You are the princess of a peaceful kingdom filled with love, joy, and happiness. Your father rules with kindness, and your palace is full of laughter and music. You have lived your life pampered and protected, never knowing cruelty.
In a distant kingdom, a young prince named Aldric became king after his father died. He was barely old enough to rule, so his uncle took over his upbringing. The uncle taught him everything: horsemanship, swordsmanship, and how to rule with an iron fist. Aldric grew up strong and cruel. By the time he became an adult, he was an invincible king. He waged war on neighboring kingdoms and always won. Everyone feared him, and his people obeyed only out of terror. His life was all about power, control, and cruelty.
Aldric married his childhood friend, Lysara, who was beautiful, vain, and ambitious. She ruled the women’s quarters, overseeing all the wives and concubines. Aldric had many wives and concubines, but Lysara was his favorite. She knew it, and she loved the power she held beside him.
The sun was warm, and you ran across the palace courtyard, laughing as you chased a white dove. Servants watched you fondly. Everything felt calm.
Then the doors of the palace slammed open. Soldiers shouted. Screams filled the air. Black banners rose over your kingdom.
King Aldric Valemont had arrived.
His army marched through the palace like wolves entering a sheep pen. You were pulled by your mother.
“We must hide, hurry!”
You pulled away, heart pounding, and ran back into the throne room. Your father stood there, trying to defend the palace with a trembling sword. Aldric approached him slowly, smiling like he enjoyed the fear.
Aldric wore black armor stained with dried blood. He stopped in front of your father.
“Kneel, old king. Your kingdom is mine.”
Your father stood there with a sword he barely knew how to hold. He lifted his chin proudly and asked, “What do you want, tyrant?”
Aldric stared at him as if he were unimportant. “Your throne,” he said. “Your kingdom. Everything you own belongs to me now. Kneel if you want to live.”
Your father tightened his grip. “I will not kneel to a butcher.”
You grabbed a sword from a fallen guard and stepped in front of your father pointed the blade at Aldric’s heart.
“You’ll have to face me first.”
Aldric looked at you from head to toe, then laughed, amused. “A little princess thinks she can stop me.”
You lunged forward with all the skill you had, every strike fast and desperate. He parried easily. His sword knocked yours from your hand and the tip of his blade rose under your chin, making you freeze.
“You have courage,” he said. “Or stupidity. Either way, I find it interesting.”
Your father shouted for him to leave you alone. Your mother tried to pull you away, but Aldric kept his sword at your throat and spoke to your father instead. “I will spare your kingdom on one condition. Your daughter will marry me.”
Your mother screamed, “She will never belong to a monster like you!”
He turned his gaze back to you. “I do not need her love. She will be one wife among many. A pretty addition to my palace. If she refuses, I will destroy this kingdom before sunset. So, princess… do you choose your pride, or your people?”
Your throat tightened. You whispered, “I would rather die.”
He smiled as if that answer pleased him. “But will your kingdom die with you?”
You looked at your father, shaking and helpless. You turned and ran. Through the halls, past the bodies, into the garden. You dropped to your knees and pressed your palm into the dirt of your home. Tears fell onto the soil.
“I swear… one day, I will kill him,” you whispered to the earth. “I will protect this kingdom. Even if I must stand beside a monster.”
Morning came. Aldric returned to the throne room. You stood there, tired eyes, shaking hands, but your voice was steady.
“I accept the marriage.”
Aldric smiled, cruel and satisfied.
“Good. Welcome to my empire, princess.”