Chapter 9: CHAPTER NINE: VENUS

Four years ago…..

I'm currently waiting in my mother's study, which hasn't changed much since I was a child; it's been a while i sat in this chair, nine years to be exact, and I'm currently 19 years old; the last time I was here was when I was 10 years old and got in trouble at school for burning my classmates' books. 

Nalia is the name of the classmate whose books were destroyed; she was a spoiled brat who thought she was better than everyone, and she got what she deserved when she thought it was a good idea to bully my best friend Henry Oceanstar.

As punishment, my mother sent me to Angelwood Academy, a boarding school for wayward children, until I was old enough to join my brother in the fight to protect Ovithan, and I've been there ever since.

Until a few days ago when I got a letter from my mother telling me to drop everything and return to Khadran because we had important things to attend to.

No matter how important the issue was, we could have resolved it while I was still on the battlefield because I was one of the only few strongest witches in Khadran, so I'm curious as to what the issue was that was important that she told me to return home right away, no questions asked. 

We need all the help we can get because, to be honest, the witches of Ovithan aren't faring too well in this war. We have lost so many lives that I'm unsure if any will be left by the end of winter.

Ovithan the witch realm is divided into four regions ruled by four Queens, and the regions are named as follows: Asturias (the ice region) ruled by Queen Elizabeth Oceanstar and her two sons Robert and Henry Oceanstar; my best and only friend, Khadran (the Fire region) ruled by my mother Alice Pellon, and her son Daniel Pellon that's my brother and me Venus Pello, Natura (the floral region) ruled by Dawn Vinac and her son Shane Vinac and Valeria (the Wind region) ruled by Stella Dunas and her two son's Mark and Fred Dunas

One of the things that set Ovithan apart was that male children were not allowed to rule the different regions; instead, they became leaders of the magical towers in their respective region, which is one of the greatest titles to achieve in Ovithan next to being Queen, and if a Queen of any region does not produce a female heir, she shall take on a disciple or if one if her sons manages to produce a female heir that child shall take the throne so the crown will still be in their family.

Some people disagree with our rules because they are misogynistic jerks who believe women are weak and irrational, but it's not something we can change just because they disagree; there was a reason why this rule was created in the first place.

Over a century ago, Asturias had a male king named Brent Cross, who nearly destroyed Ovithan because of his greed. He wanted to rule the entire realm, so he began performing black magic and nearly cost the lives of so many witches, but he was eventually killed by his wife, who couldn't stand by and watch her people perish.

So the rule was made that only female children could inherit the throne, while male children would take over the running of the magical towers, and it had been going well so far.

When the study door opened and my mother and brother walked in, I was jolted out of my reverie. They were dressed in formal wear, which we wore when attending important Kingdom events, but why were they wearing it now? Are they going somewhere? I thought as my mother took her seat and my brother took the one beside me, giving me a simple smile, my brother on the other hand didn't even bother to acknowledge me

"Hello, Venus. I'm glad you're back; as soon as you've finished hearing what I have to say, please go up to your room and change into something more appropriate for an important meeting.

"Oh, are we meeting the other Queens of Ovithan?" I asked my mum, excited to see my best friend Henry Oceanstar after such a long time. 

"Yes Venus, but not in any of the regions in Ovithan"

"Mother, Where are we going then?" I asked, confusion evident in my tone, her current expression made me suspicious; something was definitely going on.

"We're going to the werewolf realm, Venus, is that enough to stop your persistent questioning?" my mother snapped, and I was taken aback by her reaction; I was just asking simple questions like anyone else, so why did she snap at me? And why were we going to the werewolf realm in the first place?

"Why are we going mother to the enemy's realm?" I asked further, trying to get answers, but was met with a glare from my mother, and before I could continue speaking, my brother intervened.

"Venus, stop interrogating mother; she doesn't have to answer your questions, so just go change and come back down; we're on a limited time frame."

"I wasn't speaking to you, brother, and why can't she answer my question? Don't I have the right to know why we're going to the enemy's realm when there's a war going on?" 

Daniel and I don't get along because I'm like my late father, and Daniel is like my mother. They both have to be perfect and proper all the time, which may be why they don't like me because I am the polar opposite.

"Venus, stop acting like a child and go change; we'll be waiting in the courtyard," my brother reprimanded, annoyance visible in his eyes. 

This meeting they were talking about had my mind racing because everything about their deamour and reactions to my questions made me suspicious, but I know arguing with them will get me nowhere, so I'd better let it go for now; I'll get my answer along the road or when we actually get there.

"I will go up and change since you guys don't don't want to answer my questions" I said as I stood to my feet and walked out of the room not waiting for them to say anything.

It took me thirty minutes to change into something appropriate before joining my mother and brother in the courtyard; a few minutes later, we were on our way to the werewolf realm via a magical carriage controlled by fire magic.

When we got there Daniel helped my mother and I exit the carriage before we were led inside the castle by some werewolf guards. As we made our way to the throne room, we got angry looks from passersby, and I can understand why; I would be hostile too if werewolves entered our realm too.

The guards called our names before the door opened and we were led into the throne room, which is quite beautiful despite the fact that the owners are savages.

It radiates grandeur and opulence, as befits the seat of power for the royal family. Its ceilings are high and adorned with intricate, gilded moldings and elaborate chandeliers that cast a warm, golden glow over the room. 

The marble floors are polished to a mirror-like shine, reflecting the magnificent tapestries that hang on the walls and depict the kingdom's history in vivid detail. 

At the far end of the room, a colossal, ornately carved throne sits atop a raised dais, draped in regal crimson velvet. 

The throne is framed by towering columns adorned with precious gemstones, and a massive stained-glass window behind it depicts a scene of triumph and glory.

As my gaze moved around the room, I noticed the Queens of the other two regions of Ovithan and their children were present, but the Queen of Natura Dawn Vinac and her children were not, Queen Dawn was one of my favorite Queen, she would do anything to protect her people that's why I respect her so much unlike my mother.

I also noticed my best friend, Henry, was also absent; I'll have to ask his brother why he wasn't here when this meeting ends.

"Now that we're all here, we can begin," a man said as he stood to his feet and announced, "May I introduce the King of Werewolves Leon Aethelwulf and his son Michael Aethelwulf." 

The door opened, and the King and Prince entered the room, walking down the red carpet as people bowed in respect. I didn't want to bow, but my brother pushed my upper body down to make it appear as if I was. When they finally arrived at the throne, they took their seats, as did every werewolf in the room.

"It's my pleasure to welcome the beautiful Queens of Ovithan to Verna,'' King Leon said with a huge grin on his face. 

"The pleasure is ours." Queen Elizabeth Oceanstar greeted us as the men bowed and the women curtsied to show respect; I'm not sure why we're being so courteous when this man's army is to blame for the deaths of countless witches.

"So I assume you're here because you accepted my deal," King Leon said 

"Yes, all four of us have considered it, and we believe it is best for our realm," Queen Alice, my mother, said as she turned to face me before returning her gaze to King Leon.

"I'm guessing she's your daughter and the one?" said the king.

"Yes, King Leon, her name is Venus, and she is my daughter," 

"Hmmm, she's quite lovely; I can see she takes after her mother."

"You honor me, King Leon," my mother said,  smiling softly. 

What the fuck is going on here? When did she become so close with the fucking King of Werewolves? That they can speak so freely with each other.

"Princess Venus, step forward," King Leon ordered, and I swear I wanted to wipe that smirk off his face with my fist, but with my mother and brother glaring at me, that wouldn't be wise.

"Do you understand why you're here?" King Leon added.

"Sorry, King Leon, I don't know; perhaps you can enlighten me? Because I was kept in the dark.'' I said it as politely as I could, my tone belying my feelings.

"Hmm, I see your mother hasn't told you, but that's irrelevant."

"Told me what" I turned to face my mother and brother, but they both avoided my gaze.

"Queen Alice, may I inquire as to why she is unaware of our agreement?"

"She didn't need to know, it's her duty as Princess of Ovithan to do anything for her people."

"How noble, but the child still needs to know her fate, even if it's her duty"

"Mother, Daniel, what is going on? What is he on about, and what is my responsibility?"

"Dear child, you must marry my son in exchange for werewolves protection."

"What!"