The Devil's Bride

Sound of horses galloping hurriedly can be heard from far distance heading straight to the Hemsford royal palace.

"This is an envoy of the Crown Prince Henry of Volkenshire, we request for an audience with his majesty King Lionel Rosenberg of Hemsford", shouted one of the soldier who whore a black uniform with red stripes, and a Volkenshire emblem on his left c.h.e.s.t uniform. The soldier who was leading the young prince chaperon asking for a legal entrance from the royal guard who was on stand by at the main gate.

Upon receiving a permission, the group went straight to the main entrance, leaving their horses to the attendants and entered the huge double main doors. The young crown prince himself was walking in front of the group, eagerly to meet the king.

Prince Henry was shocked when he received the letter written personally from King Lionel, the content of the letter was not something that he expected to read. He need to talk to the king immediately, to which he rode his horse with his escort instead of riding on a carriage which is slower.

Two palace guards bowed their head on the crown prince arrival and guide the group to the royal office, where King Lionel was waiting for them.

When they arrived at the royal office, one of the guard knocked on the door and inviting Prince Henry to enter inside.

"All of you stay outside, I need to talk to the king in private", command the prince to his escort before he went inside the office.

King Lionel was waiting for him when he entered the office, the same place where he asked the king for a marriage relationship with the king's youngest daughter last week.

"Greetings your majesty, King Lionel", greet the prince while bowing a little to the old king.

"Welcome back to Hemsford, Crown Prince Henry. I didn't expect you to come personally here".

"I had to after I read your letter, your majesty".

King Lionel knew very well that the young prince was upset about what had happened, but since the prince came personally to seek his audience, he thought that this might be his chance to persuade the prince to become his ally. For the prince came rushing right after receiving his letter, it show how much Prince Henry love his daughter.

'There is still hope', King Lionel said inwardly.

Inviting the prince to sit and offer him a drink, King Lionel went to sit on another chair facing him.

"You don't know how much it broke my heart about what happened to my daughter Kathleen, young prince. For someone as caliber as you are, I would be very happy to hand my daughter to be your bride. It is my fault for not being able to stop the devil, he is too strong for me", said the king with his saddened expression, trying to vouch for the prince's sympathy.

"I really want to marry your daughter, your majesty. Can't we do something about this matter?".

"How I wish I could do something about it, but just look at my kingdom, we are not as strong as your kingdom, Prince Henry. We don't have enough military resources. I still have two eligible daughters who in the marriageable age, would you mind picking anyone of them", said King Lionel with full of hope.

"I'm sorry your majesty, I only long for your daughter Princess Kathleen, no one can replace her in my heart. I'm sorry, I have to refuse your other daughters", replied the crown prince firmly.

"Let's bring back home Princess Kathleen, I can work with you, King Lionel. My kingdom, Volkenshire, are the best when it comes to military resources, and if we join hand to fight the devil, I'm very sure we can defeat him and save your daughter", he added with confident. Prince Henry had always been proud on his kingdom's military forces, he knew very well that their's was the strongest amongst other kingdoms.

"Are you sure about this, Prince Henry?. What about your father, do you think he will agree to this?", asked the old king.

"There is nothing to worry about it, King Lionel, my father has bestowed me a full control over the military forces, and this will be a break through to my reign", assured Prince Henry, his eyes was fill with ambitions that the king can see clearly how much the young prince wanted to show off his capability.

"In that case, for this first ever join forces of the two kingdoms, the mission to save Princess Kathleen from the devil's clutch, I will let you lead the forces and have full control and command on it, Crown Prince Henry", said King Lionel, he stood up and offered his hand for an alliance hand shake.

Proudly, Prince Henry stood and accepted the king's hand. "Leave this matter to me, I will successfully bring back your daughter!".