Today was another very fruitful day for Zonna in helping the people of the kingdom. Of the more serious matters, a plan to upgrade mills throughout the country was approved. Talks with representatives of the nobility had been going on for the past two weeks, but finally came to a happy conclusion. During the course of these talks, Zonna repeatedly got the impression that the nobles were testing both, her as a negotiator, and how much they could draw from the treasury coffers for the project. Speaking of the project, it is the princess's own creation. It involves replacing some of the old magic items used in the mills and replacing them with more efficient ones implemented with new solutions. This would increase the production of food that could be exported, which would increase the kingdom's income. In the end, it was possible to agree on terms that were acceptable to the landowners, while at the same time not burdening the treasury beyond the budget.
After signing the agreements with the nobles, Zonna left the castle walls and went to the nearby lake. It had been a regular point on her day's schedule since she was old enough to come here without her mother's supervision. Here she took a break from the court commotion, even if only for a short while. In recent years, this place had become even more important. It was here that she spent most of her free time with Enzo. The lake had become a place for their "love trysts".
Today she had an hour to herself, which she wanted to dedicate to reading the report of the mages in the army regarding the mana consumption of various spells. Never mind that it was an official text she had commissioned. As long as the text she was studying dealt with magic, reading it was a form of relaxation for Zonna. However, she was unable to concentrate on it. Her meeting with the nobles today and the matter of modernising the mills reminded her so much of what Enzo was doing in his territory. In a way, his actions were the inspiration for this project. As she tried to read, her thoughts fled to the days spent with the young count around the lake. She glanced around, and scenes appeared before her eyes of when she and Enzo had been here together. Reluctantly, she snapped out of her memories and glanced at the clock; she had about five minutes left before Marzee would appear to present the plan for the rest of the day. Marzee was her trusted servant and assistant, having served her for five years. Despite being only four years older than Zonna, she was very professional and could be counted on to handle any matter entrusted to her.
"Princess."- She heard the voice of Marzee, her chief servant. She looked in her direction and saw a pretty, filigree maid heading towards her. She had blue hair and dark green eyes.
"As I presume you have my lesson plan for me for the rest of the day Marzee?"
"Forgive me Princess, but there has been a change in the schedule, an count from afar has arrived in Balmaszeglod and wishes to see Your Highness."- Said Marzee, smiling imperceptibly.
Normally, audiences with the princess must be announced in advance, the exception being the highest-ranking fiefs - counts, marquises and dukes. Direct access to the royal family was one of the privileges associated with these titles.
Zonna stood up and walked quietly towards her office where she received distinguished guests. In her office, she sat down in a chair then asked Marzee to call the count. A few moments later he appeared in the doorway. Her Enzo, with a smile on his face bowed slightly.
"Greetings Your Highness I am pleased with this audience you have granted me," he said.
"Welcome count, what is the reason for your unannounced visit ?" Said Zonna with a fake smile, slightly annoyed that he had not warned her of his visit to the capital, but barely holding back her joy at meeting her beloved.
"My reason was to see your radiant smile in the moonlight when you tell me personally of your time without me. I had no other reason in coming here. Will you honour me with your presence at dinner this evening?"
Zonna could stand it no longer and threw herself into Enzo's arms. She cried out her grievances and dilemmas to him. She told of the joy she felt when she saw him now. She was very expressive in her statements and descriptions of what was happening. It was important to remember that despite being very mature for her age she was still only a teenager. She was looking for warmth, support and closeness to her beloved. The young couple had no shortage of topics and the conversation never stopped, in fact it was only just beginning. For they had plenty of time to catch up. After two hours, Marzee returned to the office, reminding them of the outside world and the passage of time. Having decided on the location of the dinner, by their lake, they dispersed to their rooms to prepare for it.
Zonna, together with Marzee, got ready for her first official date with Enzo. She wore a modest white robe trimmed with gold ornaments. The robe was shorter than the standard ones worn by magicians and reached past her knees. Such a garment emphasised Zonna's beauty and added to her charm.
At the lake, Zonna met Enzo, who was waiting for her. He was dressed in a blue robe with ornaments in the shape of dragons placed at the very bottom. This garment reached past his ankles. The garments in which the young Maji were dressed were nothing special or the fad of a Zonna fascinated by magic. Magicians were held in high esteem among the population of Altea. Their popularity meant that the clothes they wore began to be worn for various occasions and important meetings. Eventually, it became accepted on the continent that robes were the elegant garments worn for important ceremonies and meetings.
When Zonna arrived at her destination, the servants left them, leaving the youngsters to themselves.
"You look beautiful in that robe Zonna." Started Enzo complimenting his beloved's outfit.
"Thank you, your robe also makes you even more handsome." With a graceful smile, the princess returned the compliment by praising the count's appearance.
Enzo gently grasped her hand and led Zonne to her chair. "Let's start eating before our dinner gets cold, after all we have a lot of things to tell each other and I don't know if we'll have enough tonight," he said.
"We have all night to talk, I believe we will have enough time." Zonia took her seat and when Enzo did, they began to eat together and talk about their experiences over the past year.
They told each other who they had encountered, what problems they had to solve, how their relationships with their subjects went or, finally, what their daily lives were like. As they talked, they failed to notice how their hands intertwined together and their bodies leaned towards each other.
"I have missed you Enzo. Some days of our separation were unbearable for me. I wanted to have you with me. It didn't help that I knew you had to take care of your county after your mother's death, and any successes only increase your standing as a candidate for my hand. There were times when I felt like quitting my duties and going to you." Zonna began to talk about the dilemmas and longing that had accompanied her over the past year. "I was aware, however, that I am a princess and I cannot give up everything. I have my duties to fulfil. Towards my subjects as well as my family. For the first time I regretted being heir to the throne. If it weren't for that, I could live out my love like any girl my age."
Enzo listened patiently to his beloved, gently stroking her hands. When it seemed that Zonna had finished recounting her difficulties, Aisen stood up and extended his hand towards the Nord. "Will you accompany me on a walk along the lake shore?"
Zonna nodded and grasped the outstretched hand to rise. The two went for a romantic walk. They walked slowly, tenderly embracing each other. Then Enzo began to continue the interrupted conversation.
"Despite the accumulation of responsibilities that fell upon me after my mother's death, I had a lot of time to think about you and our relationship. The more I thought about us, the more sure I became how much I love you." Enzo stopped, faced Zonna and knelt down. "I know that because of our positions, I cannot propose to you and you cannot promise me anything. Princess will you honour me with the opportunity to seek your hand." Said Enzo extending his hand towards his beloved.
Tears of happiness streamed down Zonna's cheeks. She slowly grasped Enzo's hand and said: "I will be honoured by your efforts Count."
After these words, the young couple hugged and, at first shyly and then with increasing passion, they began to kiss. It was the first time such an intimate situation had occurred between them. Despite their inexperience, it seemed as if they had known what to do for a long time and the kiss became more and more passionate. Eventually they had to take a breath, at which point Zonna shyly stated:
"I forgot to add something, I love you too, Enzo. I want to always be with you, I don't know what I would do without you, I don't know if I would see the further sense of life." She was suddenly interrupted by Enzo.
"Promise me one thing Zonna, never say that again and even if something were to happen to me, you would never lack the will to live and you would find a purpose that would propel you to keep going." Said Enzo firmly, looking deeply into Zonna's eyes.
"Why would you say something like that at our most beautiful moment? I just got carried away by my emotions." The princess stated agitatedly.
Enzo embraced her and tenderly began to speak into her ear. "It is precisely because this is a moment that will stay forever in your memory that I say all this." He slowly brought his lips close to her forehead and kissed it gently. "Altea is a dangerous place to live. War could break out at any moment, you know that better than me yourself. I just want to be sure that if something happens to me, my beloved will not follow in my footsteps. Others don't know how emotional you are because you don't let it show, but with me you don't hide it and I know it very well. I am afraid that in your emotions you will do something unreasonable. Your promise will give me peace of mind because you have never broken your word to anyone. Does my request still seem out of place to you now?" he moved his head away from Zonna, to look into her eyes.
"No, you're right, if something were to happen to you, I don't know what I would do. I promise that no matter what, I will not lose the will to live and I will find the ambition to push me forward. In return, I want you to promise me that you will do anything to live, that in dangerous situations survival will be your priority. And for spoiling such a perfect moment for me, as an apology, I expect you to convince my parents to agree to officially announce our engagement." Zonna agreed that his request was legitimate, but she herself also wanted a promise from Enzo regarding his safety. Furthermore, she hoped to become Enzo's fiancée and then wife as soon as possible.
"Thank you , for giving me your word. That way I won't have to worry about you any more in that regard. I also don't see a problem in taking care of my life and getting engaged to you as soon as possible." Enzo smiled widely and brought his face closer to Zonna's face. "As for the apology, however, I have a slightly different idea." Suddenly, without warning, he kissed her. Zonna was surprised at first, but soon began to reciprocate the kiss.
Kissing under the starry sky on the shore of the lake, Enzo and Zonna made up for lost time. Little did they know that the royal couple were watching them from a window in the castle by magic.
"I don't know how they will react to your news." The Queen began with uncertainty in her voice. "They will be very disappointed."
"I hope my proposal will convince them. Our daughter will not hate me, will she?" Asked King Ivi slightly concerned, receiving no answer from his spouse.