Unexpected Compliments and Perceptive Princess

Naria's heart pounded as she entered the grand hall. It was filled with guards and high-ranking officials, all of whom were eyeing her with suspicion. The walls of the hall were adorned with gold, and the ceiling was so high that it seemed to stretch on forever. The grandeur of the hall only served to amplify Naria's feelings of unease.

She walked towards the altar where a man who looked like the king sat in his imposing chair. His short black hair and red eyes seemed to bore into Naria, and she felt as if she was being judged.

Who's this? He asked in a cold voice.

The whispers of the people in the hall only added to her discomfort.

"She looks like a commoner," the man frowned in disgust.

As he examined her, Naria could feel the weight of his scrutiny. She tried to stand tall and composed, but her back was drenched in sweat. Then Raiver walked in beside her, and Naria felt a flicker of relief.

"I will marry her tomorrow, so do your job and let the kingdom know now," Raiver said, his voice firm.

The man who looked like the king frowned in disgust once more before nodding. As the guards began to move, Naria felt a glimmer of hope. But the grandeur of the hall, the whispers of the people, and the man's disapproving gaze made her feel like she was walking on a tightrope.

"What is happening?" Naria glanced at the prince.

"I'm not sure," Raiver said when Naria asked if everything was all right. "But we'll find out soon enough."

As they walked out of the hall, Naria couldn't help but wonder what was in store for her. Despite the excitement that came with marrying the prince, she couldn't shake the feeling that something was off.

"Raiver!" A child's voice echoed from the hall, and Naria turned to see a girl with long, bouncy curls cascading down her back. The curls were so well-defined and shiny that they seemed to be glistening with their own light. The girl's sparkling golden eyes shone with excitement as she hurried towards Raiver, her dress with tight puffy sleeves sparkling in the light.

As soon as they left the grand hall, Raiver accepted her hug and lifted her up in the air, causing her to giggle with delight. Naria stood there, feeling a bit confused and unsure of what was happening.

Raiver noticed her confusion and kindly introduced the girl to her. "This is Reina, the princess who has no manners," he said with a smile, which made Reina pout playfully. Naria couldn't help but smile at the adorable interaction between the two.

As Naria watched the playful interaction between Raiver and Princess Reina, she couldn't help but feel a sense of surprise and disbelief. This was not the Prince she had heard so much about - the ruthless and evil ruler who was feared by many.

Instead, she was seeing a completely different side of him - one that was playful, kind, and caring towards the young Princess. The way he lifted her up in the air and made her laugh was heartwarming and endearing.

Naria's thoughts were racing as she tried to reconcile this new image of the Prince with the one she had heard so much about. Could it be that the rumors about him were untrue? Was he really capable of such kindness and tenderness?

As she watched Raiver and Reina play, Naria felt a sense of hope and optimism. Perhaps there was more to the Prince than what met the eye. Maybe he was not as evil as people made him out to be.

For the first time, Naria felt a glimmer of possibility - the possibility that this Prince, who was known for his cruelty, could be capable of change and redemption.

As Naria continued to observe Raiver and Princess Reina, she couldn't shake off the feeling of confusion that had been haunting her ever since she woke up in the castle. She still couldn't fully comprehend how she ended up there, or why she was being kept there.

The realization that Raiver was a prince had only added to her confusion. The fact that she was in a castle, surrounded by luxury and grandeur, was a stark contrast to her simple and humble life back in her village. It was hard for her to wrap her head around the fact that she was now living in such opulence.

Despite her confusion, Naria was grateful for the safety and comfort that the castle provided her. The long and peaceful sleep she had enjoyed had finally allowed her to feel at ease, and she knew that she was much safer here than she ever was back home.

Lost in her thoughts, Naria was startled when Raiver interrupted her musings. "I forgot to tell you," he said, "you look extremely beautiful today."

Naria blushed at the unexpected compliment, feeling a mix of shyness and gratitude. Not knowing what else to say, she simply lowered her head and started rubbing her dress with her hands, feeling a sense of comfort in the soft fabric.

As Naria stood there, feeling a bit shy and unsure of what to say in response to Raiver's compliment, Princess Reina suddenly jumped out of his arms and turned her attention to Naria.

"There's something about you..." the young princess said, her voice trailing off as she studied Naria with a curious gaze.

Despite her young age, Princess Reina looked surprisingly mature and intelligent, with a sharpness and perceptiveness that was beyond her years. Naria couldn't help but be impressed by the young girl's insight and intuition.

Naria felt a wave of curiosity wash over her as she wondered what it was about her that had caught the princess's attention. Was it her appearance, her demeanor, or something else entirely?

As she pondered this, Naria couldn't help but feel a sense of unease. She had always been a simple and unassuming person, and the thought of being scrutinized and analyzed by others made her feel vulnerable and exposed.

But despite her reservations, Naria couldn't help but be intrigued by the young princess's words. There was something in the way she spoke that made Naria feel that perhaps, just perhaps, there was more to her than she had ever realized.