Part 2.

Days have passed yet the young princess condition was remaining same , draining hopes of king Ramus far away from her recovery .

He was losing his mind yet he kept his focus as his daughter suggested .

But the evil deeds of maids haven't stopped even for a brief day .

Until day of kingdom's queens crowning election came and marriage proposals filled the king's chamber .

Piles of letters ,offers and threats was not of any surprise for old king but he knew his daughter was to young for marriage , no matter how much some kingdom's and kings seeked for a wife and queen along their sides to rule for better future ,None of them was trustworthy for Ramus ,most of all not those who tried to bribe him and buy his daughter like a piece of cloth from market .

But a single letter catched his attention among the rest of others, different from fancy one's others has chosen for their taste , it was a black envelope with no symbol and he had his suspicion to whom it belonged .

Sweat covered old man face and his hands trembled as he reached forward the paper envelope , praying in his mind it wouldn't be what he feared off the most.

As he opened it and read it ,dread and tears filled up his eyes as he clutched his heart cursing himself and every living being who leaded him to this catastrophic event .

At last he gave in and set the rest of letters on fire , slicing his finger and writing in his own blood the reply to black letter .

Night was the witness of new beginning as Ramus dashed in Elaine room chasing all maids away and slamming door behind as he kneeled on floor Infront his daughter bedside holding her hand between his both as he cried and pleaded her in despair for forgiveness.

"Elaine .. sweetheart..I'm so sorry..I didn't had another way ...it was the only way to save the kingdom from the clutch of tyrant...everyone would have died..I'm sorry..I beg you forgive me on behalf of your mother please.."He pleaded and pleaded not stopping, his eyes already swollen from all tears he cried past hours ,he forgot his dignity and this part was crushing him even more then before .

But Elaine looked at him with remaining strength she had and smiled.

" I forgive you dad ..it's alright..you can tell me what happened" her voice was barely audible a melody whisper in emptiness of room void .

King sniffled and wiped his eyes with one hand resting his face on his daughter hand .

"it's him..The king Dracarys ,Tyrant of all East kingdom's ,he sent a warning if by tomorrow morning he won't get an agreement, He'll dispatch his army here and set our kingdom ,castle and entire village citizens on fire , slaughter them all " Fear was evident in old king's voice and his daughter sensed it all as her eyes widened in surprise but not to much for him to be aware that she was scared as well.

" You agreed didn't you " it wasn't a question but a statement with dead silence but young princess understood the situation way to well despite her lacking .King still nodded closing his eyes in worry his daughter face will twist in hatred ,but she remained smiling slightly just to make sure her father felt more at ease ,Even if her heart knew she was sold for nothing,One day the kingdom will burn anyways ,the Dracarys king will kill her out of boredom and later Eremus kingdom will follow to .She had to be smart for this ,and so king spoke again .

" He wants to marry you and make as his queen ,I don't know why , but if you're given until time he mentioned, he agreed to support our kingdom until it's rebuilded and lively as if was before " That was the answer Elaine waited for and so she forced herself to sit down ,Her red curls falling lightly on her shoulders ,still wearing the thin silk nightgown ,not helpful at all through all those cold nights ,her feet's still freezing under blanket .

"There's no escape then ,I'm certain in morning King Dracarys will send his knights for me , father if you haven't sent the response ..please do before the sunrise ,I wouldn't wish to see my parents beloved palace in flames " At verge of unpleasant emotions ,with a false smile ,yet still somehow courageous she spoke in her light tone . Earning a kiss on her forehead before her father rushed out of room to do as he was told .She looked at window seeing the view of stars filled sky colored by moon brightness, Elaine knew tonight it would be sleep filled of nightmares given the happening events .

Little did she knew she was being watched ever since the moment Ramus entered her room .A lurking tiny shadow in corner of the room hanging attached to ceiling with tiny red eyes ,watched her in silence unknown to anyone of it's presence .

The owner of it stretched miles away across the kingdom sat in his armchair and watched through it along with his pet,over the frail little woman in her bed ,

A black spark and flame rised between his fingers and the black letter has returned with words written in blood instead of ink .

A sigh was all that filled the space .