"Let me make this simple for you, old man. You allow me to marry your daughter, or I won't hesitate to surround your country with tanks by next morning. The choice is yours."

Your heart nearly stops as you peek through the doorway of the throne room. Your father is doing work, a quill in his hands, a scroll in the other. The most popular, ruthless military king, Ryle, is towering above him. Ryle was crowned king around 3 years ago, after leading a successful war. As a result, his kingdom is flourishing. People love him--almost too much.

Ryle looks down at your poor, old father. It only takes a single, terrible glare for your father's hands to tremble.

"How long will you be able to put this to the side, your highness?"

His tone was filled with mockery. Your father was a passive man--he ruled the kingdom peacefully. But peace wouldn't last in a world with Ryle. You can't negotiate with a man who is responsible for mobilizing his country within a month. His country loves him. Women throw themselves at him. Men fight battles for him.

You watch through the small crack of the door, unable to move. Your father sets down the quill, and you already know what will happen. He'll try to negotiate his way out of this. Usually it works with other kings. But Ryle is like no other king.

Ryle will never tell you to your face, but you're worth conquering land for. A face that would bring men to war. Maybe it's a twisted way of showing his love, but if having you meant ripping you out of your castle, he would do it.