Comeback (1)

"Your Highness!" The servants of the palace bowed down and greeted the Prince.

The Prince replied with a calm smile and proceeded to walk. Alongside him is his father, King Conrad, talking with his adviser.

"Your Highness, if I may just suggest something," The king nodded assuring him to proceed. "Go ahead." He replied.

The adviser smiled and continued. "Prince Lance isn't young anymore, and the kingdom needs an heir for the next generations to come. If not now, when is the time to train the next king?" The King gave a thought about the idea.

"I will tell my son about it. But I will not pressure him, it may be too soon for him." The King's tone was warm and the adviser didn't like that.

"Your Highness, the other kingdoms may be plotting something behind our backs without us knowing. Don't you think it's time to let the Prince marry someone from other Kingdom?" His adviser was desperate in convincing the King. Of course he would be. He didn't want to loose his position and would do anything just to keep his power to himself.

"Alzian's Princess, Princess Tatiana would be a match for him. As we know, their army rivals ours, if we get in good terms with them, not to mention marrying the princess, would be beneficial to us---the kingdom I mean." The king sighed in defeat. Everything makes sense.

"Call the council. Arrange a meeting for this." The adviser bowed and hurriedly left. The king took a glance of the back of his son before turning his heel and walked on the opposite direction.

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"Young Lady, the preparations are ready." The butler bowed and waited for his mistress' reply.

"It seems to be a good day today, don't you think Clementus?" Ariya stared at the beautiful rose garden before her. As she tried to pluck one, her finger was prick by a thorn. The butler immediately ran to Ariya only to be greeted by a sweet contemptuous smile "Be still I'm not a child anymore, it's not like I could die from a single thorn right?" He knew that this young lady has changed. But to what extent--he didn't know. The butler was freed from his thoughts when he heard his Miss footsteps walking towards the outdoor garden cast aluminum table and chair where her Ceylon tea is served.

"Make sure everything is clean. I don't want that perfect day to be messed up, got it?"

The butler once again bowed down and gave a reassuring look.

"Of course Young Miss, that day will serve as their warning for what happened before."

Silence filled the garden as she took another sip of her tea. She deeply sighed and looked at her pricked finger.

"I have lose another of my precious blood. I just never learn," The saddened expression etched on her face is the reflection of how life has been to her for the past seven years of cultivating herself to become stronger. The breeze kissed her skin and blew her beautiful jet black hair.

"We'll be meeting soon."