Chapter 4: Facing Uncertainty

Chaos erupted in the kingdom when word spread of King Kiyoshi's demand - he would take a Niamedan bride, or war would follow. Mothers hurried their daughters indoors while fathers arranged hasty marriages, desperate to protect their families. Newspapers blazed with stories of the impending doom, painting a grim picture of the future for Niameda. The people, already weary from years of strife, grew frightened and uneasy.

Tanisi rushed through the estate's halls, waving a newspaper above her head. "Sisters!" she shouted, bursting into the living room.

Asha and Adanna leaped up from the sofa, anxious for news. "What is it?"

"King Kiyoshi is demanding a wife!" Tanisi shouted breathlessly.

Asha grabbed the newspaper from Tanisi's hands and scanned the headline, "It says His Majesty will reward any family who provides a bride." She glanced up at her sisters, her eyes wide with fear and determination.

"In our small kingdom, it will be difficult finding someone willing," Ife pointed out, frowning. "King Kiyoshi has made it clear that he wants a docile bride. Any family who dares send their daughter to him will be risking her safety and honor."

Kazi scowled. "Especially since he is a vampire! What sane woman would agree to that?"

Asha read further. "It says he wants a duke or councilman's daughter but will consider any woman of marriageable age."

Tanisi's eyes went wide. "Does that include us? Our father is a duke!" The sisters exchanged uneasy looks. "We're doomed!" Tanisi wailed. "One of us could be taken!"

"Calm yourself," Nia said evenly. "The chances are slim they will choose us."

She rose, setting her embroidery aside. "Even if they did, Father would insist I be the one to marry. And we all know how that tends to go." She said before she excused herself out of the room, taking the newspaper with her.

The girls watched her leave, their minds racing with worry and fear. Tanisi sank back onto the sofa, her eyes filling with tears. "What if they take her?" she whispered, her voice shaking. "Nia practically helped father raise us. She is so calm and kind. She does not deserve that."

Asha put a comforting hand on her sister's shoulder. "We will protect her, Tanisi. We will make sure nothing happens to her." She glanced at Adanna, who nodded in agreement. Perhaps Nia was right - they were likely worrying about nothing. Still, the thought of one of them being taken from them was unbearable.

𝕺𝖚𝖙𝖘𝖎𝖉𝖊, 𝖙𝖍𝖊 𝖐𝖎𝖓𝖌𝖉𝖔𝖒 𝖍𝖊𝖑𝖉 𝖎𝖙𝖘 𝖇𝖗𝖊𝖆𝖙𝖍, 𝖉𝖗𝖊𝖆𝖉𝖎𝖓𝖌 𝖜𝖍𝖆𝖙 𝖙𝖍𝖊 𝖉𝖆𝖞𝖘 𝖆𝖍𝖊𝖆𝖉 𝖒𝖎𝖌𝖍𝖙 𝖇𝖗𝖎𝖓𝖌.

The dukes, barons, and councilmen gathered in the great hall; their faces grim as they discussed the dire news. Duke Nari's heartfelt heavy in his chest as he listened to the murmurs of worry and fear.

"I refuse to sacrifice my daughter to that tyrant!" one baron protested angrily. "Our people have suffered enough." His voice was filled with outrage, and several others nodded in agreement. Duke Nari sat silently; his heart heavy with worry. He knew that the stakes were high, and the decision they made today could change the course of their kingdom's history.

Another duke cried, "You expect me to hand my child over to a monster?" His voice was filled with disbelief and horror. The other men around the table nodded in agreement, their expressions grim. Duke Nari felt a weight settle heavily in his chest as he listened to their concerns. He knew that each of their daughters was precious to them, and he shared their fears.

"Silence!" King Madoc's voice boomed through the great hall, and all conversations came to an abrupt halt. The king rose from his throne, his expression stern. "We must find a solution, for all our sakes." He paused, his gaze sweeping over the assembled nobles. "I understand your fears, and I share them. But we cannot allow emotion to cloud our judgment." He took a deep breath, trying to steady his own nerves.

A councilor spoke up nervously, "Please, Your Majesty, my daughter is my only child and most precious treasure. I cannot give her up." Murmurs of agreement followed. Then a voice called out, "Why does not Duke Nari offer up one of his six daughters?" There were a few surprised gasps, but the king's gaze settled on the duke expectantly.

"Absolutely not! Most are far too young for marriage." Duke Nari spoke quickly, his heart racing. "I would not subject any of my daughters to such a fate."

"But your eldest, Nia, is 28 years old already," a baron pointed out. "She would be the perfect choice." There were a few murmurs of agreement from the others, and Duke Nari felt his heart sink even further. He knew what the men were thinking: Nia was above the prime age of marriage, and it would be unlikely that their enemy would choose her. But he could not bear the thought of his daughter being sacrificed, even if it meant sparing the others.

Nari fixed the man with a hard stare. "Baron Thornbury, is your daughter not 30 and still unwed herself?" He waited for the man's eyes to widen before continuing. "She is every bit as old as Nia, and yet you would condemn her to the same fate. I think not."

The baron's face flushed with anger, and he went silent. Nari turned back to the king. "Your Majesty, my girls are not yet able to fend for themselves. You cannot expect them to rule a kingdom of vampires." He paused, taking a deep breath. "I will not sacrifice my daughter for the sake of politics. I beg you, spare her."

"Enough! We have heard your pleas." The king's voice boomed through the great hall, silencing all. "Prepare all your daughters. King Kiyoshi will call on each household himself in one week and choose a bride." The nobles exchanged worried glances. He looked sharply at Nari. "Ready your eldest, Duke."

With that, he stormed out, leaving the men buzzing anxiously. Nari sat back heavily, rubbing his temples. After seven rejections, he dreaded adding yet another humiliation to Nia's future.

𝕭𝖚𝖙 𝖜𝖍𝖆𝖙 𝖈𝖍𝖔𝖎𝖈𝖊 𝖉𝖎𝖉 𝖙𝖍𝖊𝖞 𝖍𝖆𝖛𝖊?