1 The Monster King
Avery's POV
I am the second and last princess of Marooni kingdom.As a princess, my father, king Lazarus forbade me from leaving the castle without my guards and maid servants,so I often sneak out , though my personal servant, Mary is aware . I often disguise myself and sneak out of the palace to have a short stroll in the village. It's boring staying in the palace all day and reading only books. I've virtually read every book in the palace . I went to the market and saw two kids fighting over a bread .
"What's wrong kids ?"I asked.
"The bread is mine " The boy said while pointing at the bread the girl was holding .
"That's a lie . The bread is mine, I picked it first" The girl said. I looked at the bread and saw it was a left over . These kids are beggars .
"How about we go to that baker's shop and get a newly baked bread for all of us " I said and they shook their head .
"We don't have any money " The boy said and I smiled .
"Let's go . I have enough money for the three of us " I said and they happily followed me to the baker's shop . I bought a new bread and some snacks for them .
"Thanks a lot , pretty lady "The girl said and I smiled .
"You're welcome , prettier girl "I said and we chuckled .
"Thanks" The boy said and I nodded. I sighted some kids that were staring at us hungrily and signalled them to come closer. I told the baker to feed them to satisfaction and paid for the expenses. I hope father doesn't find out am not in the palace since I've stayed longer than I thought I would. I went to the palace and sneaked into my room from the window. The door opened and Mary came in .
"Change into your princess dress and come to the field. The king wants you to have a duel with your sister " Mary said .
"What's the point ? My sister is gonna win me like she always does. I don't fancy these things and father is aware " I said.
"I'll be going now and try to win her this time, Avery. Suitors are soon gonna come knocking on the door , you need to be fully prepared" Mary said I sighed.
"You say that all the time . I don't even think anyone's gonna come for me . My sister , Anastasia, is very lucky . She's got everything a princess should have . Suitors are already rushing for her but she's still saying no to their proposals, because she knows better ones are on the way . But I don't even have hope of being married to a son of a guard" I said and Mary glared at me.
"Your father loves you a lot and wouldn't let you marry just anybody" Mary said.
"I don't mind marrying a commoner as long as he's someone I love" I said to Mary and she frowned .
"You're a princess. You won't marry a commoner " She said and I rolled my eyes .
"Wait till I fall in love " I said and left for the training ground . I got there and saw my sister, Anastasia, talking with our father.
"Am here , father " I said and they turned to me.
"We've been waiting for you. Where have you been ?" Anastasia asked .
"Library. I was reading some books. Re-reading actually, since I've read every book in that library" I said.
"So what am I here for?"I asked.
"Duel .Father wants us to duel so you'll get better in sword fighting" Anastasia said.
"You're gonna win as usual, what's the use?"I asked.
"You accept defeat even before you pick up your own sword. That is a very wrong approach. You need to have some confidence in yourself, Avery " Father spoke.
"Alright then , let's fight " I said and picked my sword. As usual , in few minutes my sword was on the floor and Anastasia's sword was pointed at my throat .
"You won. Just like I predicted " I said and father shook his head. Father was about to scold me as usual when a guard came in.
"What is it ?" Father asked .
"My king , the king of Alonza has sent you a letter " The guard said and handed the letter to father. He read the letter and his face looked like he just saw a ghost .
"What's wrong father ?"I asked.
"Go to your rooms now. Anastasia, tell your mother, the queen to come and see me in my room " He said and left.
"What do you think must have happened , Anastasia?" I asked.
"Whatever it is, it doesn't look good" She replied and left.
King Lazarus' POV
I paced in my room while staring at the letter sent by the monster king. My kingdom, Marooni has known peace and never had a reason to fight any kingdom. The Monster king made a marriage proposal in the letter he sent. It can't be called a proposal because I can't reject it even if I want to. Rejecting his proposal will spell doom on my kingdom . I heard a knock on the door and said a 'come in'.
"My king , why are you looking distressed?" My wife , Queen Elisabeth asked and I gave her the letter. She read it and gasped .
"He wants to marry , Anastasia?" She asked and I nodded.
"How can Anastasia marry that sickened monster? He's not fit to be her husband. My king , write a letter back to him and tell him his proposal was not accepted " She said and I scoffed .
"Dont act like a child , Elisabeth. You know very well that the monster king can not be offended. If I reject his proposal, my kingdom will be reduced to ashes. We all will perish" I said and she shook her head .
"Are you going to give our daughter to her then ?"She asked.
"I'll write a letter to him and say we are ready to offer something that isn't our daughter , Anastasia. We'll give him half of the kingdom" I said and she nodded.
"Yes , my king. Do that now ,before it's late "She said and I wrote a letter for the monster king .
"Give this to the messenger and tell him to send it to the monster king , this instant " I said and she left with the letter.
