Crowned Prince | hendery

35: The Calm Before a Storm

TW: This chapter includes the following themes: 

war

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The morning arrived. Taeha stood by the entrance of the cave watching the sunrise in the distance. She leans against the wall of the cave behind the guards sitting at the entrance. She doesn't like to admit it, but she was waiting for his arrival, just as they told Illia and her to wait for him by sunrise.

Taeha looks down at her hands– unwashed since yesterday.

Staring at the sunrise awaiting the prince who might never return because he decided that his plan of action to sacrifice himself made her realize one thing– neither romantic nor sad– simply a realization. However, a realization nonetheless.

She has never felt the distinct feeling of loneliness until this very moment.

The meeting last night, rather than re-strategizing, was more of an update on all that Hendery had planned to win this war. All that ran through her mind last night was, 'How many books on war has he read and analyzed in his lifetime to be so knowledgeable about war?' Or the fact that the crowned prince's responsibilities have always been tied with managing goods and subsequently their military goods.

It was a complicated thought nonetheless, but it was always well thought out. One that would result in the least amount of injuries and deaths.

"His strategy was to get as close to the capital as possible." This was what the count retold her last night. "Once we were here in this exact spot, he had set up a fake base– that one just raided and had planned to set up the real base here."

"And what does he plan after getting captured?"

"False victory."

At first, she thought it was absurd. There was no way that they would let him live once they got their hands on him. He was no prince of the land, to the kingdom of Farox, the prince was nothing more than an outsider in this story– in their war.

"Does this not mean he would be an easier target to kill?"

"I had the same complaints, your highness." The count nods his head. "But there is a factor that he pointed out. The moment the kingdom of Farox decides to continue with his death would mean that not only would one kingdom wage war against him, but two kingdoms."

For a moment, the princess couldn't seem to understand what they were talking about and her face– although they were all dimly lit– was showing them exactly what she was thinking at that very moment.

"You are his wife." The general of command, Mr. Isaac, pointed out. "The kingdom of Farox would simply not deal with the full force anger of the kingdom of Hwei, but the military powerhouse of Sui as well."

The moment realization hit her she shakes her head.

"Farox– that kingdom–" all of a sudden she could not find the right words to express what she wanted to tell the group of men. "My father–" she shakes her head.

"I had spoken to the prince privately on the matter of the relationship of Sui and Farox." Illia interrupts her, making the princess's head snap towards him.

Of course, Illia knew about it.

"At this point is he not laying his life bare at the hands of the kingdom of Farox?"

The group of men goes silent.

"Your prince is willing to risk his life, what is it that he had planned to follow?"

The six other men lean in closer. "At the moment of speaking, there are several soldiers and armies on the other side of Maha'ali's capital." Mr. Isaac points to the nearly perfect square capital of Maha'ali pointing to the other side from where they were on the map laid out in front of him– just as she saw before they all left for the reclamation of Maha'ali. "The goal is several attacks in succession. Where we shall be the last one to land a strike. The first attack would happen in the northeast of the town, where they would be faced with the second largest number of soldiers. The second would come from the southwest, then the northwest before we finally make the final attack in the southeast."

"It is possible that by the morning they would be transporting the prince back to Farox."

Maybe that was the reason why Hendery had told them to wait until sunrise before searching for him. In her lifetime, it had been quite rare for her to watch the sunrise, but as the image of Hendery plays in her mind and his shaking hands she could not sleep well that night.

He had all these planned out, but he was scared.

"Greetings, Your Highness." The count walked up to her.

Taeha nods her head.

"Sunrises remind me of Guanxi." The count sighs.

"What a surprise to bring up your wife all of a sudden?"

Illia nods his head. "The amount of married men leaving their homes in this cave cannot be counted by my hand. If we were to count, I am one of the many. It is not strange to appreciate all you had during peace."

"Then love must be fruitful in the count's mansion." Taeha latches onto her arms as she watches the sun enter through the cave's entrance.

"When I first heard about the marriage with her, I resented the Hwei's royal family the most." Illia chuckles. "I had just been kicked out of Sui–" quite a bitter memory for the two of them– "Guanxi had yet to come to terms with their frowned upon romance."

She could clearly remember how it still hurt Hendery when they were in their early stages.

"We both did not want the marriage but for the peace of it all, we both had agreed to it."

Taeha stands there quietly for the first time hearing how it all went on their side of the story.

"We both agreed that we would not have children– there were no expectations for an heir. I did not mind not having children– especially not a son– I did not need another reason for my wretched father to speak to me again. Especially how frustrating it is for my family to haunt me."

"The countess spoke of loving to be a mother– it is quite hard to believe that she did not want children."

Illia nods his head. "I also knew she wanted children, but the moment we spoke about it with each other it was beyond both of us to raise children of our own."

"What has changed over time?"

Illia looks at the princess with a smile. "I used to dream of an abundant family, but as reality struck me clear and straight in the head my desire grew meek. There was no need for me to create another heir for a family that hungers for power." He pauses. "Until I found myself in the comfort of her presence. All of a sudden we were no longer strangers, but acquaintances than friends, and before I knew it the image of children with her no longer felt all too foreign to me."

"You appear happy, count."

"Happy with my wife, I am. About this situation..." he sighs and looks out the window.

The scenery is all too calm for a kingdom at war.

"I shall wish that my marriage with his highness be the if he returns."

"Do not lose faith, your highness. He shall be back."

Taeha nods her head. She was the last person who should lose faith in Hendery, but she could no longer stomach the growing worry she was feeling that he may never return. She does not wish to be a widow– nor does she wish to be running what he left of a kingdom.

If love were simply enough to keep him alive, she would give all she has to offer him.