Clarity

She was destined for greatness. All of the power of the Five Tribes at her will. But, what shall she do with this great power, her destiny? The decision of her fate lied in the palm of her hands. She could rise to the challenge and become history in the making, in her small corner of the world. Or would she fall to the will of the heart?

Adriadne, the eldest daughter of the great King Thanos, was a girl of her very own. She had dazzling blonde hair, as beautiful as wheat swaying in the summer breeze. Her pale skin glistened in the sun, and her eyes were like the deep blue oceans of the world. She was sensitive, lovely, and graceful in all of her ways. Thus, she had suitors who would come from miles and miles around, yet one never did please her palette.

“He must be just like me,” she told her father. “He must adore everyone. He must believe and see all, as I do. He must compare to me in his heart and soul. I don’t care for any other features. I have my requests. The rest have no worth to me.” Adriadne was looking for the perfect husband, yet her father had no grasp over her requests.

Her father, King Thanos, chose the suitors whom best fit his liking. He wanted a wealthy and handsome man with noble ranks. This is what he wished, and there was more than a man who fit his standards. Every unmarried prince, noble, and man of wealth wished for Adriadne’s hand. They were seeking the wealth of the Kartonian Tribe, the clan over which King Thanos ruled and Adriadne was soon to inherit.

And so, all spare rooms were prepared. Every bed made, and every cup of gold in a proper position. The red carpets of fine silk were laid about the entire palace. Each room paid special attention to detail. There was not one jewel-encrusted mirror which hung lopsided. Every blanket was draped at a precise angle. This was the most beautiful the castle had looked in centuries. And then the men came to seep in, one by one. Anxious to see the woman of such beauty, they meant to wed.

“Let me introduce you to Prince Roque of the Meerian Tribe. He is soon to be the king of his clan. The Meerians have also made several advancements in wine production and could, in the near future, result to an increasing wealth. Did I mention there were lakes in the Meerian Tribe? Meer does mean lake in Dut-”

“I need hear no more of this. Who is he?” Adriadne asked.

King Thanos was disturbed by his eldest daughter’s lack of judgment. Ever since her mother died, she felt like it was she who ruled the castle. But King Thanos thought differently.

“He is a prince! He is handsome and rich! You, Adriadne, have no sense of wisdom. You have no crown which gives you the authority to address me this way! You may speak no more of this nonsense! Those arrangements may be made subsequent to the marriage.”

“No, Father! This will not do! I decline his proposal, and that is my final word. It is I who must say ‘I do’ to him.”

“Well, then… I will find another, but I will not tolerate this absurdity for another man ever again!”

And so, King Thanos searched the land for another suitor. He knew that whoever this man may be, he must have a high rank, but also meet the requirements of his daughter. She was stubborn and “insecure.” If she did not have her way, the transaction would fail. After a long and hard search, King Thanos found a man with many interesting qualities and decided upon him as the ideal suitor.

“His name is Lord Hart, Adriadne. He is clever and known for his wits. He is self-acclaimed, wealthy, and quite handsome. Lord Hart was previously an inventor, which his inventions have an increasing demand, and are how he rose to power. He is most certainly the perfect match for you.”

“I have seen piles of dust who seem purer of heart than he. But, he has been granted my attention for a single night and that night only. May he show me affection worthy of my hand, he shall take it before the full moon rises above Devil’s Peak.”

“Splendid, my dear! Just splendid! He will do very nicely, my darling. But promise me this, if he is not the man you have been looking for, you will marry from a selection of suitors of my personal choice before the year’s end.”

“That will do fine, Father. If he is the best you could find and he is not to my liking, then no man in the tribes will do.”

It was settled. Adriadne was to meet Lord Hart in a fortnight at his mansion and possibly at the church the next morning. And for the entire Kartonian castle staff, this was quite a treat.