2 The Alliance!

Arianna and Brianna were identical twin sisters. It was always an hurdle for anyone to tell the difference excepts for their parents. They were identical in outlook but definitely not in character. They managed to get along well while growing up, but as soon as they became adults, their differences separated them even more.

Brianna was more outgoing, social and jovial compared to Arianna. She was always up and about. She was an ever smiling princess, she successfully won the heart of all the palace wardens, as she was always found a way to engage them in conversations that got them to talk about their personalities outside the palace. The moment she was in her room alone, she'd spend almost all the time daydreaming about her prince charming, for she believed in the possibilities that comes with love, she was often found twirling around singing " so this is love " the things that mattered so much to her was her family and falling in love.

She would often say playfully but firmly to personal maid, " When I get married to Liam, we are going to go on a romantic vacation to an island full of roses, we're going to have a romantic yatch ride " and she would smile mischievously...

Arianna was on the other hand, an extremely introverted individual, she most of the time spent all her day in her room. The palace wardens most of the time forgot that the king and queen had two daughters, as Arianna was always away in her room or away dancing... She was most of the time mistaken for Brianna by the palace wardens, but they would always immediately correct themselves as they learnt to tell the difference by observing the princess that smiles more.

The things that mattered most to Arianna was her parents and her dancing career, for she loved dancing and wanted to become a famous dancer. The fastest way to Arianna's heart was music.

While she was yet younger, her parents would always scold her when she sneaked out to go for her dance lessons, for them they felt that was not the traditional life that a princess should live. She would always say to them in tears " music and dance is the only way I can fully express my existence. Dancing is my life and it is what I want to do "

Arianna had no business falling in love. She felt falling in love was for weaklings who had very irrational approach towards life. She most of the time got pissed with Brianna's obsession with love and would fume at Brianna's twirling and singing of love songs. Her ideology was that falling in love would distract her from major achievements that life had in stock, she was not ready to jeopardize her big wins in life for the euphoria of love.

Brianna and Arianna did not really get along well, but they loved each other no doubt.

Arianna returned to her contiousness. " What are we going to do now ? " she asked her parents who wore tired and hungry looking faces. " Arianna" her father called her attention. " Yes dad" she answered looking terrified. "I want to tell you a story" he stated with serious tiredness in his voice. " Eighteen years ago, I entered into an alliance with king Lawrence of St Lucia, Liam's father. It was an hard decision to make, but I had no choice but to comply, because the preservation of this great kingdom depended on it" A short silence fell upon the room again.

"The fact that the great Kingdom of St Lucia was more advantaged because of their economic and military capacity" her father began again, " made king Lawrence to embark on conquests, which he was always successful at, because he had all it took. He came for us soon enough, this great kingdom was at the verge of being conquered, I was helpless, I couldn't bear the pain of knowing this kingdom was going to become an history" he paused a bit, sobbing a little. Extreme sadness had eluded the occupants of the room.

"I pleaded with him, because of the history we shared on the alter of friendship. He continued, he took a hard look at me and decided to be merciful. However his acceptance was not for free"

He continued pointing directly at Arianna, " As at that time you and your sister were just born. He demanded for the younger twin, which is Brianna your sister, that she must be given out to his son Liam when she turns 18 "

"Is that the reason why you and mom arranged for Liam and Brianna to be lovers ?, Arianna asked with her face full of disgust.

Her parents just nodded, which increased her irritiation.

" He threatened that, her father started again, if this alliance was broken, it was going to lead to an outright war, which we obviously know who would be at the winning position, he gestured with his hands, pointing at Arianna and her mother.

" Arianna I can't afford to loose this kingdom, he said holding her hands and looking directly into her eyes, the only way out of this trouble is that you have to act like Brianna tomorrow and get married to prince Liam".