CHAPTER 24: SMILE

A forest lies closer to the capital of Verdía, its dense canopy of towering trees casting dappled shadows onto the winding road that leads to the city.

A carriage can be seen traveling along the road.

The carriage is adorned with intricate carvings along its panels, depicting floral patterns and elegant scrollwork. Golden accents embellish the edges, adding a touch of opulence to its appearance

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The carriage rolled along the dusty road, the rhythmic clatter of hooves accompanying its steady progress.

Inside, a young girl and her maid sat in silence, the weight of their conversation hanging heavy in the air.

"Are you certain about this decision, Princess?" the maid asked, her voice tinged with concern.

The princess, her features hidden behind a veil, nodded with determination. "I have to do this for my country," she replied firmly.

Their journey continued, the landscape passing by in a blur of greenery and distant hills. Memories of the recent war lingered in the air, casting a shadow over the countryside.

"We lost the war against the Kingdom of Verdía," the maid remarked, breaking the silence. "It's a miracle they haven't launched an attack against us."

The princess remained silent, her thoughts turning inward as she contemplated the weight of her responsibilities.

As they approached the capital, a sense of anticipation filled the carriage, mingled with an underlying tension born from recent events. The city walls loomed in the distance, a symbol of strength and security in troubled times.

Suddenly, a knight appeared beside the carriage, his armor gleaming in the sunlight. He knocked on the window with a gloved hand, his voice respectful yet urgent. "We have reached the capital, Your Highness," he announced, breaking the quiet reverie within the carriage.

The princess glanced out the window, her gaze falling upon the towering spires and bustling streets of the capital. With a silent nod, she prepared herself for the challenges that lay ahead, steeling her resolve to face whatever awaited her within the heart of the kingdom.

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In the hushed corners of the palace, maids exchanged whispers like delicate threads of gossip.

"Hey, did you hear that the princess from the enemy country is coming today?" one maid murmured to her companion, her voice filled with curiosity.

"I don't understand why His Majesty would choose a wife for the young master from the enemy country," another maid responded, her tone reflecting a mix of disbelief and speculation.

As the news spread, whispers fluttered through the palace halls like elusive shadows, casting doubt and intrigue over the impending arrival of the princess from the enemy kingdom.

As the maids whispered among themselves, their voices barely audible in the grand halls of the palace, a sudden interruption shattered their clandestine conversation.

"What did you say?" The voice, like thunder breaking through a calm sky, reverberated through the corridor, demanding attention and halting the gossip in its tracks.

The maids froze, their eyes widening in alarm as they turned to see the source of the commanding voice. Standing before them was the young master, his figure outlined against the backdrop of opulent tapestries and polished marble floors.

With his striking white hair cascading around his shoulders and his eyes ablaze with intensity, the young master exuded an air of authority that left no room for disobedience or evasion.

Silence hung heavy in the air as the maids exchanged nervous glances, unsure how to respond to the unexpected intrusion. In the presence of the young master, even the faintest whisper seemed to echo with the weight of consequence.

"We are sorry, young master," the maids murmured in unison, their voices trembling with apprehension. With a quick curtsey, they turned on their heels and hurriedly left the scene, their footsteps echoing faintly against the palace walls as they retreated from the imposing presence of the young master. Left alone in the corridor, the young master sighed deeply, his red eyes softened momentarily with a hint of weariness before he continued on his way, his mind undoubtedly preoccupied with the mysteries surrounding the arrival of the princess from the enemy kingdom.

Krish took a deep breath, steeling himself for the conversation ahead, as he made his way towards his mother's office. With each step, his mind raced with questions about the impending marriage and its implications for their kingdom.

As he reached the door, he paused for a moment, gathering his thoughts before raising his hand to knock. With a mixture of nervousness and determination, Krish prepared to ask his mother the question that weighed heavily on his mind.

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He raised his hand and gave a gentle knock on the door of his mother's office, the sound echoing lightly in the corridor.

"Mom, can I come inside?" he asked, his voice carrying a mixture of uncertainty and longing as he awaited permission to enter his mother's office.

"Yes, come in," a gentle voice sounded from within the office, inviting the young master to enter with warmth and reassurance.

As the Krish pushed open the door, he stepped into his mother's office, greeted by the sight of numerous papers scattered across the desk and shelves. The room was bathed in soft light filtering through heavy curtains, casting a warm glow over the cluttered space.

Stacks of parchment and scrolls adorned the desk, their edges slightly curled from frequent handling. Quills and inkwells stood at the ready, poised for the next task to be written or signed. A large bookshelf lined one wall, filled to the brim with leather-bound volumes and dusty tomes, each containing a wealth of knowledge and history.

Amidst the organized chaos, the Krish mother sat behind her desk, her posture regal yet approachable as she sifted through the papers with focused concentration. The air was imbued with the scent of aged paper and ink, creating an atmosphere of scholarly diligence and quiet contemplation within the office.

"You look very busy, Mother," Krish remarked softly, his voice tinged with concern as he observed the multitude of papers scattered around her.

She looked up from her work, her expression softened by a fond smile as she met Krish's eyes. "I am, dear," she replied, her voice carrying a note of weariness tempered with affection. "But it's all for the good of the kingdom."

Krish nodded in understanding, a sense of pride swelling within him at his mother's unwavering commitment to their realm. With a gentle smile, he stepped further into the office, eager to offer any assistance he could to alleviate her burden.

After sometime

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"Mother, why didn't you tell me that the princess coming is from the enemy kingdom?" Krish asked with politeness, his tone respectful yet tinged with curiosity as he sought clarification on the matter.

"Hmm," she murmured, her gaze meeting Krish's for a few seconds before she replied, "Didn't I tell you she's from the Kingdom of Sovernia?" Her words were measured, hinting at a deeper meaning behind the choice of information shared with her son.

"So is that why you came here?" she asked, her tone gentle yet probing as she sought to understand her son's sudden visit to her office.

"Well, it was one of the reasons," Krish acknowledged, meeting his mother's gaze with a mixture of honesty and hesitation. "The other reason..." He paused, searching for the right words to express his thoughts.

"Well, the other reason is... why did you choose her as my bride?" Krish asked, his voice betraying a hint of nervousness as he broached the delicate topic with his mother.

Sighing softly, Krish's mother leaned back in her chair, her expression weighted with the gravity of her words. "Since you're always inside the palace, you must have heard," she began slowly. "The Kingdom of Sovernia has long been our enemy. We've been at war with them until your father led our forces to victory, decimating a significant portion of their army. In the aftermath, the Kingdom of Sovernia proposed a marriage alliance between our royal families as a means to ease tensions and foster peace. Due to pressure from the ministry and nobles, your father agreed to arrange your marriage with the princess from Sovernia." She paused, her gaze searching Krish's face for understanding. "Now, do you understand?"

"Oh, yes, Mother," Krish replied, a mix of understanding and resignation in his voice.

Suddenly, his mother rose from her seat and walked over to him, gently patting his head with reassurance. "You don't have to worry so much," she said softly, her touch offering comfort in the midst of uncertainty.

With a heart filled with gratitude, Krish turned to his mother, his lips curling into a beautiful smile that radiated warmth and appreciation. "Thank you, Mother," he said, his voice soft yet filled with sincerity. In that moment, amidst the weight of their conversation, their bond strengthened, united by love and understanding.

Suddenly, Krish's mother enveloped him in a warm embrace, her arms wrapping around him with a tenderness that spoke volumes of her love. "Oh, my lovely child," she whispered, her voice filled with affection and pride as she held him close. In that moment, amidst the challenges and uncertainties, Krish felt the depth of his mother's love, a comforting embrace that filled his heart with warmth and reassurance.

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To BE CONTINUED