Chapter 5

The trip to the palace was long and bitter. The Prince was quiet throughout the entire ride. It made me uncomfortable and out of place. It almost made me miss Elizabeth, but I would not admit that to myself.

No way!

As we arrived, they greeted us with manner and status. But I got weird looks as we made our way to the throne room. Nerves played on me until it irritated the Prince "Will you collect yourself. My father knows of the Gale's situation. You mustn't act like your cattle ready for the kill." I was shock at his outburst and slightly snapped back in response "Last I remember, the royal family hasn't been known for their all known mercy. Forgive me, if I'm unsettled. For if you haven't been aware, you aren't the one getting looks." The Prince slightly smiled "That's to be expected. You are a rare tale and my fiancé. Some will grimace at the fact that a woman born out of wedlock and infidelity would scare a nation. And to a concubine, no less. I can see why your unsettled but pay it no mind."

I remained silent the rest of the way until we reached an enormous door. We have passed more than a thousand paintings and gold decor. Not once have I ever imagined that I'd be in the King's Palace. I guess things take a turn when your own people was attacked and murdered; leaving us with barely anything to survive to come this far.

And though the Prince said don't mind it, I can't help but do just that... because everything everyone knew was a lie. But I wasn't going to let them know that.

The Prince and I walked in, but unexpectedly he took my hand and put on a smile that could shut down a thousand thunderstorms and pave way for the sunlight. I would be lying to myself if I didn't say my heart didn't skip a beat.

"Father! Please, let me introduce to my future to be bride and your future daughter in law." The King stood from his throne with a smile plastered on his face "My son, O is it grand to see you." they hugged causing my hand to be freed and the King looked on me "So this is the first born. I must say, this is one tale that will knock the nation. But never mind that! Come, come! My servants has prepared a feast to welcome you. I'm sure my son has welcomed you all the same." This was all rattling; the King was welcoming me like he had known me all my life. Like everything was just normal.

As the King went to give orders to prepare for tonight's dinner. I went for a walk in the garden, which one of the maid's kindly pointed out. I stood there taking in the moonlight above me. It was beautiful and peaceful. It was the one thing in time that was still and strong. I thought for a second if my father was right up there. Breathing in the beauty of the moon. Living in eternal peace. I always worried if my father was at peace, since Zuko soldiers killed him, I wasn't sure if he had unfinished business. One that he couldn't let go... Me...

The Prince pulled up beside me and looks at me "A silver piece for your thoughts?" I looked at him shocked "You would pay me just to know what I was thinking?" He looks at me seriously this time "No. I would not. If I ordered you or focused you, I would have gotten my answers all the same." I faced away from him offended "I guess that's what being royalty is all about, huh. Have people do your chaos while you sit at the comfort of your throne. It must be nice knowing people will die for you when you've done nothing to deserve it." He grabbed my wrist focusing my attention back to him "I don't like the manner that you used to describe me or my family. You have no idea what we've had to give to achieve peace in Clover City." I glared at him.

Peace? He called all of this, PEACE!? This was only one town. One group of people. His people. He was right, peace in Clover City was all he had. All he and his family has ever achieved.

"Your right, I don't know. But forgive me if I talk out of turn but what I have experienced in my life. Peace in Clover City is all you'll ever have. All you'll ever know. While you only protect your people, there is people out there dying just for the same. Tell me, your Highness, hasn't it occurred to you that there is far more people than your own?" I snatched my wrist out of his grip and stood "I'm beginning to think marrying you would be a mistake. But I made a promise and though you may not like who I am or how I've come to be but as you may be royalty, I'm still human." He stared down at me as I looked up "So forgive me, if I'm not Elizabeth or who you pictured me to be. But I am the one marrying you and I'm all you have. So, accept me or don't—I don't care. But facts are facts, we will be married because it's your father's will. So, the sooner we make nice the better it'll be for this nation." He gave me a small smile "Your manners lack but I do agree. We are to be married. There are no doubts about it. But I still don't trust you. There is something about you and this tale that has me on edge. And I won't feel sorry for thinking otherwise. So, please do me favor and play nice in front of my father. I want to sell him on the fact that we are a perfect match."

He walked away leaving me alone in my silence. I felt almost angry and confused. Everything that I was doing was for my people. I'm angry I'm wasting time and I'm confused if I'm doing the right thing. I looked up to the sky once more, gazing at the moon for a sign. But in the complete peaceful sky, nothing...

We're all at the dinner table. The King is quite the conversationalist. He talked about the first time he became King and the responsibilities that followed with it. How every war didn't end easy. How having sons changed what it meant for him to be King. He smiled at me "Zoran wasn't the easiest of my sons to grow. He was a troubled child, even now. But his heart is always in the right place. His mother would have agreed. He's turned out to be quite the young man." Zoran's face turned dark as he put down his silverware "Father, I don't think she's wants to hear tales of my childhood. It's best we talk about wedding preparations." And just like that, the conversation changed.

Personally, I'd always thought the King was a man without emotions but here I was sitting in front of one filled with them and love for his sons. I never met the rest of Zoran's brothers but I'm sure I would at the wedding. Which the King excitedly talked about in full confidence. I quietly ate my meal as I stared at the service and the help. The meal was perfectly prepared; it was seasoned with the right mind, cultured to not just one taste but one that made you burst for more. I wasn't sure either to be jealous or horrified that they had all this and never looked to feed the other villages out there. I put down my silverware on the side of my plate with the guilt only making me feel part of something I shouldn't be part of. The King notices my hesitation to continue eating "My dear, why have you stop to finish your meal?" though it may have sounded like a question, I almost felt it was an order...

I rested my hands on my lap as Zoran stared at me displeased. His face read utter disapproval and it only caused me to look away "I'm sorry, it seems I may have tired myself with my walk in the garden." Then Zoran glares, putting back on the same fake smile he had on when we arrived "Nonsense. I'm sure if you finish the food you'll recover." I could see he stressed over the fact that I refused to finish in front of his father who was kind enough to prepare it. I almost tired from playing pretend but I'm doing this more for a cause than for myself. I smiled, "You know your Majesty, I've been thinking about the wedding—" he cuts me off "Do you not like it? I think having a painter there would specialize the occasion." I smiled again with care of his thought to make my wedding day memorable "It's not that. I was thinking of instead of having the wedding in two months. Why not this week?" The King stop mid chew and Zoran looks just as surprised. The King cleared his throat "O my, why so soon? Wouldn't you rather get to know the kingdom first and settle in?" I countered "Of course, I'd rather that but these are things I'd be doing even after marriage. I just find it a waste of time to wait. Why wait? We should marry of the week to put to rest unsettling minds. Let's not wait to give the people a reason to object. Like you said, my tale could shock a nation." The King was shocked at my explanation but he however seemed to have been considering it, "I must say, your explanation holds weight and much reason. It's hard to object—" Zoran cuts in "Father, though her explanation holds much reason to the cause. Wouldn't it raise suspicions of our marriage? We marked two months to avoid i—" I interrupted him mid finish "In matters of the kingdom, the people will always find a reason to object this marriage. Weather it's in two months or now. The faster it's dealt with, the less we'll have to control the people." Zoran almost had fire coming out of his nose. His anger at my suggestions of a early wedding was clearly upsetting him but I didn't care. He already had his people safely tucked into cozy beds and meals to eat every night. However, my people needed this now and the faster this wedding is over the faster I can return.

Dinner was over as quickly as it came and the servants took care of their duties like they usually do. I walked out of the dining hall while Zoran talked to his father about my suggestion. He was clearly still upset-bothered that I had even suggested such an early wedding. I didn't wait around long enough to find out the end result of their discussion, I knew I wasn't wanted.

My return to the garden was predicted; almost like a sad song that played like the dead. I took out my golden brooch and stared at it. All this time, I could be something more than I could ever dream. Someone important and powerful. But, everything Elizabeth said could have been a lie. But what would have been the reason? She had none. I was a nobody. Only a poor commoner whose luck might as well run out. As I began to turn around, the King yelled after me, causing me to drop the brooch. Panic swam right through me as I tried to catch it but it rolled into a row of bushes. I cussed underneath my breathe. As the King approached he saw my face crescent in distress. He looks at me "O my, have the wedding made you nervous? My son, means no harm when he objects. He's just like his mother in that regard. He just wants to do this right." I stared at him and without thinking I said "I'm already a mistake that was taken. I'm neither a wrong nor a right." His eyes widen in shock "Is that how you thought of yourself dear?" My mind was still on the brooch that my thoughts were just a mess. I did my best to recover "I'm sorry, your Majesty. I guess I'm more tired than I look. Forgive me." I walked away from him and told one of servant to take me to my quarters.

As the walk to my quarters may have seem longed, Zoran stepped out of a corner. The maid was surprised that she immediately bowed "Your Highness." he didn't even bother to look at her. His eyes were straight on me like daggers "Leave us, Maria. I have something to discuss with my wife." She nods and went on her way, leaving me with her Prince. I glared at him "It's surprising the Prince himself would pay me a visit. To what do I owe the honor?" his eyes sharpened at me and he said without a moments waste "To what you owe the honor? Clearly your acting skills has greatly suppressed mines. But rushing a wedding has peeked my interest." He slowly walked around me; observing me when all my mind could think about was the brooch I possibly lost. I knew I would have to go look for it sooner than later. Only thing I could hope for was that the King didn't find it before I did.

Zoran circled me like a lion out for his prey, as I felt my body growing more tense as the time grew more with the King to find that brooch. He finally stopped and stared at me "What is it that you are hiding? Why rush a wedding that'll take time to plan?" I gave him a fake smile, trying to put on my best attire for my performance mentally "Like I told the King, the people will object regardless of when the wedding takes place." I look to him "I find it to be a right political move. The sooner we marry, the sooner that you arise to the throne, no?" I could feel him calming a bit as a mentioned him ascending to the throne. I took this as a sign that this is what he wanted most of all. Marrying me wasn't the problem. The prince seemed more worried about ascending to the throne. I spoke carefully, ensuring that I didn't upset him "It seems the wedding isn't the problem here. If I had to say, it seems your more worried about whether or not you're ready to be King so soon." Though my tone could have painted mountains, it didn't stop the rage that followed unto his face "That's utter nonsense!" he grabbed me by my arm bringing me closer to him as he whispered harshly into my right ear "And the next time you speck out of turn to my father. I'll have your head out on a stake for all citizens of Clover City to see." A chill shot through my body as he let me go. He glares at me with utter displacement and said without emotion "Next time, you wish to speck. Mind your place." and as if the wind had blown as a signal to run. He left me with a beating heart of fear and loneliness.

Trailing along the floors of the Kingdom, I was deep in thought. I have upset the Prince in means to gain some type of understanding of him. But so I have failed once again. How am I to marry someone that sees me as a threat? No, usually you don't marry them. You leave. I had thoughts to leave. Thoughts to run but that'd mean calling in defeat. I didn't want to lose and I didn't want to give up...But how do you have someone trust you when your exactly who they say you are...A liar... My mind was clouded with many wrongs and rights but one thing was utterly clear...I had nothing to live for but this purpose. My people of Riverband, was my purpose. And that alone was enough.

I made it to my bedroom in one piece until I heard a noise that caught my attention, I turned around to defend myself but what I saw was none other than "Mal?" I whispered softly and angrily at him "What are you doing here?! Haven't you done enough?!" Mal looks at me and saddens, he approached me with careful steps; each step that I carefully counted. He talks but with worry "I had to come. When Ms.Fayta told me you left for Clover City to talk to the King to help our people. I hurriedly followed you." I glared at him "How did you get into the palace?" sighing he calmly explains "I have a friend of a friend. He happens to have a brother that happens to be part of the royal guard. I asked for help and he aid me safe passage into the palace as a servant. It wasn't long after, I heard of the Prince returning." looking me over, he began to talk angrily "Never would I have picture you at the side of the Prince and not at the mercy of the Kings feet." I turned away from him "It's not your business on how I got where I am." he speaks at ease now with a hint of force in his voice "It is! If it means putting our people at the means of these people." I cut in turning back to him "And what should I have done?! While you coward in fear and watched those you loved and everyone die! Should I have done the same?! Was that my truth?! My destiny?!-" he cuts me off "Not everyone!" I looked at him shocked. His composure was lost and the tears was almost visible on his face. Complete lost covered me "What do you mean not everyone?" he sadden, unable to even look at me. A wave of guilt covered him "You don't know the whole story of what happened that day, Moonjira." he looks up at me, almost a broken half of the former man he was before Zuko soldier's attacked us "...I went to fight. I was right by your father's side, ready to do my part. But he stopped me. He looked me in the face and told me to live for you and protect you. Of course, at first I objected. But... he knocked me out. All I remember after, was that I was waking up in the middle of the forest and when I returned, the worse had already been done...everyone was died and you were already leaning over your dead father..."

Memories of that day painted me. I remember, it was a rainy day. The soil of the ground was muddy and painted red with the blood of our little town. Houses were burnt to the ground and all you can smell was the air of the burning ashes and the screams of elders and children being brunt as their flesh turn into nothing but bone to ash. And in my arms...the man who had raised me, covered in the wounds that killed him... I glared at Mal, forcing out whatever he was saying "You're lying. My father wouldn't do that!" he looks at me unfazed making me lose whatever confidence I had in my resolve "Think about it, Moonjira. When did I leave the village? When did I have the time to do so without being seen?" I covered my ears "Stop!" he continued "You needed someone to blame...You needed someone there to take the fall. I was easiest...I only played along to make the pain you suffered tolerable..." I moved quickly and slapped him across his face. My anger was hatred and my heart, almost cold. He didn't look at me or say another word. He remained quiet and still like mountains you'd see; strong and tall. I felt myself crumble and told him "Get out." without saying a word, he looks at me angry and hurt but with eyes as cold...he still said nothing until he began to walk to the door, opening it "As you wish." and closing it behind him.