"The Arranged Marriage"
By Andrea Dominguez
In an olden era there was a semi-barbaric king who was so powerful. This king had a daughter, that no one ever dared to love because of her father. Until one day a young man from the king’s workers rose to the challenge.The princess loved him and he loved her. The king had made the lover go to the arena.
When her lover turned and looked at her, and his eyes met hers. She sat there, paler and whiter than anyone in the vast ocean of anxious faces beside her. He saw, by that power quick perception which is given to those whose souls are one, that she knew behind which door crouched the tiger, and behind which stood the lady. He had expected her to know it.
He understood her nature, and his soul was assured that she would never rest until she had made a plan to figure out her decision, hidden to all other lookers-on, even to the king. The only hope for the youth in which there was any element of certainty was based upon the success of the princess in discovering this mystery; and the moment he looked upon her, he saw she had succeeded, as in his soul he knew she would succeed.
It was his quick and anxious glance that asked the question “which?” It was as plain to her as if he shouted from where he stood. There was not an instant to be lost. The question was asked in a flash; it must be answered in another. Her arm lay on the cushioned parapet before her. She raised her hand, and made a slight, quick movement toward the right. No one but her lover saw her. Every eye but his was fixed on the man in the arena.
The princess points to the door of the lady. She immediately regrets her decision. The princess watched as her lover married the girl she hated. Years passed and the princess still wasn’t over her decision. Her lover talked to his “wife”.
“Love, I have some important news to tell you.” he started.
“What is it my dear?” she asked.
“I still love the princess. I am so deeply sorry but we must divorce at once.” he firmly stated. As anger flared through the lady she coldly agreed. He immediately searched for the princess. Once he found her he confessed his love for her. She admitted she still loved him.
“Why did you make me choose the lady?” He asked with curiosity.
“I would rather have you with someone else than have you dead.”
“What are we going to tell your father?” They both went to confront the king. After hours of pleading he realized that he wanted his daughter to be happy. Soon after the confirmation, they married. The lady found out and wants to kill the princess. The king finds out and puts her in the arena. If guilty out came the tiger. If innocent her handsome man, the princess’s lover, was hers at last. She chooses the door on the right. The hungry tiger ran out from the door and devours her. The princess was delighted, not only because the lady was gone forever, but because she finally found her prince to be with for the rest of her life.
