Chapter 4

"We need to form alliances with the marriage of your daughters. Any kingdom they get married into automatically will stand for us at anytime we need them." Lord Barak submitted.

King Atkinson could see sense in what his friend was saying to him but he was thinking beyond just the alliances.

"You do recall that one of any of my daughter's husband is automatically a potential king of this kingdom" King Atkinson stated worry about the welfare of his people in the wrong still hunting him.

"I know, that is why even in their choices you must try to guild them. Freya said you shouldn't intefer in their choices doesnt mean you can't call them together now to speak to thier conscience. You must make them understand that their husbands shouldn't be just someone who they love he should also be someone who can lead." Lord Barak suggested.

King Atkinson had often spoken to his daughters separately about their marriages but his emphasis had always been more on Princess Joan. With what his friend had just told him he knew there was a need for one last orientation for his daughters although he always knew where he will encounter a challenge.

"What do I do about Princess Joan. She isn't in an hurry to get married to anyone. I have taken her around most of the kingdoms but she has never seen any man she fancies and you know how much I care about her considering her mother is not even here to help me speak to her." King Atkinson complained bitterly.

"Let your heart be at rest. I trust she will mske the right decison soon enough. I will also suggest you ask Freya to speak to her on this same matter. A feminine touch is needed at this point" Lord Barak suggested.

"I have already asked her to do that for me and she promised to do. I just hope joan listens to her for the sake of this kingdom

"I also hopes she does too' Lord Barak sighed. He also knew it will be a difficult nut to crack. She is the oldest yet the most unborthered about marriage.

"What do I do about my brother?" King Atkinson asked switching topic to Prince Enoch and his intending plan to snatched the throne once I retire soon.

"I really don't know what we can do about him. I suggest you call for dialogue with him first before we make any move on him." Lord Barak suggested.

"Instead of a dialogue I think we should put him back in a coffin after all I did for him this is how he wants to pay me back" King Atkinson fumes.

He was referring to the fact that when he became hundred years ago his father then used a mystical daggar to stab his brother. As a vampire it wasn't enough to kill him but it was enough to make him sleep. So he was kept in a coffin for over sixty years till because his father understood then he will be s threat to the throne. But king Atkinson had mercy on his brother and decided to pull the daggar from his heart with a promise he will never do anything against his brother while he was still on the throne. How easy it is for peopel to turn their backs against their helpers.

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Princess Joan was in her chambers thinking of what her father had told her that morning. She had never liked the idea of a personal guard walking with her since she loves going among the common people to behave like a commoner from time to time. Now with a guard by her side how was she going to carry out those plans.

She was still in her thoughts when the presence of her aunt was announced she immediately straighten herself and tried putting on a bright face as her aunt Freya walks.

"Oh my princess" Freya walked in dragging Joan into a tight hug. How have you been? "she asked cheerfully.

"I am fine" aunt Joan lied

"How many times will I tell you not to lie to me. I can tell when you lie even with my eyes closed"

"Aunt you are using your powered again that's cheating" Joan said pretending to sound offended.

"Oh my little niece how long shall you continue to remian naive. I don't need my powers to tell if you are sad or not. I am like a mother to you remember. A mother knows when are children are sad no matter how they try to hide it."

Since the unexplained disappearance of Joan's mother the closest figure to a mother she had is her aunt Freya not even her step mother came close to everything Freya had done for her.

"So tell me what troubles your mind?" Freya requested with concern in her eyes.

"Aunt you know the pressure I face everyday." Joan stated resting her head on her aunt's lap.

"You know how everyone keeps telling me to get married and all that. Today father had even added something else. He wants us to get personal guards for ourselves as he fears for our safety. I don't know what to do, you know how I hate moving with guards. What do I do aunt, I am confused."

A smile played around Freya's lips when she heard those words. Who would believe tht Joan's problems look so small yet her choice will determine how the destiny of the kingdom will come back years to come.

"Listen to me" she said raising Joan up to look into her eyes.

"Do not be in an hurry to make your choice today. Make sure you see all the commanders before you make your choice." She advised

"How do I know the right one for me" she asked curiously.

"When you look into his eyes, a fire in you will be kindled and another dimension of what you possess will be revealed. You will feel it in your bones." Freya continued speaking in words that made little sense to her.

"I will take my leave now, remember my words and keep them" Freya said walking out of the room leaving a confused Joan behind