chapter15
The Prince's Arrival
A carriage rattled along the dusty road, wheels kicking up clouds of earth into the air.
Soldiers immediately snapped to attention, eyes widening in surprise.
John squinted at the approaching figure, studying him carefully.
White hair shimmered under the sunlight. Sharp red eyes scanned the camp with calm authority. A faint, confident smile rested on his lips—calculated, effortless, as if he already understood the effect he had on others.
Prince: "Where is the Princess?"
Marco quickly stepped forward and bowed slightly.
Marco: "Your Highness, we weren't expecting such a sudden visit. It is truly an honor."
The Prince's smile deepened—polite, yet commanding.
Prince: "Thank you, Marco. Now… where is she?"
Marco: "Inside the tent, Your Highness. I'll guide you."
The Prince nodded and followed without hesitation, his gaze briefly sweeping across the soldiers as he passed.
---
Inside the Tent
The Princess sat at her desk, focused on her work. Guinevere stood nearby, reviewing preparations.
Guinevere: "Everything is ready. We can leave whenever you wish."
Princess: "Good. Then we shall—"
A sharp knock interrupted her.
Marco (outside): "Your Highness… the Prince of Stonehaven has arrived."
Guinevere stiffened.
Guinevere: "What?!"
The Princess closed her eyes briefly and exhaled.
Of course… right now?
She straightened her posture, forcing calm over her expression.
Princess (firmly): "Come in."
---
The Meeting
The tent flap opened.
The Prince stepped inside.
He paused just within the entrance, smiling warmly.
Prince: "Good morning, Princess of Peace. I trust you are well?"
The Princess pressed her lips into a thin line.
Princess (thinking): He knows exactly what he's doing.
Princess: "Yes. I am well."
The Prince chuckled softly and stepped further inside.
Prince: "Perfect timing. I couldn't resist seeing you before your journey begins."
Guinevere noticed the tension but remained silent.
The Prince's gaze shifted between Guinevere and the Princess.
Prince: "Princess."
Princess: "Prince."
Silence followed.
They stood facing each other, measuring one another without words. The air between them grew heavy.
Marco and Guinevere exchanged a glance, then quietly exited the tent.
---
Inside the Silence
Now alone, the atmosphere changed completely.
Controlled. Pressurized.
The Prince's smile softened into something sharper.
Prince: "I hope I'm not interrupting anything important."
Princess (calmly): "You are."
A faint smirk formed on his lips.
Prince: "Good. Then my timing is perfect. I wouldn't want you too comfortable."
The Princess clenched her hands slightly.
Princess (thinking): He's trying to unbalance me.
Princess: "It won't work."
The Prince tilted his head.
Prince: "Impressive. I expected less from Lumivale's Princess."
Her eyes narrowed.
Princess: "Then you misjudged me."
He stepped closer.
Prince: "Is that confidence real… or just reputation?"
Princess: "Enough games. State your purpose."
The Prince exhaled lightly.
Prince: "My father sent me. I wouldn't have come otherwise."
The Princess observed him carefully.
Princess (thinking): Arrogance… but also reluctance.
Prince: "Your kingdom struggles. Soon, Stonehaven will provide what yours cannot. Surely you understand your position."
Princess (coldly): "I am not a bargaining piece."
Prince: "Strength without resources is meaningless."
Her tone sharpened.
Princess: "And blind arrogance is worse."
A brief silence.
Then the Prince's voice dropped slightly.
Prince: "If you dislike it so much… why not refuse the marriage?"
The words lingered in the air.
---
Outside the Tent
The Prince eventually stepped out, walking past Marco and Guinevere without a word.
Guinevere watched him leave, eyes narrowed.
Only after he disappeared did she enter the tent.
Inside, the Princess stood still—composed, but clearly thinking deeply.
Guinevere: "That didn't look pleasant."
The Princess exhaled slowly.
Princess: "Something… unusual happened."
Guinevere: "What did he say?"
A pause.
Princess: "He asked why I don't refuse the marriage."
Guinevere frowned slightly.
Princess: "And I realized something…"
She looked up.
Princess: "He doesn't truly want this marriage."
Silence.
Guinevere: "Interesting."
The Princess's expression hardened slightly.
Princess: "There's more… but not yet."
She turned.
Princess: "Marco. I have work for you."
---
By the River
Moonlight spilled across the river, reflecting softly on the moving water.
John sat alone, fishing quietly.
The line barely moved as the current drifted past.
Footsteps approached.
Esabell: "What are you doing here?"
John didn't look up.
John: "Fishing."
She stepped closer.
Esabell: "You can fish?"
He glanced back slightly.
John: "Yes."
Curious, she crouched beside the bucket.
Her eyes widened.
Esabell: "That's… a lot."
A faint smirk formed on John's lips.
John: "Take as much as you want."
She smiled softly.
But then she noticed his expression.
Tense.
Quietly unsettled.
Esabell: "You seem upset. Why?"
John looked at the river.
John: "Do you think that Prince deserves her?"
Esabell paused.
Esabell: "That's not really our place to decide."
John's voice tightened slightly.
John: "But feelings still matter."
Esabell studied him with a faint smile.
Esabell: "You're very protective of her."
John: "You could say that."
She laughed softly.
Esabell: "You're too serious sometimes."
John: "And you talk too much."
She smiled.
Esabell: "Maybe."
A quiet pause passed between them.
---
She glanced at the fish.
Esabell: "You're good at this."
John: "My father taught me."
Her expression softened.
Esabell: "He must've been a remarkable man."
John gave a small nod.
---
Moments later, Marco's voice echoed across the camp.
Marco: "We leave at dawn. Prepare for Stonehaven."
A ripple of movement followed—soldiers preparing, energy rising.
Esabell looked at John.
Esabell: "Our journey continues."
Then she asked quietly:
Esabell: "Do you think this marriage will actually happen?"
John hesitated.
Esabell: "She doesn't seem like someone who would accept it easily."
John didn't answer.
But the question stayed with him.
---
Next Morning — The Journey Begins
Horses stood ready as dawn broke over the horizon.
The Princess, Guinevere, Marco, John, and the Prince prepared to move toward Stonehaven.
The Princess and the Prince rode side by side.
Controlled. Composed. Tense.
John followed behind.
But something inside him felt unsettled.
He didn't fully understand it yet—
But seeing her beside the Prince… sparked something unfamiliar.
A tightening in his chest.
A quiet unease.
The Prince glanced at the Princess with calm confidence.
She remained focused, unreadable.
John swallowed slightly.
The journey had begun.
But something inside him had already changed.
...CHAPTER 15ENDS...