<div style="text-align: justify;">"What do you see, sister?", the young prince asked the red-haired young lady who was on her knees staring at the flame of a candle. "Do you see a happy future for us both?".<br/><br/>Princess Esther smiled at her brother and faced the flame again. "I see a happy marriage for you, brother, and very soon, but I see no offspring, I am sorry. There may be some, but I cannot see it. But you will love your bride, and she will love you".<br/><br/>The prince pondered on those words and nodded. "Fair enough. What of your own future?".<br/><br/>The young woman turned back to the candle. "I see marriage, but not happiness. I see love in the future, but only through pain, and blood".<br/><br/>"Childbirth?", the prince suggested, but his sister shook her head on a negative.<br/><br/>"No, not childbirth. I do see offspring, though, but later on".<br/><br/>The prince was about to ask something more when someone knocked on the door.<br/><br/>"Come in", the princess replied to the knocks.<br/><br/>Esther's chambermaid walked in and bowed to both the prince and princess. "Princess, your father wishes to see you".<br/><br/>Esther got up with her brother's help and smoothed her skirt, before nodding. "Lead the way", she required of the maid, following the woman to the throne room.<br/><br/>Once there, she bowed to the king and took a deep breath, walking to her father and kissing his hand in a loving manner. <br/><br/>"Father", she murmured softly. <br/><br/>"Daughter", the king replied, running his hand over his daughter's hair. "Sit with me", he required, pointing at the throne next to his, where her mother used to sit when she was with him. Since the queen was elsewhere, he thought it would be a better way to talk to his daughter. <br/><br/>Once Esther had settled down, the king held her hand.<br/><br/>"I have arranged for a marriage for you".<br/><br/>Esther nodded quietly.<br/><br/>"I saw it, father", she murmured, before asking the obvious question.<br/><br/>"Who am I to be a bride for, father?".<br/><br/>The king sighed and kissed his daughter's hand. "The prince of Wralkar".<br/><br/>Esther turned pale. "Father. They hate us", she replied, her voice tense.<br/><br/>The king nodded.<br/><br/>"Which is why you shall marry their prince. You shall create a bond between our kingdoms by marrying him, and your children, as they come, will strengthen it".<br/><br/>Esther sighed and nodded obediently. "Yes, father", she murmured sadly.<br/><br/>"You go to your mother now. She will help you get ready. We have been invited to a feast with your future husband's family. We must go and make a good impression".<br/><br/>Esther stood up and bowed again.<br/><br/>"Yes, father", she murmured, before leaving the throne room and going to her mother's chambers.</div>