***IMPORTANT***

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- Melanie

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All jaws dropped, including my own. Even Christopher seemed baffled and horrified by this new development. The only one unfazed, or at least he appeared to be, was Xic. The only change of his posture was a clench of his jaw. Bravely, and without looking at anyone, Xic crossed the room to stand before the king. He dropped to one knee, head bowed. "Your Highness," he greated. His voice was steady but questioning.

Upon realizing who the king had been speaking to, a ripple of concerned voices moved through the courts, many of them whispering words of denial. "That's who the king has chosen to rule beside his daughter? He's only a knight. He has no royal blood."

"He's not even a knight," someone said. "Don't you recognize him? He's the orphan the king took in many years ago."

"Oh, my. You're right! So, he's not even a noble?" a horrified voice asked. "This is preposterous. He can't inheirit the throne."

As the whispers turned into a commotion, the king did not address their concerns. He merely motioned for Xic to stand. "I have raised you into a wise knight and a fine man. Now I wish to lead you into a royal future. Please," the king said. "Take my daughter's hand in marriage and be my successor to the throne."

At the mention of me, Xic's eyes darted to mine, expression still unreadable. Then he looked back at the king. "With all due respect and appreciation for your trust in me," he started, "I'm sure you could find someone more suited for this honor than I. I do not believe I am fit to marry your daughter."

"Yes, Your Highness," Christopher said. He looked uneasy. "Surely, you couldn't ask a knight to lead the kingdom. Wasn't it your intention when you invited me here to give your daughter's hand to me?"

"I changed my mind," the king said, an instant of scorn crossing his face as he looked at Prince Christopher. "It was a mistake to think you would be the proper choice for her. I know that now."

Christopher looked surprised by the king's words, and worried for what they could mean. "But the uniting of the kingdoms-"

"Is not needed," the king finished for him. "Your return to your father's kingdom has already been arranged for this evening. Be prepared to leave."

Several members of the courts had begun to speak up at this point; they seemed furious with this news. Many where probably from Christopher's kingdom who had come to see the marriage arrangement. "How can you say Prince Christopher is not the right choice? He's a spectacular swordsman, and he has made wise decisions by his father's side! He deserves this right!" they said. "This has been an agreement between our kingdoms for over a decade!"

The king did not acknowledge them, however, and Christopher fell silent. It was clear the king could not be swayed. Christopher moved away from me with a troubled look. Xic also seemed lost for words. He looked at the king bravely, but there was a stitch to his lips that told me he was trying to come up with a reasonable response. Finally, he said, "You know that I respect your judgement above all others, but I cannot accept this honor." He bowed his head. "I must decline for I am unfit to marry a princess."

The king's gaze hardened. "This is not a request," the king said. "It is an order, and you will follow it."

This seemed final, and Xic found he had nothing to say in rejection of this decision. He lifted his head and looked at me. His cool expression broke into frustration and confusion, but he shoved those feelings back and stood straight. "Yes, sir," he said, without turning to the king. The king gestured to me and Xic nodded in understanding. He took a deep breath and extended a hand to me. "It is my pleasure to ask Princess Winter to bind ties with me in the bonds of marriage."

A horror that I could not even begin to explain filled me as he knelt on one knee, waiting expectantly for me to accept his proposal. Unfortunately for him, I had no intention of marrying him, or Christopher, or anyone else. I intended to go home. "You can ask all you want," I said shortly, hurriedly picking up my skirts. "But I will never marry you." 

As I attempted to leave, however, the king grabbed my arm in an iron grip. "You will," he said. "Now take his hand."

"No," I refused.

The king looked furious. "Yes," he demanded. "Now."

As he tried to force me to accept Xic's hand, I pulled away from him. "I will not marry him," I said fiercely. I turned to find the courts staring at me in shock and I glared. "Is this what you want from a future queen? Is it? Well, this is what you will get!"

"Winter!" the king snapped, trying to stop me. "That is enough!"

I whirled on him. "You won't make me marry someone I do not love, and you won't keep me here," I swore. "I will run this kingdom into the ground if I have to."

"No, what you'll do is get yourself punished greatly for this disobedience," he hissed. He gripped my arm and dragged me with him into a small room off to the side where the courts couldn't see us. Xic and Christopher followed close behind, probably worried for my health should the king lose his temper. Once the door was closed, the king turned me to him and held me firmly. "I do not know what savage raised you, but in this family you listen and do as you're told," he said.

I narrowed my eyes. "You're not my family," I said. "My family is the man and woman you stole me from."

This was the last straw for the king and he snapped at a guard. "Throw her in a cell until she learns some respect," he said.

I reddened with anger. "You're locking me up?" I asked. "Just because I won't be your pawn?"

Christopher looked upset too. "Your Highness, isn't that a little harsh?" he asked. "She's just upset. I'm sure she just needs time."

However, the king ignored his protest and barked more orders at the guards. "Until she accepts her responsibility as queen, she is not to leave the dungeon and no one is to visit her."

I tried to run, but arms stronger than any I had felt before grabbed me under the shoulders and practically lifted me off the ground. Despite a great fight, I was taken through a second door and through many corridors down into the darkness of a terrifying dungeon. The guards said nothing to my constant volatile words and I eventually wore myself out. After being forcefully shoved inside a musty smelling cell, the gate was closed with a clash behind me and locked. I ran to the bars and shouted for them to let me out, but neither of them even acknowledged me. Dismally, I watched as the guards walked away and disappeared out of sight. That left me entirely alone in the dim light of the cell, exhausted from my fight and terrified for my life. I sank to my knees.

"Good job," I muttered to myself, a knot swelling in my throat. What was I supposed to do now? At least before I had had the chance to climb out a window, or break the lock on the door of my room to get away. Here in this dungeon, I had no chance of escape. I was trapped...

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