I look outside my window and heave a sigh. It''s been two days since I have arrived in the capital, and I haven''t even talked to his majesty.


    All I did was to do my piled works in the Foundation and to entertain people who donated money. I also help those people whoe to the Foundation for help. But aside from that, I haven''t done anything else.


    I look at the report I have made. "When can I show this to his majesty? I badly need to talk to him about Earnan Henness. I need to help the Vrawyth Kingdom before the war started. I need to make sure that the Vrawyth Kingdom will still survive. This is the only thing I can do for them. It''s my way of repayment for starting the war."


    I was startled when someone knocked on my door. The door opens, and the butler bows his head at me. "Miss, his highness, Prince Rufus is here for you. I already let him in, and he is waiting for you in the garden."


    Rufus? He''s here?


    I immediately stand up and rush to where Rufus is. Rufus smiles widely at me when he sees me. "Purny, wee back to the capital. I apologize if I only visited you today. I was busy with my duties. I hope you can forgive me."


    Rufus showed me a rose which he probably picked from our garden. I look at the rose and raise my eyebrow at him. "Really? You''re saying sorry using the rose from our garden? When did your standard be like this?"


    Rufusughs at my remarks. "You really didn''t change. How''s your stay in the western region? I haven''t even received a letter from you. That hurts me."


    I just roll my eyes at him and take the rose from his hand. This guy. How can he pick the rose I painstakingly take care of?


    "I was busy in the western region, okay? I don''t even have enough time to rest." I sigh. "You should see how severe the situation is in the western region. It''s beyond worst."


    Rufus sits beside me. "That''s understandable, though. His majesty tried to send people there, but no one stayed for too long. So, what can you expect from a ce like that?" I heard Rufus sigh. "What''s your next n then?"


    I look up at the sky. My next n?


    "I''m nning to talk to his majesty first. I want to know what he will do first before I can do my n. I just hope he would agree with my n. I badly want to help the western region."


    "That will still take time. As you know, his majesty is still busy dealing with the problem in the northern region. I don''t think you can see him this week. Why don''t you try talking to my cousin? I''m sure he can make time for you."


    I immediately grimaced when I heard Rufus'' suggestion. Talk to his highness, Prince Fraser? I would rather wait for an eternity for his majesty to clear his schedule rather than talk to Prince Fraser.


    "I don''t want to bother Prince Fraser. I know he is busy with his duty too. So, I''ll probably just wait for his majesty."


    Rufus looks straight into my eyes. He then smirks at me. "Tell me, Csille, are you avoiding my cousin again?"


    How can this guy see my intentions? Is he a psychic, or am I really that obvious?


    I frown and pretend to disagree with him. Iugh at his words. "What are you saying? Why would I even avoid Prince Fraser? I just don''t want to bother him. I heard from Father that his highness and his majesty are both busy with their duties."


    Rufus still looks at me suspiciously. As if he is trying to see through me. A moment after, I heard him sigh. "Are you sure? Then why didn''t you check on my cousin when you return to the capital from the northern region? You also left the day he returned to the capital. So, tell how can I believe that you''re not avoiding him?"


    I almost want to hurt Rufus for seeing right through me. Is that really obvious? That I am avoiding Prince Fraser?


    I sigh. "Rufus, what are you really doing here? Are you here to interrogate me? I''m tired, okay? I already have things to worry about."


    I feel a hand pats my head. I look at Rufus, and he just smiles at me. "Okay, okay. I won''t interrogate you anymore. I''m here to check on you. You leave the capital for half a month now. Of course, I will miss you."


    I smile at his words. I take a spoonful of pudding and put it in his mouth. Iughed at him when he almost choked with the pudding. He just red at me in return.


    I look at the clear sky and smile. It''s a sunny day, but the days in the Vrawyth Kingdom will soon turn dark.


    Darker than everyone known.


    ________________________________


    Days have passed, and I have received an invitation from the pce. His majesty already had time to meet me, and I was ted when I heard the good news.


    I can finally see his majesty. I can help the western region now.


    Father and Mother decided toe with me so they could help me talk to his majesty. Because they know, it can be difficult to convince his majesty to agree to Earnan Henness'' request without offending him.


    "Count, Countess, and Dame, please follow me. His majesty is waiting for you in the garden." The servant immediately leads us towards the garden.


    I took a deep breath before I followed her behind. This day will definitely be a rough one.


    A moment after, we arrived at the pce garden. The three of us immediately pay our respect to his majesty. However, I was startled to see another person sitting beside his majesty.


    My eyes widened in shock, and I took a step backward. His highness, Prince Fraser!


    What is he doing here? I thought he was busy? The reason why I wait patiently for his majesty to call me even if I can just talk to Prince Fraser is because I don''t want to see Prince Fraser.


    Father and Mother immediately pay their respect to Prince Fraser too. However, because of my shock, it took me some time before I could greet him.


    Mother tugs my hand. "My dear, don''t be rude and pay your respect to his highness."


    I immediately wake up from my trance and clumsily do a curtsy. "Dame Csille Lauretré is here to pay her respect to his highness, Prince Fraser."


    I heard the Kingughs. "Count Waltier, Contess Marcell and Dame Csille. I''m d you have arrived. We have been waiting for your arrival. Sit, sit, make yourselvesfortable."


    Father guides Mother and me to sit. Father sits in front of his majesty while Mother sits on his right side.


    I was about to sit on the chair beside Father when Prince Fraser stood up and pulled my chair for me.


    I politely smile at him and sit on the chair. "Thank you, your highness."


    Prince Fraser didn''t say anything. He just sits on his chair in front of me.


    Father, Mother, and the King got silent because of Prince Fraser''s sudden action. They just look at us with weird smiles on their faces. It seems like they are really happy with what is happening.


    I just pretended appreciating the flowers in the garden to avoid their meaningful stares. I take a nce at Prince Fraser, and I find him staring straight into my eyes.


    I immediately avoid his gaze. Why is he looking at me? Is there something wrong with my face?


    I heard the King chuckles. "Dame Csille, you''re looking as beautiful as ever. How''s your stay in the western region? I heard from the Count what you did in the western region. Thank you for the help."


    I smile politely at his majesty. "Your majesty, it''s my honor to help the Vrawyth people. I am more than happy to help them."


    The King smiles widely at me. "You really have grown into an amazingdy. I can now be assured that the future bride of Prince Fraser is someone who will do her responsibilities as the Queen of the Vrawyth Kingdom." His majesty sps his hand. "Isn''t this a great time to talk about their engagement? What do you think, Count and Countess?"


    I felt my hands trembles when I heard the engagement. I immediately looked for the report I had made and put it on the table.


    "Your majesty, I apologize, but I don''t think it is the right time to talk about that." I hand him the report I have made. "This is the report I have made. I have written everything you need to know about the current state in the western region. I also write a detailed n on how to improve the lives of the people there. I hope you can take a look at it and see if you can agree to my n."


    His majesty took the report and read it. It''s not that thick. It''s just a five pages report. I made sure to make it short and concise so it''ll be easier for him to know the important parts I want him to know.


    His Majesty takes his time reading the report while I take my time pouring tea to their teacups.


    "Your highness?" I gesture the teapot to him. I''m asking him if he wants some tea, but he didn''t reply to me. He just stared straight into my eyes. I don''t know why but I can see a tinge of disappointment in his eyes. Although I''m not sure if what I am seeing is true or not.


    Prince Fraser didn''t reply to my question. He just stared intently at me. As if waiting for me to say something to him.


    What does he want from me? Why does he keep looking at me? Did I do something wrong again?


    I sigh and just pour tea on my own teacup.


    Csille, just pretend you don''t see him. That he doesn''t exist.


    I busy myself drinking tea and looking around the garden. A moment after, his majesty puts down the report, and he looks at me.


    He looks like he is not in a good mood. Did I do something wrong that he didn''t like? Does he think I''m testing his authority by taking the responsibility on helping the western region? Does he feel insulted?


    A moment after, I heard him sigh. "Csille, thank you for helping the people in the western region. I do admit I have neglected them. However, I did try to save them before, but because they keep harassing the people, I send no one dares to return to the western region. I apologize. I know I was wrong, but I couldn''t do anything."


    The King look at the report in his hand. "The thing you have written in this report. I want you to do it. If you need funds, I can help you with it. Just give me the necessary documents."


    I sigh in relief. I thought I had offended him. "Your majesty, thank you for the offer. However, the Foundation I have built can cover all the costs. I know the monarch already spend too much money in the western region. I think it''s best to spend it on other things."


    The King looks at my Father, and heughs. The kind ofugh that is saying he''s proud of me. "Count, your daughter is really a great person. Now, I''m envious. Why didn''t I have a daughter like that, but it''s a good thing Dame Csille will soon be my daughter."


    I grimaced when I heard what the King said. Me? Being his daughter? Is he talking about me being his daughter-inw?


    I smile awkwardly. "Your majesty, I still have something important to tell you. However, I''m not sure if you''ll like to hear it."


    The King look at me. A smile is still stered on his face. "What is it you want to say? Don''t worry since ites from you. I know I''ll like it."


    I take a deep breath first before I say it. "Your majesty, while I was staying in the western region, I have met someone who is great at forging weapons. The weapons he made can even beparable to the ones being sold in the Stozeterra Kingdom, and he even sells them in a bargain prince. Remember the highest grade sword bought by my Father in the Stozeterra? He is selling the same quality weapon in just three thousand centimes."


    I heard the King and Prince Fraser gasp.


    "Where is this man? I need him to work for the monarch. If we have someone who can forge weapons for us, we can save a lot of money."


    I take a deep breath. "However, your majesty, he made a condition. He said he will only forge weapons for the monarch if he will work under my Foundation and not under the monarchy."


    The King and Prince Fraser got silent because of what I had said. They just stare at me.


    I clenched my fist and prepared myself. Am I going to die today for offending the royals?