Maddie The Survivor

Lyra awoke with a start gasping. Tha-that was.. that nightmare. It felt so real, like it actually happened. But she knew for a fact that it wasn’t, for Cardithia had many ally’s and was not under attack. Their closest Ally was Kendoia. The dream made everything seem wrong, except for the fact that she was betrothed to the prince of Kendoia, Prince Vladimir whom which she had met before. He was a very very handsome man. He was in his early twenties and Lyra was nineteen turning twenty in just a few short weeks. 

The betrothal treaty says that the eldest daughter is to marry the prince exactly two weeks after the princess’s twentieth birthday. Which is in exactly six weeks today. She will have to move hundreds of miles away from her home. I’ve been training for this my entire life she thought with a little bit of hope. 

Each day she would get even more nervous for the wedding. 

Vladimir is a wonderful man she thought to herself. He’s kind, thoughtful, and fit to be a proper King. She could tell that her sisters envied her. 

She sat their, thoughtful, on her bed until she invited her maids in to get her ready for the day.

One hour later she stood before her mirror, examining her new dress. She smiled, her seamstress outdid herself this time.  She thanked her maids and headed to the dining hall for her breakfast.

She sat down at the dining table, her younger brothers and sisters must’ve already eaten. She delicately picked up the fork, and knife and began cutting her pancakes with elegance, if that was possible. 

After she finished her meal, she went to her lessons, today’s was.. what is todays? She wondered, ah, Cardithia history. She remembered. Lyra had separate classes then her siblings, for they did not have as extensive training in manners or politics as she did. She needed to learn these things so that, she could be the best Queen she could be. She walked with grace to the library where she took her lessons. 

When she got there, there was a man in there with her father, whom had a grim expression. Oh no, she thought, fear running through her body like ice.

PROLOGUE

Arya strode through the hallways of the Willow Fortress, furious. As the Princess of Cardithia, she could not be treated in such a disrespectful way. Calm yourself the words came instinctively from her mind. Lest she let everyone know-

“M’lady,” a young server lady said. “Is there a way I could assist you?” She asked in a tentative tone. 

“Your assistance is not required.” Arya said without a beat. 

“O-ok m’lady” she said as Arya left her behind. 

Arya slammed open the door to her fathers chambers. 

“How dare you come in una-“ he started

“How dare you father! Have me go off and marry some- some, old sickly slob!” She countered.

“What did you expect me to do?” He roared. “Cardithia is surrounded with no ally’s! Barely enough food to keep our soldiers alive.!”

“He’s more than half my age! He’s in his fifties!” She screamed

“He’s in his thirties, Arya.”

“I don’t care how old he is!” She yelled.

“Arya, I have no other choice, he said if I don’t send my eldest daughter he will invade all sides.” He said in a soft voice, “trust me, I don’t want you to have to do this any more than you do.” 

“Father, please,” she begged, tears streaming down her cheeks. 

“I’m sorry, I have no other choice.” He said, sorrowful. 

Arya stormed out of the room, cheeks stained with tears. Arya was going to marry the prince of Kendoia.