Chapter 2

King Alexander and Queen Layla knew very well that their daughter was not happy with them in their push to find her a suitable husband. They also knew that Ashlan needed someone to rule by her side. The King and Queen knew that their daughter was perfectly capable in ruling the kingdom on her own but they also knew that some people in the kingdom or neighboring kingdoms would not take her seriously enough without a King to rule by her side. They thought by bringing in Dartz it would open up their daughter's mind about meeting someone and possibly thinking about the idea of marriage. However, after having Dartz in their home for over a month they realized that not only was he not good for their daughter but absolutely horrible for their throne. He seemed to only care about becoming King and only showed interest towards their daughter when they were in the room. As soon as they realized that Dartz would not be suitable they sought out other suitors. Many men answered their search but they only seemed to talk about how beautiful the princess was and how much they could do once they were crowned King with all the palace treasures. The King and Queen were becoming desperate. As much as they wanted their daughter to be happy, they needed to look out for their Kingdom as well. They were about to give up until they heard that Pharaoh Aknamkanon was looking for a Bride to wed his eldest son. The arrangement would be perfect. The prince was only a couple of years older than Ashlan and this way they would create an inseparable bond between Greece and Egypt.

"How do you think she will react to the news dear?" asked King Alexander of his lovely wife and queen.

"She definitely will not be happy about this new arrangement but at least we aren't pushing Dartz on her anymore." Answered Queen Layla.

"Yes, that is true, we still need to let the young man know that we no longer want him courting the princess." Added the King.

"Yes, he will also not be happy about that either…. You can tell let him the bad news dear" answers the queen batting her eyelashes at her king.

A smile graced King Alexander's face "You know I can't say no to you dear" said Alexander as he graced a kiss on her forehead lovingly.

Just as the King and Queen finish up their conversation, Ashlan entered the throne room.

"Mother. Father. You wished to see me?" announced Ashlan, who seem to be having troubles staying as serious as she was because she was very close with her parents and hated the idea of fighting with them. Both the king and queen smiled at their daughter

"Yes Dear, please come closer, we have something to discuss." Said the King to his daughter.

"If this has anything to do with that slimy man that you continue to push on me, you have to know that he just wants to marry me to push you off the throne and gain power over our kingdom." Huffed the princess.

"Yes, dear we know." Answered both the King and Queen together as one. Ashlan's face went from a serious glare to absolute shock in one second flat

"You do?! Oh, thank goodness! I was so worried that you were bringing me in here to tell me that you arranged my marriage or something…."

The King and Queen looked at one another with a hint of fear in their eyes. Ash's look of shock was very quickly replaced with fear also …. She became very scared for what was to come next.

"My dear… It is true that we no longer want you to marry Dartz. We see the fault in our decision to try and push him on you. However, that does not mean we were going to give up on finding you a husband…. Your mother and I have found you a husband. The man in question is a young prince who is need of a wife to rule his kingdom with him and give him an heir, he is only two years older than you and –"

"YOU WHAT!" screamed the princess.

"Now my dear, please, we have not even told who the young man is." Said Queen Layla, trying to calm down her furious daughter.

"Save it! I don't want to hear any of it! I can't believe that you would go behind my back like this! I told you I wanted to marry for love! I can't believe you would put the status of this kingdom before your own daughter! You know I could rule this kingdom on my own! I do not need a man by my side! AAGGGHHH!" screamed Ashlan as she ran out of the throne room, ignoring any calls that her parents made to get her attention.

Alexander slumped down into his throne with his hand over his eyes and forehead. "What are we going to do with her? I don't know how to make things better." Sighed the King.

The King and Queen were so wrapped up in what just happened with princess Ashlan that they failed to notice someone else enter the throne room.

"Ahem… King Alexander, Queen Layla. If I may be so inclined to ask, was that just the princess I saw leaving in a bit of a huff? Shall I go and try to comfort her?" asked the noble Lord. This noble Lord was none other than Dartz, the man who had originally been set up to court the princess. Dartz was a very handsome man. He was tall and striking blue hair that reached past his shoulders. He was dressed in the fanciest white linens that were rimmed in light blue, and he also and a blue sash of sorts that fell down in front of his body right in the middle, between his two legs. However, the most striking thing about him was that he had one light blue and one gold. Ashlan found it quite creepy and hated when she found him looking at her. He was quite a bit older than the princess, being 26 years old, and he had married before but his first two brides had mysteriously passed away….

"Ah Dartz, just the person we wanted to see. The princess is just a little upset over some new arrangements made for her future."

Arrangements? Future? Finally, these two got it through their thick skulls that I am what is best for their kingdom. I knew if I stuck it out long enough, they would see my side of the story. This was like taking candy from a baby. It helps that their daughter is hot as hell. I mean if I have to marry her and have her by my side at least she's easy on the eyes. I mean I won't have much use for her once I'm king and she produces me an heir. After that I will just take in as many mistresses as I want.An almost evil smirk graced Dartz's face.

"Ah yes, and what a wonderful future it shall be. I already have a ring ready. She will be the most beautiful bride in all the land."

"We do not doubt that she will be a beautiful bride. However, she will not be your bride." Confirmed Queen Layla. Dartz continued on as though he did not hear a word of what the King and Queen just said.

"The wedding shall be a grand affair! We shall invite the entire kingdom and all the noble men and women and – Wait – What did you just say?"

"We are sorry Dartz but we have found another suitable husband for the princess. We apologize for taking up your precious time but we had to put our kingdom first. We hope there are no hard feelings." Said King Alexander.

"No hard feelings? NO HARD FEELINGS!? I have done everything to court your daughter and show you that I am exactly what this pathetic kingdom needs for a King! It is not my fault that her skull is as thick as a boulder! She doesn't know how good she has it with me! Who on earth would be a better husband for her than me!?" yelled an irate Dartz

"Now Dartz we will not stand by as you talk badly of our kingdom and of our daughter. I will ask you to leave now before we have to force you out" Yelled King Alexander as he stood from his throne, standing up against Dartz. Dartz and the King stared at one another, neither one wanting to back down before the other.

"You will be sorry Alexander. I will make you rue the day you said no to me. Nothing you try to do will stop me from taking your kingdom and your precious princess!" with that, Dartz turned his back on the King and Queen and stormed out of the throne room and out of the palace.

I have worked way too hard to see all of this go down the drain just because a spoiled little brat believes in finding true love! Ugh! Alexander will pay….