Back in Dichondra City
While Leo's team continued their investigation, preparations for the royal wedding were already underway in Dichondra City.
King Bard summoned his knights to the throne hall and gave them an order.
According to tradition, before a royal wedding, the princess must travel through the city to receive the blessings of the people—a ceremonial act symbolizing unity between the royal family and the citizens.
Princess Katelyn listened quietly as her father explained the ceremony.
But before the knights could be assigned, she spoke.
"Father… may I request something?"
King Bard raised an eyebrow.
"Speak, my daughter."
Katelyn took a small breath before answering.
"I would like Ethan to escort me."
The knights in the hall exchanged brief glances. Ethan was not a royal guard, nor a noble—he was merely a guest from another land.
King Bard looked at his daughter carefully, noticing the determination in her eyes.
After a moment of silence, he nodded.
"So be it."
He turned to the knights.
"From this moment forward, Ethan will serve as Princess Katelyn's personal escort for this ceremony."
Then he looked back at his daughter with a faint, understanding smile.
"Consider it my gift to you… your final wish as the Princess of Dichondra."
Because soon, after the wedding…
She would become the Princess of Nimblewill.
Ethan entered the royal hall and immediately bowed respectfully before the King and Queen. The vast chamber was silent except for the faint echo of his footsteps against the marble floor.
When he rose, he quietly stepped beside Princess Katelyn, standing at her side as her appointed escort.
Katelyn stood gracefully near the throne, dressed in a flowing gown that shimmered softly under the golden light of the chandeliers. Her posture was perfect—every movement calm, composed, and dignified, exactly as the people of Dichondra City expected from their princess.
King Bard looked down at Ethan with calm authority.
"Today, our daughter walks among her people to receive their blessings," the King said, his voice firm yet proud. "It is a tradition that has guided our kingdom for generations."
His eyes shifted slightly toward Ethan.
"Your duty is simple—protect her."
The Queen gently nodded in agreement.
"Take care of her."
Ethan lowered his head once more.
"I understand."
Katelyn stepped forward without hesitation, her movements graceful and effortless, as though she had practiced this moment her entire life.
Without wasting another moment, she began walking toward the palace entrance. Ethan followed closely beside her, still slightly unsure of what to expect.
Suddenly, Katelyn slipped her arm through his.
Ethan blinked in surprise.
"Hey… why me?" he whispered under his breath.
Katelyn kept her eyes forward, a soft smile resting on her lips.
"Don't ask questions," she said quietly. "Just walk."
The palace doors slowly opened.
Sunlight poured into the hall as the massive gates revealed the grand steps of the palace. Outside, the streets were filled with people waiting to see their princess.
Flower girls dressed in white walked ahead of them, scattering petals across the stone road with every step they took.
Petals floated through the air like drifting snow, painting the path in colors of red, pink, and gold.
In the traditions of Dichondra City, this meant that beautiful flowers would guide the princess toward a beautiful future path.
As Katelyn stepped outside, the citizens erupted into cheers.
"Princess Katelyn!"
"May the heavens bless you!"
Some bowed deeply while others simply watched in admiration.
Katelyn greeted them all with natural elegance.
She waved gently, her movements soft and poised, acknowledging every group of citizens they passed. Even as the crowd grew louder, her composure never wavered.
Ethan watched her from the corner of his eye.
For someone who had just admitted she didn't want this marriage, she looked perfectly at ease.
Almost like a queen already.
As they continued walking down the road of flowers, Ethan leaned slightly closer to her.
"Can I ask something?"
"Go ahead," she replied calmly, still greeting the citizens with a gentle smile.
"Why do cities need to marry princes and princesses from other cities?" Ethan asked. "Couldn't they just find someone in their own city?"
Katelyn chuckled softly at his blunt question.
"It's tradition," she explained. "If a city cannot find a suitable partner for their prince or princess, they may seek one from another city."
She waved to a group of children who were excitedly calling her name.
"But when that happens," she continued, "the city that receives the prince or princess must offer something in return."
Ethan tilted his head slightly.
"Something in return?"
"Yes," she replied. "Because a royal child is not simply given away."
Her voice remained calm, though her words carried quiet weight.
"The kingdom that seeks the marriage must honor the requests of the princess's parents. It may be an alliance, trade, protection, or resources that will benefit the people of her homeland."
Ethan remembered the day the Prince of Nimblewill arrived with animals, supplies, and rare goods.
"So those gifts the prince brought…"
"Were part of the offering," Katelyn said.
They continued walking as the petals drifted around them.
Ethan glanced at her again.
"So… in your case?"
Katelyn's smile remained flawless as she acknowledged the cheering citizens around her.
"My father and mother accepted the proposal from Nimblewill," she said softly.
Her voice was steady, elegant, and controlled.
"In return, Nimblewill agreed to strengthen their alliance with Dichondra and honor my parents' request. It ensures prosperity and protection for our people."
She paused briefly before continuing.
"And so… after the wedding, I will become the princess of Nimblewill."
More petals fell gently around them as they continued walking through the city.
To the citizens watching, the moment looked like a perfect royal ceremony.
Their princess walking proudly toward her future.
But Ethan could hear something hidden behind her calm voice.
Something quiet.
Something heavy.
For the first time that day, the path of flowers didn't feel as beautiful as it looked.
And Ethan wondered…
If Katelyn truly believed in the future everyone was celebrating for her.
They continued walking along the flower-covered road as the citizens of Dichondra City offered their blessings.
Some bowed deeply as the princess passed, while others raised their hands in prayer. Children waved excitedly, elders spoke quiet words of hope, and the streets echoed with warm cheers.
"May the princess be blessed!"
"May your future be bright!"
Flower petals continued to fall around them, carried gently by the breeze.
Ethan and Princess Katelyn walked side by side in silence for a moment, letting the voices of the people fill the space between them.
Earlier, there had been hesitation… confusion… even sadness.
But now, something felt different.
They had begun to understand each other.
Katelyn understood Ethan's frustration toward the political rules that bound her life, and Ethan understood the quiet strength she carried as a princess who had to accept responsibilities far greater than her own desires.
For the sake of the ceremony, they both decided to move forward.
Katelyn continued greeting the people with grace, her elegant smile never fading as she acknowledged every blessing given to her.
Ethan glanced at her.
For someone carrying such a heavy future, she still walked with remarkable composure.
After a while, Katelyn finally spoke again.
"Ethan."
He looked at her.
"Yeah?"
She kept her eyes on the road ahead, watching the petals drifting across the path.
"Tonight," she said softly, "is going to be one of the most unforgettable nights of our lives."
Ethan raised an eyebrow, intrigued by the sudden statement.
"What do you mean?"
Katelyn turned slightly toward him, her calm smile returning.
"You'll see," she replied gently.
Then she looked back toward the cheering crowd, raising her hand once more to greet her people.
But Ethan could tell from the tone of her voice…
That whatever she had planned for tonight—
It was something she truly wanted to remember.