A Silent Prayer

The Emerald City awakes from it's deep slumber as soon as the sun rise up to the sky, and shine upon the busy streets. A magnificent view, especially from where the Duke stands as he bask in the sunlight from his chamber's window.

From night to sunrise, he was awake to tend to the people's needs, and it was days already that he had not seen the sweet smile of his lover and he was deprived of her presence that makes him feel whole.

The Duke was longing for the gardener more than ever. And, the servants are no fool not to notice the sudden changes to his moods.

The Gardener on the other hand was stricken by an illness that she had been enduring for days. She did not choose to tell the Duke, in fear that the Duke might become too distracted from his duties. From time to time it crosses her mind to go and visit him but for some reason, the guards and even some of the servants set their eyes heavily on her whenever she set foot inside the palace.

The Duke was well aware of all this unfolding before him. He feels them watching his every move, and he is sure that even the gardener notices it too hence why she is still nowhere to be found. He already knows who might be behind all this, the pressure of being watched, the undeniable bloodlust. It has been painfully clear to him who is trustworthy, and who is not. But without evidence it would be nothing more but a hunch , something that the nobles will not rely on because it is unreasonable.

In this place, where the hungry and greedy competes for power. One wrong move can cost you everything, and that is why the Duke is careful about his decisions. He took it upon himself to shoulder the heavy burden of the throne, to protect his exiled son, to protect his sweet daughter and to protect the gardener who, once more, breathed life into his very being.

Rumors were also started from nowhere about how he is having an affair with a palace peasant. It was sudden and it made it more difficult for him to go and see the woman he loves.

It might be a rumor for some but to him it is a definite truth, and he chose it to be his reality, in the name of love. But he does not want the woman he cherish to live in shame because of his selfishness. That is why it might be better to be apart from her this way, no matter how much he wants to see her, to be with her, to have her lips caressing against his, to have her arms around him and oh, how lovely is the sight of her as she wakes up, eyes shining beside him.

He would have given up even his life just to be with her for all eternity but reality does not work that way. Not for someone like him who has a duty to his people, and to his family.

And, every passing day was just as painful.

The palace was at a disarray that day.

And, it puzzled him even more how the people are much more interested in things such as gossip rather than the arising threat to their peaceful City.

Countries surrounding them are starting to go at each other's throats, for both power and domination.

The Duke fears for his people, and the threat of a war is just around the corner.

In the history of man, wars and famine are not at all a rare occasion. He knows how it is with greedy men and the rage of nature if it turned upon them.

And, as the one who is in charge of the City of Emerald, known for it's beauty and bounty. He can only do so much.

He knows he needs to strengthen his City's walls and protect his people but how?

Who was he to turn to for help?

The other Kingdoms he turned to has their hands full just by protecting themselves, and some have already fallen at the hands of their enemies.

He can only sigh, and look at the letter on his table. He did not want to even consider the choice he was about to make but being the ally of this particular Kingdom will not only make the City flourish but also strengthen it in military prowess.

But in exchange for all this was the hand of his only daughter. The daughter he treasured, and love so much. If the princess would ask for the world, the Duke with utmost certainty find a way to give it to her.

He remembered the day when he set his eyes upon her for the first time, promising her of a beautiful and free future where she can make her own choices, and choose whomever she would love and marry regardless of status.

He remembered it like yesterday and how he held her close to his heart, and how tiny and innocent she was that it made his heart melt whenever she smiles. The young and defenseless princess was adored by the Duke, and his late wife that he cherished so much. The more reason why, the choice that he was given was tearing him apart from the inside.

But what he is about to do, will break that same promise, and betray his own heart. Can he really do it? In exchange of his loved one was the safety of his people. Everything weighed heavily on him, and he was almost at his limit.

And, choosing between the princess, and the people of Emerald City, was truly a heavy burden.

"Your Majesty?", His head turn to his daughter's direction when he heard her sweet voice calling out to him.

He looked at her in terror. The Duke was thinking that she might know what is on his mind. He immediately snatched the letter from the table, and hid it behind him.

"Yes, my daughter? What can I do for you?", he smiled although it didn't reach his eyes.

The Princess eyes focused on what the Duke tried to hide. She smiled sadly to herself knowing what it was.

"I'm actually here to um... well... invite you to... breakfast. It's been a long time since we have spent time with each other and I... I miss you, Father.", she said trying her best to hide her true intentions.

The Duke smiled unaware, and embrace his daughter tightly.

"Of course, I would love to join you for breakfast.", And he loosen his arms and look at his daughter's eyes.

He suddenly felt guilt taking over him.

"Well, let us go, Your Majesty. I'm starving!", The princess cheekily said and the Duke can't help but admire how his daughter grew up to be such a lovely lady. She reminds him so much of her mother.

"Lead the way, Your Highness.", And he follows after her as she walk towards the door. The Duke put the letter inside his coat, and with a sad expression close the door behind him.

He have already made his choice.

But truth is, she have already known what it was even before the Duke received it... the letter. It was the night before the letter was to be handed to the Duke, she followed her Butler, whom she frequently spy on to play pranks on. And this night was another one of those times she would play a prank on him.

As he silently walk the direction towards the Duke's chambers, she was also silently following him. Curious as to why they were having a secret meeting in the middle of the night she suddenly forgets why was she even here following the person she has feelings for in the middle of the night.

That night, she overheard their conversation about the marriage proposal that came for her. It promised a good amount of wealth and also, the alliance between two Kingdoms. And the Princess was no fool to not know how much it meant for this particular Kingdom to form an alliance with their small City, which was in the middle of the troubling war that might involve them, sooner or later.

And she also knows how hard it is for her father to choose between her and the people who desperately need his protection. But it is also for that same reason she decided to visit him today.

To voice out her own opinion, and to finally make use of her status as the Princess; to save her people.

As she, and the Duke walk towards the dining hall, her eyes wander to the garden where the Butler was busy looking at flowers. She smile to herself, and fight back the emotions welling up inside her chest. She made a decision, and she will stand by it.

Even if it means abandoning the love she feels for someone she holds very precious inside her heart.

Even if it means... leaving him. The person who stood by her all this time.

And, inside her mind she quietly prays that maybe in another life, where she was free, she can choose love.

She can choose to be with him.