“Rhia!”
Dimitri lunged toward Rihannan, enfolding her in his protective embrace, shielding her from an unidentified threat.
Rihannan and Dimitri glanced upward, their eyes alighting on the glimmering stones that surrounded them. Realization washed over them, hardening their expressions.
It was the Arc Stone—a rare mineral known for its radiant shine—a coveted possession among nations. When ignited, it emitted a brilliant light and comforting warmth, devoid of any unpleasant odor. Its usefulness had earned it the moniker “Lord of Light” among the masses.
However, the Arc Stone served a multitude of purposes beyond illumination—it possessed the uncanny ability to home in on targets when propelled through the air. Yet, its scarcity made it an elusive treasure, only accessible to the powerful and affluent. Rihannan and Dimitri were well aware of who held such influence in Chrichton.
Moments later, a dozen men materialized within the stone’s luminosity. A figure stepped forward, facing Rihannan and Dimitri.
Dimitri recognized him instantly.
“Danil.”
At Dimitri’s utterance, Danil Lyurik, the Duke and eldest son of the crown prince’s trusted advisor, advanced.
Dimitri’s gaze bore into him with intensity. Their relationship had always been fraught with tension. Dimitri harbored a quiet disdain for Danil’s unruly behavior and misconduct, while Danil pitied Dimitri, sympathizing with his powerless existence, far removed from the center of authority despite his royal lineage.
“Surprised? I had a feeling a rat would attempt to flee tonight,” Danil remarked, a smirk tugging at his lips.
Dimitri clenched his teeth, his voice barely a whisper. “You waited for us, didn’t you? To capture and deliver us to the crown prince?”
Danil’s smile widened. “Indeed. I knew you wouldn’t be able to resist. You should have concealed your affection for your cousin better. Well, she is quite beautiful. I can understand why.”
“Playing the crown prince’s lapdog, I see,” Dimitri growled.
“Tsk, tsk,” Danil wagged a finger playfully. “Be careful with your words. Loyalty is what I offer the crown prince, while all you’ve displayed are insults and… treason.”
Dimitri ground his teeth together.
“What are you waiting for?” Danil glanced over his shoulder. “Bind them.”
Soldiers hastened to obey his command. Dimitri briefly considered reaching for the sword at his side, but he quickly relinquished the notion. Rihannan’s situation would only worsen.
“Take me alone. Send Rihannan back to safety. The child is merely a victim, forced to accompany me! Do you think we lack guards at our residence? How could she have possibly escaped?” Dimitri pleaded desperately to Danil.
Danil’s gaze shifted toward Rihannan. He had encountered her before, within the palace. His initial impression had been that of a beautiful yet serene woman, ever present by the princess’s side. A stark contrast to the princess’s exuberant nature.
However, Danil soon realized that Rihannan possessed a depth he had not anticipated. She remained unfazed, devoid of surprise or tears. Instead of shedding futile weeping, she cast a calm gaze upon Dimitri, her lips forming a subtle, adorable pout before turning to face Danil.
For an instant, it felt as though the frigid winter sky unleashed its torrential downpour.
“Take me to the crown prince. I have something to share with him,” she declared, her gaze meeting Danil’s deep azure eyes.
Rihannan was to await an audience with the crown prince until the following morning. Meanwhile, Dimitri was escorted to prison, and Rihannan was confined within the mansion, subjected to heavy surveillance that restricted her every move. She possessed only a narrow window of opportunity before the promised meeting with the crown prince. Until then, she needed to reach the princess. Only she could offer assistance.
“But… I cannot see her at this moment…”
Not only was she confined, but there were also guards preventing her escape. Yet, a guard stationed nearby caught her attention—immobile and resolute. She approached him.
“Please convey this message to the princess… Rihannan wishes to meet with her.”
However, the guard remained unresponsive, devoid of any inclination to fulfill her request. Rihannan sighed despondently. As she pondered alternative approaches, an unexpected visitor burst into the scene.
“Lady Rihannan!”
It was the princess’s former nanny.
Rihannan greeted her with a smile. “Aunt, is the princess within the palace? Please, I implore your help…”
The old nanny’s smile twisted into a bitter expression as she shook her head in response to Rihannan’s earnest plea. “The princess has been placed under curfew. No one can enter or exit her residence. You won’t be able to see her today.”
For an ephemeral moment, a profound disappointment flickered across Rihannan’s countenance. If the king had issued such a decree, it would prove nigh impossible to meet the princess.
“Lady Rihannan,” the nanny grasped her hand, tears welling at the corners of her eyes. “I am ashamed to even utter these words, for I commit an unforgivable crime that can never be washed away… But… I beseech you, Lady Rihannan… would you please make a sacrifice for the sake of the princess, just this once?”
Rihannan stared at the nanny, rendered speechless. The princess had always shown her kindness and warmth. To witness this turn of events was disheartening.
“How could you…”
“You are aware of our princess’s immaturity. If she were to act, she would not endure. On the other hand, Lady Rihannan has lived in Arundell for half her life. And, above all else…”
“Is this Princess Helena’s position?” Rihannan interjected, her tone laced with frost.
The old nanny vehemently shook her head, dismissing Rihannan’s cold assumption.
“No… absolutely not. Please do not misunderstand. Princess Helena worries about you. If not for the king’s orders, you would be able to meet her. His Majesty possesses ultimate authority, and the princess, despite her title, has no power…”
Rihannan stepped back, withdrawing her hand from the nanny’s grasp. Helena was the king’s cherished daughter, and he would move mountains for her. Even her violent brother, the crown prince, displayed gentleness akin to a docile lamb in her presence. Helena was innocent, shielded from the struggles and hardships of life. The old nanny’s words held truth. Helena was fragile, unable to endure…
Rihannan raised her gaze momentarily toward the palace where the princess resided before redirecting her attention to the old nanny. “Inform her that I understand.”
With those words, she turned on her heel and departed.
The nanny’s cries echoed in the background.
After a long, arduous walk, Rihannan realized she was treading a familiar path—the garden she frequently traversed on her way home from the palace. It was in this very spot that she had unknowingly encountered the crown prince.
Exhausted, Rihannan sighed, gently massaging her temples.
“Gather yourself, Rihannan. This is not the time to…”
Her thoughts were interrupted by a shrill cry of birds. She turned around and discovered a snake assaulting a nest. The serpent coiled itself around the tree trunk, hissing as it ascended. Several birds had already fallen victim to its voracious appetite, their numbers dwindling. The remaining adult birds flapped their wings, fiercely pecking at the snake, but their efforts proved insufficient. The snake methodically devoured the remaining hatchlings…
“Ah…”
The desire to aid the birds flooded her mind, reminding her of a voice she had long since forgotten.
“Give up. It is the bird’s fate.”
It was the voice of a young boy, reclining in the garden. It felt as though it were just yesterday.
“Ah…”
Rihannan groaned. The moment she contemplated intervening on behalf of the birds, memories of that long-forgotten voice resurfaced.
“Look at her distended belly. She is a new mother. If the hunt fails, the bird will survive, but her offspring will perish.”
At the time, she had been at a disadvantage. The boy’s logic held merit, yet she could not bear to witness the avian tragedy unfold. There was naught she could do, yet the boy himself climbed the tree.
A melancholy shadow passed over Rihannan’s ice-blue eyes. Sometimes, she pondered… What if he had not scaled the tree for her? Could they have evaded the tragedy of their loveless marriage?
No, she was deceiving herself.
The Queen had favored her, selecting her as the sole candidate for her son, Igor. Their fates were entwined.
And in this life, it appeared to be no different. One could resist, yet ultimately, they would be consumed. That bird may have evaded the feline’s clutches, only to be ensnared by a serpent that materialized the following morning.
Such was the capricious nature of life.
Ephemeral, indeed.
She had striven to forge her own path, yet here she stood, back at square one. As long as the crown prince and the king persist in thrusting her forward as a candidate for the national marriage, instead of their cherished princess, she would return to Arundell and assume the life of a queen once more.
What a life…
“Rhia!”
Dimitri lunged toward Rihannan, enfolding her in his protective embrace, shielding her from an unidentified threat.
Rihannan and Dimitri glanced upward, their eyes alighting on the glimmering stones that surrounded them. Realization washed over them, hardening their expressions.
It was the Arc Stone—a rare mineral known for its radiant shine—a coveted possession among nations. When ignited, it emitted a brilliant light and comforting warmth, devoid of any unpleasant odor. Its usefulness had earned it the moniker “Lord of Light” among the masses.
However, the Arc Stone served a multitude of purposes beyond illumination—it possessed the uncanny ability to home in on targets when propelled through the air. Yet, its scarcity made it an elusive treasure, only accessible to the powerful and affluent. Rihannan and Dimitri were well aware of who held such influence in Chrichton.
Moments later, a dozen men materialized within the stone’s luminosity. A figure stepped forward, facing Rihannan and Dimitri.
Dimitri recognized him instantly.
“Danil.”
At Dimitri’s utterance, Danil Lyurik, the Duke and eldest son of the crown prince’s trusted advisor, advanced.
Dimitri’s gaze bore into him with intensity. Their relationship had always been fraught with tension. Dimitri harbored a quiet disdain for Danil’s unruly behavior and misconduct, while Danil pitied Dimitri, sympathizing with his powerless existence, far removed from the center of authority despite his royal lineage.
“Surprised? I had a feeling a rat would attempt to flee tonight,” Danil remarked, a smirk tugging at his lips.
Dimitri clenched his teeth, his voice barely a whisper. “You waited for us, didn’t you? To capture and deliver us to the crown prince?”
Danil’s smile widened. “Indeed. I knew you wouldn’t be able to resist. You should have concealed your affection for your cousin better. Well, she is quite beautiful. I can understand why.”
“Playing the crown prince’s lapdog, I see,” Dimitri growled.
“Tsk, tsk,” Danil wagged a finger playfully. “Be careful with your words. Loyalty is what I offer the crown prince, while all you’ve displayed are insults and… treason.”
Dimitri ground his teeth together.
“What are you waiting for?” Danil glanced over his shoulder. “Bind them.”
Soldiers hastened to obey his command. Dimitri briefly considered reaching for the sword at his side, but he quickly relinquished the notion. Rihannan’s situation would only worsen.
“Take me alone. Send Rihannan back to safety. The child is merely a victim, forced to accompany me! Do you think we lack guards at our residence? How could she have possibly escaped?” Dimitri pleaded desperately to Danil.
Danil’s gaze shifted toward Rihannan. He had encountered her before, within the palace. His initial impression had been that of a beautiful yet serene woman, ever present by the princess’s side. A stark contrast to the princess’s exuberant nature.
However, Danil soon realized that Rihannan possessed a depth he had not anticipated. She remained unfazed, devoid of surprise or tears. Instead of shedding futile weeping, she cast a calm gaze upon Dimitri, her lips forming a subtle, adorable pout before turning to face Danil.
For an instant, it felt as though the frigid winter sky unleashed its torrential downpour.
“Take me to the crown prince. I have something to share with him,” she declared, her gaze meeting Danil’s deep azure eyes.
Rihannan was to await an audience with the crown prince until the following morning. Meanwhile, Dimitri was escorted to prison, and Rihannan was confined within the mansion, subjected to heavy surveillance that restricted her every move. She possessed only a narrow window of opportunity before the promised meeting with the crown prince. Until then, she needed to reach the princess. Only she could offer assistance.
“But… I cannot see her at this moment…”
Not only was she confined, but there were also guards preventing her escape. Yet, a guard stationed nearby caught her attention—immobile and resolute. She approached him.
“Please convey this message to the princess… Rihannan wishes to meet with her.”
However, the guard remained unresponsive, devoid of any inclination to fulfill her request. Rihannan sighed despondently. As she pondered alternative approaches, an unexpected visitor burst into the scene.
“Lady Rihannan!”
It was the princess’s former nanny.
Rihannan greeted her with a smile. “Aunt, is the princess within the palace? Please, I implore your help…”
The old nanny’s smile twisted into a bitter expression as she shook her head in response to Rihannan’s earnest plea. “The princess has been placed under curfew. No one can enter or exit her residence. You won’t be able to see her today.”
For an ephemeral moment, a profound disappointment flickered across Rihannan’s countenance. If the king had issued such a decree, it would prove nigh impossible to meet the princess.
“Lady Rihannan,” the nanny grasped her hand, tears welling at the corners of her eyes. “I am ashamed to even utter these words, for I commit an unforgivable crime that can never be washed away… But… I beseech you, Lady Rihannan… would you please make a sacrifice for the sake of the princess, just this once?”
Rihannan stared at the nanny, rendered speechless. The princess had always shown her kindness and warmth. To witness this turn of events was disheartening.
“How could you…”
“You are aware of our princess’s immaturity. If she were to act, she would not endure. On the other hand, Lady Rihannan has lived in Arundell for half her life. And, above all else…”
“Is this Princess Helena’s position?” Rihannan interjected, her tone laced with frost.
The old nanny vehemently shook her head, dismissing Rihannan’s cold assumption.
“No… absolutely not. Please do not misunderstand. Princess Helena worries about you. If not for the king’s orders, you would be able to meet her. His Majesty possesses ultimate authority, and the princess, despite her title, has no power…”
Rihannan stepped back, withdrawing her hand from the nanny’s grasp. Helena was the king’s cherished daughter, and he would move mountains for her. Even her violent brother, the crown prince, displayed gentleness akin to a docile lamb in her presence. Helena was innocent, shielded from the struggles and hardships of life. The old nanny’s words held truth. Helena was fragile, unable to endure…
Rihannan raised her gaze momentarily toward the palace where the princess resided before redirecting her attention to the old nanny. “Inform her that I understand.”
With those words, she turned on her heel and departed.
The nanny’s cries echoed in the background.
After a long, arduous walk, Rihannan realized she was treading a familiar path—the garden she frequently traversed on her way home from the palace. It was in this very spot that she had unknowingly encountered the crown prince.
Exhausted, Rihannan sighed, gently massaging her temples.
“Gather yourself, Rihannan. This is not the time to…”
Her thoughts were interrupted by a shrill cry of birds. She turned around and discovered a snake assaulting a nest. The serpent coiled itself around the tree trunk, hissing as it ascended. Several birds had already fallen victim to its voracious appetite, their numbers dwindling. The remaining adult birds flapped their wings, fiercely pecking at the snake, but their efforts proved insufficient. The snake methodically devoured the remaining hatchlings…
“Ah…”
The desire to aid the birds flooded her mind, reminding her of a voice she had long since forgotten.
“Give up. It is the bird’s fate.”
It was the voice of a young boy, reclining in the garden. It felt as though it were just yesterday.
“Ah…”
Rihannan groaned. The moment she contemplated intervening on behalf of the birds, memories of that long-forgotten voice resurfaced.
“Look at her distended belly. She is a new mother. If the hunt fails, the bird will survive, but her offspring will perish.”
At the time, she had been at a disadvantage. The boy’s logic held merit, yet she could not bear to witness the avian tragedy unfold. There was naught she could do, yet the boy himself climbed the tree.
A melancholy shadow passed over Rihannan’s ice-blue eyes. Sometimes, she pondered… What if he had not scaled the tree for her? Could they have evaded the tragedy of their loveless marriage?
No, she was deceiving herself.
The Queen had favored her, selecting her as the sole candidate for her son, Igor. Their fates were entwined.
And in this life, it appeared to be no different. One could resist, yet ultimately, they would be consumed. That bird may have evaded the feline’s clutches, only to be ensnared by a serpent that materialized the following morning.
Such was the capricious nature of life.
Ephemeral, indeed.
She had striven to forge her own path, yet here she stood, back at square one. As long as the crown prince and the king persist in thrusting her forward as a candidate for the national marriage, instead of their cherished princess, she would return to Arundell and assume the life of a queen once more.
What a life…
