As Lyra prepared for her journey to Gaia, her thoughts were a flurry of emotions. She issued detailed instructions to the maids, her voice clear and firm as she assigned tasks. While leaving Solon and Delilah behind, she decided to take assistants Hammond and James along. Though she trusted them to some extent, she couldn't help but feel a bit uneasy, as she didn't know them well enough to fully relax in their presence.
The morning air was cool as Lyra made her way to the carriage waiting outside the palace. The wheels of the large, ornate carriage gleamed in the soft light, and the horses pawed at the ground impatiently. It was then that she spotted Hubris, his posture unnervingly confident, dressed in a fine suit that made him look even more pretentious than usual. He was holding a single red rose in his hand, his eyes gleaming as if he fully expected her to be charmed by his gesture.
Annoyance twisted in Lyra's stomach, and she walked past him without a word, trying to ignore his presence. However, Hubris wasn't deterred. He stepped forward, blocking her path, his voice dripping with faux sincerity. "I know you dislike this, but I wanted to wish you safe travels. Who knows when I'll see your beautiful face again?"
Lyra's skin crawled at the sound of his words. Mika and May, her closest knights, were already tense, their hands hovering near their swords. Lyra couldn't help but shiver as Hubris' gaze lingered on her, too intense, too admiring.
Undeterred by her coldness, Hubris continued with a smug grin, "I know you dislike ostentation, so I've only brought this simple rose. I hope it makes your journey as beautiful as you."
The rose was an over-the-top gesture, and Lyra couldn't hold back her eye roll as she swiftly ignored his extended hand. She entered the carriage with a flourish, closing the door behind her with a soft click. A small window cracked open, and she leaned out, her voice cool as ice. "Let's go."
Outside, Hubris stood with his pride crushed, his rose crumpled in his hand. His gaze lingered on the carriage for a moment, before he muttered to himself, "She's just angry... I'll keep trying. Her anger will fade."
Inside the carriage, the atmosphere was tense but comforting in its familiarity. Priscilla, Lyra's newly appointed lady-in-waiting, sat across from her, her eyes wide with curiosity. "Your Highness... does Sir Hubris... like you?"
Lyra sighed, rubbing her temples as she recalled the interaction. "If he does, he's got a strange way of showing it."
Priscilla's expression turned appalled. "How dare he look at our crown princess like that!" she exclaimed, her voice rising.
Lyra chuckled at her reaction, amused by her lady-in-waiting's passion. But before she could say anything else, Priscilla blurted out, "I've been briefed about you and Grand Prince Dylan by Delilah. She said you both care for each other, but you want to take your time because of your duties."
Lyra's cheeks flushed with embarrassment, and she muttered under her breath, "Damn Delilah."
Priscilla immediately apologized, but Lyra waved it off with a smile, trying to hide the heat rising in her face. Then, Priscilla's face lit up as she gushed, "You and His Highness will make such a beautiful couple! Just think of the beautiful children!"
Lyra's eyes widened in awkwardness. "Lady Priscilla, please..."
But Priscilla continued, her tone unwavering. "I write romantic plays and novels. Your love story is perfect for one! A forbidden love across borders."
Lyra sighed, massaging her temples as she shot a good-natured glare at Priscilla. "Lady Priscilla, please, this is really not the time."
Priscilla grinned mischievously. "Sorry, Your Highness, but you two are just so perfect together! I've seen you both dance. It was magical."
The words hung in the air as Lyra let out a quiet laugh, appreciating her new friend's excitement. Over the past month, she had come to admire Priscilla's charm and quick wit. They'd bonded over shared interests, and Lyra was grateful to have found such a delightful companion.
The journey continued, and before long, the carriage came to a stop. Priscilla gently woke Lyra from her rest, her voice soft and concerned. "Your Highness, we've arrived."
Lyra blinked, surprised she had slept through the entire journey. The sun had dipped low in the sky, casting long shadows over the landscape. She quickly straightened herself, smoothing her dress, as Priscilla announced, "Grand Prince Dylan has just arrived too."
A flutter of excitement danced in Lyra's chest as she looked out the window, her eyes searching for the familiar sight of Dylan's carriage. The palace of Gaia, perched high atop a rugged mountain, loomed in the distance. Its architecture was a breathtaking blend of eastern elegance and sturdy grandeur, with intricate designs carved into the stone, each one telling a story of generations past.
As the carriage came to a halt in front of the grand entrance, Priscilla adjusted Lyra's hair, her hands gentle but purposeful. Lyra, however, couldn't help but focus on the sight of Dylan's carriage approaching, her heart beginning to race in anticipation.
The door of Dylan's carriage opened, and her breath caught in her throat as he stepped out. He looked even more handsome than she remembered, his hair longer and framing his strong features, his expression weary but captivating. His eyes scanned the crowd, and Lyra felt a jolt of excitement as their gazes briefly met.
Priscilla, ever the romantic, squealed, "He's so dreamy! You're so lucky!"
Lyra shot her a playful scolding look, but Priscilla's grin remained unwavering as she waved her off with a sweet compliment. Lyra stepped outside, her heart pounding in her chest, and her eyes locked on Dylan as he spoke to his knights. He hadn't noticed her yet, but his gaze kept flicking toward her carriage, as if he felt her presence even without seeing her.
Unable to resist, Lyra made her way toward him, her footsteps light but purposeful. As she drew closer, one of his knights bowed respectfully, and Lyra smiled warmly in return. Dylan turned, his face lighting up as his eyes met hers. A flicker of recognition and affection passed between them, and Lyra couldn't help but feel her pulse quicken.
"It's been a while," she said, her voice unsteady despite her attempt at composure.
Dylan's smile widened, and his cheeks flushed slightly. "It seems fate has reunited us at last," he replied, his voice carrying a quiet warmth.
Lyra's heart fluttered, her face flushing with a mix of excitement and nervousness. Their eyes met in a gaze full of shared emotions, unspoken words hanging between them. They both knew what they felt, but neither dared to speak it aloud. The moment stretched between them, and Lyra could sense the bond that had grown between them, even if they both tried to conceal it.
Meanwhile, King Mildred of Gaia, a man in his mid-20s, stood by the side, observing the exchange with interest. Though his handsome looks were often praised, it was his choice to remain single that fascinated everyone. No Queen or Consort had ever graced his side, and rumors swirled that he might be either uninterested in women or perhaps... incapable of love. But Mildred, ever indifferent to the gossip, focused instead on his royal duties, brushing aside the idle chatter that followed him.
Yet, there was one person who couldn't let go of her son's lack of a queen: his mother, Queen Danielle. The Queen Mother had been urging Mildred to marry for years, setting up countless blind dates that he stubbornly rejected. Frustrated, Danielle had resorted to emotional blackmail, convincing her son to meet women, only for him to turn them away afterward. Days turned into weeks, and Danielle's anxiety grew. There didn't seem to be any woman who could catch her son's attention until one fateful day when her eyes landed on Lyra.
It was as though an angel had descended before her, with sparkling eyes and a captivating smile. Danielle was immediately taken by her, entranced by Lyra's beauty and grace. As Lyra and Dylan exchanged pleasantries with Mildred and Danielle, the Queen Mother couldn't tear her eyes away from Lyra. She was fascinated, practically mesmerized by her presence.
Lyra, with her sharp intuition, couldn't help but notice Danielle's lingering gaze. Without thinking, she shifted closer to Dylan, her subtle movement not going unnoticed. Dylan, ever the gentleman, said nothing but offered a brief glance in Lyra's direction. The two shared a quiet understanding, though neither spoke of it aloud.
Danielle's gaze shifted back to her son, a faint spark of hope igniting within her. Perhaps, just perhaps, Mildred had finally found someone who could win his heart. But to her disappointment, Mildred seemed far more interested in chatting with Dylan about the latest sword techniques than paying attention to Lyra.
"Stupid, useless Mildred…" Queen Danielle muttered under her breath, her words barely audible.
Lyra, ever perceptive, tilted her head toward the Queen Mother. "Pardon?" she asked.
Danielle quickly recovered, offering a warm smile. "Nothing, my dear. It seems Prince Dylan and Mildred are enjoying their conversation. Let them talk while we should go inside. Come on, dear. You must be exhausted after all the traveling."
Lyra hesitated for a moment, wanting to stay with Dylan, but she couldn't refuse the invitation from the Queen Mother. She nodded in agreement, following Danielle inside the grand palace. The interior was just as magnificent as the exterior, with tall, arched windows that framed the stunning views of the surrounding mountains. The air was crisp, and Lyra couldn't help but admire the breathtaking scenery that surrounded her.
As they made their way to a cozy sitting area, Danielle's curiosity got the best of her. "How old are you, my dear?" she asked with genuine interest.
Lyra's gaze sharpened, her suspicion rising as she studied the Queen Mother's expression. She had heard of Danielle's tendency to pry into others' lives, and something about her tone made Lyra wary. Yet, with a polite smile, she answered, "I'm 22."
Danielle's eyes glinted with a mixture of admiration and something else, something Lyra couldn't quite place. "It's rare to have a female guest, especially one so mysterious. You're famous, you know, as the hidden secret Crown Princess. I must admit, I'm quite curious about you. You've piqued my interest."
Lyra, ever gracious, nodded. "I can understand. You may ask whatever you wish, and I will try my best to answer."
Danielle smiled warmly. "How sweet of you, my dear. Tell me, do you have any interests or hobbies?"
Lyra thought for a moment before answering carefully. "Well, it's hard to name just one."
Danielle pressed on, her smile widening. "Do you enjoy horse riding? There's a beautiful path through the mountains here, it's full of breathtaking scenery. The path goes from one mountain to another, and though it's not passable on foot, it's perfect for a horseback ride."
Lyra shook her head, regret in her voice. "I don't know how to ride a horse."
Danielle's face softened. "You should come along then. I'll teach you. How about tomorrow?"
Lyra was about to respond when she noticed the tension in the air between Mildred and Dylan. Their conversation had shifted to a more serious topic, their faces hardening as they spoke in low voices. Lyra's curiosity piqued, but she decided to remain focused on the present, especially on Danielle, who seemed eager to know more about her.
Danielle's warm smile never faltered as she continued, "It's not often I meet someone with your poise and grace, Lyra. You carry yourself with such elegance, and I believe you would make a wonderful addition to our court. The royal family could use someone like you."
Lyra, aware of the implied compliment and the Queen's subtle manipulation, gave a polite nod. "Thank you, Your Majesty. But my duty lies with my own kingdom and its people."
Danielle's eyes twinkled, as though she had anticipated this response. "Of course, of course. Duty is a noble pursuit." She leaned in slightly, her voice lower. "But remember, my dear, even duty must sometimes be tempered with alliances. You never know when the right connections could make all the difference."
Lyra felt a chill run down her spine. The weight of the Queen's words lingered in the air, and the subtle insinuation of power and politics was not lost on her. She forced a smile, unwilling to let her discomfort show. "I understand, Your Majesty. But for now, I'm simply here to learn, to understand Gaia's ways."
Danielle seemed pleased by her response, nodding approvingly. "Wise and cautious. I see why Mildred and Dylan both admire you so much."
The Queen Mother seemed to be sizing her up, as though searching for any weakness, any vulnerability. Lyra, for her part, remained composed, maintaining her polite smile and waiting eagerly for Dylan to come. She knew that the Queen Mother would continue to pursue her as her daughter-in-law, while she will have to keep rejecting her advanced politely.