Weakness is a Sign of Strength

Princess Hena dressed up as a palace maid, exchanging her identity with her loyal servant, Arya, who was now dressed in an elegant white gown that had frills and laces on its edges to pretend as the crowned princess.

With the white veil covering up Arya's face, no one would actually realize that she wasn't the princess due to their similar physical stature. The grand prince's idea had to work if they wanted to save their own kingdom from its impending fall.

Hena was walking along the carriage, with both of her hands on her lap, and calmly looking at the carriage window where Arya was sitting. The procession of the funeral continued as they walked through the Mountains of Baal.

The mountain path is silver-gold amid the white light of the afternoon. The way it was hugging the curves of the land, rising to Hena's right made her feel melancholic.

Would she actually see the sun shining on the day again? Would she ever see the blue sky again? Her eyes were not dry, but they still had tears in them. It would never be the same again. But the time had come to face her fate and swallow the lump of sadness.

Once again, she proved to herself that she was just a weak human being.

But that did not mean that she won't acquire the strength she needed.

The former queen and king, the grand prince, and even Arya, whom she considered as her one and only best friend. Just thinking of them will make her feel the enormous strength she had gathered from everyone.

The forest was her light and air, the deep brown earth that elevates each step with its ever-giving soul. From the rich brown earthen hues of the forest ground to the sweetness of the blue-white sky, the forest was a three-dimensional wonderland for the eyes who are willing to absorb the light.

Hena will never forget this place.

This will never become the place where she dies. Instead, this will become the place where she becomes a new person.

As her stare fell on the grand prince's back, Hena had always seen her uncle's bravery. Back when she was young, her parents had always been strict at her as the princess, the future queen, and ruler of the kingdom.

Whenever she felt sad and discouraged, the grand prince had always been there to cheer her up. His strong and righteous mindset made her feel less burdened by her position.

And now, he was the only family member left for her. The only person she could trust.

The procession of the funeral continued as they walked through the Mountains of Baal.

There were a good number of palace guards, knights, and palace maids accompanying the procession. It was the only thing that the loyal subjects could do to the death of the ruler of the kingdom.

The group had already known that they will be attacked by a large number of people and they had to delay their attack as much as possible for the princess to flee.

Hena took a deep breath and felt the sudden change of air in the place. It was only a matter of time where the enemies would surround them and attack.

With just one last glance from the grand prince, Hena already knew that it was her cue to separate herself from the crowd. It was already the start of their plan.

Simple but tricky, all she had to do was pull it off.

As a response, she slightly nodded her head. The grand prince gave off a small smile before he continued to ride his horse like nothing. Hena gave Arya one last glance.

Her loyal servant had always looked pretty, but she was extraordinarily looked beautiful today. This image of her will last long in her memories, hoping that it wouldn't become her last day seeing her.

"Please live for me," Hena's desperate words made her voice quiver. She took a deep breath and separated herself from the crowd. "I will definitely come back and retrieve our kingdom."

Her footsteps at first were light and heavy, but later on, she started running towards the east. In a far distance where she never knew would land her.

Her feet were now leading her to a safer place than she was ever now.

The brave and courageous princess and future queen of the Nort had to flee to save the royal bloodline of her family. It was the only choice she had.

She promised to herself that she will come back and claim the kingdom back, with all of the sacrifices done not end up down to the drain.

This was already the new her.

A strong and brave heart. The royal, noble queen of the North had already transformed.

And as she could already hear the sound of the swords clashing from afar, Hena reminded herself of her last conversation with the Grand Prince back in the dining hall of the palace.

"Crown Princess Hena Montly, the future Queen of the Kingdom of the North," Hena reminisced the Grand Prince's last order towards her back when they were at the dining hall. "I, the Grand Prince, the older brother of the former Queen of the North Kingdom, and your loyal subjects will sacrifice our lives to protect you!" he announced with a loud voice as he bowed his head at a fifteen-degree angle. "You must continue to live for the sake of our kingdom!"

Everyone took a deep bow by crouching themselves on the floor saying, "Future queen of the Kingdom of the North, continue to live for the sake of our kingdom!"

And that alone made her feel all of her blood rushing through her veins, she knew she had to do her duty as one.

Weakness?

She had already accepted her fate and she was determined in making it a part of her greatest strength.

That alone made her feel mighty and powerful.