Aria stood outside her father's office, her heart pounding in her chest. It had been a while since she last visited her father's office. She had almost forgotten what its interior looked like. But she was not here to admire some piece of craftsmanship. A gruff voice called out, "Come in."
She pushed the door open and there he was, King Marcus with the ever-mysterious Lord Blackwood. The duo looked at her with a thousand questions written all over their faces. King Marcus sat behind his large wooden desk, his eyes fixed on a stack of papers in front of him and on his daughter at the same time. She wondered how he actually did it. He looked up as she entered and gave her a small smile. "Aria, what brings you here?"
Aria looked at Lord Blackwood before she turned to her father. "If you don,t mind Lord Blackwood, I would like to have a word with my father, alone." She looked at him with a poker face while smiling at the same time. Her action made Blackwood chuckle before he responded to her.
"In fact, I was just about to leave right now. So, I really don't mind." He gathered some scrolls from the desk and left. Aria was grateful that he actually left.
Aria took a deep breath and began to speak. "Father, I know that I have been a disappointment to you in the past, but I assure you that I am ready to take on more responsibilities now." King Marcus looked at his daughter frowning.
"What message are you trying to put across the board, Aria." The way he called her name nearly made her heart melt. It had been a long time since he uttered her name with such love and sincerity. Maybe the last time she was a child. But that was not what had brought her here. She braced herself before facing him once more.
"I know that the kingdom is facing financial difficulties, and I want to help alleviate that burden. I was wondering if I could have some funds to start a business venture that would bring in more revenue for the kingdom."
The king leaned back in his chair contemplating what she had just said. He seemed a little alarmed by her sudden revelation. He breathed heavily probably considering her request."And what business venture are you planning on starting?" The king asked raising a brow.
Aria's heart sank. She had not thought that far ahead, but she knew she had to convince her father to trust her. She took a step forward, "I have not yet devised a business idea but I promise to come up with a solid plan and keep you updated on my progress. I just need a chance to prove myself."
"Though I can give you a chance, the entire process can only be approved by the council. Maybe you might prove to them you are worthy of their finances."
King Marcus looked at his daughter, his expression softening. "I will give you a chance, Aria. But you must understand that this is a risk, and if things do not work out, you will be held responsible."
Aria nodded, her heart filled with determination. "I understand, father. Thank you for giving me this opportunity."
The king nodded and picked up a quill. "I will have my secretary draw up the necessary documents for the funds. In the meantime, you will work on your plan and present it to the council before the end of the week."
Aria bowed and left the room, her mind already working on her plan. She knew that this was her chance to prove herself and make a difference for the kingdom. She would not let it go to waste. She had a week to come up with a solid plan that would bring in revenue for the kingdom. She would then give the profits gained from the business to Sir Leon. She was at least proud she could offer some help.
She wandered around the palace heading nowhere in particular. It was almost midday and the day was still young. Thinking of what she had earlier discussed with her father, she decided to head to the library and pick a business book. It might give her an idea of what she would present before the council.
The library was ominously quiet as usual as if no life was present in it. Aria walked through the shelves looking for a good book. She picked a few business books and headed to a table in a corner. The table looked dusty and old. She blew the dust on it and sat down.
After studying the books for what seemed like an eternity, she picked up a few ideas that would help her. She would research them later in the week and rehearse how to present them. She was about to exit the library when she spotted Lord Blackwood standing at the door, wearing his usual poker face.
"For how long have you been standing there?"
"Since I found you reading that pile of books over there," he said pointing at the books on the table.
"Have you been spying on me?" Aria asked suspicion taking hold of her.
"Partly yes and partly no. Would it be bad to spy on your wife's behavior?" Did he just call her wife? Oh no! She had nearly forgotten that she would be married in a month's time. Two weeks had already passed.
Lord Blackwood approached her with measured steps, "Did you forget about our marriage? How fast?" Aria took a step back keeping her distance from him but he kept coming closer. What did he want from her now? She vowed to scream if he took a step closer but as if he read her mind, he stopped in his tracks before turning towards a shelf.
"I suppose our courtship was not fruitful as I thought it would be? Princess?" He asked perusing a book and reading nothing in particular. Aria's heart froze at his statement. What exactly was he trying to say?
"What I am trying to say is that I should ask your father to hasten the marriage preparations." He replied to her fears. How could he do that? She had earlier thought that he was a good person. But judging from his past actions over the last few weeks, Aria knew that he was no different from his father, probably even worse.
He closed the book with no hint of emotion on his face. Contrary to his poker face, this one he wore was darker emitting a dark aura as if some evil power had possessed him. He took one last glance at the now awe-struck princess before leaving the library.
Aria couldn't believe how fast things had changed over a short period of time. She was just enjoying business tips a few minutes ago and now this....She couldn,t bring herself to believe what had happened. She leaned back on a shelf as tears washed over her face. Why was this happening to her? Was it the fact that she was born a princess? She hated herself and her father for bearing her as a princess. Oh, how she missed her mother. She didn't have someone to comfort her. She hated her mother for leaving her alone in the hands of power-hungry men. Why was the world so unfair to her? A train of unanswered questions formed in her mind.
The princess cried until her eyes became dry and humanity seemed to have exited in her. She just stared at the ceiling blankly, her now wet eyes blurring her vision. Her mind was in turmoil and she needed someone to awake her from this nightmare. She needed someone to tell her that this was all but a dream. But she knew that it was the bare truth and tears wouldn,t help at all.
With renewed determination, she stood up and swore she would not give Blackwood the feeling of defeat that he so much wanted. She was going to show him that she didn,t hide like a coward, but rather faced the challenge bravely. With that in her mind, she went to find Leon for the day's training.