Under the Purple Rain

Chapter 2 : The Cancelled Engagement

Days before the founding celebration, the imperial palace announced that the engagement between Crown Prince Kairo and Lady Evangelina has been broken amicably. There were a lot of rumors circulating between the nobles. The prince went about his schedule as if nothing happened. It was not an easy conversation that he had between the emperor. He told his father first before they summoned the Duke of Calsis to break the news. His old man was shocked and the same goes with his best friend. It was painful to explain why he had decided to break the engagement but it is the right thing to do.

"Your highness!" Rowan, his assistant called him again.

"With all due respect sir, I think you really need to rest. You have been spacing out for most of the day. I can take care of the remaining preparations for the founding celebration. Everything that needs your approval has been signed." his assistant explained. Rowan is not only a subordinate but also a friend. They attended the university together and have been friends since then.

"I guess you are right, let me know if there's anything urgent I need to attend to." He deeply sighed and got up.

"Of course sir! Please take a good rest." Rowan bowed his head and looked at the back of his friend. He knew him too well and he could see the melancholy that the prince has been trying to mask with drowning himself with work. He also knew that the nobles have been talking about it and it will be a blow to the prince's image if the Lady Evangelina and the Duke of Aster decide to go to the founding celebration together. He just hopes it doesn't happen because he knows it will crush his friend's heart more.

Kairo only had a few hours of sleep. The founding celebration is only a few days away and he doesn't have a choice but to attend as the successor of the crown. It will be hard to keep appearances with a heavy heart. He knew too well that the lady and the Duke of Aster will be there as they are part of two powerful dukedoms. He assured his father that he will be alright but unable to convince his mother the empress. His mother saw through him. He is his mother's son after all.

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"Father! father!" Tatiana called his father Cezar. She was running down the stairs to the horror of the entire household.

"Be careful my child, you just recovered!" Cezar had to rush to meet his daughter in fear that an accident may happen.

"I heard that there is a founding celebration at the capital in a few days!" her daughter's green eyes glints with excitement.

"Yes, that's right child."

"Can we go?" she has been waiting for this opportunity to go to the capital. She just wants to see how it looks. This world is very beautiful that gives her all the reason to explore it.

"My child, I know you want to go but you just recovered and I don't want to you to be ill again. The capital is two hours by carriage I am not sure if you will be able to endure the trip." He looked torn and very apologetic. He wants to give his daughter everything she wants if he could but her health comes first.

"But father I am strong as a horse now. I haven't been sick for a month. I can endure the trip." Tatiana explained herself. Her nanny Mariana told her that the capital is full of the Lolanthe tree and it's in full bloom during the festival. It is a sight to behold. Lolanthe which the kingdom is named after is a flowering tree. The flower has 5 round light purple petals that blooms in clusters. If she is not mistaken, it could look like a cherry blossom but in purple though the shape of the petal is a bit different.

Cezar looked at his wife Alyana for help but she looked like she is conflicted too and would fall into their daughter's charm with a little bit more of convincing. Tatiana noticed it too so she took the opportunity and charmed her mother to getting her permission to travel. A permission was indeed granted.

"Thank you mother, thank you father! I promise I'll be good and take care of my health. I will come back unscathed." She knew her parents are worried about her so she had to re-assure them a couple of times more.

Finally, the day that Tatiana will go to the capital has come. The founding day is still three days away but the capital is already bustling with activities a week prior so she had to see. She was thankful that her parents kept their word and allowed her to travel along with Elna, the younger servant in the household to assist her. The family carriage will fetch her after the founding day to take her home. She bid her goodbyes to her worried parents and Mariana and hit the road.

The two hour journey was spent enjoying the view from the carriage. They passed by a long stretch of a beautiful meadow full of colorful flowers. A river with water so blue it felt like she is inside a fairy tale. Once they reached the capital, they went to get a room in an inn. If they were still a noble, surely she will be able to stay in one of those beautiful mansions. However, this is something that Tatiana doesn't have a care about. Since she loved to travel in her past life, she used to stay in cheap hotels to save money too. She liked convenience and a little bit of luxury from time to time but if she can't afford it she has to make do of what she has. Life is just like that. You cannot get everything you want but surely if you work hard enough you might just have a chance at it.

Once they were settled and have freshen up, they decided to explore the capital. She is wearing a simple dress. A soft pale pink dress with long sleeves paired with a warm scarf to protect her from the cold. Elna is under strict order to make sure that she doesn't get sick. The wind is still cold since it is early spring.

"Elna, is it also your first time in the capital?" Tatiana asked and was informed that Elna was able to witness the founding festival when she was younger. Her family lived close to the capital so they were able to come and witness it as well.

"Where do you want to go first my lady?" Elna asked and found her lady in complete awe of the place. She cannot blame the lady for she was confined in her home all her life due to her sickness. So now, she will do her best to show the lady the best in the capital to make this trip worthwhile.

"Let's go see Lolanthe lane."

Her lady's eyes is twinkling with excitement. A smile so gentle. Her lady is indeed very beautiful and kind.

"I will make sure you will enjoy this trip my lady!"

"Lolanthe lane, here we come!" the two of them shouted in unison and giggled as they make their way to the most coveted view of the entire kingdom.

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Another one for today!

Thank your for reading!

- violet