In the serene garden, a beautiful young woman graced the scene, her features delicate and captivating. Astelle possessed flowing auburn hair that cascaded in gentle waves, framing her porcelain face adorned with captivating hazel eyes. A subtle grace marked her every movement, complementing the soft curves of her lips that held an air of quiet contemplation.
As she immersed herself in a book, Astelle remained blissfully unaware of the tumultuous events unfolding inside her father's study. The letter, which arrived two hours earlier, had shaken her world. The mystery surrounding her selection as the bride of the powerful King Arien, ruler of the renowned Renox kingdom, lingered in her thoughts.
"My lady," Edna, Astelle's personal maid, stood before her, breaking the tranquility.
"Did you find anything?" Astelle inquired, taking a sip of the tea placed in front of her.
"Yes and no," Edna responded. Astelle's gentle gaze shifted, turning firm as she looked at Edna.
"Do you remember that old man we met during the Ambstar raid?" Edna asked as she handed her a newspaper with the picture of an old man on it.
"Yes."
"That old man is the former king of Renox. I heard that he personally chose you as the bride of his grandson, King Arien."
"Hmm," Astelle sighed, closing the book she had been reading.
The Ambstar raid unfolded three months ago during the Council of Kings, a quintennial event fostering relations between kingdoms. Arien, represented by his grandfather, and other monarchs attended.
Towards the end of the event, a group of rebels raided Ambstar and killed many people. Despite the chaos, Astelle and her agents, disguised as servants, assisted in suppressing the rebels. She saved the old man who, severely injured and bleeding, she tended to with her limited medical skills.
However, what troubled Astelle wasn't the memory of the raid but the realization that the old man, now revealed as the former king, knew her identity. As her thoughts raced, Astelle's gaze turned cruel, contemplating the possibility of her exposure.
"Contact Vix, tell her to move into Renox quickly" Astelle commanded.
"But... My lady, Renox is impenetrable. We've been trying for months now," Edna said, attempting to dissuade Astelle.
"That's because we were not in a hurry, but now things are different." Astelle's determination hinted at a hidden complexity beneath her poised exterior.
"Yes my lady" Edna bowed and left.
"My lady...the count request your presence" the maid who just entered said.
Astelle left the garden and went to meet her father.
The next day in Renox, Arien dismissed officials upon seeing Julian, his advisor. Walking towards the King's private courtyard, Arien said, "Tell me."
"Yes, your majesty. Since the former king provided no further information, we found her. No one else bears the name Astelle except the daughter of the Count of Balstead. Her name is unique."
"I don't know why the former king chose her as your queen. There's nothing special about her"
As his an advisor, Julian was extremely worried.