Breaking Bread for Love and Dread

“This is an exquisite throne room, Your Highness.” 

I stood rigid as I watched the dark-haired man lounge in the magnificent gold and silver throne that dominated the end of the hall; The throne that had rightfully belonged to my twin brother, Roshan. A part of me wished he would burst through the doors of the throne room and slay this man, but I knew that wish was in vain. My brother had been killed on the field by this usurper, The Black Prince, Iarlaith. I had heard many stories of this ambitious young man, heir to the throne of the Darthen Empire to the south of my homeland of Asehil. The stories had never painted him in a very pleasant light.

Asehil and the Darthen Empire had a long, blood-soaked history, a history that seemed to have ended with this prince. He had broken our armies, killed thousands, including our young king. When the palace was stormed, his men took my younger sister, Evette, our mother and I prisoners and everyone believed we would follow our son and brother into the abyss. That is until the Black Prince had summoned me by name. 

I lost my train of thought when Iarlaith cleared his throat. His black armor glinted in the torchlight as he rose from the throne. His dark gaze held amusement. But there was something more lurking underneath, something predatory and vile, like a viper in wait for a mouse to cross its path. It made my hackles rise even more than they were before.

“Very ornate, I have to say. While your brother was a disappointment on the field, he had good taste. Did you ever spend much time in this room, Princess Orianna?”

“A bit.” I curtly replied.

He chuckled once before turning to the soldiers who stood on the fridges of the room. “Leave us.”

The soldiers wordlessly filed out.

Once the doors slammed shut, Iarlaith spoke.

“There’s no need for such outright disdain, Princess. The men of Asehil fought bravely. It was no easy campaign, but of course here I am while they are in the ground, but they didn’t grovel or beg for their lives. They fought bravely until I ran them through. Until their homes and fields were nothing but ash and they spent their final breaths whispering curses on my name as I wiped their blood from my blade.” 

“You’re a monster.” I hissed. “The stories didn’t exaggerate that fact.”

He gave a dark chuckle. “Now, now, no need to be so harsh. You should not believe everything you hear. You may think me a monster, but you realize the Emperor ordered every member of the royal family of Asehil be eliminated? And yet, you, the Queen Mother and your younger sister still draw breath.” 

I scoffed. “You call that mercy? You were the one that slew our king.”

“Ah yes, the young king Roshan. If it’s any comfort, your brother faced the odds without fear. He, like the rest of his army, fought till the very end.” 

I fought the urge to flinch as the clawed fingers of his gauntlet brushed a stray black curl from my face. 

“I admire that courage, that strength. It’s why I like you, Princess Orianna. I see in your eyes that you are just as fearless as your men.” 

“So what are you going to do with me?” I asked, swatting his hand away. “If you seek to break our kingdom more than you already have, kill me and the rest of my family and be done with it.” 

A wicked smirk twisted his lips. “Oh, I have no intention of breaking your people, my sweet princess. I intend to save them.” 

“Save them? From what?” 

“Your brother, for all his physical prowess, was a poor excuse for a leader. The people of this kingdom deserved better than that fool, that’s why I am here to save them. By burning their homes and farmlands I’ve shown the people that their leader couldn’t protect them. I’ve taken their hands and guided them to the edge of darkness and only I will guide them back from the brink of death as their new king.”

“You are mad. Asehill would never accept you as their king.”

“Ah, but that’s where you come in, Princess Orianna. I need a queen, someone who has lived here all her life and will inspire her people. Someone who possesses the fortitude to help carry this heavy throne with me and I chose you, Princess.”

“Don’t flatter me. If you wanted a queen, shouldn’t you be asking my sister for her hand?”

“True, your dear sister is quite the beauty. I can only imagine how many bachelors would trip over themselves trying to catch her attention, much less her praise, but I have no interest in a queen whose only quality is a pretty face.” He leaned closer. “You aren’t the only one with stories around you, Princess and I am VERY intrigued.” 

“What are you talking about?” 

“A little bird told me you were one of, if not THE, finest wizard in the land. Far more content on spending your time in libraries, reading tomes and scrolls rather than attending balls and frolicking amongst the gardens. Not only that, but the bachelors that flocked to your sister like moths to flame overlook you. The eldest child, because they see the cunning in your eyes and they fear it. So you can imagine that not only can I pass up the opportunity to have such a bright mind by my side, but I am intrigued rather than fearful of your cunning. Wise men say that a sharp mind is just as dangerous as a sharp blade.” 

So he seeks a challenge? I held back a snort.

“I will NEVER be your queen.” 

His smirk faltered as a shadow fell across his face. “Is that so? I think you will change your tone if I have your sister and dear mother brought up from their cells.”

“Leave them alone.”

He gave me a narrow-eyed look. “Or what? Recall what I told you before, you foolish girl; I came here to see the royal line of Asehil snuffed out, and I will take great pleasure in making you watch as I kill what remains of your family, slowly and painfully. Perhaps I’ll even place their bodies up on the walls as a reminder to anyone who would defy the empire. Now let me reiterate, Princess, you can either take my hand in marriage and spare your sister and mother from this grisly fate, or die along with them. Your choice.”

I bowed my head. As much as the idea of sharing a bed with this man repulsed me, I couldn’t let him destroy more of my family and home. I couldn’t allow Evette and my mother to suffer more than they already have. I prayed to the Divine to give me strength. 

“Fine.” I whispered.

“What was that? Do speak up, my dear.”

I met his eyes. “Fine. I will marry you and be your queen.”

He grinned. “I am a very lucky man, indeed. Just imagine what our children would grow up to be. They will be powerful warriors, conquer the known world and be the greatest leaders the world has ever seen. They will be born with fury in their blood and fire in their hearts. Ours shall be a bright future.”

“We shall see. Now I wish to rest and see my mother and sister.”

“Of course, my men shall escort you to your new chambers.” 

“What about my mother and sister?” 

“Oh, you will be allowed to see them, but for now they will remain in their cells in the dungeon.”

“That wasn’t a part of the deal!” I snapped. “You said that they would go free.” 

“I said I would spare them, I never said I would free them. Don’t worry, beloved, your mother and sister will be allowed to see our wedding, but for now? They stay in the cells. I’d hate for you to do something we both come to regret.”

I had to bite my tongue.

“Now, go back to your chambers. The next time we see each other, we will be in white.” 

True to his word, a week later was our wedding. I had spent that week in my chambers, leaving only to visit my mother and sister in the dungeons. I had heard from my ladies-in-waiting that the usurper had spared no expense on the affair. He even had the gall to send me a wedding dress. I had seen nothing more gaudy and over the top when I laid eyes on that gown. Then the day came. 

I refused to wear the dress he had picked out for me, instead I wore a dress of deep scarlet and black. 

“Are you sure about this, Your Highness? Won’t he be angry that you would defy him like this?” One of my maids asked as she helped me into my gown.

I scoffed. “I don’t fear him and this will prove my point.”

The look on his face when he saw me enter the sanctum. Dressed in scarlet and black was well worth it. 

“Quite the statement, Beloved.” He hissed as he took my hand. “Did you not receive the dress I sent you?”

“I did, but white doesn’t suit me.” I whispered back before turning to listen to the priest. I could feel his eyes on me throughout the ceremony as it dragged on.

Finally, after what seemed like hours, the wedding feast began. Before we entered the hall, Iarlaith leaned in. “Who do you love more, Beloved? Queen Mother Kassiani, or Princess Evette?”

“What are you talking about?” 

“It’s a simple question. Whom do you love more? Your mother or your sister?” 

I stared at him in confusion. 

“Did you really think that you could get away with such defiance? So I’ll ask again, whom do you love more?”

“You can’t honestly expect me to choose.”

He casually shrugged. “I’d make that choice in a hurry if I were you.” 

I didn’t reply.  

“Announcing His Majesty,King Iarlaith of Asehil, Prince of the Darthen Empire and Her Majesty, Queen Orianna of Asehil.” 

Before we sat down, Iarlaith cleared his throat.   

“My friends and esteemed guests, I’d like to thank you for joining me on this momentous occasion. As you know, my marriage will make way for a bright future, however there is something I must address before we can continue.” He nodded to one of his knights. 

There was a scream from the back of the hall as they dragged my mother and Evette from the crowd and pushed onto their knees before our table. 

“What are you doing?!” 

“Setting an example.” He replied without so much as a glance towards me. “Now, something you must learn is that in the Empire, we do not take likely to defiance.” He held up his hand with five fingers up. 

I watched in horror as one knight emerged from the crowd with a whip in his hand. The knight began with Evette, lashing the whip across her back. I turned to Iarlaith. “Stop it, leave them alone!” 

He gave me an icy stare. “This is your doing, Beloved.” 

“Ori! Make him stop!” Evette screamed. 

I couldn’t watch. I couldn’t bear to look Evette in the eyes as she screamed and cried, begging for me to do something.     

“You would turn a blind eye to your sister’s pain?” Iarlaith hissed as he squeezed my arm. “I thought you were better than that.” 

I glared at him. 

He just smiled as he took my chin into his hand and turned my head to look at Evette, who lay on her knees, weeping. 

The knight had lashed the whip across my mother’s back. Contrast to Evette, my mother stayed silent. She didn’t make a single sound every time the whip found its mark. Five lashes. 

Once it was done, the knight coiled the whip back and stepped away. 

Iarlaith dropped his hand, and I took my chance. I hurried around the table and hugged them both, whispering apologies to them. 

“Now, let this be a lesson.” Iarlaith spoke. “As your king, I will not take defiance lightly, not even my beloved wife’s family is safe.” 

I glared at him when my mother put her hand on mine. 

“Orianna, don’t let him intimidate you. You must be strong, for your sister and for all of Asehil. You are their strength now.” She gave me a reassuring look. 

I stood, waving to their ladies-in-waiting to come and get them. “Bring them to my chambers, and have a doctor tend to them.” 

“Yes, Your Majesty.” 

I watched as my mother held Evette, who was still weeping as they filed out with their ladies in tow. They hadn’t even disappeared from the hall when Iarlaith came around the table and dragged me to my seat. 

“Now then, let us feast and be merry.” Iarlaith smiled as he sat down. Once he sat down, the hall which had been silent and still as the grave began to tentatively come to life. Musicians played as servants emerged, with exotic dishes I had never seen before. 

“You should be grateful, you know.” Iarlaith said. 

“Why?” 

“If it were any other day, other than my wedding, it would have become an execution.” 

“You wouldn’t…” 

Iarlaith just gave me a coy smile. 

I took a deep breath as I turned to watch the guests eat and drink.

“You know, Beloved-” Iarlaith said, between bites “-I’ve come up with a fitting motto for you.” 

“A motto?” 

“Something that you should learn to remember so that this kind of unfortunate event doesn’t happen again.” 

“Oh?” 

“Humble and penitent that shall be your motto-” He raised his goblet. “-A toast, Beloved. To our union and our bright future.” 

‘If you think I will be so easily tamed by you, or that my people will so easily bend to you and your fear mongering, then you are in for a surprise.’ I thought as I picked up my goblet. ‘You sought a challenge when you took me as your queen and wife, and I will give you a challenge of a lifetime. Humble and penitent be damned, hidden and patient, that will be my motto.’ I thought, raising a toast.