A Woman Hopelessly In Love

"My apologies for making you all wait. I had to deal with some matters for the preparation of the festival," king Filip says as he enters the room hastily.

Contrary to the assumption of some people, the current king of Macedea is actually a really humble and kind one - exactly the opposite of his father, the former king Phirrus Bilistiche.

The three generals get on their knees to give honor to their king. Filip smirks at the sight of his sister, princess Cynane kneeling in front of him. Strangers would probably misinterpret it as a look intended to mock Cynane. After all, Cynane is still the princess of the kingdom. She is still a royalty just like Filip. Kneeling in front of him is synonymous to losing her dignity. Royalties are not supposed to bow to anyone, even if it's their own family. At the end of the day, whether they are a princess, prince, king or queen, they are all of royal blood. However, Cynane does not really care about such notions or traditions. It is her way of showing her respect and admiration to her brother. To Cynane, Filip is the ideal king - wise, has self-control and kind. Filip feels the same way towards his sister. Filip has deep admiration for his sister's bravery and pure devotion to the kingdom. She is not hungry for power, nor she really cares about titles. What matters to her the most is to serve her country and its people. She is the most virtuous person that Filip knows.

"So, what is the report on the East?" the king asks as he settles on his seat.

"It seems to be more serious than what we anticipated your majesty. A messenger sent by Lucio arrived yesterday. It looks like the Truskan tribe have formed some sort of alliance with the rebels in the Eastern region. The reason behind it is still unknown," Michal explains to the king.

King Filip's brows furrow at the mention of the Truskan tribe.

"The Truskan tribe you say...that is peculiar. After inhabiting the lands in the borders for almost twelve years, they have never for once become a problem nor a threat to the kingdom. They also know that Fuema and Macedea have formed a pact of peace and concord. So, what on earth are they doing now?" The king is just as lost as the three generals.

"Brother, please send me to the East. I'll investigate what is going on there myself," Cynane desperately asks, inserting herself in the conversation.

Despite being one of the best soldiers in the kingdom, Cynane has a tendency to be extremely impatient. She wants things to be done quickly and to be taken care of by herself only as much as possible. She can be quite impulsive which is one of her weaknesses.

"No, you cannot - at least not until the festival is over. You need to show up in the festival. We still need to honor tradition," the king explains calmly to his younger sister. He has always known this side of Cynane and it does make him feel like a cat on a hot tin roof sometimes. He has seen numerous times the results of Cynane's recklessness. He respects how fearless she can be, yet there are also times when he cannot help but think of the possibility of dangers awaiting her because of her boldness.

The "Novo festival", also known as the "Festival of Renewal" is a festival celebrated by the entire Macedean kingdom every first month of the year. It is meant to be a celebration and a thanksgiving for the new year. The festival lasts for three days, and on the culminating ceremony, one member from the royal family shall perform the traditional dance that symbolizes their bloodline and their oath to serve the kingdom and its people. The crowd on the other hand shall throw flowers native to each region of the kingdom at the representative of the royal family as a symbol of them blessing and honoring the royal family. This year, Cynane is expected to perform the said traditional dance.

"I understand", Cynane answers in defeat. She can be stubborn as she wants, but her stubbornness quickly melts away when it comes to her older brother. She genuinely respects him and recognizes his authority.

"For now, Joakim shall go to the East to help Lucio investigate. Go as soon as daybreak, and quickly inform us here in the capital if you find out something."

"Yes, your majesty", Joakim replies straight away.

The king nods and proceeds to speak. "Michal and Cynane, stay in the capital for the meantime. I shall also be needing you to lead the security during the festival."

Michal responds the same words as Joakim did while Cynane nods her head in silence.

"If you have no more concern, then you may go back to your posts gentlemen. Cynane, let us talk for a moment."

Joakim and Michal immediately leave the room, allowing the two siblings to have their privacy as a family.

"How are you sister? I have not seen you in almost a month. Mother misses you too" king Filip asks with genuine concern. Cynane might be a general, but she is still the princess of Macedea. In Filip's heart, she will always be the younger sister whom he cares about. After her appointment as a general, Cynane has been so busy training the new recruits at the army camp that she barely stays at the capital.

Cynane lets out a sigh of relief - as if she has been holding in her breath this entire time. She and her brother are in fact very close since they were little. However, whenever they are surrounded by other people, Cynane instinctively becomes stiff and very self-conscious. Mainly because she does not want to do something stupid and embarrass her brother, and because she wants to prove that she is not the "spoiled princess who became a general just because she is from the royal family" as what most people think. She wants to prove that she is worthy of her position.

For the Macedeans, the title of a general is one that is revered and is incredibly difficult to achieve. Generals are viewed as heroes in the eyes of the Macedean people. They are those who lead and fight wars or battles to ensure the safety and security of the entire kingdom. Only the strongest of the strongest and the best fighters in the kingdom can become a general. However, in the entire history of Macedea, there was never a woman who became a general - not until four months ago - when Cynane was appointed by her own brother. This has raised questions and rumors throughout the kingdom. Many find her appointment as general to be questionable - including Joakim.

"I have heard that she was personally trained by General Vernan since she was ten years old. It only makes sense that she is skilled with the sword, yet I am almost certain that she is not really that great to be appointed as a general. I can't even imagine her keeping up with General Michal or any of the other generals of the kingdom. She'll just get in their way. I don't know if she is just ambitious or what, but she is better off playing her role as a princess in the palace and perhaps make men fall in love with her. At least, she is beautiful", she accidentally heard from one of the noble women who visited the royal palace a few months ago.

"I am fine brother. You do not have to worry about me. I am actually enjoying myself beating the crap out of the soldiers of our kingdom" Cynane replies jokingly with a self-satisfied smirk on her face.

Filip shakes his head and chuckles at his sister's response. That is just the kind of response that he would expect from her. Cynane loves the thrill of fighting and apparently, it feeds her ego to thrash and defeat males.

"You know Cynane, if you keep acting like that, no man will ever want to marry you," Filip half-jokes at his sister.

"Oh, come on brother, you know very well that I am not afraid of that. The only man I had loved for years does not love me back. I mean, can there be anything worse than that? So, the thought of any random man not wanting me does not scare me. My heart is already immune, and I am actually fine with not marrying. Serving the kingdom is enough for me. I do not have time for romance and men", Cynane answers with an arrogant and almost unaffected look on her face.

But behind those words, a hint of sadness is carefully hidden, and Filip knows it very well. He can always see right through his sister. Behind that unfazed and tough image that she has built for herself, is still a woman who is hopelessly in love. He stays silent while staring at his sister's attempt to hide her true feelings. She acts as if it does not affect her anymore. She believes and has convinced herself that she is over it. The feeling of sympathy and pity engulf Filip as he looks at his sister.

'A man who does not see the value of a woman like Cynane', is a huge fool, he thinks to himself.