NOVEL NEXT Chapter 14: Unnamed
Int. Palace- Eatery - Night
The king and queen are having their dinner and he expresses his fears
Queen: You seem stressed, you haven't touched your food or eaten anything since the meeting. This is alarming. What is eating my man
King: Please be honest with me. Do you think I am reluctant towards my people?
Queen: Of course not, why would you even think that? Look at how peaceful our land is, people lack nothing and they are happy. This indicates that you are a worthy leader and doing a great job
King: Not everyone thinks so, especially Marcus. The storm is coming and this time around it will leave nothing but ruins beyond repair. People have been slaughtered which leaves only us as the last target
Queen: I see, so war is coming. Since it is coming we will be ready for it
King: You! What can you do besides getting killed
Queen: (smiles) Are you mocking me? It's good to see your smile after all that frawning. You tend to forget how good of an archer I am. Stella takes after me
King: That is why I married you, a woman not bound by traditions. She does take after you expect her temperament and a killing aura
Queen: She can be reasonable sometimes. Don't give up on her yet
King: I just feel like I am running out of time with her. Tomorrow is her 19th birthday hopefully it will be it
Queen: She will, tomorrow we will talk about her marriage with Mr Cue
King: Hopefully she won't embarrass us
Int. Palace- Stella's room- Day
She is sleeping when she is woken by a noise
Stella: Show yourself
Junior: Happy birthday sister
Stella: What would I do without my little sweet brother. Give me a hug. Now tell me, what have you gifted me this time around
Junior: This, a necklace and bracelet
Stella: I love it, it's very pretty. Our Junior surely has a good eye. Now help me put it on
Junior: I knew it, that you will love it. You know I especially made it for you, so that you know I will always love you forever and ever. Look, I also got myself a matching bracelet
Stella: You are always thoughtful and I also love you a lot. I will cherish this with all my heart and make sure never to lose it
Junior: When I grow up I will become strong just like you
Stella: No! You should be one in a million and make sure to surpass me and become the strongest king, feared and loved by your people
Junior: I promise to be like that
The Queen walks in
Queen: Junior, it's time for you to have breakfast, hurry now
Junior: But I want to spend time with sister
Queen: You will have many chances for that later. Now go. And you, freshen up and put on these clothes
Mom: You do know that I don't like dressing up
Queen: It's only for today. Once you are done you can take it off
Stella: No
Queen: Please, this is a first time request from your mother. Do I have to beg you, my own daughter?
Stella: Fine, I will do whatever you want. Just tell me this, what is going on that I have to dress up
Queen: If you want to know then quickly come out.
Int. Palace- Throne Room - Day
The guests have arrived, everyone is seated
Mr Cue: Your highness, this is my son Leo. The one I was talking about
King: I see, he is indeed a fine, young good looking man. Rumors has it he is the most intelligent of his own age group acing all his exams
Mr Cue: He is the son every parent would hope for. He is now of age and ready to the responsibility of serving the country and being a good husband to the princess
King: Then I have decided to put my trust in you. I present my daughter to you; Princess Stella (she walks in)
Everyone in the room is shocked as she walks in
Leo: {Ella?! She is the princess and I am supposed to marry her? No way}
King: The wedding preparation will begin as soon as possible
Stella: Marriage?! Since when am I getting married without my knowledge
Queen: Dear sit down first, let your father finish
Stella: I think I need some fresh air. Excuse me
Leo: Me too
Eve: Sit down Leo
King: It's ok, let the children go and get to know each other better. After all they will spend the rest of their lives together
They are walking past each other upset
Leo: I think I am going crazy. I will not marry you
Stella: It's not like I was planning to marry you anyway. I am not desperate
Leo: Desperate
Stella: Mmmh, isn't it why you are being sold in the guise of marriage. I can't believe they conned me into dressing up for you. What an embarrassment
Leo: I have never been insulted and disappointed at the same time. You are such a disgrace
Stella: I am glad that we are on the same page. Consider this marriage over before it even began