chapter 17
Princess (softly):"So… tomorrow is my wedding after all."
The words lingered heavily in the silent room.
Meanwhile, in the grand hall of Stonehaven, the Prince paced in front of the throne of the Stonehaven King, his hands clenched into fists, his voice booming with fury.
Prince (shouting): "Why the hell is my wedding tomorrow, and I wasn't even informed?! What are you planning? Are you trying to sacrifice my life for your own schemes… for the people's sake?!"
He slammed a fist against the throne's edge, his eyes blazing.
Prince (voice rising): "I am not going to do it! I will not marry that Princess! That… idiot! Do you hear me? I refuse, no matter what! I will not agree to this arrangement under any circumstances!"
hall fall in silence for a moment
And suddenly The quiet of the hall was broken by a soft knock at the door.
Soldier (announcing): "Your Majesty… the Princess of Moonyvale has arrived."
The doors opened, and the Princess entered gracefully, bowing deeply before the King.
Princess: "Your Majesty."
The Prince, standing behind her, scowled, his frustration clear. Without a word, he spun on his heel and left the room, the doors closing sharply behind him.
King (studying the Princess calmly): "Yes, Princess. Why have you come? Do you have something to discuss?"
Princess (steady, polite): "I am here to discuss the arrangements for the wedding."
King (nodding): "Very well. Let us proceed."
Moments later, they were seated together in a quiet hall, the sunlight spilling across the polished floors. A tray of tea sat between them, steam curling upward in the warm morning air.
King (gesturing to the view outside): "This is a much better place to speak, isn't it?"
Princess (glancing toward the window): "Yes, it is. The view is lovely. Thank you for the tea, Your Majesty."
King (leaning back, thoughtful): "So… what brings you here to speak of the wedding?"
Princess (direct, with a hint of challenge): "Why the rush? Why hasten the wedding?"
King (calm, deliberate): "I believe… your kingdom needs us, just as ours needs support."
Princess (raising an eyebrow, skeptical): "Sure, I understand. You need manpower."
King (nodding slightly): "Yes."
Princess (leaning forward, eyes sharp): "But why? You are not at war, and yet the world is already in chaos. Why is additional manpower necessary now?"
King (firmly): "Our forces were depleted in the last campaign. Our army is weak, and anyone could take advantage of our vulnerabilities. Protection is needed—for our people, for our resources."
Princess (crossing her arms, coolly): "If protection is what you seek, I can provide it. So why force this marriage?"
King (softening, trying to reason): "A union between our kingdoms—pure, trusted, and uniting—serves better than any contract. It is a bond that strengthens both realms."
Princess (pausing, measuring her words): "I understand what you are trying to say… but from what I have seen, the Prince himself is not willing."
She leaned back slightly, her voice quiet but firm: "And… neither am I. I hope you understand, Your Majesty, and that we may find another way forward."
The King's gaze lingered on the Princess, his eyes narrowing slightly as he weighed her words.
King (leaning back, a faint smile tugging at his lips): "You are quite daring, Princess, I have to say that. Few would speak so boldly in my presence."
Princess (meeting his gaze evenly): "I speak only what is true, Your Majesty."
King (nodding slowly, thoughtfully): "Very well… but regarding the wedding—perhaps it would be best for you to discuss matters with the King of Louisinel. A direct conversation might clarify many things. I believe it would be far better than any hastened decision made here."
Princess (slightly intrigued, tilting her head): "You suggest I speak with him directly?"
King (firm but courteous): "Yes. It is only fair that all parties understand the circumstances fully. And, Princess… I respect your honesty. That is why I leave this choice in your hands."
next..
The Princess stepped out of the hall, walking with a calm posture, though her eyes burned with quiet anger. Two soldiers flanked her, keeping pace.
Princess (commanding): "Tell Commander Marco to meet me in my chamber. Immediately."
One of the soldiers nodded.
Soldier: "Understood, Your Highness."
Moments later, Marco stood at attention in the Princess's chamber, waiting for her to speak.
Princess (serious, eyes narrowing slightly): The King is not going to break this marriage off. They are moving forward, and I need to know why. Why the sudden rush? What is forcing this?"
Marco listened carefully, his expression calm but alert.
Princess (leaning slightly forward, voice firm): "From what I know, here in Lumivale, we still have plenty of resources. It's not as if we are in dire trouble. So why is the King hurrying this so suddenly?"
Marco nodded slowly.
Marco: "Your Highness, being away from our kingdom… we don't have a full picture. We can't know everything that's happening there."
The Princess's gaze sharpened.
Princess (commanding): "Then send someone immediately. Gather information from our kingdom. We need to keep track of what's happening—and we cannot let the King dictate our moves blindly. I want to know exactly what's going through his head."
Marco straightened, understanding her urgency.
Marco: "It will be done, Your Highness. I'll see to it personally."
Princess (quietly, but with determination): "Good. Every detail matters. Do not fail me, Marco."
Marco inclined his head, fully aware of the gravity of the situation.
Marco stood before the Princess in her chamber. The door closed softly behind them, sealing them in privacy.
Princess (serious, leaning slightly forward): "Marco… there's something important going on.
marco noded
marco:i should take my leave for now Princess.
princess :you may go now. wait send guinevere here as soon as possible
next..
Near the window stood Guinevere, arms crossed, her patience already worn thin.
After a moment, she scoffed.
Guinevere:"Tell me this is some kind of joke."
The Princess did not turn immediately.
Guinevere continued, irritation rising in her voice
Guinevere:"That old king… honestly, I could strangle him myself."
The Princess finally glanced at her through the mirror.
Princess (calmly):"Lower your voice. Even walls have ears."
Guinevere frowned but ignored the warning.
Guinevere:"whats really going on. If kingdom is struggling with food, but there must be other solutions. Why must it come to this marriage?"
The Princess slowly adjusted the sleeve of her gown.
Princess:"Because Stonehaven is the only kingdom where crops growing much better than any other kingdom. The curse has ruined most lands, including ours. If this alliance secures food for our people… then it is a price worth paying."
Guinevere's jaw tightened.
Guinevere:"I understand the politics. But the speed of this is absurd. They arrived yesterday, announced the engagement today, and next is the wedding."
Her voice sharpened.
Guinevere:"It feels less like diplomacy and more like pressure."
The Princess remained silent. That silence only fueled Guinevere's anger.
Guinevere:"And that prince… I cannot stand him. Arrogant, smug… why him of all people?"
The Princess exhaled quietly.
Princess:"Calm yourself. This is not merely a marriage. By accepting it, Lumivale becomes the center of every kingdom's attention."
Guinevere's eyes narrowed as she thought about it.
Guinevere:"Yes… I noticed that too Stonehaven may have fertile lands, but they lack strength in other areas. Their military is weaker, and their resources are limited."
She stepped closer.
Guinevere:"This marriage gives them influence over us… and access to everything Lumivale has."
princess :yah you get it thats why there king dosnt wanna broke the marriage.
A heavy silence settled between them.
Then Guinevere said bluntly,
Guinevere:"If that's the case, why don't we simply take what we need? Their army is smaller than ours. A direct strike could end this problem."
The Princess shook her head gently.
Princess:"War is not a solution when a peaceful path still exists. The world is already suffering under the gods' curse. Another war between humans would only deepen that suffering."
Guinevere's expression darkened.
Guinevere:"But that is exactly why they are doing this. This marriage gives them control over you. Today they offer food. Tomorrow they will claim authority over Lumivale."
For a moment, the Princess said nothing. ... Then a faint smile appeared on her lips.
Princess:"Do you truly believe I would allow that?"
Guinevere blinked, surprised by the calm confidence in her voice.
The Princess turned fully toward her.
Princess:"Just wait and watch."
Guinevere sighed, still irritated but no longer arguing.
Guinevere:"…Fine."
princess :oh do you have time i want to practice my sword.
guinevere :nope i have to meet tomasi.
princess :why?
guinevere :well i guess we are close to monesa,s body and he is dying slowly
princess :fine you can go now.
Later That Night — Soldiers' Quarters
The camp had gone quiet.
Most of the soldiers were already asleep, their armor set aside, the dim lantern light flickering across the room.
John lay on his bedroll among the others, staring up at the ceiling.
Sleep wouldn't come.
His mind kept returning to the same thought.
The Princess… is getting married.
He turned onto his side, letting out a quiet breath.
John (thinking): Why does it feel so strange…?
His chest felt tight.
John (thinking): Why does my heart feel like this…?
He frowned, trying to ignore it, but the feeling wouldn't leave.
No matter how hard he tried, he simply couldn't fall asleep.
A few soldiers nearby were still awake, whispering to each other.
Soldier 1 (whispering): "Did you hear the rumors about the Princess?"
Soldier 2: "Yeah… they say she's not happy about the marriage."
Soldier 3: "Something must have happened. I heard she's really stressed about it."
John's eyes snapped open.
He pushed himself up quickly.
John: "What are you guys talking about?"
The soldiers looked over at him.
Soldier 1: "John? Don't you know anything about it?"
John shook his head.
John: "No… what happened?"
One of the soldiers leaned closer, lowering his voice.
Soldier 2: "Earlier today, I was near the Princess during the palace introductions. And let me tell you… she didn't look happy at all."
The soldier paused, remembering.
Soldier 2: "She looked… tense. Like something was seriously bothering her."
John fell silent, the words sinking deep into his mind.
The strange feeling in his chest only grew stronger.
Late Night — Princess's Chamber
The palace was quiet under the deep night sky.
Inside the training area of her chamber, the Princess swung her sword again and again. The blade cut sharply through the air, echoing softly against the stone walls.
Her movements were fast, tense.
Her thoughts raced.
What is happening in my kingdom…?
and this sudden rush for this marriage…
She tightened her grip on the sword.
Frustration, confusion, and pressure weighed heavily on her mind.
Suddenly—
Knock. Knock.
The Princess froze mid-movement. Her eyes shifted toward the door.
Princess: "Who is it?"
The door slowly opened.
Standing there… was John.
...CHAPTER 17ENDS...