Chương 3: Chapter 2
KIARA'S POV
The Royal carriage rolled smoothly carrying me and Zuko. I stared at the scenery passing by. It was all forest that surrounded us from both sides. Leaves were fallen off the trees everywhere. Once again, everything looked too gloomy.
Or maybe it was my heart.
My teacher Mori used to say that if a person was peaceful and happy inside, even ruins looked beautiful.
The only thing I could ask was...
How to be truly happy and peaceful? How?
All I saw and experienced in my life was slaughter, bloodshed, people dying from hunger, soldiers dying in front of my eyes, fear of getting invaded anytime, shouldering great responsibility and feeling everything even more because in some way I, Princess Kiara Sindlaire, was responsible for my people.
Sighing, I thought about the only good thing I experienced in my life. Calic Kroner.
But even with him by my side, I could only feel love not peace or happiness. It was like these feelings did not exist for me at all.
" From now on, Be on your best behaviour, Princess Kiara. " I heard Zuko's authorative tone and turned my head to take a look at his face, that resembled mine. He was adressing me not as his younger sister, but as the Responsible Princess of Kingdom Mylvania.
That was all he had to say to me?
I was certain that he was the only person who knew about my love for General Calic Kroner. He saw us together once, but never said anything about it.
" Ofcourse Your highness. I will be on my best behaviour. " I raised my head and assured him, using the same tone as his.
" The survival of both Mylvania and Keragania depends on this marriage, Princess Kiara. You shoulder a great responsibility. Can I hope that you will never disappoint us? " His eyes bore into mine, his voice sending chills down my spine.
Brother.
I want to ask you to take me home.
I don't want to stay in an enemy kingdom all alone.
Tears pricked my eyes, disappointment settled in my own heart.
How could someone not disappoint the others if they were disappointed in themselves?
I had to find this out.
I had to find out real quick.
" Ofcourse Your Highness. Rest assured. " Giving him a curt nod, I gazed at him until he detached his eyes from mine.
Slowly, my Amber orbs went to the crown on his head that stood so proud that it had me wanting to bow my head for a moment.
This was the Crown that came between us.
Between a brother and sister.
Between a father and daughter.
Between two lovers.
Between humanity and Power.
Everything was for a crown like this or some was for the crown heavier and more Powerful than this.
Sometimes, I found myself wondering about the kind of Crown Dark King carried over his head. Was that crown stained with all the blood he shed?
The carriage kept rolling over, leaving me and Zuko stranded in the defeaning silence which weighed heavy on us.
The day gradually turned into night. The stars shined brightly in the sky, as I watched them from the window in the carriage.
Then it came into view. The soldiers of Keragania Army at the border to escort us to the Palace. They followed behind our Knights and soldiers silently and orderly.
Averting my eyes away, I sat straight in the carriage. My eyes went down to my hands, that were clasped together and placed on my lap.
The Royal Castle of Keragania was not far now. My fate was sealed. I wanted to cry, but crying was not what ever suited a Princess. I was taught this lesson from an early age.
I was going to face everything head on. Even if it was heart-tearing for me...
I would never back down from responsibilty and never stop hating the one person who was the reason behind this ill-fate...
Dark King Cassian De Kiligan.
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We were met with a Royal Welcome. The soldiers surrounded the whole Palace, as me and my brother were escorted to the main hall where only General of Keragania - Desias, was waiting for us.
" Your Highness. " General Desias bowed at Zuko and then turned to me. " My Princess. " He bowed down to me as well and I nodded my head ignoring how he reffered to me as ' My Princess '.
I was not his Princess.
' You are going to be his princess soon ' My mind whispered to me and I stiffened.
" I suppose there is a reason behind the absence of any Member of Keragania's Royal Family here, General Desias. " Zuko spoke in his powerful tone of a Crown Prince and I observed how Desias' expressions turned grave.
Seemed like something bad happened.
" King Luca is sick. He fainted earlier today... " Bowing his head down, General Desias informed us both and I inhaled deeply
King Luca was sick? I gulped. He was a great King who could hold back the Dark King's Army for years and now he was sick? What did this mean?
" We should meet him immediately and wish him health. " Zuko stepped forth, showing the mannerism of Royals, that I defintely lacked in this moment.
But as a princess, I was taught to never speak between people higher in status than me, until I was spoken to.
" Your highness. " General Desias sounded desperate, as he adressed Zuko.
My eyes scanned his expressions that were grief striken. The king could not only be sick for this general's expressions to be so serious.
" Your Majesty King Luca is on his death bed. The healer said that Your majesty has two days left at maximum. " He pursed his lips and broke the news to both of us.
My eyes went wide and instantly travelled to my right to glance at Zuko, who visibly stiffened. He was staring at General Desias silently, but I knew what he was thinking.
He did not believe in Crown Prince Kylo Antiglone's ability to hold off Dark King. Keragania might fall soon without King Luca.
The end was near.
" It's King Luca's wish and demand for the marriage to be held tomorrow. " He added further and my shoulders slumped down in defeat.
The end was near and I...
I was going to be the one in the middle of all of it.
I thought I had a week, but no. I had no days left of staying as a Princess here. I was going to be Crown Princess and then a Queen soon.
The thought was horrible.
" Then we must fulfill King's wish. I will like to meet with him to discuss this further while Princess Kiara will take rest in her assigned chambers. " Zuko announced his decision and finally glanced at me.
And I...
I was left speechless. Whether it was after a week or a day, it did not matter.
This was my fate.
Living my whole life as the miserable Princess Kiara and then becoming even more miserable as Queen Kiara to die soon.
Happiness and Peace was not for me.
I wish My teacher Mori never taught me about these terms.
" I will take my leave now, Your Highness. " Raising my head and fixing my posture, I stepped back and bobbed a curtsy to both Zuko and General Desias.
Zuko nodded his head and I turned around. My eyes went to the Woman standing behind us. She would definitely be the one who was going to lead me to my chambers.
She gave me a curtsy as soon as our eyes met. " Your highness, please follow me. "
I nodded my head at her and she started walking, leading me out of there to where I was supposed to rest for the day.
~~~~~~~~~
~~~~~~~~~
Everything was set for me. A bath was drawn too and Madam Alina had told me that My ladies-in-waiting will be arriving in Keragania shortly as they travelled by horses and not a carriage.
All I could do was dismiss her. I wanted to breath finally. Pretending to be perfect - flawless princess all the time was hard.
My feet took me to the terrace attached to my chambers. The beatiful gardens of this Palace grabbed my attention and my eyes stopped at some roses. Red and Big.
Sighing softly, I raised my hand and grabbed the Crown resting on my head. Slowly, my fingers traced the intricate design of my Crown. This Crown stayed with me for a long time.
Tomorrow, it was going to be gone forever.
I hated this crown for so long, but today I realized, that I did not hate it as much as I claimed.
Being a Princess was an honor
It was a great responsibilty that made me feel dead inside with all the misery it brought, but it was a great honor nonethless.
Turning around, I walked inside the room and placed the shining crown on the bed.
My feet moved on their own until I crossed all the maze corridors of the Palace and stood in front of those same roses, that caught my attention earlier.
Pushing my hand forward, I touched a red rose with my forefinger. A yelp left my lips when a thorn pricked my finger.
" Careful Princess. Don't end up hurting yourself for an insignificant flower. " The unfamiliar Masculine voice coming from behind, made me freeze on my spot.
Heaving a heavy breath, I whirled around to come face to face with a man dressed in casual slacks and a white shirt.
My eyes travelled to meet his Stormy Blue orbs.
The color of the sky. That's what came to my mind.
Looking in his eyes was like craning your neck to gaze at the vast sky. Deep and Stormy.
Then my eyes rose higher and stopped at the crown resting on his head.
My breath hitched as my eyes moved back to hold his piercing gaze.
Crown Prince Kylo Antiglone.
" Your highness. " I instantly gave him a cursty and raised myself back to stare in his eyes again.
My hands were clasped in front of my stomach. A drop of blood dripped down from the forefinger of my right hand and I clenched it harder.
" Princess Kiara Sindlaire. " His tone was amused, just like the emotion in his eyes.
What was so amusing? I failed to understand.
" Your beauty exceeds the rumors. " He complimented, making my cheeks heat up slightly.
It was just a formality and mannerism of a Crown Prince. I reminded myself and kept my posture formal.
" I suppose we should talk as we are getting married tomorrow. " He suggested and stepped aside to let me walk forward.
Gulping down the lump forming in my throat, I raised my head confidently and moved past him.
I was going to marry this man tomorrow.
I was going to exchange vows with him.
I was going to share my bed with him.
I was going be his Queen.
I was going to give birth to his children.
Yet...
I did not feel anything for him. Not even an ounce of attraction.
He led me to a fence by the garden and we both stood side by side, staring at the moon silently.
" We are getting married tomorrow. " He whispered, his voice barely making its way to my ears in the silent night.
He sounded disappointed, sad and dejected. I placed my left hand on the fence behind me and rested my back on it.
" Yes, Your Highness. " That was all I could say, when our feelings were mutual.
Silence prevailed between us. An uncomfortable and suffocating one.
The night breeze gently swayed my hair.
I turned to glance at his side profile. His brown hair suited him well. His proud nose, perfect skin, cherry lips...Everything screamed royalty.
" Is it your choice? " He asked all of a sudden and turned to stare at me, when I was already eyeing him.
We both stared at each other for the longest time. His eyes held curiosity, but I did not know what he saw in my eyes at this moment. I wish he could not see the lingering sadness.
" It's our duty. Our marriage will ensure the alliance of our Kingdoms. If we get married, our Kingdoms will not betray each other in the war. " I explained, not knowing if I was explaining this to him or myself.
But that's what my father kept repeating back at my home.
" What makes you think a mere marriage can prevent the hunger for power and end the years long enmity? " His lips curled up, forming a smirk and I noticed the glint in his eyes. He was making fun of me.
Glancing down, I thought about his question, his words. How can a mere marriage prevent all of this?
" Marriage is not mere, Your highness. " In a slow motion, I raised my head and his smirk fell, turning into a frown.
His jaw ticked making my lips twitch.
" A marriage without love or respect is meaningless, Princess Kiara. " He argued, his eyes going to something behind me.
Turning my head around, I followed his line of sight and saw the back of a woman, who was leaving. She was dressed in the clothes of a maid. My lips were set in thin line, when I glanced back at Crown Prince Kylo.
" Does love transcends duty for you? " I asked, taking notice of the vulnerable emotion in his eyes.
.....Love.
He came to meet the one he loved and met me instead. She came to meet him and then left after seeing me here.
I was coming between them. The wall they hated. The one who was the cause of their separation.
" Love transcends everything in this world. " He answered, his eyes meeting mine again.
" I don't believe in this. " I shook my head. Calic's face flashed in front of my eyes. He was my love, that I left to fulfill responsibility, just like he left me to fulfill his duty.
" Then you must have never loved someone. " He concluded and my breath caught up in my throat.
My eyes refused to leave his face. He was so sure, that I never loved someone.
I did. The words were at the tip of my tongue, but I could not say them. A Princess was not allowed to love.
" When you love someone, you can destroy the whole world for them. You can leave everything behind for them. You can go through the hardest of trials, but you won't ever be able to let go of that love. Loving is letting go and at the same time holding on until your last breath. " His tone was breath-taking, each word flowed smoothly, feeling like a harsh slap on my face.
" That's madness. " I whispered, my tone weaker than ever before.
" What else do you think love is, Princess Kiara? " He smiled genuinely and his eyes mirrored this gesture.
I was out of breath. It was like I would never be able to breath again. He was challenging my thoughts, my beliefs.
I opened my mouth to say something, but the shouts coming from the main Palace grabbed both of our attention.
" Dark King's Army is approaching our border. "
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