Chapter 2: For The Throne
The news of The Princess going to war swept the kingdom like wildfire. People were in awe because of this matter and the talk of 'Brave Princess going to fight the enemy' and 'Prince Amory and Princess Ariadne are very similar in their personality' soon became a fad.
Although princesses were not prohibited from fighting, no Princess in history has ever participated in a battle. This is the first time a female is going to fight alongside men and it may also be the last time.
Everyone thought that the battle for the throne of Sefrania between Prince Alfred and Princess Ariadne will end with the Princess's defeat. Even though the Princess was famous for her sharp intelligence, she was but a woman.
None of the people were able to imagine that she would choose to go to the border. Everyone was stunned by this unprecedented move.
After the suprise wore off, people's opinions became divided. Some were in favor of Ariadne's decision while some others decided that she was crazy to go and seek death instead of living a peaceful life as a Royal Princess. Some sympathized with her for being born a woman instead of a man and said that if she was a man, then the kingdom would reach new heights in her rule. Considering the sacrifice made by Prince Amory for the kingdom and all the charity done by the Princess, some wanted to hold on to her carriage to stop her from leaving the capital city.
***
Around lunch the next day, Ariadne laughed her heart out when she heard the reactions of people from her knights.
"People have different opinions."
I was already prepared for everything when I decided to go to the border.
To the people, I'm only a princess and they only know me as Prince Amory's daughter. I don't want to be known as someone's daughter or wife. I am myself. I'm Ariadne. But how many people know me for myself and not because I'm a princess?
I guess the answer is no one.
On this day, I'm a nobody. Someday, all the people in the world will know me. I will make sure of that.
Madam Lyra, who had been scribbling a list for half an hour, set down her pen and raised her upper body.
"Is it done?"
"It is done. Don't worry, Your Highness. I'll take care of everything, down to the last hair brush."
"I'll be counting on you, Madam Lyra."
The Madam nodded her head and went upstairs to take care of other things that I needed as I was going to stay at the border for a long time.
This is the first time I'm leaving the capital. My mother is the most worried about me.
Yesterday, when mother found out that I was about to go to the border, she was so angry that she nearly fainted.
I'm the only child of my parents and my father died when I was about ten months old.
I have never seen my father personally. My mother and grandfather are my only family in this world.
From yesterday till now, mother did not speak a word with me. She kept ignoring me.
I felt helpless. Sighing quietly, I walked over to my mother, Nailea Iglesias, and called her, "Mother.....", only to be ignored again.
I sat down on the chair opposite to her.
"Mother, I'm leaving tomorrow."
She finally turned her gaze over. She stared at me for a while before saying, "Do you really have to do this?"
I replied firmly, "Yes."
My mother looked at the firmness in my eyes. Her eyes suddenly become moist and she could not control it. She averted her gaze and raised a sleeve to wipe her eyes. After hesitating for a few seconds, she finally spoke up again. "Aria, if you are doing this to get revenge for your father, then there is no need. I already told you he is not the person you think he is. He...."
I could not bear to continue listening and suddenly slapped the stone table hard before standing up. I used a little too much force and ended up cracking the stone table. "Enough!"
This action of mine not only startled my mother, but also all the servants. They all hid far away, not daring to come forward.
The previous day, we had the exact same conversation. My mother said that my father is not dead. She said that he ran away, so there is no need to get revenge for his death.
I just don't understand why she would say that. My father died protecting the country. He is a hero. Why would he even run away leaving his father, wife and child?
Not wanting to lash out on my mother, I quickly turned away and began to walk toward my estate which was neighbouring my mother's estate. I walked in through the side door which connects both the estatess.
Upon entering, the first person I saw was Kayla, who was anxiously walking around in the hall.
The moment her eyes fell on me, she ran towards me. I looked at her questioningly and saw that her expression was like stone as she stared through the open door. When I turned my gaze to see what he was looking at, I saw a strange scene before me.
My grandfather, the King, who was supposed to be in the palace was sitting in my mansion.
I quickly approached him. "Grandfather, why are you here?"
The old man stared at me for a few seconds before throwing a question at me, "Do I have to take your permission before coming?"
"No, that's not what I meant..."
"What did you mean then? Please enlighten me, young lady."
Scratching my hair awkwardly, I replied, "Well, Grandfather, you are always busy with national affairs. It's rare to see you come out of the palace."
"Oh, about that, I came here to have lunch with my dearest granddaughter. Do you have any objections?"
"No, I don't have any objections. I don't dare to have any objections."
"Then what are you waiting for? Do you want me to serve you? Lead the way!"
My lips twitched at his words. Sometimes, my grandfather behaves just like a child. He is very stubborn and childish.
"Well, grandfather, you arrived too suddenly without any warning. So, I did not make any preparations. Give me some time to prepare the food."
The King just sighed before saying, "Fine. My fault it is. I should have informed you and gave you some time to prepare. Go now."
I exited the room and told Kayla to order the kitchen to prepare food for my grandfather.
After all the preparations were finished, I went to the dining hall of my mansion along with my grandfather and sat at a dining table that was far too large for two people. At first we only talked about recent political issues, such as the preparations for the upcoming war. I waited for my grandfather to bring up the topic about my uncle, but no matter how long I waited, he didn't mention him.
It was when the meal was nearing the end that I finally brought it up.
"I heard that my uncle is planning to kill me. Is that true, grandfather?"
There was a clack as the spoon in his hand hit the plate and his hands stopped moving. He looked up and stared at me for a moment.
"Whom did you hear that from?"
He seemed rather tense when speaking.
Seeing his expression, I deliberately covered the bitterness in my voice.
"Everyone was talking about it. It was hard to miss."
"What else did you hear?"
"What I heard, does it really matter? Afterall there is no truth to it and at the end of the day it is all just a rumour."
The underlying meaning in my words was very clear. Even if my uncle really wanted to kill me, I don't have any proof and there is nothing I can do.
Grandfather looked markedly uneasy and the atmosphere became eerily silent for a few minutes.
"...I see."
"Don't worry. This will not be repeated."
We resumed our meal but grandfather was absent minded. He usually had so much to talk about, but this time he remained silent.
***
When I returned to my room after lunch, my ladies-in-waiting who were gathered in my room anxiously approached me.
"What did His Majesty say?"
"He didn't blame you, did he?"
The anxious voices of my ladies-in-waiting resounded through the room.
"No, he did not blame me."
"Your Highness, is Prince Albert really trying to kill you?"
Kayla, who was by my side during the meal, asked in a low voice.
Her question clearly startled all other ladies-in-waiting, as they were staring at her with wide eyes and some even forgot to close their mouths.
"Kayla, where did you hear such nonsense from?"
Madam Calista questioned Kayla in an unpleasant tone.
Instead of answering Madam Calista, Kayla repeated her question.
"Your Highness, is that true?"
I already expected this to happen.
"Yes, it is true indeed."
When my voice feel, the whole room quietened and the atmosphere became heavy.
"But, why..."
"The Throne. The only thing stopping my uncle from being the King is me. Without me he would have long been the Crown Prince of Sefrania. From the moment I was born, I became an obstacle in his journey. Why would he want me to stay alive? My uncle can't wait to get rid of me."
Madam Calista's face turned pale instantly and she nearly fainted. She would have fallen to the ground if Kayla did not hold her in time. All the other ladies-in-waiting looked mortified.
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