Cherry Tree

-Chapter 5-

~Ariol~

A week had passed since the announcement of my father, King Leopold's engagement to Queen Isadora of Esteria, and the grand day had finally arrived. The palace was adorned with flowers and banners, and the air was thick with anticipation as guests from near and far gathered to witness the union of two powerful kingdoms.

I stood at the back of the grand hall, my eyes fixed on my father as he exchanged vows with his new bride. Queen Isadora looked resplendent in her gown of silver and sapphire, her eyes alight with triumph as she gazed upon her new kingdom.

As the ceremony drew to a close and the newlyweds shared their first kiss, I felt a surge of conflicting emotions wash over me. I couldn't deny the pang of hurt that gnawed at my heart, nor the resentment that simmered beneath the surface.

But amidst the swirling chaos of my thoughts, there was one thing that remained constant: my love for my father. Despite our differences and disagreements, I knew that I would always stand by my fathers side, no matter what.

As the festivities continued into the night, I found myself growing increasingly restless. The joyful laughter and merry music grated on my nerves, and I longed for nothing more than to escape the suffocating confines of the palace walls.

Finally, unable to bear it any longer, I slipped away from the revelry and made my way to the cherry tree that stood at the edge of the palace grounds. It was my sanctuary, my refuge from the pressures of royal life.

As I sank down onto the soft grass beneath the tree, I felt the weight of my emotions pressing down on me like a leaden cloak. Tears pricked at the corners of my eyes as I struggled to make sense of the turmoil that raged within me.

"Why, father?" I whispered into the night, my voice choked with emotion. "Why did you do this to us?"

But there was no answer, only the rustle of leaves in the gentle breeze and the distant sound of laughter drifting on the wind.

In that moment, I felt utterly alone, adrift in a sea of uncertainty and doubt. But as I gazed up at the twinkling stars above, I knew that I would find solace in the quiet solitude of my beloved cherry tree, where I could seek refuge from the storm raging within my heart.

And so, with a heavy sigh, I closed my eyes and let the gentle embrace of the night wash over me, knowing that no matter what the future held, I would always have this place to call my own.