Chapter 3: Shackles of Gold

He should have listened to her.

Why did he have to try and prove himself? If he had just taken the princess's advice, this never would have happened. As of right now, there was nothing else that he could do but watch how his life would soon be completely and utterly derailed.

Alphinaud was lying in bed, feeling as if the weight of the world was crushing him slowly and painfully as his eyes stared about the room—no longer able to see the beauty of its wealth. Instead, all he could see was an expensive cell.

In fact, when the light of the setting sun shone into the room, it caught hold off the railing outside on the balcony and cast bar-like shadows upon the walls. How long he laid there, he didn't know, only that eventually he heard knocking at the door and Krile's voice calling out, "Alphinaud? Alphinaud, are you alright? I didn't see you at lunch or at dinner and I was getting worried?"

Alphinaud didn't answer as he continued to lay there, suspended in a kind of misery, feeling as if his entire being was so cold that he was on the brink of frostbite. He didn't even react for a few seconds when the door opened and Krile stepped inside.

"Alphinaud, there you are," she said in relief, as she shut the door behind her. "I was looking all over for you and I wanted to say I heard about Vauthry agreeing to the proposal and…?"

Her smile quickly faded as he slowly sat up and she got a good look at him. Half of his face was bruised and he had a cut lip as one of his eyes was so badly swollen that he could barely see out of it and there was large bruising appearing on his neck. He didn't say a word as Krile immediately leapt into healer mode and dashed over to him, checking his face and healing the hurts as she asked over and over what happened and who did this to him.

"I shouldn't have come here," he spoke at last, his voice thick with emotion. "I should have listened to her when she told me to leave. Now it's too late."

"Too late for what?" Krile demanded as Alphinaud sighed and told her everything that happened since this morning.

*Hours earlier*

Alphinaud had been invited down to the dining hall for breakfast early that morning and was sitting at one end of a very long table that looked like it could fit at least fifty guests comfortably. He and Krile were enjoying a wide selection of foods and fruits as Alphinaud eagerly awaited for Vauthry's answer. While there at the table, he started writing everything that happened to him so far in a journal that he brought from home. He wanted to commemorate his victory, and he remembered how his grandfather used to keep journals about his own journeys and he wanted to start doing the same. Krile was more amused than anything to see him strutting around the palace like he had single-handedly solved the hardest puzzle known to mankind, and she would tell him not to relive this moment overly much.

"He did say that he may have to make some changes to the proposal," she reminded him kindly. "You best be prepared for whatever they are for there is always the chance we will need the Forum's permission before agreeing to them?"

"Such things are always likely," he agreed, "But the important thing is how interested he is in this plan. Even if it is something that would require the Forum's permission, I'm certain that it can be worked out. All of this is going even better than I could have hoped for."

As he said that, he glanced down at the other end of the table where the princesses were seated and eating their own breakfast. Neither one of them spoke to him nor Krile, but the younger one—Ryne—was speaking very adamantly to Claire, smiling and much more talkative than when last he saw her. As for Claire, he had already been seated by the time that she entered the hall. He gave her a firm look as he watched how her eyes narrowed upon seeing him still there. Thankfully, she didn't say a word as she joined Ryne at the other end, choosing the seat farthest away from him as she listened to Ryne talk.

If he recalled correctly, Ryne meant Blessing in Fae, while Claire meant either bright or light…? One of the two. Very appropriate names for those rumored to be descendants of the famous Venat.

"I heard a little more about the princesses during my tour yesterday," Krile spoke up and Alphinaud looked to her. "Those two are cousins. Their mothers were sisters, from what I've heard. Claire lived in Ishgard for most of her life before she was brought here. And Ryne actually lived in these lands of Norvrandt before she and her older sister Minfilia were sent to Eorzea. They stayed there with Claire for almost a year before both were suddenly brought back here roughly around five or six years before after the deaths of their families."

"What happened to them?" he asked curiously.

"From what the servant told me, their parents as well as Ryne's sister Minfilia were killed during the Calamity," she answered back as she took a bite from some of the fruit. "You've heard of the Red Moon Dalamud falling upon Eorzea and how it caused so much devastation?"

Alphinaud nodded. Of course he knew of that. Dalamud was an ancient satellite that had been launched into the heavens by Allag, but there had been some event that caused it to come back down… he had heard that it shattered open before it fully crashed, but that the loss of life was… terrible. He felt new sympathy for the princesses upon hearing that, but seeing how well they lived here, it made him think that they certainly could have done a lot worse.

"I heard that they are very much loved by most of the people here," Krile added shrewdly. "They even leave the palace under certain circumstances to pay visits to the nearby settlements and help them out however they can. So maybe you can stop this little animosity with Claire?"

His head jerked back to stare at her as she smiled knowingly back at him.

"How did you…?" he began in wonder before she interrupted him.

"Apparently, there was a servant who overheard you two arguing yesterday and you know how fast rumors tend to spread among servants?" she asked and he folded his arms grumpily.

"I didn't do anything wrong," he said with a stubbornness that would put Alisaie to shame. "She came to me and without warning, told me to leave. I don't know what I did to warrant such a comment but…?"

"But the important thing is to remain calm and poised, especially when dealing with foreign royalty in their own home," she interrupted him gently. "I don't know why she would feel the need to say such things either, but I don't detect any trace of hostility from her."

Krile turned her head as she watched Claire's kind expression as she listened to Ryne rambling on about how she hoped for a chance to go outside today and if they could visit the city for a change. "I don't know what it is, but there is something different there," Krile said slowly as she observed Claire from a distance. "She certainly seems like a handful, but not in a bad way. I can't put my finger on it, but I don't think that she meant to be cruel to you, Alphinaud."

"She said that we can't trust Vauthry," he informed her quietly so that the other servants couldn't hear them. "She said that if we didn't leave, then we would regret it?"

"Hmmm, perhaps she has her reasons for thinking that way," Krile muttered softly. "I noticed it all day yesterday while speaking with the other servants. Just hearing Vauthry's or even Ran'jit's name seemed to bring no small amount of fear and anxiety when spoken out loud. I can't help but feel that leaving early may not be a bad decision."

She looked back to him and said, "I know how hard you worked on hearing the answer directly from Vauthry so I think we shall stay long enough for that, but afterwards, I believe that we should return to Sharlayan."

Alphinaud stared at her before whispering back, "But we've barely seen anything. You were looking forward to this experience almost as much as I, yet you would have us leave?"

"I'm sure that you will have many more opportunities like this in the future, Alphinaud," she said, sounding more business-like now. "We can stay for today as I arrange for passage back first thing tomorrow. I know that it's sudden, but I truly feel that it is for the best. Besides, can you imagine how impressed that everyone will be when you return so quickly?"

She could see that her words had an effect on him as he clearly began thinking it all over. She smirked at that, knowing how easy to read he was—as if he were an open book. Krile had always been a bit more aware of the natures of others, which was why she felt that leaving wasn't a bad idea.

Krile took a long sip of tea as he considered her suggestion, all the while her eyes narrowed upon a few guards as they kept watch at the door. She didn't want to say it out loud, but she had a bad feeling about this place. Despite her easy smiles and laughter as she listened to Alphinaud strut around like a preening peacock, she couldn't help but feel as if there was some kind of shadow directly behind them. It made her uneasy and just sitting here eating made her feel like she was being watched by unfriendly eyes.

She had a feeling that the princess was aware of this and decided to warn them out of concern.

She would be sure to speak with the Forum when they returned, but she honestly felt that leaving now while the going was good was the wisest decision. She didn't mention this part to Alphinaud as he continued to think it over, not wishing to cause him undue concern, but she was planning on bringing him back with her as soon as possible.

Before Alphinaud could give a full answer, the doors at the other end of the room, right where the girls were seated, opened without warning. They jumped at the loud banging of the doors before seeing that Ran'jit was marching up the length of the table towards them, looking as if he had been told to go and do some random chore that was far beneath him. Alphinaud couldn't help but think that it may be worth going back home early if he didn't have to deal with such grumpy, judgmental old man any longer.

"Listen Boy," he said, not even bothering to use his name as he approached. "My lord has his answer and he desires to speak with you alone. You are to come with me, immediately, to the Canopy."

"Already?" Alphinaud jumped, shocked that it would be happening now when he was halfway through his eggs.

"Perfect timing, General Ran'jit," Krile spoke up. "I do believe that Alphinaud and I will be returning to Sharlayan a bit earlier than we intended. I fear that something important has come up. So I hope that you will be kind to explain to Lord Vauthry that this is an important matter…?"

"Very well," he answered back with irritation before she even finished, waving his hand in her direction as if trying to get rid of an annoying insect, "I shall let him know. But you, boy, come with me now."

"I-I… alright," he agreed awkwardly as he stood up, smoothing out his robes as Krile gave him a friendly thumbs up to encourage him. Alphinaud followed Ran'jit down the long table and through the open doors. Yet as they neared it, he passed by Claire, who looked up from her own meal and their eyes met briefly. He looked back in fierce determination, ready to prove that he was more than capable of being sent here, as she watched on.

He could feel her eyes upon him even after they entered the hallway and took the same route to return to the lift as they took yesterday.

Alphinaud was more confident in his steps than he was the last time he stepped here, felt more prepared when he faced Vauthry once again. So that when the two exited the lift and were entering Vauthry's chambers once again, he was holding his head up proudly as he already had a mind in what he needed to say. Vauthry was sitting in the exact same place as before, only now there was no one else in the room with him save for himself and Ran'jit.

But Alphinaud took a couple steps ahead of Ran'jit and bowed as he spoke up, "Lord Vauthry. Good morrow to you. I am given to understand that you have made a decision?"

"Yes," he answered back, stroking his large belly as he observed him. "It was really quite simple. I will be accepting all that Sharlayan has to offer. You impressed me, boy."

Alphinaud couldn't hide the proud smile on his face as he bowed again.

"I am honored you think that way, my lord," he said.

"Yes, I think that this shall work out in our favor," he said slowly. "There is just one or two slight changes that have to be made, but since they don't involve any inconvenience to your Forum, I see no reason why you shouldn't be able to approve of it on their behalf. Once we have your assurances that what we desire will be promised, then we shall agree with the rest of the terms that you have offered. Once everything is set in stone then we shall begin the trade routes."

This was turning out better than he ever could have hoped! Oh, he couldn't wait to see the expressions on the Forum and his father faces when he returned with the good news!

"I see, well, my lord, thank you for being so generous in accepting, I'm sure that the Forum will be happy to approve of your conditions if they are small?" he asked, "But, pray tell me, what are the changes that you are asking for? My travelling companion, has informed me that we should head home as early as tomorrow morning and…?"

"Tomorrow? I see, well, the timing is of no problem to me," he said with a shrug. "Very well, I shall see to it that your travelling companion returns on the next ship home while you get settled here."

Alphinaud blinked in confusion, not sure what he was talking about as he interjected, "Ah, excuse me, Lord Vauthry, pray forgive me but I'm not sure I understand. What do you mean by 'while I get settled here?' Are you asking me to stay longer so that I may oversee the arrangements or…?"

"What?" Vauthry repeated, looking a little put out at being interrupted. "Oh, that's right, I guess I failed to mention that before. The conditions that I am asking that you add to the agreement are simple. One of them is that you will be relocating here to Eulmore after the wedding."

"W-Wedding?" Alphinaud repeated, now completely lost to what Vauthry was talking about as the king sighed, as if he was forced to explain something that he mentioned before a million times even though Alphinaud was certain that this was the first time he heard of any kind of wedding since coming here.

"Yes," he said firmly. "I have decided that you shall marry my eldest niece upon the morrow."

Alphinaud could only stare at him, more so than usual, obviously thinking he misheard such an order. Marriage? Him? This was too sudden and completely out of the question. He was here to just propose opening trading routes with Norvrandt! That was it! Why was he suddenly being told to marry the princess?

"I… I well, I'm sorry?" was all he could croak out, still certain that there was something wrong with his hearing or he was misunderstanding what was being said to the utmost extreme.

Yet Vauthry just gazed on as he repeated, "I said you will marry the eldest of my two nieces. That is an order from your new king."

Alphinaud tried to detect a hint of some kind of jest, something to show that this couldn't be real. But Vauthry just smirked back triumphantly and Alphinaud's grin slowly faded when he realized that Vauthry was being completely serious.

No. No… no… no. This can't be happening. He barely spoke to her before, only having just learned her name yesterday! He wasn't even looking for someone to marry now anyway! Certainly not before he finished school! He immediately began wracking his brains for a way out of this situation.

"Ah—well, your lordship," he stuttered, trying to get his mind working again. "I am honored that you think so highly of me that you wish me to marry into your house, but I fear that it is simply not possible. I am only here by leave of the Forum and they expect me to return as soon as possible to finish my schooling."

"You can finish your education in these lands," he grumbled back.

"And… and I appreciate the generous offer Lord Vauthry," he choked out, feeling as if someone was closing their hands upon his throat. "Your niece is truly lovely and I believe anyone would be fortunate to marry her, but I fear that I am not worthy of such a…?"

"I specifically requested for a well-educated, young man near her age that comes from a good family whom he cares about a great deal to serve as representative," he interrupted, his beady eyes narrowing in displeasure at his reluctance. "My niece has become a bit… shall we say—unruly of late. We have reason to believe she may be supporting… shall we say… suspicious people on the outside. I have tried my best to shelter her and keep her away from that world, but I fear that it's gotten to a point that she cannot be controlled. So, I think that it's high time that she settle down with a husband who can keep an eye on her for us and make sure she stays out of any… trouble."

Trouble? What were they speaking of?

"But your lordship, we don't even know each other," he tried to reason, "Surely she would be against this? Or she would be destined to wed a prince?"

"What my niece wants or doesn't want is not your concern," he said firmly. "She is picky about her husband to be and has, so far, rejected every suitor that has been brought before her. Yet she has duties that one of her position must fulfill and she will fulfill them whether she wishes to or not."

"That may be," he answered back, not liking where this was going, "But the fact is that I fear I must decline and…?"

But no sooner had the words left his mouth than he was suddenly forced to the ground by an old but strong arm. His face was slammed against the floor so hard that he saw stars despite the plush carpet beneath him. Too stunned to realize what happened, he felt something cold wrap around his neck—and in his confusion, his stunned mind believed that it had been a snake or a rope place there. But as quickly as the hands had come, they were off him and he took a steady breath before he raised his head, giving it a little shake before tasting blood in his mouth from where he bit his tongue by accident.

He coughed a little, feeling his neck when the coldness didn't fade, and realized that he was wearing some kind of tight collar. He sat up, catching his face in a nearby mirror upon the wall and saw how a collar of gold was there now with a large, black stone set in the middle. The new accessory twinkled ominously as he stared at his reflection, not sure what was going on.

"W-What is this?" he choked out, his fingers tracing the stone and shivered at the unnatural coldness that seemed to be coming from the metal. Alphinaud looked behind him and saw Ran'jit standing there and understood who had been the one to do this.

"Think of this as an early wedding gift," Vauthry answered as he waved his hand imperially, "The collar was made by some of my servants. And only I have the key to remove it."

Alphinaud began to tug at the choker before Vauthry warned, "I would refrain from touching it. If you behave then we will loosen it enough so that it doesn't hurt, but you should not try to remove it completely. You see, it is enchanted so that with one word from me, I could have it squeeze tighter and tighter until you stop breathing."

"W-What?!" Alphinaud gasped in horror.

"Allow me to demonstrate," he offered as he smirked and spoke Alphinaud's name.

At such a simple word, Alphinaud immediately lost his breath as the gold around his neck began to shrink and close around his windpipe. He gasped, trying to breathe as tears streamed from his eyes and he clawed at the air, desperate to fill his lungs. He gasped and spluttered all the while the collar grew tighter and his eyes were rolling into the back of his head when he could no longer breathe.

Just as his ears were ringing, the pressure around his neck was released suddenly and he collapsed as he drew in lungful after lungful of air. Coughing and wheezing, he slowly rolled over to his knees and looked up, seeing Vauthry with a self-satisfied grin.

"You see?" he asked smugly, "All I need do is speak your name and the magic in the collars will activate. Should you try and escape, I will invoke the spell and you shall promptly be put down like the dog you truly are."

"I-I can't! I have to return home! I…?" he croaked out before he tasted the floor again when Ran'jit slammed his face harder than before so that Alphinaud felt himself almost black out from the force of the impact.

"Let me explain to you in a clear and simple way," the old man hissed at him, holding him down. "You will marry the princess and you will agree. If you were to refuse, then I shall ensure that Sharlayan pay the price for it. Especially where your family is concerned. I shall ensure that we let them know that negotiations with our nations will turn sour because of you and your family will suffer the consequences of your decision most dearly. So much so that I cannot guaranteed their safety."

Against the carpet, Alphinaud's eyes widened in horror as he thought of his parents and sister. Could they really hurt them? Seeing how much control that Vauthry had over everything in these lands made him believe that he absolutely could. He could ruin their lives and he knew it would be all his fault. He suddenly felt Ran'jit's hand pull his long hair as he was dragged up so that he could glare at him.

"I still don't understand why you went through all this trouble! If you were looking for someone to marry her, why not search these lands?" Alphinaud wheezed. "Why go through setting up a representative from Sharlayan? Why did it have to be me?"

"My lord has his reasons for this arrangement," Ran'jit added coldly. "Besides, I do believe that both nations can still benefit greatly from one another. I know you would hate to disappoint them after coming all this way?"

"Oh, I suppose anyone would have done, but I have to keep some form of appearance to keep the rabble in line," Vauthry sighed, sounding bored already. "I had been looking to getting my hands upon some of Sharlayan's many resources and my niece must be married off if she is too stubborn to pick a husband for herself. The fact that I can have both at once was simply too good to pass up. If my niece must be stubborn in fulfilling her duties then I shall leave her with no choice. She had time to decide but she would not listen. This works out for me as well, for I will have one who is in my power to control much more easily. You will marry my niece and that will be the end of it."

Alphinaud felt his face sting painfully after Ran'jit gave him a hard slap and Vauthry went on, "By remaining here you shall live in a perfect paradise of Eulmore with a beautiful princess as your wife. You shall have all your heart desires and more. Power, riches, and fame all among many things. You shall have the guards and servants at your beck and call with full access to the library, which I know that your people are desperate for."

He then smirked as he added, "All I ask is that you remain at my niece's side and tell me should she do anything… suspicious. I think that having a husband whom she has no choice but to answer to will be good for her. So, what say you to all this? Not a bad proposal, is it not?"

Alphinaud glared back at him but memory remained sharp as he could still feel the cold metal against his throat. When he didn't respond, Vauthry clapped his hands together energetically.

"I thought so. But should you refuse again, should you entertain any thoughts on trying to escape or plot against me," he went on as the smile faded as a clear threat appeared instead, "Mark my words boy, you will regret it. You shall die a slow and painful death with the knowledge that you all but single-handedly plunged your nation into a war and your family's lives will be forfeited as well. Do you understand me now?"

Alphinaud was still panting hard as he weighed his options, his eyes still tearing up from his near strangulation, even as horror settled into his mind that this wasn't a terrifying dream. If he agreed to this then he would most likely never see his home and family again. He would remain trapped in these lands and forever bound to a man that he now found vile. Wed to someone he did not love—didn't even know—? But if he didn't do it then all that he loved would still be taken away from him anyway…?

He was let go by Ran'jit as he fell against the floor in defeat, knowing that he had no other option.

"If… if I agree, will you leave my family alone?" he asked, desperate for an answer as he slowly raised his head to look at Vauthry once more. "Do you promise me that if I marry her with no other complaint… then you will never raise a hand to my family and all that I love back in Sharlayan?"

Vauthry, knowing that he had him now, nodded while answering, "Of course. You have my word. I shall even be more than happy to arrange those open negotiations with your nation. So, marry my niece and all will be well?"

Alphinaud felt his face screw up as he looked to the floor, finally agreeing, "Yes. I understand. I… I shall accept your kind offer to marry the princess."

His shoulders trembled as it all hit him at once, feeling as if his very spirit had been tied down by shackles as he felt the metal on his throat loosen up even more so that it wasn't so tight.

"Very well, I knew you were a smart boy," Vauthry answered with triumphant in his tone. "We will not waste much time then. You are to be wed as soon as possible. Don't worry about the arrangements, we shall have all that taken care of for you. In the meantime you are to be taken back to your room. Is that clear?"

Alphinaud only nodded, still unable to look at him as he felt tears falling down his face and bile rising in the back of his throat as if he were about to be sick. Ran'jit then grabbed him forcibly from the floor and all but dragged him across the room and back into the corridor to take him to his rooms.

*Back to the present with Krile*

Krile stared at him with her mouth wide open as she struggled to grasp what he just told her. She demanded to know what happened and unable to help himself, he confessed all that Vauthry said, including his and deadly threats. By the time that he finished, Alphinaud could only look down in defeat as she finished healing his face and just stared while searching for her tongue.

When she finally found it, she voiced what he was thinking.

"Alphinaud this is ridiculous!" Krile cried out in dismay at what she was hearing when she watched him trace his fingers over the collar, truly horrified to see how he had been manhandled like that. "So the entire time…? The selection and proposition to open trading routes with Sharlayan… it was all part of a scheme for him to be able to find someone to marry one of the princesses?!"

When he nodded after she summed up the entire story, she went on hotly, "Alphinaud you cannot go through with this! You cannot tell me that Vauthry truly expects you to marry his niece in so brief a meeting?! The king here has truly lost his mind if so!"

"I tried to refuse him, I did, but he wouldn't allow it," he answered back miserably. "If I refused, he promised that he would see to it that my family and Sharlayan would be made to pay the price. I cannot allow this to happen, Krile. And even if I try to leave, this jewel can very easily finish me off."

"No, no there has to be something we can do," she said, clearly trying to think of a way around this. "If we can just stop the wedding, or at least postpone it long enough for me to return to Sharlayan and explain what's going on…?"

"And then what? Risk the entire nation going to war over this? I can't," he pleaded for her to understand.

"Your father would never allow this!" she said loudly. "He would lose his mind! He will probably go raving mad when he finds out!"

"Which is why you must not tell him," he pleaded to her. "Please, Krile, I can't risk it! Please don't put my family in harm's way!"

He knew that he would always have his family's support. He knew that they would certainly do all in their power to aid him, especially if they thought that he was being held here against his will. But that was precisely why he couldn't allow them to get dragged into this.

"You think that they're not going to question it when I return to Sharlayan without you?" she demanded emotionally. "They will be the first ones to be asking questions! You can't expect me to lie to them like that!"

"You don't have a choice, Krile!" he pleaded, "I don't want anyone here to get hurt. Vauthry's… he's not playing games. His threats are very real! Besides, if he does plan on having the wedding here as soon as possible then by the time that you get home then it will already be long since over! What will you realistically be able to do then?"

"And what? You just marry some woman you don't know and hope that it works out?" she asked in amazement. "And on top of it all, you expect me to just stand by and do nothing while this goes on?"

"What do you suggest that we do?" he asked imploringly, desperate for something, anything, to get him out of this.

"I-I don't know yet, but we have to figure it out without you resorting to marriage," she said helplessly. "Maybe if we can find the princess and talk to her about it, she may be able to sway the king?"

Alphinaud didn't think about that. Perhaps there was one ray of hope left to him. But as he thought of it, he remembered Vauthry's words: "If my niece must be stubborn in fulfilling her duties then I shall leave her with no choice. She had time to decide but she would not listen."

With how he said that, he could not help but wonder if she really had any more say in this madness than he did? Either way, he knew that Krile was right and he felt that he had to at least try. Surely if a member of his own family were to refuse his hand then Vauthry would take her words into consideration? At least he hoped so—this was all he had left and knew that he had to at least try.

"Where is she now?" he asked quietly, getting up and out of bed. "We must talk as soon as possible?"

"I am told that the princess spends most of her time outside in the gardens or the tower where her room is," Krile answered back. "You cannot leave the castle for the time being so I'll check the gardens. You go to the towers and see if she will be willing to take an audience tonight."

"Alright," he said as he got himself together. He had to try. It made no sense to give up without trying everything. So he left the room with Krile, and she went running off towards the entrance hall that led to the gardens while he traveled through the castle, passing by servants and pleading that they tell him where Claire was. Most said that she was spotted helping out the servants here and there but she often disappears into the library this time of the day and so that may be the best place to look for her.

Upon learning where the library was, he headed straight there, hoping to find and apologize for his words yesterday. If he had just heeded her warning before then…? Well, there was no point in crying over it now. He would need all the help he could get if he wished to get out of this mess?

But he soon realized how large this castle truly was when he kept getting lost and turned around, trying to remember which way he came. He was sure he must be close by now…? He passed by the many windows and saw how darkness had crept across the land but how the nightlife of the city below them on the cliffs was going on as if a grand party was in progress. Another celebration? How could they keep this up?

It was starting to get late by the time that he exhausted himself out, thinking that he must have missed her and that she surely was in bed by now, when he heard voices suddenly coming from a room just ahead of him. He barely paid attention at first when he saw how the door was open by just a crack as a stripe of light from the hearth was cast across the hallway. He walked closer, feeling the weight of despair crushing over him once more, and not really paying attention to what was being said when…?

"I refuse!"

The voice was soft but clear and he paused by the door and stepped closer to the crack to peer through it. He knew he recognized the voice and his eyes widened when he saw the princesses standing there before Ran'jit. The younger of the girls, Ryne, was all but cowering behind Claire. But Claire was glaring up at Ran'jit despite how much taller he was compared to her.

"I don't even know this fiancé you are forcing upon me!" she declared. "I was promised when I first arrived in these lands that I would be free to choose my partner! That was one of the conditions that was promised to House Fortemps when…?"

"And you were given every chance to do just that," Ran'jit answered back coldly. "You were the one who was making it difficult by turning away every suitor who came to you."

"You cannot ask me to wed one whom I barely met!" she retorted as Ryne stuck her head out from behind her cousin's back and glared up at Ran'jit as well.

"You were clear in the fact that you did not wish to marry a prince," Ran'jit answered back as if speaking to a tempering child. "My lord has gone to great lengths to select one from a noble family and comes from a good background but was not a prince as you were so objected to marrying."

"I don't care about that! You can tell dear uncle that he could roll himself outside the balcony that he's always lounging on and…?" she began before he cut her off.

"Watch your tongue, young lady," he warned in a loud and angry tone. "These lands are flourishing now and we intend to keep them that way. As such, it is your duty to think about the future and be ready to take the throne should Lord Vauthry be unable to produce an heir himself."

"Then why not let the monarchy die out!" she demanded. "I believe that the people would be better off that way! After getting a look at Gatetown and all the settlements, I would have thought you would see that Eulmore is a parasite having grown fat at the cost of the other citizens of this land."

"Besides," Ryne added, finally speaking, "We all know that it is not Vauthry who has made these lands so prosperous in recent years but the Warrior of Darkness! He is the one whom the people turn to in times of need! It's because of his deeds that we…?"

"I said that's enough!" he barked angrily, looking ready to strike at them for their words. "The Warrior of Darkness is just some trouble-maker who happened to have gotten lucky with slaying a few Lightwardens and helped people here and there. These lands still belong to Lord Vauthry and it is about time that you both show the right amount of respect for once in your lives."

"I will not marry one whom I don't love," she said stubbornly and Alphinaud couldn't help but silently cheer her on.

"This is not up for debate," he growled back. "He has already agreed to it, and there will be no further argument. You will marry him and I will not hear the slightest complaint out of you from here on. Unless you are willing to take another round of punishment, I suggest that you both go to your rooms and learn your place. If you are to refuse, then you know who will pay the price. Are we clear?"

Punishment?

Alphinaud watched as Claire suddenly went very white and Ryne stared up at her with scared eyes when she felt her cousin wrapped a protective arm around the younger girl.

"Don't drag Ryne into this," Claire warned softly.

"You are the one who is dragging her into these problems," he answered back. "If you would just do what you are told for once then everything would be well."

"You cannot mean that," she answered coldly. "You cannot tell me you don't see the rot that has festered since Vauthry took control here? Are you that desperate for a place at your master's table, Ran'jit?"

"Claire, please, no… you can't marry because of me!" Ryne pleaded with her before Claire gently shushed her.

"We will talk about this later," she reassured her softly, saying it in a way that clearly meant that they would talk about this when Ran'jit wasn't glaring down at them.

"This is for your own good as well," Ran'jit said as Claire shot him a bitter look. "And the sooner that you come to accept that, the sooner that we can move on."

"And then what? You expect me to go ahead and have children for you to control? But I have a feeling that your real plans are a bit more complicated than that" she demanded coldly. "You and uncle are up to something. I don't know what it is yet, but I will find out. This farce of a marriage is only the first step, is it not? What are you planning?"

Ran'jit just scowled at them before Claire glared back, taking Ryne by the hand and marched passed him as Alphinaud watched by the door. The two were exiting through another door but they passed by him on their way there… and when they did, he got a closer look at the identical jeweled collars that was adoring both of their own necks.

(Wow. That escalated fast. Only known the princess for not even a full day and now they're tying the knot! Vauthry sure doesn't play around though does he? We all know what he's like. He'll throw a tantrum if he doesn't get his way. He may seem a bit colder and intelligence in this story but that won't last for long. But damn, Alphinaud is now stuck in a pretty deep hole right now and I think it's going to take a lot more than his sharp mind to be able to dig his way out of it. Hope you're looking forward to what comes next as the wedding happens in the next chapter!)