History had perceived The Werewolf Kingdom of Suttern as the ruler among creatures. It was then deemed as a fortune for Qye when Suttern decided to wed the first Daughter of Qye to the Crown Prince of Suttern. Though many speculated among creatures about hidden conspiracy and manipulation within the two dignified families, no one can express the idea freely within society.
However, it was concealed perfectly, the reason behind this absurd marriage was because of fear.
Fear for the power the girl possessed. The Land of Qye had long lived hidden within mountains and sea, the talk about the first daughter of Qye had long been a story that was embedded inside every creature’s mind. The Fairy has countless abilities and power limitless spells and chants that are able to overturn a kingdom with a snap of fingers. Meanwhile, as a creature that seeks peace over bloodshed, Qye's could only agree to the condition that Suttern had proposed centuries ago, the marriage without an heir, the fake appearance of union, the cover-up of the two rulers.
A thousand years had passed since then, the value of the First Daughter of Qye as protector is secretly whispered among those who resided within the Suttern Kingdom. They had always believed that the Daughter of Qye will submit through another century, and The Crown Prince of Suttern will stand high above them, controlling with power.
But nobody had expected that the Crown Prince would give his heart, and The Daughter of Qye would hold it dearly.
Despite knowing deep down, that he will someday find his mate.
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Every corner of the road to the castle looks covered with snow, the night has decided to engulf the village with emptiness. But the sound of the horse’s footstep has cut through and made itself known that the carriages had come.
She is here, and the talk will start first thing tomorrow morning.
The first daughter of Leor and Avra Qye, the one who had just turned eighteen-years-old a few weeks ago, Qye must hand her out to Suttern, as a condition Suttern had inquired for centuries in exchange for protection.
The engagement day, presumably, the dinner meeting between the two families held inside the Suttern Kingdom. Suttern had always been like that, they would decide everything, while Qye’s would have to sit still like a statue.
It was a good decision actually, by choosing an engagement day in winter. Suttern realized the condition of The Daughter of Qye weakened in this cold weather. Inevitably, she would even lose energy when lifting a finger. The energy comes from spirits and souls roaming freely on earth, bathing with light from the sun. However, if the snow covers everything, she must look for a different type of soul, perhaps from the moon, but tonight the darkness enveloped the entire sky.
“He’s a coward!” Fabin shouted from inside the carriage. The fifteen-years-old Prince doesn’t take single care that his 10-years old sister is sitting right beside him.
Kyzen, who is seated in front of his little sister, throws a glare at Fabin, wishing he would not say anything along that line or prolong his remarks. Elleryn sigh, winter has taken a great amount of energy from her, having to deal with her brother would only use up her little energy that had remained.
But the little curious Ezana stared at Elleryn and Kyzen in confusion. She then asked a question that the two of them dread not to answer.
“Who’s a coward?” she asked, big blue eyes and dark eyebrow tightens from showing her confused mind. Kyzen glared at Fabin, hoping Fabin wouldn’t answer Ezana’s question.
He then realized he shouldn’t have had a wishful mind at all, he noticed Fabin will not stop quenching Ezana’s thirst for curiosity, moreover, if the topic is about Suttern.
“The King of Suttern!” he looked at her, acting like she was being ridiculous, though for sure Fabin was the one being exactly that.
“For sure he knows our big sister couldn’t stand the winter. Still, he insists the engagement day to be precisely this day out of all day!” he shouted once again. Kyzen has given up. He couldn’t keep up with the glare any longer.
“I believe he wants to make sure Elleryn is weak in front of him, weak enough to look down upon,” Fabin snorted. His green eyes were wide from anger, and sure enough, if Kyzen examined closely, he could find smoke rushing out of his ears and nose.
“Or maybe because of the death of aunt Byrl last month that he wants to make sure that the next daughter of Qye is within his grasp” Kyzen tries to reason out, though deep down he is also being doubtful towards Suttern, “perhaps, that’s the reason this engagement is done in haste,” he continued.
But Fabin shakes his head, he wouldn’t believe such nonsense, he refused to believe it.
Elleryn decided to ignore both of her brothers, her eyes steering towards the closed windows from inside the carriage. Her mind bombarded with numerous thoughts, it was her first time visiting the Suttern Kingdom, words about them had caught her ears. They talk about the black roof, majestic kingdom, marvelous walls of the castle and the magnificence of every corner.
Her heart beating a little faster, but her face turns sullen. In the next few days, she will have to marry the Crown Prince Rydan of Suttern. But the marriage purpose was not to fall in love. It’s a marriage, and no more than that.
She would have to spend her entire life inside the castle, shut down and remain as a prisoner, instead of a Queen or a mother.
She closes her eyes, hoping to hold on the tears that threatened to come out, but she could only hope because tears shouldn’t be her concern from now on.
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“The engagement will only be attended by the Suttern Royal Family and Qye Family. I will not tolerate anyone from outside to sneak or even catch a single conversation with us. Guards stand up from the room at least ten steps away and maid to come when we call only,” King of Suttern command everyone inside the castle.
Everyone nods their head in understanding, submitted towards the ruler of Qye. Taking a step backward and turning around, scattered to start the preparation. Arax stood up from the throne and walked towards the double door, closing the door himself. He turns to face his mate and wife, Edra.
“You don’t have to take such measures. After all, it is only engagement day,” Edra stood up from her seat beside Arax throne. She walked slowly, her blue dress flowing gracefully towards her husband, who stepped away from her, he sighed and diverted his eyes.
“This is Qye we’re talking about Edra, the one that had all the power to take us down. I don’t want my citizens to know the reason behind this godforsaken match!” Arax yelled, frustrated this day has come, the day when his twenty-two years old son must marry the first daughter of Qye. A day that he used to have as well, when his eighteen-years-old self meets the sixteen-years-old Byrl for marriage, for a union that doesn’t need an heir or forbidden to have an heir.
“And we will make sure that no one knows about it,” Edra squeezed Arax’s hand, trying to assure him.
“This union had been done for centuries. We have learned so far that this marriage has protected the Kingdom from anything that comes to harm us”.
Edra’s statement was a big mistake; it wasn’t the marriage that has protected the kingdom. The daughter of Qye did, Byrl did. And Arax knows it too.
“Qye would never declare war. It is not in their nature to mutter that word. So calm yourself, and be nice towards our guest,” Edra assured, smiled at him.
But Arax could only nod, before taking his hand away from her.
To think within twenty-four years of having Byrl by his side, she would age so fast and die before his eyes. Deep down, he feels guilty, guilty that such a woman would die from protecting his kingdom, guilty that he couldn’t give something that she wanted, something that only a mate deserved, only Edra had. But then again, Arax's father always said it is their fate, it is the first daughter of Qye fate’s to die inside Suttern’s Kingdom.