sea. In the New Land, more gold could be harvested in a single day than had ever been mined in an entire decade in Burchess. Riches beyond any king’s vain imaginations would be found in the New Land. King Gregory had quickly jumped into the race across the vast sea and claimed the land as his own and named it New Burchess. A new colony was formed there. To support the new colony that was to mine the endless amount of gold, many ships were needed to take supplies to the new land, as well as give new settlers and soldiers passage to New Burchess. In order to build all those ships, King Gregory needed wood. Deltegran wood.
Burchess was flat and dry—almost barren of trees. But Deltegra was the opposite. The mountains were green and lush. The cool climate and frequent rains gave way to the greatest forests in Western Corridor. King Gregory knew a treaty with Deltegra must be reached at once if he were to sustain the growth of New Burchess.
King Henrick—happy to finally have something to export and thus add wealth to his impoverished nation—eagerly agreed to provide timber to Burchess. And to show his commitment to Burchess, King Henrick offered the hand of his son, Prince Donovan Henrick. The two kingdoms would become more than just friendly. They would be united.
Donovan had told Illianah many years ago how her name was the only female name he had ever heard, outside of his mother’s and sister’s. Before he could even speak, his ears continually heard the praises of the lovely Illianah. He called her “Lily” as a young child, as his tongue had not yet learned to roll through the delicate syllables of her given name.
Illianah’s memories of Donovan were not as favorable. She remembered being told she was to marry the young prince from Deltegra, a kingdom she had always found repulsive. And Donovan was two years younger than she. She thought it was ridiculous to think of marrying a baby. But as she grew, so did he. Every two years, he would come to Burchess with his father, and each time he seemed less and less like a baby and more and more like a man. When he came to Burchess in his sixteenth year, Illianah could see the potential. In fact, she found him favorable. He had grown to be distinguished and princely, yet within his eyes remained a boyish twinkle, indicating that he continued to seek adventure and mischief. She also noticed a look of adoration anytime his eyes fell upon her. She knew he would cherish her, and that thought made her heart feel as if it was being blown by the gentlest of winds. Was it possible that her arranged marriage would actually bring her great happiness? She felt so blessed, like the misery of living a life without a mother and sisters would finally become a life like she read of in fairy tales.
But then the negotiations with King Henrick fell to pieces. Henrick and his son left after nightfall in the second fortnight of the visit; the prince did not even have the dignity to say goodbye.
“I am older than you, Donovan. I have a perfect recollection of what has happened during our lifetimes.”
“Yes. You know what your father has told you; but perhaps there is more than just his side of the story.”
Illianah did not want to hear Donovan’s perspective, but the deep pleading within his eyes begged her to remain silent. She sat back in the armchair. He did not sit, but he did not resume his pacing either. He stood still, the sadness upon his face indicating that this was something he did not want to recollect.
“When we came to Burchess two years ago to create the marriage treaty, I fully expected to leave there betrothed. In fact, I hoped for it.”
If this was the point of view he wanted to share with her, she thought she might have to fling her body into the fire. Listening to his story may very well turn her soul to ashes. Her thoughts of that time gave her enough pain as it was; she did not want to give consideration to his pain.
“King Gregory demanded us to
Burchess was flat and dry—almost barren of trees. But Deltegra was the opposite. The mountains were green and lush. The cool climate and frequent rains gave way to the greatest forests in Western Corridor. King Gregory knew a treaty with Deltegra must be reached at once if he were to sustain the growth of New Burchess.
King Henrick—happy to finally have something to export and thus add wealth to his impoverished nation—eagerly agreed to provide timber to Burchess. And to show his commitment to Burchess, King Henrick offered the hand of his son, Prince Donovan Henrick. The two kingdoms would become more than just friendly. They would be united.
Donovan had told Illianah many years ago how her name was the only female name he had ever heard, outside of his mother’s and sister’s. Before he could even speak, his ears continually heard the praises of the lovely Illianah. He called her “Lily” as a young child, as his tongue had not yet learned to roll through the delicate syllables of her given name.
Illianah’s memories of Donovan were not as favorable. She remembered being told she was to marry the young prince from Deltegra, a kingdom she had always found repulsive. And Donovan was two years younger than she. She thought it was ridiculous to think of marrying a baby. But as she grew, so did he. Every two years, he would come to Burchess with his father, and each time he seemed less and less like a baby and more and more like a man. When he came to Burchess in his sixteenth year, Illianah could see the potential. In fact, she found him favorable. He had grown to be distinguished and princely, yet within his eyes remained a boyish twinkle, indicating that he continued to seek adventure and mischief. She also noticed a look of adoration anytime his eyes fell upon her. She knew he would cherish her, and that thought made her heart feel as if it was being blown by the gentlest of winds. Was it possible that her arranged marriage would actually bring her great happiness? She felt so blessed, like the misery of living a life without a mother and sisters would finally become a life like she read of in fairy tales.
But then the negotiations with King Henrick fell to pieces. Henrick and his son left after nightfall in the second fortnight of the visit; the prince did not even have the dignity to say goodbye.
“I am older than you, Donovan. I have a perfect recollection of what has happened during our lifetimes.”
“Yes. You know what your father has told you; but perhaps there is more than just his side of the story.”
Illianah did not want to hear Donovan’s perspective, but the deep pleading within his eyes begged her to remain silent. She sat back in the armchair. He did not sit, but he did not resume his pacing either. He stood still, the sadness upon his face indicating that this was something he did not want to recollect.
“When we came to Burchess two years ago to create the marriage treaty, I fully expected to leave there betrothed. In fact, I hoped for it.”
If this was the point of view he wanted to share with her, she thought she might have to fling her body into the fire. Listening to his story may very well turn her soul to ashes. Her thoughts of that time gave her enough pain as it was; she did not want to give consideration to his pain.
“King Gregory demanded us to
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