The king agrees – Nila stays

A few of moments of dreadful silence passed. Nila gulped, and her gaze flickered between her father and the foreign leader. Surely her father wouldn't agree to this!

King Mandour finally spoke, ”Of course, my liege,” he said unsteadily, ”If that is your wish.”

Nila let out another horrified gasp.

Alrik got a fleeting grin on his face, ”It is my wish”, he said with his icy blue gaze still on the princess. ”With an agreement such as this, it is only customary to leave a ward sprung from your loins as an honorary member of your liege's lord's court – and what better candidate for the task than your lovely daughter? I have no doubt that her wardship would greatly benefit the love and friendship between our realms, as well as foster good conduct in the future. Wouldn't you agree?”

”A wise arrangement, my lord,” the king murmured and bowed his head in acceptance.

”Excellent,” Alrik exclaimed, ”I guarantee that the princess will lack for nothing and that she will be treated just like any other noblewoman here at court.”

Nila couldn't quite grasp what was happening, and their voices became distant as they kept talking about her like she wasn't there. The room was spinning, she felt sick and wanted to cry, but all that came out was a faint stutter, ”W-what? Father, no!”

But the king didn't even look at his daughter as the deliberations continued. There were some formalities left to discuss before the king swore an oath of fealty. Then the audience was over. And just like that, the fate of the princess was sealed. Nila was to remain as a hostage in Zatakia while the king and the rest of her countrymen would return home.

”I will see you soon again, princess,” Alrik smiled ominously as the Lydian retinue left the throne room.

Nila her father farewell in the courtyard. She shivered in the light drizzle, and she sobbed quietly, ”No, papa, please don't leave me,” she desperately pleaded, but the king was unrelenting. He just kissed his daughter's forehead with an emotionless expression on his face, then turned and stoically entered the carriage without even looking back.

Nila watched as the royal retinue rode out through the massive gates until they were completely out of sight. And then she was alone in the courtyard, crying in the cold rain.

”Ahem, Your Highness?”

Nila's grievances were interrupted by a discrete female voice behind her. The princess quickly wiped the tears from her cheeks. She was among enemies now, right in the middle of the lions' den, and she couldn't afford to look weak. She'd be damned before she would let those northern bastards see her cry.

She turned around and found herself looking at a young woman, both long-legged and full-bosomed with smooth pale skin and beautiful face. Her blonde hair ran in a thick braid over her shoulder, and she wore a simple but becoming white chemise with a red bodice and skirt that did little to hide her ample curves. Her large green eyes emitted both warmth and intelligence as she inspected Nila and her plump lips pursed in a pleasant but slightly mischievous smile.

”I am Raina, and I have been assigned to be your handmaiden,” she said, ”Is Your Highness planning on standing out here in the rain all day or may I show Your Highness to her chambers?”