CHAPTER 2: THE ECHO OF PRIDE, THE BREAKING OF THE HEART

Caspian, a sardonic smile playing on his lips, took the parchment General Valerius offered. Was the human king Theron truly this desperate? After two crushing defeats, was he swallowing his pride and offering an alliance? And the cost of this alliance... Caspian's amber eyes narrowed further as they scanned the lines on the parchment. "His daughter... he's offering her to me?" he whispered, his voice a mixture of disdain and astonishment.

Valerius nodded cautiously. "Yes, Your Majesty. King Theron proposes to forge a lasting peace and alliance between the two kingdoms by marrying Princess Isolde to you."

Caspian burst into laughter. The offer was so absurd and comical that it amused the young king. "Peace? Alliance? Do those pathetic humans think they are our equals? Their crude kingdom is nothing compared to the mighty Elven realm! And that... that mortal girl, to be my wife? This is the funniest joke I've ever heard!"

Valerius was uneasy with his king's dismissive attitude. "Your Majesty, perhaps we shouldn't take this offer lightly. King Theron is a cunning man. There might be other motives behind this proposal."

Caspian replied, his mocking smile not fading. "Other motives? What motives could they possibly have? Will they defeat us with their magic? With their weak swords? Their only motive is to beg for the mercy of the powerful Elven race. But I am not merciful, Valerius. I will have them pay for this humiliation in blood."

Yet, a part of Caspian's mind was trying to understand the logic behind this offer. Why would a human king offer his most precious possession to an Elven king who had attacked them twice? It was an unusually desperate move. Perhaps, as Valerius said, there were other secrets hidden beneath this proposal. However, Caspian's deep hatred and pride towards humans caused him to suppress these thoughts.

When Caspian presented King Theron's letter to the Elven Royal Council, a great wave of astonishment and anger spread through the hall. The old and wise Elven nobles perceived this offer as a great insult.

Lord Oberon, the oldest and most respected member of the council, rose and thundered, "Your Majesty! What kind of offer is this? To marry a human? How can you allow Elven blood to be tainted in such a vile way? This is a great disrespect to our ancestors!"

The other council members joined Lord Oberon. They argued that humans were short-lived, weak, and crude, that a human queen would not befit the Elven court, and that this marriage would pose a threat to the future of the Elven race.

"This offer must be rejected!" "King Theron dares to insult us!" "A human queen... never!" Voices rose in anger and horror.

Caspian had expected this vehement reaction from the council. However, a completely different thought had taken root within him. He still didn't fully understand why the human king had made such an offer, but he sensed that he could use this situation to his advantage.

"Calm yourselves, my Lords," Caspian said, his voice authoritative and calm. "I understand your concerns. The idea of marrying a human seemed absurd to me at first as well. However, I believe this offer may have strategic value."

The council members looked at Caspian in astonishment. "Strategic value, Your Majesty?" asked Lady Isolde, a young noblewoman known for her beauty and cunning. "What kind of value?"

Caspian replied with a thoughtful expression. "If this marriage takes place, King Theron's daughter will be a hostage in our hands. If that cunning king ever tries to betray us again, he will pay the price with his most precious possession. Furthermore, this marriage could halt the war between us and the humans, at least for a while. This would give us time to regroup our armies and plan our future moves."

Lord Oberon was still not convinced. "But Your Majesty, to make a human queen... that is unacceptable."

Caspian spoke patiently. "This is just a marriage, Lord Oberon. I don't have to bind my heart to her. My goal is to ensure the security of our kingdom and eliminate the human threat. This marriage can be a tool to achieve that goal." Deep down, however, the image of the "beautiful princess" from the letter had begun to form in Caspian's mind. The idea that humans could possess such beauty deeply surprised him.

After long and arduous discussions, Caspian managed to convince some members of the council. Especially the nobles who were worried about the devastation of the war and potential future losses had to accept Caspian's strategic reasons. Finally, the council, with great reluctance and suspicion, allowed Caspian to accept King Theron's offer. However, they imposed strict conditions on Caspian regarding the marriage being conducted in accordance with Elven traditions and nobility.

In the Rhyland palace, a feverish preparation had begun with the arrival of the Elven king's response. King Theron's alliance offer had been accepted, and Princess Isolde would marry the Elven king Caspian. Palace servants rushed about in a frenzy, the finest fabrics were being chosen, and preparations for a magnificent wedding ceremony were underway.

Isolde, amidst all this commotion and excitement, felt utterly alone and helpless. Her heart burned with the pain of her love for Liam, while she was being dragged into an unwanted marriage. Her father's decision was a betrayal for Isolde. He had disregarded her own happiness and offered her to a stranger, an Elven king.

The young princess was looking for ways to escape. Perhaps she could flee with Liam to distant lands and escape this cruel fate. With this hope, she secretly set off towards the palace gardens to find Liam.

She paused the moment she heard Liam's voice. Liam and a few of his friends were talking in a secluded corner of the garden. Isolde decided to hide and listen to their conversation before approaching them.

Liam's laughter rang out. "Yes, it was easy to steal the princess's heart. The foolish girl fell for my good looks and sweet words immediately."

Isolde's heart shattered into a thousand pieces with these words. Liam... the man she loved... was this how he saw her? Was it all just a game for him?

Liam's friend laughed mockingly. "But you won't be able to marry her, will you, Liam? The Elven king is coming, and he'll take the beautiful princess from you."

Liam shrugged nonchalantly. "Forget about her. She's just a princess after all. Her beauty served its purpose. Besides, she wasn't worthy of a man like me anyway."

Tears streamed down Isolde's face like a waterfall. These words were like knives piercing her heart. The words of love Liam had whispered to her, the gifts he had given... were they all lies? Had he never truly loved her?

Heartbroken, she emerged from her hiding place and silently returned to the palace. She cursed herself for coming to propose an escape to Liam. What a foolish dream she had entertained.

She appeared before her father in tears. King Theron was worried when he saw his daughter's distraught state.

"Isolde, what happened to you? Why are you crying?"

Isolde looked at her father. Deep sorrow and a newfound determination were etched on her face. "Father," she said, her voice trembling but clear, "I will marry the Elven king Caspian. For our kingdom... I will be a loyal wife."

King Theron was astonished by his daughter's sudden change of heart. But when he saw the determination in Isolde's eyes, he felt a bittersweet relief. Perhaps his daughter had finally decided to act like a princess. However, no one knew the deep scars of heartbreak and betrayal in Isolde's heart. The young princess was now ready to make a painful sacrifice, not for her own happiness, but for her kingdom.

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