It was on a winter's month when Maveria was born.

The weather outside was cold but it could not compare to the warmth her family surrounded her in. Although King Tiberias the Sixth hoped for another prince, having a princess was also a joyous occasion. Even at a young age, Maveria possessed a high degree of beauty. Her charm only increased as she aged. Her skin was as clear and white as snow, her hair a dark colour of ebony. However, it was her eyes that were the best. They were a delicate shade of blue, like ice but warmer touch to it.

Instead of Queen Elara, her birth mother, Tiberias the Seventh, also known as Cal, always took care of her. Queen Elara found her daughter's temperament to be a little too delicate for her liking. As a result, she resented Maveria more and more due to nothing more than her personality. Such a soft daughter was useless to her.

Because their parents never had time to care about them, Cal took it up as an older sibling to raise her. From a young age, they had established an unbreakable bond. As such, Maveria grew up with a pure mind and heart thanks to her brother's influence. She had a virtuous, kind personality for a Silver royal. Her beauty had also increased. There were poems and rumours that were written in her honour that were spread across the kingdom. And in a turn of fate, had spread outside the kingdom and into the ear of the newest Lakelander king.

Kano Cygnet, the new King of the Lakelands was a intelligent, cunning, and highly ambitious individual. He had a vast network of spies in Norta, possibly larger than King Tiberias did in the Lakelands. He would be a formidable opponent to go up against. Such an opponent was what scared King Tiberias the most. The possibility of him losing everything was frightening enough. But he didn't need to fight at all.

After a few months had passed since his enthronement, an unexpected letter arrived for King Tiberias. It was from Kano, asking for an end to the war. They were scheduled to meet at the Choke where the negotiations would be discussed and finalized over. "To resolve things peacefully," Kano wrote, "is the ideal solution for both of us. I hope to see you there."

Tiberias planned to go. He would rather not take the risk of fighting with the new king. After a few days, they both arrived at the Choke to discuss terms. There Kano stood, tall, handsome, and very much undeterred. It seemed he wanted to go through with whatever plan he had in mind.

They both met in the center of the pavilion at a plainly decorated wooden table. It didn't take long for them to lay down some terms between the two. The Choke was to be divided evenly with each country sustaining the other's needs. The Lakelands was plentiful in harvest. Norta had lots of electricity. Everything seemed to be going well, that is until Kano brought up the final piece of his plan.

"I've heard that you have a younger daughter," he says lightly. "Maveria was her name?"

King Tiberias stiffens. "Yes."

"Well then," Kano waves a hand. A servant comes over with a scrawl which unfolds to reveal a contract. "In order for this to work, I need your word . . . and your daughter's hadn in marriage."

The Lakelander was unafraid of saying his wants plainly. In fact, it seemed as though he wanted the other to know his desire. "You see," he began. "It will be the strongest bond between countries. It will also prevent conflicts within the future generations."

"I don't . . . is there any other way?" King Tiberias asks, his voice quiet. "What about my son-"

"An alliance may not need to be made with your son," Kano answers, already having prepared an answer. "I have no sisters but a female cousin. But your son is too precious. Princess Maveria will suffice."

Incomparable beauty. A kinder heart beyond one's imagination. Those were the few rumours that Kano was given but they tempted him enough. In fact, Kano had a bit of an obsession with the gossip about her. In this situation, Kano's proposition was enticing and something King Tiberias could not refuse. One person for the lives of many.

King Tiberias smiles to disguise his discomfort. Tiny beads of sweat begin to dot his brows that he desperately tries to hide. "I only have our country's best interests at heart," he says through a forced smile. "But are you sure-"

"I am sure," the Lakelander king replies with such finality. "Would you believe me if I said I desire her?"

"You have not even met her."

"I'm sure you are more familiar with your daughter's personality better than I am," Kano says. "If the rumour of her virtuousity, kindness, and beauty does not exist, would you be so proud of her as your are today?"

The king of Norta finally breaks out in a cold sweat. Maveria was his treasured daughter. Even if he did not love her mother, he could not bear to marry her off to some monster. It was risky, too risky.

Finally, Tiberias nids his head. "I will send you my response in two days."

"I'll be waiting," Kano says quietly. There was an air of deadliness in his voice. "Two days."

Both locked eyes and walked off the pavilion in a slow manner. But as soon as they reached their carriages, they departed as quickly as possible from the war zone. Kano was pleased with himself; he had pushed King Tiberias in the direction he wanted him to go in. The king of Norta on the other hand was worried. What could he do now? He only had two days.

As soon as he reached Whitefire, he had locked himself away with both Queen Elara and Cal to discuss what Kano had proposed. Elara did not care for her daughter and pushed for it. She did not need this child. Maveria was too delicate and too hard to manipulate because of her pure heart. Cal on the other hand, opposed the idea vehemently. He even offered to fight on the frontlines to keep his sister in Norta.

"That's my sister!" Cal says, his teeth clenched shut. "She's more precious to me than anything. And you want to send her off to a foreign kingdom?"

"Do we even have a choice?" King Tiberias replies, sweating profusely. This entire ordeal has made him stress more than he had in years. "I don't want to make enemies with the new Lakelander king."

"Still!" The Calore prince fumes. "I will fight on the frontlines to keep her safe. If you even dare suggest to sell her off again-"

"No need," a voice says at the doorway. "Cal, you wouldn't need to do that."

Both the prince and king turn their attention towards the person at the doorway. It was Maveria, looking as regal as a princess should. There she stood, her beauty as evident as her resolve.

"If Kano desires me, than I shall give in," she says. "No more lives will have to be wasted on a useless war."

"But- " Cal splutters. "No, I won't allow it."

"Father," Maveria begins, curtsying lowly. "I plead with you to let me take on this myself."

Time stands still. Then the dreaded answer comes out of King Tiberias' mouth.

"I'll let you."


Hello everyone.

It's my birthday today! I just wrote this really quickly, but it's an idea I had for a long time. I'll update it and finish this story soon, but until then I hope you enjoy whatever I have written so far haha ^^