Under the Moonlight

It was rare for the King to arrange a ball. He was, after all, slightly paranoid when it comes to safety. Since the ball was arranged hastily, only a day after the arrival of the Vanadian Princess, only nearby nobles were able to attend. Nevertheless, the hall was packed with guests.

Baron Braun was bored. It has been an hour but that brat Timothy still hasn't arrived yet. The nobles were busy chatting with each other. This was a rare and good opportunity for a person of value to increase his or her network of friends. But Braun was not in the mood to chat. The brat Timothy was late and the event can't begin without him.

Braun looked around. He saw many familiar faces, faces of people with power. It was the same scene every time these people gather. Everyone wore a fake smile and tried to be friendly to everyone. These people… Braun thought. They're so fake.

He was like them in the past. But now that he was already old, he already gave up on his ambitions. He doesn't have a son or a daughter so his family's noble status will end with him. This meant that increasing his family's status would be meaningless anyway. And his land? Well that piece of land was barren anyway. He will just leave that land to one of his distant relatives. His only concern nowadays was Castonia. Braun was a very patriotic man. He loved his Kingdom and wanted it to grow. He'll do anything for Castonia. But what was the meaning of Castonia anyway? Was it the land? the people? Or the idea? He was too old to think much about it. Leave that question to the philosophers. He just wanted to offer his services to Castonia.

Braun considers himself a very capable person. He was just a Baron with a barren land, but he managed to become the right hand of the King. The King had new laws? Braun will announce it and prepare the required documents. The King wanted a ball? Braun was the man for the job. But that brat Timothy was still late.

Well speak of the devil, Braun thought. Timothy just arrived. Braun stood up to reprimand the lad. The event was delayed because of him. The guests may not mind, but Braun does. Before Braun could approach Timothy, his assistant suddenly went to him and whispered something into his ears. Upon hearing those words, Braun's eyes widened, his face contorted.

" Are you sure?" Braun tried to remain calm but his voice was shaky.

His assistant nodded.

" Let me verify it first." Braun went outside the hall.

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The King suddenly stood up to announce the start of the ball. Everyone stopped talking and listened to the King.

" You already know the purpose of this celebration." The King started. His voice was as cold as ever. "My son is getting married to Lucia Vanadis. I don't need to explain how this union benefits our two Kingdoms. So to formally begin this ball, let my son say a few words"

Timothy then went to the stage and faced the guests. His posture was dignified, his voice loud and clear.

" The legend tells us of the warrior and the merchant. Well I'm not a warrior, and Princess Lucia is certainly not a merchant." Timothy smiled playfully. Some nobles laughed " I just hope that this union will strengthen the bond between Castonia and Vanadis. I hope that this partnership will last in perpetuity. Long live Castonia and long live Vanadis. Let the ball begin" With these words, Timothy started the ball. Musicians played their music and food was served. Some pairs of nobles danced at the middle of the hall.

Timothy then looked at Lucia. Noble ladies flocked to her side. She's beautiful, he thought. Her red dress fully complemented her complexion. Her necklace gave her a cute but mature vibe. He wanted to talk to her but some nobles got to him first. This was their chance to be friends with the third prince.

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Freya looked at Timothy. He was as handsome as ever. His blue coat was adorned with intricate designs. The rose on his coat's pocket made him look like a gentleman, humble and caring. His hair was combed backwards, which gave him a slick appearance. He had really prepared his appearance for the Princess, Freya thought. She was jealous. What made her more jealous was the fact that Timothy glances at the Princess from time to time.

She looked at Lucia. She was not that pretty. Well, she was probably a little biased. Lucia, after all, was the betrothed of the person she loves. She was really hurt by Timothy's rejection yesterday. It hurts so much that she couldn't sleep last night. So that was how it felt to have a broken heart. It was so painful. Timothy's current actions made it worse. It seems he was starting to like Lucia. How could that be? They've been friends for a decade and he felt nothing towards her. He met Lucia yesterday and now he was like this? She examined Lucia one more time. It seems they had something important to talk about.

She went to her. It took her a while before she finally caught Lucia attention. Noble ladies were in the way. After finally facing Lucia, Freya opened her mouth. She had thousands of things she wanted to say to her. She wanted her to know that she and Timothy were close friends, that they've known each other for a long time. She wanted to warn Lucia. She wanted Lucia to recognize her as rival.

" Ah.. I'm Freya. I'm.. I'm Timothy's friend." She stuttered. "Nice to meet you"

Freya was surprised. Why can't she say mean things to her? What did she say? Nice to meet you? As if! Why did she say that? She should be cursing her right now. She should be mean, so mean that Lucia would have no choice but to go back to Vanadis. She should be telling her to stay away. Why can't she say these things to her?

" Nice to meet you too Freya. I am Lucia Vanadis" She smiled. It was neither fake nor forced. It was a genuine friendly smile "I hope we could get along"

Freya wanted to inform Lucia of her feelings towards Tim. But seeing how nice Lucia was, she changed her mind. In the end, she was not that kind of person. Yes she loves Tim and wants to be with him. And yes, Lucia was in the way. But she can't find it in herself to hate somebody just because she lost.

" I hope you protect Tim, Lucia." She said sadly. "He's a good person" Freya forced a smile and left

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Lucia noticed the change in Freya's expression before she left. She must be Prince Timothy's lover, she thought. Lucia can't explain it but Timothy having a lover somehow pricked her heart. She went outside. Crowded places suffocate her.

She found herself standing on the garden. The moon was beautiful that night. After a while, she heard footsteps. She turned around and saw Prince Timothy. The prince's attire was shining under the moonlight, highlighting his handsome appearance.

" Prince Timothy" Lucia forced a smile. Her encounter with Freya still troubled her. Freya was nice to her, but she still felt sad that her future husband likes somebody else.

" Howdy" Prince Timothy greeted as he approached " It means hello" he clarified

" I know" said Lucia.

" You knew?" raised a brow "We'll you're the first"

Lucia just smiled.

" You're sad" Timothy seemed to notice. Lucia nodded slowly.

He approached her and asked, " May I ask why?"

Lucia was silent for a long time. She hesitated. Her reason for being sad was too petty. It was normal for the Prince to have a lover, why does it bother her? But she revealed the reason anyway.

" Your lover talked to me." She stopped and thought if she should continue but decided to "It wasn't really a long talk but I could sense that she really loves you"

Timothy did not immediately reply. He seems to be confused.

"Are you.." He paused and pondered "referring to Freya? She's not my lover. Freya is just my friend. I am not oblivious to her feelings, but I have no feelings for her"

Lucia's eyes went wide. She was happy but doesn't know why. She's so childish, she thought

" Okay" Lucia smiled thinly

" You seem happy now" Timothy teased her

" Well at least I'm not sad anymore Prince Timothy"

"Timothy"

"What?" Lucia was confused

" Drop the prince. Call me Timothy or Tim"

She couldn't help but smile after hearing this.

" Then Tim it is. In that case, call me Lucia" she offered

" Okay Lucia" said Timothy "By the way, what did you and Freya talked about?"

" Oh nothing much." She recalled their conversation "She said that I should protect you and that you're a good person."

" And am I? A good person."

Lucia just met him yesterday and he seems kind. But she was too embarrassed to say it outright. So she jested, " Well someone who talks awkwardly to girls can't be a bad person right?"

" Hahaha. You're basis for kindness seems to be a little off." Timothy laughed. But then he was silent for a while as if thinking of something.

" And will you?" he smiled and asked" Will you protect me?"

Lucia thought of her answer for a while. Of course she will protect him. She will be his wife. A husband and a wife protect each other.

"Of course. I'm your future wife so I must protect you" she answered. But thinking of their future made her a little shy.

Timothy turned to look at the moon.

" You know standing side by side in the garden under the moonlight, we look like lovers" Timothy teased. He grinned at her.

Upon hearing this, Lucia blushed. This guy, Lucia thought. He was teasing her already. He was not being fair. She must get back at him.

" Oh really?" Lucia grinned back "Well Prince Timothy Castonia, we are not lovers. Not yet anyway" She emphasized the last few words.

Timothy's eyes went wide. He blushed. Lucia couldn't help but laugh and feel proud of her accomplishment.

" Oh stop teasing me" Timothy complained

" You did it first!"

The two of them laughed.

After a while, Timothy asked. " May I court you? Our betrothal was purely political, but it doesn't really have to be. " He looked at her in the eye. Those eyes. Lucia blushed again. She got lost in his eyes. Lucia was somehow expecting this question. No, she was hoping for this question.

" Of course" Lucia smiled.

The two continued to talk under the moonlight. It was a beautiful night for Lucia.

But that same night, Braun confirmed the news. The Tulosans have invaded the western region.