The Enchantress

16.

Prince Chaeyoung.

"There's another thing your highness." I said as I sat at the chair in front of him.

"You see 3 years ago, I disguised myself as a soldier for a mission and was badly wounded that almost killed me. Yet a lady saw me by the riverbank as their ship happened to pass by. She took care of me and tend to my wound. Due to the danger of having a wounded soldier on board she and the captain decided to leave me by the river banks as they continued their journey. They left me with food, water and a knife. After that day I vowed to look for her. But as days go by I began dreaming about her and thinking of her non stop. I then realized I was starting to have feelings for this lady. I searched for her in all the kingdoms I've been to. I know nothing of her except that she's a noble and her name, Lady Sharon."

The King reacted to the name.

"In 3 years I've dreamt of her and searched for her until now, I have found her. I vow not to let her go from now on."  I looked at him straight in the eyes. "I wish for your consent for me to marry lady Sharon or should I say Princess Mina." His eyes suddenly changed.

"How did you know?"

"Just now when I looked at the paintings. I also noticed how she reacted when we came here and how you able to control her."

He then looked at the window.

"That's the name given by her mother, Mina Sharon. Apparently she used lady Sharon when she sailed out for the quest to find the cure for my illness. Which was the time you met her. Just to let you know she is a doctor. It'll be natural for her to tend to any wounded." He looked at me long. I didn't dare to break the silence for I know what I've just asked of him is not an easy thing.

"What you're asking is the hand of my eldest daughter whom I love dearly and also the heir to my throne."

"Yes, your highness."

"She's hardheaded and not easy to control. She have a mind of her own and would fight for her right and what she knows is right. Yet she's caring, loving, intelligent, generous and unselfish."

She stared at me for a few seconds.

"I could give you my blessing but I could not force her to marry you, specially someone already owns her heart."

Rowan. I suddenly remembered how I saw them when I reached the castle. They were now outside the room. I wonder if she does love him.

"I could make her fall for me and make her marry me."

He leaned his back to his chair and smiled.

"I do hope that's not arrogance, but I admire the confidence. To tell you the truth that might be hard for you. You see, Ro.... The... The man she loves is her childhood friend and bestfriend. They knew each other since they were kids. I'm not sure if you could compete with that."

"As long as I have your blessing, I will take care of the rest." I smiled at him.

I admit that it'll be hard to compete with their years of knowing each other. But I should try... I must.

I stood and he did the same.

"Our purpose here is done. I'm sorry for the scare we've caused."

"No matter, what's important is the outcome."

"I agree. Thank you for listening and for the blessing. I'd be going now your Highness."

I bowed and started to turn when he said...

"It's late I'm sure  you're tired specially you've traveled far. I know sleeping in camps is uncomfortable too. May we indulge you and your men to stay for the night and have dinner with us?"

It was indeed late and me and my men are hungry by now.

"I would be glad to accept your highness."

"That's great then. Let's let them in. They're might be so worried by now." He was about to walk towards the door.

"Have a seat your highness, I'll go get them." I then remembered something. "Your highness, I do hope you won't tell the Princess what I've told you about her saving me and the marriage thing."

"If you insist."

I then went to open the door. As soon as I opened it the Princess came barging in immediately went to the King along with another lady whom I think was Princess Sana. The general also went to his side.

"Papa, are you okay?" Princess Sana asked while hugging him.

"I'm okay dear." He said to Princess Sana then looked at Princess Mina and said while smiling. "Everything is more than fine."

"Good job brother" Momo said patting me at the back. He then whispered. "The tension outside is killing me. The three keep looking at each other yet avoiding each other's eyes too."

"There's a reason for that. I'll tell you something later." I said.

"I hate it when you do that, now I'd be wondering what is it. You're killing me with the suspense." He said no longer whispering.

"General, please arrange for two rooms for the Princes they'll stay for the night. And prepare a feast in honor of our guests."

"But Pa...I mean your highness."

"It's okay my dear. He already knows." He patted her hand while she looked at him questioningly.

The King pointed at the painting. The Princess then started to blush. Seeing her here, in the flesh, is somewhat surreal. My dream literally came true. She's far more beautiful than what I remembered.

A knock came at the door, then it opened. A soldier appeared who apologized for the interruption and asked for the general. He talked by the door with the soldier who whispered something to him with his eyes never leaving the King. Later on he looked as if he can't believe what the soldier said. He went back inside and stood beside the king and the princess.

"What was that about Ryun?"

"He reported that there's no casualty few wounded mostly on the arms. The men we thought were dead were just unconscious..."

"We already know that. Anything else?"

"The tension is still there your highness. The people, all the soldiers they're all waiting for the result of your talk."

"Oh yeah. Let me tell them myself." The King stood and walked towards the door but stopped to look at me. "You'll ride with me?"

"I will your highness." I said standing up and following him. The princess followed him too thus we collided as we both went to the door at the same time. She then glared at me and I gestured for her to go first.

"Are you sure that's her? She hates you." Momo whispered.

"She does." I said smiling. Her fierceness is surprisingly entertaining.

We then reached the grounds and the King started to mount his horse and so did the Princess. One of the guards gave us horses.

The King waited for me to join him. I rode beside him by his left along with Momo while the two Princess were at his right.

The King moved forward and we followed him. The castle gates opened and as we went outside. We immediately saw the Arrows on their place by the walls, who now lowered their bow on Momo's orders.

The King announced and assured the soldiers and the people that our presence is not to invade the kingdom. He explained the treaty and that there were no casualty. He expressed his gratitude towards us and our men for not letting blood spilled on either sides. He once again assured the people that they were guests and should be treated as one. That today there would be a feast to celebrate the treaty and the unification of all kingdoms in Kyria.