|
Has
anyone seen this man? He is Artaxerxes, the man I was engaged to marry,
an ambitious and very cruel man. I never saw it coming. They say love
can make you blind. Artaxerxes certainly blinded me with his dashing looks
and mannerisms. He charmed my uncle, King Phraates of Parthia, as well as
my father. He played the proper suitor, until my last night in my homeland.
He attempted to make me his bride by rape. Mina, my servant, rushed in
at the last moment and managed to knock Artaxerxes out cold with the hilt
of his own sword. She then made sure I was okay, and clothed me in some
of her own attire. I was not allowed to ask any questions. There was no
time. She stole us out of my father’s palace as quickly as possible. I
barely escaped with my life, not to mention my honor, in tact.
Once we were well away, Mina told me what she knew. My father and
mother were dead. My brother who was traveling to Alexandria never made
it there. King Phraates had no children himself, so he had named my brother
as his heir. It finally was sinking in. Artaxerxes was setting himself
up to be next in line for the throne. To do that though, he had to marry
me, the princess, as soon as possible, before I discovered what had really
occurred. I thanked Mina profusely for saving me. Now I knew what I had
to do. Exile was the only answer, or stay and risk death myself. Even
the King could not help me. For once Artexerxes was proclaimed heir, he
would no longer need me. He might even go as far as assassinating my Uncle.
I would not be the pawn in this scheme.
Having traveled to somewhere deep in Egypt...mourning the death of my family,
and wondering if I will ever see my brother alive again, I have decided to
return towards home. I do not know what I will find...
This is my beloved brother, Prince Titian.
I have missed him terribly. But he has now returned and we will have our justice done to those who have caused us great pain.
|
|
