An hour ago,
Nobody in the palace noticed a young man in military uniform was watching Eugenie and her family arrive. His ink blue eyes were settling on the redhead lady, while his gaze was restlessly looking behind the four waiting for a girl to follow them. And she wasn't the redhead lady.
There was eagerness and curiosity in those eyes which never reacted to anything. He had waited for this day for fourteen years. No, he actually went around the nation in the past years to find her.
The little girl who would be grown up to a lady of eighteen years old. A princess who had a sinless heart, and a beautiful smile. A princess who promised to grow up with him but disappeared.
Everyone said she died young. Yet he believes that she is alive. Hence neither his search stopped, nor his hope died.
Then… Where is she?
Why didn't she return to the palace with her parents?
He left the hall unwilling to have any thought against his belief.
He was passing by hallways to leave the palace when a lady in a maid uniform blocked him, "Greetings to General Darwin." She bowed to the second son of Duke Darwin, who rose to the highest position in the army through his hard work and leading the largest army in the Anka.
He was wearing a military uniform. The white full sleeves shirt was layered with a robe-style navy blue coat that matched his eye color. The coat had an exquisite embroidery in golden color.
The hem of the white shirt sleeves was finely visible under the coat sleeves which had golden and red thread embroidery.
The left chest of the coat had ribbons with small-sized medals that honored him by the royal court for his accomplishments. Whereas the right side had a blue sash and golden aiguillettes attached to the shoulder strap symbolizing his position in the army. The belt around his narrow waist was supporting the sword.
The maid straightened her back but kept her head low with her gaze on the brown boots of the man, "Her Majesty is waiting for you in the chambers." She delivered the news in a shaky voice.
General Darwin's brows tightened. He never underestimated their queen but he was itching to leave the palace and calm his mind.
However, how could he defy the queen? He grunted in acknowledgment and passed by the maid in large steps.
The maid had to walk swiftly but she couldn't keep up with the man. She wasn't allowed to run around in the palace so she tried her best to follow the rules and walk as swiftly as possible.
A guard by the Queen's chamber door announced the arrival of the man, "General Darwin has arrived."
The door was opened from inside by one of the queen's lady-in-waiting. The middle-aged woman smiled as she nodded at the young man. She made way for him as she clapped her hands creating as low a noise as possible.
The maids and other ladies-in-waiting quickly dropped their work and exited the chambers, closing the door behind them.
The young man bowed to the queen who was sitting on the stool. "Your Majesty."
"Rise." Orla turned around to face the man.
Orla watched the young man who concealed every bit of his emotions. She didn't waste their time, "Arihan, do you remember your promise?"
Arihan Darwin showed no hesitation, "I do, Your Majesty." His voice was clear and crisp. There was no gentleness or politeness for the queen, although he was respectful.
"What is it?" Orla asked.
With his hands on his back, back straight, chest out, he sounded as if he was taking the oath again, "I will protect Royal Princess Alora till my last breath."
Orla didn't react. She knew this stubborn man for sixteen years. "It's time you keep your promise."
Arihan's eyes brightened and he lowered his head to look at the queen, "Princess Alora!?" There was a hint of amusement in his tone. But he didn't get to see any lady who had those shiny silver moon locks and bright ice blue eyes.
Orla paused a second before instructing, "Behind the curtains."
Arihan could guess Eugenie was coming with her daughter and husband. Without knowing the intention of the queen, he followed her instruction, "Yes, Your Majesty."
He stood behind the thick curtain, not really comfortable but to obey the queen. He heard the door open and the ladies return inside to prepare the queen to bed. Then he heard footsteps enter.
His attention shifted the second Zander said Alora. Spreading his fingers, he waved his hand over the drapes in front of his face. A light flashed on the screen and it became see-through for him to look at the Royal members.
His eyes widened, jaws clenched and fingers curled into fists when he heard everyone addressing a redhead lady as Alora. He refused to believe it. Even if it had been fourteen years, he could clearly remember her and this wasn't how she looked.
At the other side of the drapes, Orla noticed her husband sneakily slipping off the chambers to visit Alora when everyone left. "Where are you going?"
Lothar awkwardly laughed pointing at the door, "Closing the door." He lied. His wife had nagged him for an hour to stop him from pampering Alora. But how could he bear to sleep knowing his dear granddaughter will be waiting for him?
However, his reluctance changed to willingness when Orla called out, "Arihan."
Arihan went out of the drapes looking colder than usual and also livid. Annoyed that they were addressed a strange girl as Alora.
The king's expression changed looking at Arihan but he silently went and took a seat. Arihan greeted the old man, "Your Majesty, the King."
The couple could see his irritated expression, and sense the vexation in his voice.
Orla broke the news, "Alora doesn't remember you."
A frown settled on his face. He didn't want to argue with the queen and king but he was finding their words nothing but ridiculous.
"She isn't Princess Alora to remember me." He said it off. The little princess he knew had a miraculous memory.
Orla lifted her hand to stop her husband from snapping at Arihan. The four are too protective of Alora, forgetting the rest. Orla wouldn't let Arihan break his promise, which will break her promise to little Alora.
"Believe it or not." She s the Alora.
Arihan interjected, slowly growing impatient by their lies which he assumed, "I refuse to believe it."
Orla's tone became stern but it wasn't unexpected, "Whether you accept it or refuse doesn't change the reality."
No one could read or know the turmoil inside Arihan's mind. He held his composure looking at the couple who was dead serious. If they weren't ready to tell him about the real princess Alora, then he wasn't required to be around the palace.
He bowed, "Allow me to take my leave." He didn't wait for the response.