Yay Chapter 2! I'd like to take a moment and thank my sponsor…MATH CLASS! Where you can write a fanfic and the teacher thinks you're taking an extreme interest in the lesson… cough cough…yah right… Well any ways… on with the show…err…story.

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Glaze- Arya doesn't want to marry Lord Zane because she doesn't know him well enough yet. Thanks for your review! It made me happy

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Chapter 2 – The Triplets of Laquaria

Relieved to be leaving the tension between Narie and I, I rushed out of my room, and to my designated place at the ballroom. The nobles were slowly gathering and I caught sight of Lord Zane amongst the crowd. The tables were set with dishes of the finest china and I was impressed with my decorations.

The heralds outside the room began announcing father's arrival, and I could hear Narie and Della enter from the tapestry behind the head table. We moved ourselves to the center of the floor, our passive, court smiles glued onto our faces.

As the great oaken doors opened, the room was silent, and my father, King Edmond the 3rd, entered. As I first glimpsed his once jolly, good-natured face, I was upset to see a pale one look back at me, and felt a nervous shudder run through my spine. My sisters' stiffness made it seem as if they were as worried about father's health as I was. Both Della and I grabbed his arms as Narie pulled out his chair for him and helped him to be seated. I could have sworn I saw tears, long unshed, gleaming in his emerald eyes.

Standing, Della stood in front of the crowd and beckoned for silence.

"We thank you all for attending tonight's feast and for your concern regarding my royal father's welfare, however my sisters and I believe he is unwell. We hope you will still partake of the food and enjoy the entertainment provided for you."

"Humph. That's the only reason they came anyways…" I heard Narie mutter under her breath.

The three of us again rose and supported my father, until we reached his chambers.

"We should leave you now to get some rest father…" Della said, then jumped, startled as father spoke for the first this evening.

I probably looked even more surprised than her as he mumbled my name.

"Arya…I'm so sorry…I didn't have any other choice…forgive me…" He rasped.

"Forgive you? For what? Father you're unwell. You need rest." I whispered, seating him on his bed.

"I was lost in the woods, separated from my hunting party after we split up in search of the wolves who were terrorizing a nearby village…I…I had been wandering alone for some time until out of nowhere, a wolf pounced on my horse, causing it to collapse. I was unable to move, for my leg was stuck onto the saddle, when a large, hooded figure jumped out and rescued me from that accursed mongrel." He paused, and assuming he was finished, I spoke.

"Well father, that's wonderful! We must locate this man and thank him properly at once!"

"That's just it daughter. I was so grateful that I foolhardily offered him any award in my kingdom. Gold, jewels, status…but these he refused, only requesting the hand of my youngest daughter. Knowing nothing else to do, I agreed."

"Father! How could you?" Narie exclaimed as Della clasped her hand over her mouth. I stared at the floor in disbelief.

"So I have to marry this complete stranger then…I suppose it's the least I can do. After all, he saved your life. Besides, this way, Della and Narie can finally get married…"

My whole mind refused to believe what I was saying, my being was screaming in angst, but instead of myself arguing against this newfound proposition, it was Narie who spoke first.

"Arya! Have you gone mad? Just less than an hour ago you were angry at me for trying to speed up your engagement, and now your practically running into it with open arms?"

"What else am I to do Narayatha? I have no option. Father gave his word!" I snapped back.

"When will your rescuer be arriving at the palace father?" Della inquired in an attempt to halt the advancing argument.

"A week from yesterday…Arya…you must understand…your betrothed…he's not normal...he was hidden from my view, but when he shook my hand, it was scaly, and only had 3 digits…Oh what have I done?"

"Do you mean to say that Arya's fiancé is not human?" Della pressed.

"I do not know…I do not know…" with this last comment, the once mighty, jolly king that had been my father closed his eyes and drifted into a dreamless sleep, a small tear dripping down his white cheek.

I must admit that I was very frightened. At first because of the willingness to which I took to my betrothal to a monster, and secondly, to why my strong, kind father was so shaken up. Oh what am I to do!

Having nothing more intelligent to say, I rose from the bed and retreated to my own room to sleep on the days events.

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