21 MY MOTHER, MY JOY

King Dingbang has been thinking of the request made by princess Fen. He wanted her to get married, but why she was requesting to leave with Shu is what was bothering him. Although he knew that, Shu and the princess are always together. Apart from Shu being princess Fen's personal maid, he also knew that Shu was the only friend princess Fen has. This wasn't his plan for her to get married to someone that she doesn't love, but for peace, he has to do it.

Maybe, she might end up loving prince Gen if she gets married to him.

Queen Mei was still laying on the bed, but King Dingbang was sitting on the bed as he rested his back on the bed head.

It was early in the morning and the light of the sun was not yet shining, which means, it was a bit dark. King Dingbang was meant to be sleeping, but no, he wasn't ready to sleep when he had a serious problem to solve. He needs to do it fast so that king Wang Lei and prince Gen won't get angry and rise against them.

Even though Neville's kingdom was a great kingdom with a great king and great warriors, the Decresh kingdom can still defeat them if the Decresh joins hands with other kingdoms.

It wasn't easy for the Decresh kingdom when they lost a princess and some guards. If not for King Dingbang ambushing the Decresh men and taking queen Mei, his wife, away, all these issues wouldn't have come up. Now, he has to face the consequences of what he has done many years back.

King Dingbang tapped Queen Mei on the shoulder to wake her up. She woke up and stretched herself. Her eyes were a bit open and the candlelight in the room helped her in seeing king Dingbang clearly.

"What's the problem?" Queen Mei asked with surprise when she saw king Dingbang sitting on the bed instead of sleeping.

"We need to talk." King Dingbang answered.

"About what?" She asked as she yawned and stretched herself.

"Something important. This has to do with our daughter." King Dingbang replied.

Queen Mei was amazed that the king finally had something to discuss with her. This is the first time in his entire life that he wanted to discuss an issue with her as a wife. All these years, he has been doing things his own way without seeking for anyone's decision, and even when he does, not from a woman.

"What happened to her?" Queen Mei asked as she sat properly on the bed.

"Nothing happened to her. She's fine. She made a request, so I want us to discuss it." King Dingbang responded.

"A request? What request?" Queen Mei asked.

Hmm. King Dingbang sighed and said,

"She said, if she must marry prince Gen, then, only one thing will make her marry him happily." King Dingbang spoke.

"One thing. And what's the one thing all about?" Queen asked as she used a blanket to cover herself.

"She requested that Shu should follow her to the Decresh kingdom. That's the only thing that will make her marry." King Dingbang responded.

"Why will she request for a maiden that belongs to this kingdom? Didn't she know that, on getting there, she would meet some maidens that are better than Shu? Does she think that Shu is the last good woman on earth?" Queen Mei smirked.

"I think she knows why she is demanding for a maiden. Moreover, Shu was always there for her, anytime she needed company. So, maybe we should just allow her to follow Fen." King Dingbang suggested.

"But please note that Shu also means a lot to me." The queen said.

"I know. That's why I asked for your opinion." King Dingbang responded.

"Shu is hardworking and a nice person to be taken away from this kingdom. In case you don't know, Shu is the role model of the remaining maidens. I wouldn't like her to go." Queen Mei spoke distressingly.

King Dingbang hugged and cuddled her. He kissed her forehead and ran his palms on her hair.

"It's okay, my queen. Just let it be. You will be fine. We just have to do this to stay out of trouble. It's time we live in peace with our neighboring kingdoms, especially the Decresh kingdom." King Dingbang said.

"It's alright. If that is what will make her happy, then so be it. At least, it is also for our benefit." Queen Mei muttered and patted King Dingbang's cheeks.

King Dingbang drew her face closer and kissed her soft lips. They kissed for a few minutes before they ceased it.

They embraced each other and remained in that position until the sun was out.

King Dingbang and Queen Mei made their final decision by granting her request. Even though the queen was a bit uncomfortable, she had to accept it for peace to reign.

Princess Fen was patiently waiting for her father to grant her request. But it seems to have taken ages for him to grant it. Not because she is willing to marry the prince, but because she has to focus on getting married to him because there was no way to stop her parents from pushing her to marry.

Princess Fen was in her room and a heavy knock came from her door. She quickly climbed down from the bed and rushed to the door to check out the person. It was Shu. As soon as she opened the door, Shu immediately stepped into the room.

Princess Fen peep from the door to see if someone was chasing Shu, but she saw no one. She closed the door and turned to Shu.

"What's chasing you?" Princess Fen asked.

"Nothing. I just came to inform you that Her Majesty is outside and I don't know where she is going." Shu replied.

"What? I need to meet her now!" Princess Fen replied as she tried to reach out for the door, but Shu stopped her.

"Don't," Shu said to princess Fen.

"Why?" Princess Fen asked.

"Because, she…" before Shu could complete her statement, a knock came from the door.

Shu went ahead and answered the person at the door.

Shu was shocked to see the queen standing at the door. She immediately opened the door and greeted her, but queen Mei only nodded her head.

She stepped into the room and found princess Fen staring at her in surprise. The few days they spent without seeing each other was like a year to princess Fen.

Princess Fen ran to the queen and hugged her. She let out tears as she held her mother so tight. Queen Mei also hugged her daughter.

"I'm sorry that I didn't treat you as a mother all these years. I know I have wronged you, but please forgive me." Queen Mei cried out.

The two of them were in tears as they embraced each other. The maidens stood speechless as they fixed their gaze on them.

"Always be the good princess that you are. My only wish is for you to forgive me. I'm sorry." Queen Mei apologized.

"It's alright mom. You don't have to bother yourself about it. I have forgiven you. Everything happens for a reason." Princess Fen responded.

"Thank you, my only princess. Don't think we're selling you out. We are doing this for peace to reign among us." Queen Mei spoke.

"I understand. I will be a good wife." Princess Fen replied.

Princess Fen had many questions to ask her mother, but because she treated her like her daughter, she reserved the questions for herself.

They chatted and laughed together. Everyone was filled with joy and happiness.

"Your father has granted your request." Queen Mei said to princess Fen with a visible smile on her face.

"Wow!" Princess gasped and hugged her mother.

Shu on the other hand was excited because she and the princess won't be separated.

The joy that filled the atmosphere was like fresh air sent from above.