Dec 30, 2021
"I love you." Said the Prince of Sumacs. Princess Orchard blushed. The King of Sumacs looked on, and urged the priest, who was petrified in fear, to say the line. "I...I now pronounce you husband and wife."
Even in a pristine world as pure as Kingdom of Orchids, its royalty cannot escape the vile grip of political marriage. Shadowed by the constant threat of invasion from the Kingdom of Sumacs, Princess Orchids' father, Old King Azalea, sent diplomats one after another to appease the belligerent king. Those emissaries never returned. Then, just as the King of Sumacs sent his heir apparent, Prince of Sumacs, to launch a preliminary strike on the Kingdom of Orchids, the courtly prince laid eyes upon Princess Orchard. Her vibrant skin shone brightly in the autumn sun, and he was in love. He immediately ordered his troops to retreat and proposed an idea to his father.
"Your Majesty Father," pleaded the prince, "I request that when your mighty forces lay siege to the Kingdom of Orchids, a fine princess named Orchard shall be spared. I am in love with her and wish that she marries me."
"Nonsense!" bellowed the King. "I will not have my only son marry a princess from such a lowly kingdom. When I raze every village under the Kingdom of Orchids, those that do not perish shall be my slave!"
The prince was about to rebuke, when the archduke, Count of Wisteria, stepped in, and smirked. "Your Fair Majesty, I sense a political opportunity for us not only to conquer the Kingdom of Orchids, but also unite and dominate the entire Realm of Shrubs--all its seven kingdoms, with Sumacs reigning supreme!"
"Go on," ordered the King.
"You see, Old King Azalea is a very respected ruler in the Realm of Shrubs...err, definitely not as renowned as you, my Sire." Archduke hastily added. "In any case, if we allow this marriage to occur, we will write the terms to our liking. Kingdom of Orchids must pay us royalty every season, cut off all diplomatic ties with the other five kingdoms, and allow us to conquer them one after the other. Once we usurp the five other kingdoms, a quick surrender at Orchids is expected in due time, and finally you, my Most Feared King, will rule peerless in the Realm!"
So, at the altar, Princess Orchard wept. Her lover is handsome, tall, and chivalrous, but her acceptance of this poisoned love sealed the fate of the five kingdoms who called Orchids their most trusted ally.
"Come, you are hurt." said the princess, breaking out of her trance. She led Pump back to her gold-brick castle lined with lilacs, up to her room, and applied bandages across Pump's wounds and used a wet rag to wash away the dirt from his face.
"Thank you, Princess", said Pump, eyes filled with gratitude. You looked lost when I read you the notes from the parchment. Everything okay?"
"Yeah, I'm fine." Listen, my father, Old King Azalea, will be seeing you soon. He will be glad to take a piece of the castle and a petal from our finest lilacs, but a kiss from a princess...it can't be me. I'm terribly sorry."
Pump was disappointed. But he understood the reason why the princess was hesitant to kiss him. They just met and certainly love is not brewed by a short encounter. However, he was oblivious to the fact that his timely savior is the Heir Queen of the very kingdom that sought to enslave him and kill his dog.
"I'll see you out", murmured the princess as Old King Azalea handed Pump a gold brick from the ancient castle and a lilac petal. As Pump and Princess Orchard walked to the gates, they heard a bark.
"Yam!" Exclaimed Pump, eyes wide with joy. "I cannot believe you found me! Oh, I was so worried about you!". As Pump held his beloved dog and rubbed his fur, he lifted his eyes and saw the witch, standing with a stoic face and fearful eyes staring at the pair.
"Pumpkin Spice!" Yelled the witch. "You have failed me. You have the brick, and the petal, but what good does it do when you cannot get a kiss from the very princess whose kingdom is trying to kill your dog?"
Pump's jaw dropped. He stepped back and took a shocking glance at the princess. Princess Orchard started crying, and ran back to her castle, leaving only the witch and her fiery gaze at a stunned Pump.
"Prince of Sumacs is coming with his army for the castle. You might want to lend me Yam for a bit more time." The witch proclaimed.
"No. I will face Prince of Sumacs myself, thank you." Pump barely managed to get the words out of his breath. "If anyone from Kingdom of Sumacs wants to get to Princess Orchard, he will have to step over my dead body!"
To Be Continued...