Ending a Conversation

Characters: Tusra and Anastra.

Tusra and Anastra stood outside the hall. Its large wooden doors with intricate patterns carved into it towered over Tusra. He began to feel uneasy as he knew what was going to happen. Looking over to his Princess, he noted that she didn’t share the same feelings as him, did she not know the situation in which they have been called for? No of course not, she didn’t listen. Anastra never listens.

The doors swung open, and a crier announced their arrival. “Princess Anastra Goldenwood and her mentor Tusra Greylock. They entered together with her hand on top of his as he guided her down the long aisle towards the King and Queen. Tusra felt like a tiny insignificant maggot walking into a room full of golden swans. God how he wanted this to be over.

“My King and Queen,” Tusra chanted, bowing lowly and with the greatest respect for his peers. Anastra giggled at Tusra’s entrance that she forgot she was in front of her parents.

“Arda! Amil!” she cheered and briskly curtsied, “To what do I owe the pleasure of this meeting?” she added winking to the glaring Tusra.

Her Mother breathed deeply and saw Tusra’s glare “My child, you know exactly why we are here, please do not insult Tusra in such a way.” She scolded, rising to her feet. Tusra rose and held out his hand as the Queen descended from her throne to meet with her daughter. They embraced and with a kiss to Anastra’s forehead she spoke aloud, “We are here to discuss your marriage.”

Anastra released herself from her Mother’s embrace and shook her head with denial, “No, no not yet! I don’t want to marry”

Her Father slammed his hand on his throne and bellowed, “You have no choice! We need to unite ourselves with the surrounding countries. You will obey!” Turning around her Mother glared at her husband. He cleared his throat and stood. “My daughter, I do not wish to marry you off, but for us to progress with our nation, and making sure our world does not enter a war, you need to choose a Prince from one of our surrounding lands and make peace with them. If you will not do it for you King, do it for your Father. Please,” he asked, losing his King voice, taking on his softer and more fatherly tone, one which he has not used for quite some time.

“Arda, I wish to travel our lands and greet its people before I marry. I have been stuck behind these walls for as long as I can remember. Please. Let me travel, let me visit the Princes instead of them coming to us–"

“No. I will not allow that. You cannot… no, you must not leave these walls till you are married.” He begged as he embraced her.

“But Arda-”

“Leave us,” The King commanded, the entire council disappeared from the hall with great speed, for when the king commands, they obey.

Once everyone was gone apart from the King, Queen, Tusra and Anastra, the King released the Princess and as quick as a flash of lightening, he back handed her, knocking her backwards into Tusra. The Queen gasped and placed herself in between them. Embarrassment grew in Anastra like a virus, and she ran to the back of the room.

“How dare you lay a hand on our daughter.” She seethed, slapping him back. The King stood back and blankly stared at his wife, placing a hand on his burning cheek where she slapped him.

“If I may be so bold your majesty, but violence will not encourage her to listen to you.” Tusra said as he kept his eyes on Anastra, but looked towards the King and Queen for a moment.

The Queen looked to Tusra and nodded. “I think that will be all for today. Please escort Anastra to her room” she said softly.

“As you wish, my Queen” he said and bowed before heading to the sobbing Princess who had collapsed to the floor in tears.

He picked her up and took her out; but before they left they heard the roaring of the King’s voice.

“YOU WILL MARRY. EVEN IF IT’S THE LAST THING I DO.”