When The Sun Rises

"Father, how could you do this to me! I'm your only daughter, and you know I will die if I marry King Leon!"

"I don't make the rules Cressida. I'd rather have my daughter die, than my entire nation to be left to perish. If that is it, you can go back to your chambers now."

I was flushed with red from the aggravating conversation I just had. My father is leaving me for dead. The guards are pulling my arm aggressively while dragging me back to my chamber. I, Cressida Walsh, am set to perish soon.

You think i'll let my fate play out like that? Of course not. I am a fighter, and just because some old man wants to be a hero, I will not be caught up in that crossfire.

-

When I was 7, my mother had an affair with a commoner, resulting in my illegitimate brother, Caesar. The commoner who my mother had slept with, was a secret sorcerer, and came into my chambers and cursed me. When he had cursed me, the curse was so when I consummated my marriage, I would die.

To you, this may sound like an easy curse to tiptoe around. It actually isn't. In my nation, Garvona, a priest will come and sit in on your consummation, and pray for fertility. But there is one way to fix this.

The commoner whispered to me after he cursed me. "The sun will rise on the day of a tumultuous war, and when the sun rises, her father will be faced with two decisions. Marry off his daughter to the enemy nations king, or let his nation suffer for 3 years in expense of his people, and marry the son I had before my affair." You can probably make out what my father did. He chose the dumb option of course, and now we are living in the prophecy. This cold, dark, and lonely chamber will not be my fate. So get that idea out your head.

-

"Cressida! Cressida! It's time to wake up, you meet King Leon today!"

"I'm not going, you're dismissed."

"But it's the kings order, and I cannot go against it."

"Go!" The maid rushed out the door.

I hate everyone. Never in a million years did I think my father would betray me. But I guess I can get around this. Why do I have to bear my mother's burden? Why me?

I was quickly stopped in thought by the screaming of my father. "Cressida, come here this instant!"

"King Leon, meet my daughter, princess Cressida."

My father poked me with his elbow. "Hello, nice to meet you."

King Leon wasn't all that bad looking. He had just came the throne a few weeks ago, so he was fairly young. My guess of his age was about 20 years. I was quickly snapped out of thought when Leon bent over and whispered into my ear.

"I look forward to our time together." with a sly smile.

Why is my face flushed in red? I'm not supposed to have feelings for him. Maybe this is natural. He walked away with my father, while giving me no time to catch up to them. We sat outside in front of the garden my mother once owned before she was executed. Looking at the garden makes me feel targeted, as if my father is playing mind games with me.

"When is the soonest she can be married by?"

"Tomorrow, if you want to."

"Tomorrow?"

My father and the king talk about me as if i'm some piece of meat. I'm sick of being silent.

"Why tomorrow?" The looks from everyone stings me like a wasp to skin.

"Cressida, this is man talk."

"But the man talk is about me, therefore, it is our talk."

"Silence."

"No, I have been silent for too long. You could have had Caesar marry Leon's sister."

"You and I both know that could never happen."

"Tell me why."

Maybe it was the determination in me to not die, but I cannot believe what I just did. I talk out of turn in front of the men who have a death wish to kill me. We sat in silence for about 10 minutes until the tension was cut with my fathers words.

"I'll have her ready by tomorrow."

"That will do, sir."

We sat in silence the entire afternoon. I occasionally tried to stop myself from laughing. How dare I, princess Cressida Walsh, question a system made by man that makes zero sense.