Lola was sitting with prince Shermandin in the garden drinking tee. He could tell she was feeling a little anxious, but did not wish to pry the reason out of her. If she needed to, she would just come out and say it to him. The silence did not feel awkward to him. On the contrary, her presence only ever brought him peace. The beautiful garden smelled like summer and was filled with the songs of hundreds of birds. He closed his eyes, lifting his head slightly at the sky and a soft, peaceful smile washed over his face. It was one of those days you wished would last forever.
"Shermandin." Lola broke the silence. This was the first time she had ever called him so informally and it startled him to much. His eyes were widened, fixated on Lola and even his ears turned rad. She continued to speak in a sweet melodic voice - "I know what I am about to say may sound unreasonable and maybe even unfair to you, but please understand that I have the best intentions in mind." Her tone was so serious that his excitement vanished within seconds. Shermandin immediately straightened his back, feeling a little bit of sweat forming on his forehead. What was he so afraid of? She did not know how he felt, so there was no way she would turn him down right?
"I need you to marry me!" This words send a shockwave through Shermandins mind. Millions of thoughts raised through his head. His heart suddenly felt so very warm and getting faster with each second. Shivers ran throughout his body and smile which could not be contained curved his slips upward. "Yes!"
"What?" His immediate answer shocked Lola. " Wait! You have not even heard my reasoning."
" No Lola!" Shermandin stood up walking over to her. He kneeled on one knee at her feet and took her hand into his. "I require no explanations. I felt so confused ever since I met you. I quite honestly could not figure out what I wanted from you Lola. What I needed from you. Now I know, that what I want is just you and I am willing to do anything to achieve attain it. I could never intentionally hurt my brother, but I know he does not have you in his heart. I will explain it to him. So whatever your reasoning is, please just tell me I have the right to love you and fight every day to make you love me back."
Lola was dumbfounded. After what happened just a few days ago, after all the humiliation and degradation she had gone through, to receive such unconditional love and support, it made her heart melt. Still, she could not take advantage of someone so sweet and kind so easily. "Thank you for your kind words of love Shermandin. I truly had no idea, just how much I needed it. Before I respond I need you to hear me out first. Afterwards if you still wish to repeat this words of love, then I will give you my answer."
The conversation lasted for half an hour and Lola told him everything , that had happened after her arrival in Dali. Shermandin looked so hurt. Tears filled his beautiful eyes. He stood up and for the first time ever hugged Lola tightly into his arms, making her feel safest she had ever felt. After a moment of silence, he said once again. "All I wished to ask for, is for you to just tell me I have the right to love you and fight every day to make you love me back. I know what you went through must have been the most painful experience of your life. I will regret forever for not being able to protect you from it, but I will make sure that you never experience anything like this ever again. If you think knowing all of this will make me stop, than you have a lot to learn about me. Lola, I was born to love you, so let me fulfill my reason for being here."
How could he say this words of love without even seeing her appearance? He was truly the kindest person she had ever met. That is why the next sentence was necessary to say. "I want to make one thing sure. I do not love you right now. I can not say what the future holds, but I will do my best so that you feel happiest you have ever been next to me. Please do not think I am cruel, nor unfeeling."
"I would never think that. All I could wish for was a chance to make you love me and you gave it to me. I could not be any more grateful to you than I am now." How could anyones smile be so kind and understanding. He was the harbor that sheltered her from all the agony she had felt ever since she came here. The conversation lasted well into the night. Lola explained her plan and that right now was not the time to make there engagement public. When the sun set they finally headed back to Lolas residence. Shermandin escorted her all the way back to her room and kissed her hand good night.
After a few days had passed, Lola was sitting in her room and looking at the paper Shali had delivered to her. She could not contain her laughter any longer. "Hahaha... I mean really! I am truly shocked by Karis stupidity. True, I should not have let my guard down, but I was not counting on them being so incompetent. To actually confuse the princes and make me sleep with Valentine. Well in the end she did accomplish her goal, even if in a completely roundabout way. It is her luck that I do not wish to wed Valentine or everything would have been different."
Shali smiled. "Yes people of Dali may be to stupid to even have as enemies."
Lola looked over to her with a serious face. "Do not underestimate them. Even a rat is dangerous when cornered. Acacia may not be smart, but she is willing to do anything no matter how cruel. She has no moral compass to stop her. Someone like her is dangerous to have near us. That is why we will play a victim and use her cruelty to get out of this engagement. Have you dealt with Karis son already?"
"Yes your Highness. As always you are meticulous and wise." Said Shali lowering her head as the sign of respect.
Lola looked out of the window and smiled. Her spy at the palace told her, that tomorrow would be a day to remember. Although she still was not sure what the king would decide, but they did not disappoint. The next day at midnight, the messenger from the palace arrived. He was immediately escorted to the parlor, where he was greeted by princess Lola.
"Your highness princess Lola is invited to the palace, to present herself in front of the king Matti Ushgul first of his name. Please fallow us immediately as he awaits your arrival."
She smiled looking at this sneaky people pretending to show her respect. The decision of the king was blatantly obvious. To invite her exactly when the assembly of ministers was still present, meant he did not wish to apologize and beg for her to forgive prince Valentine, for making such a mistake and braking the agreement between the two countries. No! He wished to somehow push all the blame onto her. Well as luck would have it, this was the end of her playing the victim. She had already accomplished her goal and did not need to hide anymore. Lola stood up and straightened her back. Suddenly everyone present there, felt so vary small in her presence. "Well than, let us not keep his majesty waiting. Please lead the way."