me dress in something appropriate for the library. Which happens to be a simple emerald strapless dress with sequins around the heart shaped neckline.
Moments later I am at the library with Alex. I grab just about every book on the history of Italia, as I usually do when we come. He sits at a nearby table reading the history books, while I sit on the window seat reading the book I began reading only yesterday.
“Lilja?” My mother’s voice fills the library. I look up from my book to see her standing on the staircase. I curse under my breath earning a look from Alex. I close my book, smiling as I look at my mother.
“Yes mother?” She takes in the sight, then shakes her head, a small smirk on her lips. “I was hoping to speak with you alone, but since it involves him I guess he can stay.” Alex stiffens and I straighten up to full height.
“If it is about an earlier conversation then it can wait, Mother.”
“No it cannot. I was hoping to announce your engagement at your birthday party in fifteen days.”
“Wait? What? No, I won’t do it. You cannot force me into marriage. I have a choice.”
“Lilja Mary Ulfur, you will do as you’re told, and if it were my choice you’d just have to settle with Alex, but it’s not and your dad wants you to marry a prince from the French province. Obviously his choice overrides mine.” I look at her, and an idea springs to mind.
“Fine, I have fifteen days. But! I will choose between three men. Alex and Kai as well as that stupid French prince, or no deal. I will run away, and you will not have an immortal heir. We both know you and father don’t have very long before you both perish. So it would take too long to get another heir ready.” I smirk, as she contemplates the idea.
“Fine,” she says at last. “You win, pick him up today while I explain to your father what has happened.”
“Yes ma’am.”
In the farmers market later, dressed in peasant clothing I see Kai. Upon reaching him I grab his arm. He turns to look at me.
“Your parents aren’t dead, follow me and you may see them.” He looks down at me astonished and wary, but follows me back to the castle.
Once inside the castle grounds, I lead him to the room his parents are being held in. I open the door, travel down the path and walk down a path toward another door. I open the door and step inside.
“Mary! James! Someone’s here to see you.” I call that out and a man and woman step forward.
“Yes, your Grace? Who–” Mary pauses at the sight of Kai, her eyes welling with tears.
“Oh my,” she covers her mouth. Kai runs over to his parents, and they collapse in a huddled heap on the floor.
“Kai is going to be staying here for a while. I figured it’d be a nice reunion.” I sigh, and smile.
“A guard is waiting outside. He will bring you to my room when you’re ready.” I step out and nod in the guards direction before returning to my room where I know Alex will be waiting.
“Alex, for the fifteenth time, he’s human, and no he is not your snack.” I say exasperatedly, rolling my eyes to show my annoyance. I’ve had to explain this to him for the past thirty minutes, because he doesn’t seem to understand my reasoning.
“But why would you invite him to the palace? If your father disproves then what’s to stop him from taking it out on you? I mean your mother didn’t seem too keen on the idea either. What if he punishes you for acting against his wishes? After all, he is making you choose between me, Kai, and a prince somewhere in the French province.” He looks genuinely nervous, and I stop to consider his point.
“You’re right, there are a lot of “What ifs” but my father wouldn’t punish me for something as silly as that. He’d punish me for treason, and he’d kill me for the ultimate treason. Killing someone of the royal family would be punishable by death. We all know this is true. So don’t fret, I’ll be fine. I promise.” I smile for emphasis.
Truth is, I didn’t know if that was true or not. I’m not sure what my parents have planned for me. I did know that whatever it is, it isn’t death. It took them one thousand years to get me fully prepared and ready for the throne. It might take more than that if they were to produce a new heir. Besides, if my dream is right, then “They” (whoever “They” are) were coming, and no one other than me would survive. Well, me and most likely Alex and Kai. My parents would be dead though.
Alex looks me over, perturbation etched into his features. “But I still don’t know why you did that. Why–”
A sudden knock at the door cuts him off. “Come in,” I call, assuming it is Kai. Sure enough a guard comes in with Kai at his back. The guard bows and I wave him off. He turns and leaves, leaving Kai standing awkwardly in my doorway.
“Please come and sit. I’m sure you have a lot of questions.” I smile and gesture toward the chair next to me. He comes in, closing the door behind him, and stands against the wall.
“I see, well, ask anything you wish.” He looks uneasily at me for a moment, then takes a deep breath.
“Why are they here? How is that possible? They died, a woman found me and took me to the priest.” He shudders. I don’t know what I was thinking when I thought this would be a good idea. I’m sure Mary explained something to him, because he looks afraid.
“You’re right, but they weren’t completely dead yet when I found them, though I guess I should start from the beginning.”
I take a deep breath and begin. “It was at night when I snuck out of the castle grounds to find some art supplies. When I arrived at your little town I noticed a house nearby that looked demolished. It was farther away so it didn’t seem like anyone had noticed. I walked toward the direction of the house and saw a woman and man laying on the ground. When I reached them, I also noticed they weren’t completely dead yet. So I gave them my blood, and they came back as Vampires instead. The woman told me there was a baby trapped inside. I went to find you immediately. Luckily I found you alive.”
I pause to see how he is reacting to this. His face is emotionless, and Alex had taken up pulling at the loose strands on my bed. “They eventually had a craving for blood. Mary tried to hold on for as long as she could. Eventually it was too much for her. She tried killing you, but I stopped her. To ensure it never happened again, she told me to take you to the High Priest. I did what she asked. The High Priest tried talking me out of giving you to him. I told him I’d be back, but I never came back. I’ve watched over you for them, told them what you were doing that day.”
I shake my head. “Anyway, on a lighter note at least you have been reunited. Now, to the reason you’re here. I brought you here because I have until my birthday to choose who I want to marry between you and him.” I point to him and Alex.
“Of course whoever I choose is able to back out. Although Kai,” I look over to him, and he looks up at me. “You will have to become a vampire before my birthday as well.” He freezes, just as Lili comes in.
“Oh Princess I didn’t know you had company. And Alex, what are you doing on the Princess’s bed? Have you no shame?” She looked from me to Alex. Then looks down at Kai.
“Lili, this is Kai. He’ll be staying with us for a little while. Please tend to his needs. He is human, so I figured a sweet independent lady like yourself, would be able to show him around. Give him the grand tour, since I can’t do it myself. Alex and I have a date, reconsidering past events, we must go to the shoppe in town to find the store owner and make sure she’s okay now.” Alex looks over at me, blushing slightly. Lili nods, then takes Kai and they leave.
I stand up and walk over to my wardrobe. “No looking, or I will gouge out your eyes.” He rolls his eyes and turns around, as I change into my peasant clothing. I pull the dress over my head, and pull the cloak over my shoulders.
“Okay you can turn around.” He turns around to look at me.
“My, my. Princess. You look good as a commoner.” Alex smiles and blows out a low whistle.
“But, I like you so much more in royal clothing.” I smile and playfully slap him on the arm.
“What?” He asks defensively. “It’s true. The clothes are much prettier on you.” Alex shrugs, and I roll my eyes. “Suck up” were the two words that came to mind, but that’s not what comes from my mouth.
“Yeah, well. I guess I consider you my friend, so you may call me Lilja. Yes, I am in my right mind this time. I just didn’t think it was fair that Lili was able to call me Lilja and you weren’t.”
“Awe Princess, do you actually care about how I feel? Don’t tell me, you’re in love with me aren’t you?” He smirks.
“No! Of course not! Why would you even think that?” I think my voice squeaked a little and my face burned red, which is why his smile grew.
“You are, aren’t you?” He looks at me. No, I think. I haven’t had enough time to fall in love with him. Have I? I look up at him. No, I haven’t.
I gather my composure, and in the most confident voice I can muster, say, “no, I am not. Even if I were, you wouldn’t know about it until my birthday.” I walk past him, and out into the hall.