The commander of the royal guards Saban Garsh greeted princess Lola and raised his head stopping his gaze on the carriage. He hoped to catch a glimpse of the future crown princess.
The princess lifted the curtains of the carriage with her index and middle fingers gently and looked at the commander Saban in the eyes for a minute. Even though he could not see her eyes under the veil, suddenly Commander felt a chill in his body. Lola calmly appraising him. After a short silence she spoke.
"Thank you commander Saban for meeting up with us. Although you certainly weren't in a hurry. I was under the impression that you were supposed to greet us at the City gates and yet here we are half way to the castle, running into rather interesting people on the way. Maybe I miss read the kings letter. In that case this is on me Commander."
Lola was speaking with refined manner and slowly, whiles commander Saban was becoming paler by the second. Was this person with the imposing aura really the ugly princess from the savage, uneducated Ujarma? Saban Garsh quickly shook this thoughts away. She was probably just speaking without thinking. How could a Princess from such a savage tribe who never set foot outside of it, hated by her own people and married of for profit, ever converse eloquently. Yes, he was told by the king to meet the envoy at the gates of the city, but he could not comply. He was under direct order From his general to not greet the princess at the gate and let her humiliate herself, or even worse. he new that this person had no intention to give her any face. Poor ugly princess. Still it would be bad for Commander Saban if the king found out how he disregarded his words.
The commander raised his had and spoke up. "My apologies Princess, some matters held us back and we were unable to meet up with you. Now that we are here everything will be handled by us, do not worry yourselves. this prisoner will be handed for questioning to the department of justice." Said the commander and gestured to the two soldiers behind him. "You to go and receive the prisoner."
One of the Ujarmas soldiers stepped forward objecting. "How dare you! Do you thing trusting you...."
"Silence!" Raised her voice the princess. The soldier did not dare to utter another word. He quickly kneeled down. The princess continued without acknowledging him. "Of course you can take the prisoner commander Saban. I would not try to hinder your country's justice system, though as he was after my life I would appreciate to be briefed the moment he speaks."
"Thank you princess Lola Malat Dumil. You will be informed as soon as we find something out." Said the Commander still feeling a little unsure what the princess was thinking. His subordinates seized the prisoner immediately and escorted him towards the justice department.
"Please let us escort you the rest of the way to the castle."
Lola smiled. How convenient, she thought. They did not meet her and let her get In deathly danger, but came at just the right time to seize the only witness they had. At the end of it all Commander Saban still would play it of infront of the king as if they were escorting the princess from the vary beginning. She would not let them just get away with this, but to retaliate Lola needed to know who was behind all this and why. Now wasn't the right time for confrontation.
"Thank you Commander Saban, please lead the way. We are already running late as is." gestured the princess with her hand, to let the Commander go first.
Saban bowed and led the way with half of his soldiers leading in the front and the rest protecting the carriage from the rear.
They soon reached the gates of the castle without any more incidents. Lola had never seen any building this breathtaking. It was truly a masterpiece with its beautiful golden towers rising from the white castle, with Dalis flags flying on them and green lushes gardens surrounding it from all sides. It was to big to ever be seen completely by one person. Even the king had probably never really seen his own castle entirely.
The envoy entered through the big white arc with two round towers on both sides. The horses came to a stop in front of the mane entrance. Twenty or more servants were lined in a row with their hands band in sign of respect. At the top of the stairs to greet his fiancee, stood prince Valentine Lechium Ushgul, accompanied by his advisers, guards and by the kings aide. As soon as the carriage stopped, prince Valentine came down the stairs and opened its doors. Princess looked at him not knowing who he was or how to react exactly. He smiled warmly and outstretched his hand. "Greetings princess Lola Malat Dumil. It is truly a pleasure to finally meet you. I am prince Valentine Lechium Ushgul, your soon to be husband."
His smile and eyes were so beautiful and full of warmth and the words he spoke so elegant and kind. Above all else he was definitely the handsomest man she had ever seen. Princess felt unimaginably happy. If this was his husband to be, then perhaps she could really be happy. she placed her hand on top of his and got out of the carriage.
"Thank you prince Valentine. The pleasure is all mine" smiled the princess.
The commander also stepped down from the horse and placed his palm on his forehead while bending the knee. "Commander Saban Garsh greats you my general prince Valentine Lechium Ushgul."
"Greetings Commander. Thank you for safely escorting the princess and her envoy into the castle." Said the prince while gesturing for him to get up.
The princess frowned but did not dispute. " yes thank you Commander Saban.
The prince looked at her with curious eyes and said. "I know you must be so tired from your long journey, so let me show you to your rooms to rest. Afterwards in the evening you shall attend a gala hosted in your honor and have the audience with the king. I now it is too soon after such a long journey, but hope it's not to inconvenient for you."
"O no. I would insist on it myself. I'm just pleased we could finally meet. I know how hard arraigned marriages can be, but i still hope we can somehow be happy together."
"I agree. I don't see any reason why we can't get along. How about we talke about all this, just the two of us."
"I would love to." Agreed princess happily.
"Why don't i pick you up before the gala and let's talk then." Said the prince and stoped. "We have arrived at your room my lady. i have arranged for six servants to take care of you and show you around so that you won't get lost. Now, it must have been a long journey. Please rest well and I hope to see you vary sloon." He kissed her hand gently, smiled and left with his guards and assistants fallowing behind.
The princess was left with her hand maidens in the room alone with her guards stationed outside, along with escorts prince Valentine provided. She plummeted on the bad laughing out loud. It felt so unreal. Lola had almost stopped hoping for love, but now maybe, just maybe it was possible.
"He is so charming. O my god im so jealous."said Haer.
"And soooo handsome. I mean i have never seen any man as good looking as him. Have you?" Spoke Shali.
The princess smiled. Yes he was to good looking to be true and soon he would be hers by law. Perhaps this all was not such a bad idea after all.