Reconciliation

The ball went on as every minute of the evening passed. The sound of waltz, clanking glasses, and indistinct chatters from the guests can be heard in the ballroom, it's amazing just how people from different kingdoms and villages were able to communicate with each other. Although, I must admit that I particularly did not like that the discrimination between the nobility and the common people of Astrae is still evident, it's as if they have their own cliques.

"Queen," I was enjoying my meal when someone called me

"Your majesty, King of Arcadia," I acknowledged his presence and he chuckled while slightly rubbing the back of his ear

"Are you enjoying the party?" he asked and I smiled

"Of course, I enjoy the diverse explosion of colors," I replied and quietly took a sip from my chalice of wine

"May we talk in private?" he asked and I placed the glass on the table then stood up

"Follow me," I said in a slight low voice

We went out of the ballroom and headed to the hall, the cold breeze blew as we step out of the lively party. We headed somewhere out of earshot so that in case our emotions were to escalate, we would not disrupt the party.

"What do you wish to talk about?" I asked as soon as we're out of earshot

"I was wrong," I looked at his side profile that is illuminated by the moon

"I was wrong as well." I said

"I'm sorry," he apologized and I smiled

"You didn't do anything wrong to me," I said and looked ahead

"But I must admit that seeing you blinded was… was heartbreaking." I said

"I do admit that all these years, I never viewed the young prince as a person but a constant reminder of the deceitful act driven by greed that happened years ago." He said and I sighed

"I would be lying if I say that I don't feel any ache whenever I see him." I slightly chuckled

"But then, he is innocent. It's not fault at any angle." I added

"I apologize – You don't have to apologize to me, you haven't wronged me or anything, but you know who you owed that apology the most?" I cut him off and turned to him

"It's him, it's the young prince whom you owe that apology." I said and he nodded

"I know, maybe I just can't accept that I'm reminded not just of Katrina arranging that to render you infertile but looking at him also reminded me of my failure." He chuckled bitterly and I avoided his gaze

"I was there with you when those men took you away, and yet, I wasn't able to do anything." He said and I shook my head

"You have to forgive yourself because it wasn't your fault, Zachary. I was mourning over my father's death, and you were trying to cheer me up, that's why we've turned insensitive to our surrounding. I was the one who went out of the palace despite the fact that my father had just died." I said and smiled at him

"Still, I could have – Zachary…" I cut him off and shook my head

"Let's move forward and stop dwelling on the past, as I see it, the more we dwell in the past that we can no longer change, the more we lack things in the present that we could've avoided." I said and walked up to him with a smile

"Let's move on, alright?" I said and he looked at me

"Can you call me Zairo again, Pam?" he asked and I chuckled

"As you wish, Zai," I said and he smiled

"Let's go back, I can't take the lady of the night away from her own party, can I?" he asked and I chuckled, we began walking back to the ballroom while having a small chat

"Your majesty," her eyes widened when she bumped into me

"What are you doing outside the party, Avice?" I asked her

"Uh…" she bowed her head and began fidgeting her fingers

"I think she doesn't like parties, do you?" Zairo said and she slowly nodded

I somehow understand why Avice may feel bored at the party, there are only a handful of children attending the ball. Most of them being the heirs of the noble families of Astrae or those of the neighboring kingdom, as most of the villagers did not bring their children along, maybe they are avoiding anything that may put them in trouble with the nobles.

"But I really enjoyed the party, your majesty." She said looked up at me

"Queen, King," the young prince went out of the door next

"What are you doing outside the party, Malika?" I asked him

"I was looking for you, your majesty," he answered then his gaze landed on Avice

"Oh, I haven't introduced you to each other, have I?" I said and Avice looked up

"Malika, this is Avice," I introduced Avice who sheepishly waved her hand

"Nice to meet you, my lady, I'm Prince Jacquiss of Arcadia." I looked at Zairo when the young prince bowed his head then offered his hand to Avice and he just smirked

"Nice to meet you, your highness," Avice looks so reluctant to accept the young prince's hand

"Why were you looking for us, Reagan?" Zairo asked

"The Queen Mother is looking for you, King, and the dames are looking for Queen." He answered and I we smiled

"Then, let's not make them worry." I said and we went on our way back to the ball

"Are you not coming?" we turned and we saw the young prince talking to Avice

"I'm alright, your highness, please head on your way." She replied

"Will you be bothered if I ask you to accompany me, my lady?" I looked at Zairo when I heard him chuckled after we heard the young prince's question

My, where did the young prince learn how to flatter a lady like that? He's merely four years old and will just turn five on the next month of Pisces.

"No, your highness," that was what I heard Avice's reply was before the young prince gently pulled him to our direction

"Take care of the young lady, Reagan." I looked at Zairo because of what he said

"Yes, King." the young prince answered and then they headed inside the party

We shared a look and ended up chuckling upon realizing what had just happened. Zairo escorted me back to the ball, we remained oblivious of the looks the other nobles started giving us upon seeing me and Zairo enter the ball together.

"After this ball, you will leaving with the young prince back to Arcadia, am I right?" I asked him to start a small conversation when we're back inside the ballroom

"Yes, but if the young prince wishes to stay for a while, I may have to allow him to do so and just send someone to pick him up after a few days." He said and I shook my head

"There would be no need, I'll have my personal knights to escort him back personally." I said

"Your majesty," I looked at the Viscount of Winches and his wife who approached us

"I'll be excusing myself, my queen," Zairo said and I smiled

"Good evening, Viscount and Viscountess of Winches," I greeted and they curtsied

"Greetings to the glistening moonlight of Astrae," they greeted and I smiled

"Are you enjoying the evening?" I asked and they smiled

"Yes, your majesty, the ball is great and grand, the ball is lavishly enjoyable." The Viscount of Winches replied and I smiled

Lavishly enjoyable, huh? I would prefer if it would not be described as such, as it is a ball to commemorate the reconstruction and new era of Astrae.

"We're really glad that her majesty has reclaimed her throne, we knew her majesty is more rightful and a better ruler than that illegitimate lady." The Viscountess of Winches said and I did my best not to grimace at the apparent motive given away by her statement

I looked around as the Viscount and Viscountess of Winches continue to flatter me, I still do not seem to get used to the sweet talks to earn favors involved in every conversation within the nobility. Although, I'll have to say that I've learned not to palpably show my contortion with the blandishments.

"Your majesty," I smiled at the Lady of the Ilithiyas who approached me

"Marchioness Ilithiyas," I greeted her as I've remembered that she had already inherited her father's title and the rights as Matriarchy to her family

"May I excuse her majesty to discuss some matters?" she asked the Viscount and Viscountess who then smiled politely and bowed before leaving

"What might these matters be?" I asked her and she slightly bowed her head

"I'd like to express my gratitude for the trust her majesty has granted my family by entrusting the academy to our hands." She said and I smiled

"Well, if there would be a family worthy and appropriate to manage such academic estate, it would be the one distinguished for its love for knowledge, for their philosophy, wouldn't it?" I asked while smiling and she looked up with a smile

"I am truly honored to have my family entrusted with such honor, your majesty." She said

"Just see to it that the academy's vision and mission is not compromised at any circumstance, alright?" I said and she nodded

As the night reached its peak, I ended up with the council members who are now talking about the young heirs of their family to one another and to me. I smiled whenever they'd introduce the young children to me, most of them are couple of years older than the young prince, some of the council members would also subtly insinuate their heirs who are older than me by a few months or are a few years older than me.

"I can already foresee the future council, don't you, your majesty?" Lord Mares asked while looking at the young heirs of the council members who are playing together

"Indeed, and it's quite assuring that at such young age the young ones have a good relationship." I agreed

"What about her majesty? When will her majesty give us an heir?" I looked at one of the council member, the Earl of Hampshire

"Her majesty is still young, Earl." Lord Valdez chuckled and I chuckled as well

"Her majesty, isn't that the young prince of Arcadia?" I looked at Mr. Marco when he spoke

My attention shifted back to the children because of his question, the other council member has also turned their heads to look at the children. The young prince, still holding Avice by the pulse had decided to join the other children, looking at them, I see that our kingdoms may have a good relationship in the future.

"Yes, it's the young prince of Arcadia." I answered

"If I didn't know better, I'd mistake him as your child with the Arcadian king, your majesty." The representative of Lucere said and I chuckled

"Then wouldn't that mean Astrae and Arcadia must be allied?" I asked and they chuckled

"Your majesty," Avice approached us with her head low

I'm surprised she managed to approach me as it seems that the young prince has taken a liking with her as a playmate, not that it's questionable since as far as I remember, there were no children about the young prince's age in Arcadia's White Palace. Now that I've thought of it, Arcadia and Astrae both have a Palace called 'White Palace'.

"Excuse me for a moment," I excused myself and walked towards Avice

"What's the matter, Avice?" I asked her

"We'll be heading home, your majesty." She said and I smiled

"Malika," I called the young prince and he went here

"Yes, Queen?" he asked

"Avice will be heading home," I said and he looked at her

"Then, we'll play again tomorrow." He said

"Don't you have plan on going home, Reagan?" Zairo appeared and asked him

"Which home do you mean, King?" he asked and I chuckled

"Alright, you may play with her again tomorrow." I said

"Your majesty," I smiled at Ida when she approached us

"We'll be heading home," she said and they bowed

"Have a safe trip home," I said

"Glory to the glistening moonlight of Astrae," she said and they both bowed before leaving

I chuckled when the young prince stood there while watching Avice disappear with Ida in the crowd of guests before heading back to play with the other children.

"Your majesty," they greeted Zairo who came back with me

"Her majesty, Queen Patrice, and his majesty the king of Arcadia are a good match, aren't they?" I looked at Zairo who chuckled after hearing what the Lord Mares said

"I take it that you're giving me your blessing to marry your queen." He chuckled and I shook my head

As the night continued to head closer to dawn, the guests started going home one by one, I felt delight when I saw how everyone greeted each other regardless of where they came from. Especially the nobles of Astrae and Arcadia, it was like the light of unity among the people of the once feuding kingdoms are slowly glowing brighter and it sends satisfaction in my heart.

The Frozen Kingdom is slowly making its walls more transparent to make more allies and friends, I guess, I've successfully protected the hope that father had instilled in my heart.

FIN