Pure

All your life, you know that you've always been second best. The second prince, always inferior to your better, stronger, smarter older brother.

General. That's what they call you. They look at you with respect shining in their eyes, because that's what you are, who you are. The general of a 12000 man army. The one who's won many battles due to his sharp and calculated mind. Yet when your better, older brother walks past, he is to become the next emperor some say, those admiring gazes would turn away from you and move towards him instead. You would feel like there's a lump stuck at the back of your throat and you would walk away. Invisible once more. Second best yet again.

Then she appeared in your life. You first saw her in the palace gardens and you swore that you have seen a goddess on that day. She was stood by the pond with a white rose held between her hands. A soft smile adorned her face. She was humming softly to herself and the birds seemed to sing along with her. You take a step forward and the leaves crunched beneath your feet. The girl was startled and you apologised profusely, bowing your head low, seemingly having forgotten that a prince can go wherever he wanted in his palace. She covered her face with the ornately decorated fan she had hidden in her sleeves as her face flushed red in embarassment.

From that past little encounter, you realise that your world has become so much brighter. You have something to look forward to every single day.

You don't know when it happened but sometimes you would look at her and think 'she would make a fine wife'. She most definitely would indeed.

You know this as you have seen the tender look on her face whenever one your younger cousins would drag her along the dull hallways asking her to play with them. You have tasted her excellent cooking and you can't help but marvel at how kind she is. She always refused the help of the palace servants whenever she would cook, telling them to rest and that she can manage on her own.

'Yes she would make a fine wife for a general, indeed.' You would think.

...

You have seen how she would glide towards your brother's study. How she would gently rub his aching shoulders, her voice soft as she tells him to rest more. You have seen the way she would help your brother with his armour whenever he leaves for long lasting trips and battles and you couldn't help but marvel at how perfect her hands seemed to be entwined with your brother's own.

And now, standing amongst the crowd you gaze upon her once more. Her hair tied up in an elegant bun dressed in the finest robes, kneeling before the high priest beside your brother. It seems that you are still second best. You smile mirthfully to yourself and pretend that your eyes aren't glistening with unshed tears.

Yes she would make a fine wife for a general, indeed...

But she would make an even better wife for the emperor, standing beside him as a ruler.

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END
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Hope you enjoyed it :)
This was just a random thought I had and I hope it actually makes sense.