I

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PRINCESS ROSHANNE

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Dark clouds rolled up the sky, covering the sun and engulfing the whole kingdom in a gloomy Sunday, thunder came next rolling and almost shaking the ground the wind blew strong rattling the windows, the young servant came out rushing to pick up the clothes they hung to dry, some servant comes and go seeking shelter from the sudden pour of rain. It was a heavy rain, something that is very unusual in the kingdom of Solvira in Summer, It was as if someone had displeased the sun Gods, their anger and displeasure caused rain and thunder, it was still a fine day just a few minutes ago, and now the rain had started to pour unforgivingly.

Now a rain in Summer is a bad omen for the princess and her people as it often brings bad news, this have already happened twice in a month.

The first was when the news of the death of the King's son and heir rattled the halls and the walls of the sunspear castle, the bells were rung before the sun could even rise.

News of the death of Prince Khalil soon plague the kingdom like a wildfire in mid summer, The king's favorite son and heir to the throne have died in war, his enemy for some reason manage to drive a spear on his shoulder, he fell off his horse and break his neck ending his life in a swift death. The prince with the golden hair and golden eyes, the prince that was Well Love. Everyone wept that day, mourning the lost of hope, but not Roshanne the princess, no she did not wept, if anything she celebrated in her chambers... Alone, with a bottle of wine that comes from the high castle of Roselwine, that was situated in the west of the Solvira, where the finest wine comes from.

The king had no heir left, no legitimate sons that bore the golden locks and golden eyes that the gods had bestowed upon them, he was just left with daughters, and bastard sons that he fathered from his concubines and paramours, none of them even worthy of the Helios name.

Second, he named a bastard son as his heir... The king must have lost his mind when he did that, appalled by this declaration the common people outcry and protested, when the king had done that he showed their people how he defies their Gods.

And now the rain had once again engulf the kingdom in the midst of summer... And she wonders what news he had brought along.

"Your highness? The bath is ready" Roshanne stared out the window and watched the pouring rain, it's been going on for a week now, the rain has yet to stop.

"Tell me did any of my brothers died again?" She asked her trusted servant; Odette who guided her inside the bathroom, she removes her robe, leaving her naked, her bright golden hair falls flawlessly on her back.

"No your highness, they are still stationed at the golden hills where the war is." Odette replied as she assisted her towards her bath, Roshanne stared at the steaming water, it sparkles like crystal chandeliers and she could see her own reflection, her golden hair were pass her hips and her golden eyes gleams, her beauty was as it is as before, unyielding and like a flower in mid June, it blooms more. Roshanne is the Second eldest daughter of the king and the only daughter to ever posses the blessings of the Gods, she was the true Golden heir. Despite her father's disapproval.

"Then perhaps my father did something to insult the Gods again." She murmurs before allowing her body to submerge in the water. Odette then do her work.

"You're father had done a lot of things to insult the Gods, we don't even know what he did this time your highness, but I assure you it is something you shouldn't be worried about." Odette told her as she scrub her body with the wet cloth, Roshanne only hummed.

A rapid knock on her door disturb her peace, she looks at the door while Odette stood and simply opened it before ushering the servant who disturb her peace

"Your highness." The servant greeted her respectfully, although her face was as red as the tomatoes that grows in the garden, she bowed in her presence.

"His Majesty have returned." She reported all the while keeping her head down. Avoiding her gaze.

"Tell me more." She demands to her before looking at Odette to tell her to continue what she was doing.

"The king have returned with our banner raised, we have w-"

"He..." She stated correcting the servant before closing her eyes as Odette massage her hair with the scented oil she had specifically chosen.

"He have won the war, the city of kings does not stand with that moron." She whispered the last part, if she had heard another news, perhaps if the girl had told her that the king have returned from the war with broken leg or perhaps a shattered skull she would have jumped in delight, but no, the man is strong as a new born colt despite him being unworthy and despite his body growing frail.

"Uh, yes his Majesty have won the war and is on his way here. He brought with him some spoil from the war, including a mistress your highness." One brow rose from the girl's word, a mistress, the king has a lot of those, he has seven concubines now, though before he had about a dozen or so, but some of them where killed by him when they no longer serves his interest.

" He have a new whore? Why does it not surprise me?" She asked more to herself before rising from the bath, the girls face turned even more redder at the sight of her naked body.

" Are my brothers and sisters aware of our father's return?" She asked the young girl who only nods her head, after that she quickly dismissed her before going to her dresser and choosing a dress.

"Dress me in red and gold silk." She ordered her. The king had no legitimate son left despite having many sons that could never inherit the throne, despite being his real sons, they couldn't be Heir not because they are born to a concubine but because of their status in the holy land of the sun Gods. None of the King's other sons and daughters possess the three traits of a golden heir, which is having Golden eyes, Hair and blood. It was Helios family's trade mark. And despite him Naming Kaspian as heir, she and the others know that he doesn't stand a chance when the time has come... Roshanne is the only legitimate heir left, she had the support of the temple as well as the common people, and if push come to shove they will support her claim.

But the news of another mistress have given Roshanne the idea that the king might try to have another heir to the throne, he's not getting any younger, sooner of later he has to leave this mortal realm. And he will do it just to spite her

"Have you had any idea, about my father's said mistress?" She asked Odette, while she dresses her.

"Yes, people who have heard about the news have said that the princess was offered to him, a woman born with flaming hair and forest green eyes, they say her beauty transcends that of the beauty of princess Freya." Now that seems to be a interesting news, Princess Freya, is the king's niece, the Kingdom's little sunshine as they love to call her, many people have claimed that no one can match the beauty of that woman. Not even her the princess, but it seems like a rival had set foot in the kingdom. But above this all, she was surprised to hear that king of Lysos has another daughter, as far she could remember the king of Lysos has four sons and only two daughters which are already married.

"I have never heard of this said princess before. Do you think that I should be worried about her?" She asked her as she fix her dress, her lady in waiting shakes her head and smiles at her.

"The girl is only 17 your highness. And said to be a quiet child, she's beautiful but her head is empty, as many claim it to be, she's weak. A fragile princess, knights have claimed that the princess was locked in a tower in Lysos, her father the King of the red land have locked her there for sixteen years... She knows nothing of this world, and will never be a threat to you." Roshanne nods her head and returned her attention to the mirror, she looks at her self and smiled, if the girl is as they claimed her to be, she had nothing to worry about, she would just leave her to the girls of harem, they will have the fun of tearing that girl apart, after all the harem is filled with vicious woman, lions and hyenas alike littered that place, those who are weak got eaten.

"He wanted to have another golden son..." She whispered to Odette as she comb her hair.

"He might still have another chance your highness, as long as he can perform his marital duty and as long as the woman is young and able, he might." Odette explained to her making her scowl.

"All his whore ever gave him are defects, his sons doesn't posses any of the traits of a true born Helios. It was just Khalil, sadly he's dead." She grimly replied having to remember the day where the head of her older brother was delivered to her in golden platter, she still remember the cries of their mother as she delivered her the news.

"This must be the reason why the gods are mad, we all should be mourning for the lost of a great prince, not looking for someone to replace him." She stated before closing her eyes and allowing Odette to do her job.

"The queen still mourns." Odette whispered to her.

" Mother would only lock herself in her room and wallow in her own self pity. That's all she ever does and as long as she doesn't do anything that bothers the king or me, she should be fine. Let her mourn as long as she wants... That's all we could ever offer to that miserable woman." She told her, squinting her eyes at the mirror, her mother is a week woman, it still made her wonder how she shared the same blood as that woman,  she was nothing like her, shaking her head Roshanne decided to ask Odette about the war, the idea of her mother brings a bad taste in her mouth, she was never comfortable in speaking about her mother.

"How many men did we lose in this war? Did your sons return home?" She asked Odette who was fixing the hem of her dress.

"Many your highness...My Eldest and middle child made it back home, but my Youngest died along with the prince." Odette stated like it was just a poem made for her to recite by the teachers, the woman showed no emotion. Her eyes devoid of any sadness.

"And your husband?" She inquired more before sitting down the chair and allowed Odette to do her hair.

"He's alive, but lost an arm and an eye. He also broke his back, the healers said that he won't be able to walk again for the rest of his remaining days." Such tragedy, the princess thought.

" My deepest sympathy." She stated, Odette just offered a gentle smile before stepping back and allowing her to see her whole reflection in the mirror again. In her reflection she saw how Odette look at her with clear sadness.

"What are you thinking?" She asked her. Her lady in waiting shakes her head.

"It's nothing your highness." She replied but Roshanne knew she has something in her mind that she wishes to tell her.

"Speak of it." She whispered, lady Odette sighed and nods her head.

"I could never understand how the king could not choose you. You are a Sainte isn't that enough for him? You held the divine power of healing and cleansing, something no one had possessed for a hundred years a once in a lifetime miracle given to him." She smiles and understand what Odette had meant. Usually she would have been the next heir, it is her right after all... But her father had only ever sees her a woman that he could use. Nothing more nothing less. Roshanne just taps her hand, deciding not to answer her questions for a moment, she looks at her reflection again and spoke.

"One way or another... He will have to see... That it is I... His only heir." Once satisfied with her look princess Roshan had made her way to the Throne room but before she does, she left a specific instructions to Odette.

"Summon Geremiah, I have some task for him." She stated, Odette bows before leaving. Fetching the master of spies.

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"Announcing!!! Princess Roshanne Helios, First daughter of the king, Sainte of Solvira." The huge golden door creaks open upon the announcement of her name, Roshanne stride inside the throne room with her head held high, she wore her jeweled Ferronniere, Roshanne wore no other jewelry than her Ferronniere, because no gold nor jewelry could match the beauty of her Golden hair. It serves as her greatest jewelry. People bowed in her presence as she walks by, but she did not miss the feel of their glares and judging gaze... She was used to it, ever since she was but a kid, she was scrutinized for being born a female with golden locks and blessed gift, something the male heir should have had in the first place. Her brother may have been born as a golden heir but he lack something, he does not posses great power, he cannot control fire, he cannot control his dragon well, he's even physically weak, the noble families treat him as a joke and above all he was kind and as guilable as their father is. Roshanne does not approved of it one bit, she only ever sees him as a hindrance, a burden and a shame.

Roshanne was the opposite, while her brother has to be dragged to war, she on the other hand gladly joined, she rode her great dragon to battle once and burned her father's enemies to field, none was spared as they turned into ashes. While her brother cowers at the sight of the throne and at the thought of duty, Roshanne does not, instead she set her sight on the throne, where the past king had sit upon. She stared at the throne as she ascend from the dias. The throne that was forged by the hand of their gods. It held great power... Something Roshanne had craved ever since she was young.

Once in front of the throne, Roshanne lingered for a moment, touching it's hand and feeling it's divine power, they said the whoever sits on it, received a blessing from their gods, her father had been sitting on it for nearly thirty years, and even though he already lost his favor from the Gods he remained seated, Usually if a king ever lost the Gods favor they are kicked out, overthrown as quickly as possible by the heir, or his council. But since her father does not have any legitimate sons left, his council could only ever wait until he dies or until a miracle happens and another golden heir is born. She have already proposed this idea to her brother, before he dies, but he only looked at her, appalled at the thought of having to kill, At that moment she was willing to kill for him, for Khalil, but seeing his reaction all respect she had left of him flew out the window... her brother is weak just like their mother. Shaking her head Roshan stood by the side of her father's throne where her mother usually stood.... As the Sainte, she's the second most powerful person in the room next to her father, her brothers and sisters looked at her with envy. They could hate her all their life, but they could never match her.

Looking at the golden door Roshanne stared at the three eyed dragon symbol on the door, with it's three eyes made of sapphire, it was their God Sol, the God of heavens, the one who gifted them the beast that ruled the sky and the land.

"Announcing! His Majesty! King Kalisto, first of his name! King of Solvira!" The crowd erupted and the door opened, The king sits on his golden Palanquin that was embedded with 500 different jewel, it was so heavy that it needed to be carried by sixty soldiers. Everyone bowed when the king pass them by, Behind the king came his bastard son, and his 11th son by a concubine, Kaspian and Alastair, but her blood boils the most when she his bastard acting like a true born prince, the pretender had actually had the guts to smirk and flaunt like his very existence is of great value, but her attention was quickly caught by the small figure walking alongside them, she wore a large cloak, too large for that small figure, she stood out amongst her father's battalion, because it was only her who's wearing a cloak, she couldn't study her more as her father's Palanquin was placed down, Roshan watches as her father slowly rose from his chair, he had a Caine on one hand to support him. When she was young, her father is a strong man, handsome and regal, but now... Her father is reduced to a sickly thin king, his once full cheeks now became hollow,.his strong physique is now nothing but skin and bones his once golden hair is now turning silver and black, a sign that God are starting to reject him... He was a grim sight.

"Father." She bowed down, once her father manages to reach the throne, he extended his hand in which she reach and hold before kissing his knuckle... Once done she stood and looked at his father.

"My daughter, may the blessings of the Gods be with you, you have grown more beautiful in each day passing." Roshanne could only smile at his father's empty words, the king sits and raised his hand to silence everyone.

"I have come bearing good news! The kingdom of Lysos had finally surrendered!" Everyone in the room cheered, but Roshanne remained quiet.

"And in order to prove their loyalty to us, to me... He had given me his daughter!" His father pointed to the cloaked figure standing at the feet of the dias, the young woman removed her hood exposing the most beautiful and vibrant red hair that Roshanne could not help but grew jealous of. This princess... Is a exotic sight to behold.

Her beauty represent that of the hidden beauty of the desert land. Her green eyes gleams like that of the emerald stone, her lips were full and red as the cherry in Roshanne's garden, her full cheeks were freckled like that of the night sky, her skin. Roshanne had never seen a skin like that of soil... Beautiful.

"She is to be my concubine, and if the gods allow it, she will be the mother of my new heir." Everyone clapped, while Roshanne's jaw clenched, she could see the fear in the young girls eyes... She could see the trembling of her lower lips before looking away. and then a smirk grew on her lips... This girl will pose no threat to her... She is weak, unlike those who comes before her, concubines who are ambitious, concubines who tries to undermine her brother as heir, concubines who tries to give her father a golden heir but failed miserably. Oh this woman would rather cower and hide, would rather run away than have to bare the king's children.

"With this wonderful news! We shall celebrate for two weeks full! Let us have feast! Drown in our cups!" The knights cheered upon this announcement, Roshanne hid her displeasure at such announcement, her father must have forgotten that there is still war going on in the southern border of their kingdom, in which his other seven sons is currently appointed, Roshanne looks once again at the young girl and watches her as she looks around the room wide eyed. For the mean time she must entertain herself with this one, see how long would it take to break her.

"My dear daughter." Roshanne's ear strains when her father spoke, he never calls her his daughter unless he wanted something, mastering her fake smile she turns towards him.

"Yes father?" She asked so sweetly, the king does not look away from her, he too was staring at the young face in the room. His eyes seems to gleam, and there was faint hint of smile on his lips.

"I will trust you to keep my new wife a company, I will hand over to you her education, as this princess... Is quite of a savage, after all, she came from a savage kingdom, teach her of our way, and make sure that she understands it." Roshanne's smile grew even more.

"Of course father." She answered, bowing before making her way to the Young girl who was still standing.

"Princess!" Kaspian greeted her trying to strike a conversation but she paid him no mind as she made her way to the young girl.

"You must be tired my lady." She spoke before placing her hand on the girls shoulder and noticed how she flinched. Bright emerald eyes turns towards her golden once, it held worry and uncertainty.

"I understand that this seems a little scary to you my lady, but you must get accustomed to it, for this will be your home from now on. Come, let me take you to your room, take a rest for the day." She told her, looking at the girl's lost expression. Sighing Roshanne decided to introduce herself to her, to at least ease the troubled princess.

"My name is Roshanne Helios, I am the king's daughter." She introduced herself to her, the red haired princess looks at her with wide eyes, that glimmers beneath the bright light of the throne room like that of the emerald in her ring.

"I am Dae... Youngest Daughter of king Titus of Lysos." Dae whispered, Roshanne nods her name and noted that her name, is as gentle as her voice. She had never talked to anyone as gentler as this woman.

" It's a pleasure to meet you my lady." She spoke to her in a sweet caring voice, enough to draw any unsuspecting prey. She puts her hands on her shoulder and gently squeeze it, she feels her tense shoulder going a bit relax at her words and actions. The. She guided her out of the crowded throne room.

"Do not fret, you are not alone, we are your new family, rest assured that you will be taken care of." As they step out of the hall Roshanne did not fail to notice how Dae visibly relax upon seeing it empty, everyone was inside the thrones room, that's why the halls are empty, she looks behind them to see Alastair.

"Leave us be brother, I'm sure you are tired, why don't you rest?" She saw hesitation in his eyes, but one lift of her brow was enough to dismiss him. Finally alone with her, she looks at Dae who marveled at the sight of the wide halls of the kingdom, the pillars where made of silver, the floor of marbles and the roof of Gold, Solvira is the richest realm in all of Gaia, the kingdom that was blessed.

"The journey must have taken a tall on you, would you like to eat first? Perhaps have a tea?" She offers like a good host she is, it is important to get her trust quickly if she wanted to know more about her, she will be the judge weather this girl could be of use to her.

"A tea?" The girl asked finally turning her eyes at her.

"Yes, a tea... Have you not heard of it before?" She asked with a raised brow, Dae's cheeks darkened before turning her head away from her.

"I wish to take a rest. Would that be alright?" Roshanne nods her head and guided her towards her room, the Grandeur room, located right next to hers.

"This will be yours, we have already prepared it." She opened the doors the reveal the room, it was one of the biggest, expensive tapestries hang on its wall, painting of the king in his youth hang above the king sized bed, thick blanket and bed sheets that came from kingdom of Lunaris, the kingdom making the finest of the silks.

"This is to be my room?" The look of surprise in the girl's face had confused her, surely she had seen a beautiful room such as this before? She may even own one considering her status as a princess.

"Yes my lady. Do you not like it, perhaps I could look for ano-" She was cut off when Dae suddenly turned to her and blurted.

"No! No, this is... This is good thank you." Roshanne raised her brow. Does no one ever taught her that interrupting someone is rude? On any other occasion she would have reprimanded her for such behavior, but then this is her first time in Solvira. This could be addressed some other time. Roshanne nods once again and bows before leaving her be and closing the door. The young woman is peculiar, something was off about her and she doesn't know what it is, nevertheless she must keep her guards up. A puppy could looked lovely yet still bite her. Roshanne turned towards her room and entered.

"The young girl is from the west... A land still unknown to us... Find out whatever it is that is important. And make haste." She spoke to the shadow that stood in her room, it stood their for a moment watching her, red eyes were glowing.

"I'll pay you handsomely for this trouble." She added with a sweet smile, and then the shadow was gone leaving her their with her own thoughts.