Chapter 6

• Arianna is ready. She is wearing a long dress in gold and red; the color of her Kingdom. She moves to the front gate and she meets with Keiran. He wears clothes of blue and black, the color of his banner and on top he wears a dark cape with fur. 
• “Aria” he says with a calm voice when he sees her. 
• “Keiran” she sounds a bit cold and he notices that. 
• He grabs another cape on the same style as his and places it on her. The fury wolf is the symbol of his tribe. 
• “You look dazzling” he comments. That makes her blush. 
• “Thank you. You look elegant, as always” she says back. 
• They are both waiting, not making a sound. She feels her heart heavy beating fast. 
• “Aria, I know that you must not like me much. I’m just a conqueror that came and took you as mine. I haven’t given you the freedom to choose. Today, you will get that opportunity. No matter what you choose, I won’t hurt you and I won’t hunt you. Today you are free to shape your own destiny”. 
• Arianna stands there with no words coming out of her mouth. She isn’t sure how to respond to any of this. 
• ‘What do I say?’ she thinks. 
• She is bewildered and she wants to ask him to explain. Before she gets to do that the bells ring to signal the arrival of the King and son of the Lotus Kingdom. 
• She swallows down and clenches her teeth. A breeze steers up every fiber in her. 
• “Welcome King Eris and his son Cassius!” a man shouts.
• They appear on the front gate of the palace. They have with them ten guards and five maids. 
• Arianna’s breath has slowed down. She avoids making eye contact and prefers to look ahead, ignoring them. 
• Her brother tries to find her eyes but she won’t respond.
• They stop in front of them. King Eris was prepared not to bow but seeing Keiran’s strong structure and intimidating face, he kneels. Cassius and the guards do the same.
• “You can rise” Keiran gives the order. Eris looks at Arianna and says strictly, 
• “What are you doing there? Come down and show respect!”. 
• Arianna feels awkward and is about to move. Keiran holds her hand and doesn’t let her take a step. 
• “You don’t belong down there”. 
• She blushes as his comment and stands her ground. 
• “Welcome father, brother. Please, feel like home” she says with a kind voice. 
• Keiran and Arianna move inside and are being followed by them. They reach the dining area and the maids offer them their seats. They start bringing the dishes and drinks that are brought from far away lands. 
• “King Eris, I think it’s time we talk” Keiran stops the fun from continuing. 
• “Of course Emperor. Tell us, why you invited us?” it seems the King is nervous. 
• “Your Kingdom is known for their production of the lotus plant that has great healing abilities. Everyone in the land would love to be able to have even a petal of the flower. For that,  I would like to strike a deal” Keiran speaks the words. 
• Cassius and Eris look at each other. 
• “The same thing happened with the previous Emperor” Cassius adds.
• “True. But it never happened really”. 
• “Alright. So you wanna resume the deal?” Eris asks. 
• “Yes. I believe we should be in good terms, what do you say?” Keiran says in a playful tone. 
• “Of course! That sounds amazing. That would benefit both Kingdoms. How do you wanna seal the deal? I have a beautiful daughter at home, Ellianna. I could arrange for her to come--”.
• “And what are you gonna do with this one?” he stops Eris and looks at Arianna. 
• ‘Ready to sell your other daughter?’. 
• “Let’s say, she had her use.. No one would marry her now that she isn’t..”.
• “A virgin?” Keiran adds the uncomfortable word. 
• “Yes” Eris mumbles. 
• “Oh believe me, I made sure the previous Emperor didn’t touch a hair from Arianna. I killed him”. 
• All of them are looking at Keiran, being is shock. 
• “Save your words King Eris. I chose my wife long before you got here. I chose Arianna”. 
• Arianna feels her heart beating so fast. 
• “But I want her to chose me too” he says and looks at her.
• Arianna feels so thrilled. No one has asked her if she wants something or not. She was never given that choice. 
• “I choose you too, Keiran” she says with a hypnotic voice. 
• She feels certain for her answer. She doesn’t want to go back to a family where she is sold like she is a slave. Especially now that she is still a virgin and of use for her father.
• Both Eris and Cassius are in shock, especially of the fact that she calls him my his name. 
• Cassius seems in doubt and steps in to say something. 
• “Is this even right? How can we even trust you with the fate of my sister?”.
• Keiran has an intimidating look and has just the answer for it. 
• “I’m sorry, but I’ve taken care of Arianna making sure no harm will come to her. I gave her a bed, clothes and food and of course, the freedom to speak. So, I believe I’m more trusted on that than the previous candidate you had for a husband”. 
• Cassius remains silent, feeling the worst. Keiran looks at Eris that he seems to enjoy his stay.
• “Is this a deal or not?” he tries to force an answer.
• “Ugh, of course! It’s a deal!”.
• Roen steps in, coming from the shadows of the back of the room and says,
• “Hail the Emperor Keiran and the Empress Arianna!”. 
• They all raise their cups and continue celebrating.
• They agreed to announce it to the Kingdoms and the marriage will take place in two days. 
• The dinner is over and some maids show Eris and Cassius to their rooms. Cassius finds Arianna and wants to talk to her. 
• “Aria, please” he has the tone of regret.
• She stops moving and looks back. “Can we talk?” he asks her. She agrees and they move to the palace garden.
• “I’m happy that you are okay. We were worried, father and I--” Arianna stops him.
• “I don’t know about you but I’m sure father wasn’t worried” she speaks the truth. Cassius isn’t sure what to say, but he knows she is right.
• “Fine, but you know I was” he insists. She has no sympathy and doesn’t respond.
• “Aria, what’s happening?!” he loses his patience.
• “You wanna know what’s happening? You left me here. The night of the attack I tried to run to you but you left! And then you do nothing to see if I’m alive! And now, I give you an opportunity to have a deal with the new Emperor and you don’t like it! Where were you when father wanted to marry me off to a senile man that wanted to use me in perverted ways?! What’s wrong to have a man that respects you?!”.
• At this point Arianna screams at his face and he just takes it. She stops to catch her breath and only silence remains. 
• “You are right, Aria. I haven’t had your back for a long time now. When father took the deal of Emperor Lon I was afraid to defend you, even though I knew it was wrong. Then, when the attack happened, I wanted to stay to fight and find you. Father ordered us to leave and said that you died. I chose to believe that. Now that I know that you are safe and sound, I’m trying to do what I should have done all this time. I don’t trust him. He acts nice but you don’t know how much blood he has spread across the land. He uses the abyss creatures and the Gods will forsake us because he is unholy. So yes, I don’t trust him with you. You remember right? You were a blessing from God Onir”. 
• (God Onir=God of healing).
• “Well, I don’t need your help now! Just agree with my choice!” she is still mad at him. 
• “Yes Aria”, he agrees. 
• It’s late, and they are about to go to sleep. Cassius goes to his chambers and Arianna is about to enter hers.
• Her father appears out of nowhere and grabs her by the hand. He hugs her tight saying, 
• “I was so worried!”.
• ‘This is a lie’. Arianna knows his bluff. 
• “Father, I’m alright” she mumbles. 
• “Arianna, you know I love you right?” she agrees only to make him leave. 
• “I’ll do everything to protect you! I heard all the horrible things this man has done! He is gonna torture you my child! I heard that he had three wives befores you and he tortured them till they died!”.
• ‘Lies, lies, lies’ she thinks again and again.
• “But I won’t let him do the same to you! Here take this!” and he gives her a small knife.
• “It has poison inside that would insta kill anyone! Use this on your wedding night, slit his throat, and I’ll take you home to be free!”. 
• ‘What the hell?’