**Nicko's POV:**
I chased after her...
But as I exited the palace doors, she was already out of my sight.
I had thought to find her in her room, but despite searching everywhere, she was not there.
Then an idea struck me: where would my lady go in times like this?
In my nearly ten years at Dardania, I had never seen her cry or regret the king's decision until now.
I prayed to my patron goddess, Athena, goddess of wisdom, seeking guidance for moments like this.
I decided to leave the palace and head to the village of Dardania. Something told me I knew exactly where to find her.
As I wandered through the village, I heard my lady crying.
And then I saw her...
In the place where she had promised the children she would return.
I approached, hoping to comfort her.
As I stood behind her, she seemed not to notice me—or perhaps she didn't care at all.
Then I spoke up.
Nicko: "You know, not all good decisions will be favored."
I caught her attention, and she quickly wiped her tears.
Gema: "Nicko?"
She called my name softly.
Nicko: "Yes, my lady?"
I tried my best to sound emotional, knowing she was in despair.
Gema: "Let us run away and escape the treachery this kingdom has forced upon me."
Her voice brimmed with determination.
Nicko: "My lady, running away is not a wise decision."
She interrupted me, explaining:
Gema: "I know, Nicko. But ever since I was a young girl, I dreamed of marrying the man I loved, promising to give him everything."
With her gaze cast downward, I gently grasped her chin, lifting her face to meet my eyes.
Nicko: "Now that you are a woman, you have the opportunity to give everything you dreamed of to the man you will marry."
The expression on her face shifted swiftly, and she pushed me away, causing me to lose my balance and fall to the ground.
**Gema's POV:**
I continued to run, even as exhaustion set in. I didn't know where I was going or who I was bumping into.
What mattered was that I needed to escape, to get away from those who refuse to understand my feelings—the feelings I have kept hidden just to fulfill my duty as the princess of Dardanllia...
Tears streamed down my face, but I still managed to see where I was going.
There, I decided to rest and cry everything out of me.
I had just uncovered a secret my father had hidden from me...
Now that I understood why Father was never happy after the night he spoke to King Agamemnon, it all made sense.
I knew I had to comply with the agreement for the safety of this kingdom. But everything felt so wrong.
Nicko said, "Not all good decisions will be favored."
"Nicko?"
I looked behind me and saw him standing there.
I wiped my tears and said in a firm, serious tone:
"Gema: Let us run and escape the treachery this kingdom has imposed upon me."
He looked surprised by my words and replied in a confused tone:
"Nicko: My lady, running away is not a wise decision."
"I know, Nicko. I know..."
"Gema: Ever since I was a young lass, I dreamed of marrying the man I loved. I promised myself I would give him everything."
As the princess, I was never allowed suitors and had never experienced love.
Nicko was the closest man I knew.
This was what I had secretly longed for while growing up.
But I felt offended when Nicko lifted my chin and said:
"Nicko: Now that you are a woman, it's your opportunity to give everything you wished to the man you will marry."
"No, you don't understand!"
I pushed him away and decided to run again, away from a place where no one truly understood my feelings.
As I stood, he managed to grab my arm and said:
"Nicko: Let me tell you a story that mirrors this one—a story of the Olympian gods."
[Flashback story omitted for brevity]
Just a few hours earlier, I had been crying over my obligations as the princess of Dardania.
Then Nicko shared the tale of the Olympians' love triangle.
Now, I was to marry a man I didn't know for the sake of this kingdom.
I searched for Nicko's face in my wedding ceremony. Luckily, I spotted him and he nodded.
It was his way of asking if I was truly determined to fulfill this serious obligation the kingdom had thrust upon me.
"Nicko: So, are you with me in this, my lady?"
"Gema: Yes, I am with you."
I nodded back, affirming my decision.
I am determined! As long as you are with me, Nicko...
