After a gruelling discussion about Niel's feelings for Princess Aira Elesteen, both King Garron and Queen Angelina reached a final decision.
They would gather Niel and Aira together and settle the matter.
Although they had agreed upon their course of action, one thought remained in both their minds:
This would not be simple.
Princess Aira's heart already belonged to Aiden.
Later that day, the dining room had been decorated with fresh flowers and filled with Lady Aira's favourite fruits, arranged in a lavish display befitting her status.
Princess Aira walked through the empty hallway toward the royal dining room, carrying herself with her usual calm confidence.
The moment she stepped inside, her face lit up at the sight of the lavishly decorated room.
"What could be the occasion?" she asked, a bright smile spreading across her face as she adjusted her silk silver garment.
She was warmly welcomed by her mother and father.
"Come in, my dear daughter," Garron said, pulling her into a warm embrace.
Aira's expression shifted into confusion at her father's sudden affection.
The feeling only grew stronger when her mother approached her.
"Welcome, my beautiful daughter," Angelina said before kissing her forehead.
A soft smile crept across Aira's lips.
"Uhm, Mother, Father... why the sudden rush of affection? Have I done something that pleases you?"
Confusion coloured her voice.
A soft chuckle escaped Garron's lips.
"Oh, Aira," he said gently. "Just seeing you every day pleases us more than anything. Aira, you are the gem of this kingdom."
His words were followed by a smile from Angelina.
"Aira, we love you very much, and we're doing this out of respect for you. So come on and have a seat."
Aira reluctantly sat across from her parents.
"Feast, my child. This table was set for you. We even gathered all your favourite fruits," the king said.
With a polite nod, Aira began indulging in the fruits prepared for her.
Then—
A sudden knock echoed through the dining room.
In an instant, her expression changed.
Her earlier confusion was replaced by excitement as a single thought crossed her mind.
Was Aiden here?
But that excitement did not last long.
The smile that had filled her face disappeared, replaced by disappointment.
Niel stepped into the room and was warmly welcomed by the king and queen.
The same could not be said for the princess.
Her eyes remained fixed on the door.
She waited.
Perhaps someone else would enter after Niel.
But no one did.
The royal dining room fell silent as the smile tugging at Princess Aira's lips faded completely.
She did not utter a word.
She barely even acknowledged Niel.
She stopped mid-bite and lowered her gaze, lost in thought.
The king and queen quickly noticed.
They fell silent, realizing how difficult it would be to address the matter with such sadness written across their daughter's face.
"What's the matter, my daughter? You looked so happy a few moments ago," the king asked.
He glanced at the untouched fruit.
"You've even stopped eating the fruits you enjoy the most."
But within seconds, shock crossed both their faces.
Tears began flowing from the princess's eyes.
"I... I was hoping to see Aiden," she said. "How come you didn't invite him like you always do? Every time he comes, he brings me a gift..."
Her voice trembled.
"Or is it that I'm not important to him anymore?"
The king and queen stared at her in stunned silence.
They had not expected their daughter's heart to be so deeply bound to Aiden.
Angelina quickly snapped out of her trance and moved to comfort her daughter.
"Aira, don't be sad," she said softly. "Your father and I didn't invite Aiden for a reason."
"Aira, we have a request for you," the queen continued.
Aira looked up with slight awe.
"Mother... you have a request for me? What kind of request could be so important that you didn't invite Aiden?"
"Aiden is a very powerful man and a skilled warrior," Angelina added.
"Aira," Garron interrupted firmly, "I agree with what you are saying. But you should know that even the strongest warriors can carry a broken heart."
Aira's face turned pale.
She clutched the fabric of her dress, her mind racing as she tried to understand what her parents meant.
"Father... what do you mean?" she asked shakily. "I could never break Aiden's heart. I don't understand any of this."
Before the king could respond, Niel suddenly rose from his seat and stepped forward.
He stopped before the princess.
Then he dropped to one knee and bowed his head.
"Princess Aira," he said, his voice calm and unwavering.
"This was my request."
He paused.
"I am in love with you. I have come to ask for your hand in marriage."
The room fell completely silent.
The king's mouth remained slightly open, his eyes widening at Niel's words.
The queen stared in shock.
She had known Niel was not a shy man, but even she had not expected such boldness from him.
"Hand in marriage?" the princess repeated, her voice barely above a whisper.
Her expression hardened.
She abruptly stood and pushed Niel backward without hesitation.
"Have you gone mad, Niel?!" she cried, her voice sharp with disbelief.
Niel stood stunned before her.
"My heart, body, and soul belong to Aiden," she said, her voice cold as steel.
Her eyes locked onto Niel.
"Who do you think you are... compared to him?"
She stepped forward.
"He is a fierce warrior. Loved. Respected. Feared."
"Have you seen how he commands my father's army?"
Her voice remained unwavering.
"He is the only one fit to be king."
She stared directly at Niel.
"And yet... you dare to love me?"
Her voice sharpened.
"All you do is sit among scrolls and plants."
She stepped closer, her eyes cold.
"You're weak, Niel."
"I would never marry someone as foolish as you."
A bitter scoff escaped her lips.
"I'd rather stand on the battlefield than beside you."
"Enough! Stop with your insults, now!" Queen Angelina shouted.
"Niel is a healer—and the king's most trusted adviser. Nothing he does is useless."
She steadied her voice before continuing.
"Niel is special. He has been blessed with something you will not understand... not until the day you fall ill."
Angelina's expression hardened.
"Until the day you lie in bed—helpless, weak, unable to move."
She paused.
"Then you will understand."
"Because this... is not something any man's strength can heal."
Her voice softened.
"I understand you're still young, but strength and power take many forms—not only those found on the battlefield."
Princess Aira fell silent.
Her head lowered as tears slipped freely from her eyes, her heart aching.
Garron reached out and carefully brushed the tears from her face.
"My daughter," he whispered, "I will not force this upon you. I cannot bear to see you in pain."
He looked at her gently.
"Listen, Aira. I understand that you love Aiden. Your mother and I only hoped you might consider our request... to give Niel a chance."
He paused.
"After all, you never truly got to know Niel."
His voice remained gentle.
"He may appear weak to you, but his strength lies in his knowledge. And once you see how remarkable his gift is, you will begin to see him in a new light."