After completing her daily routine, Leticia returned to her chambers, where her ladies-in-waiting awaited her with a surprise. Upon a table rested a beautiful box, adorned with elaborate ribbons and marked with the crest of the Autumn Kingdom: an autumn leaf encircled by a dragon. Curious, Leticia prepared to open the gift when the ladies, excitedly, suggested they do it together.
Inside the box, a dazzling dress was revealed, in a shimmering shade of blue, decorated with crystals that resembled ice shards. The fabric had a fine and luxurious texture, with a finish that reflected the skill of the renowned designers of the Autumn Kingdom, famous for the quality of their cotton and the beauty of their creations. The ladies-in-waiting sighed, admiring the garment, recognizing the excellence of the gift.
Leticia also found the dress beautiful, but a slight unease took hold of her, creating a certain discomfort in the face of the present.
"Is something troubling you, Princess Leticia?" asked one of her ladies-in-waiting.
"The dress is lovely. But... why would the Prince of Autumn send me a gift like this?" Leticia touched the delicate fabric, pensive.
"Well, he's courting you, isn't he? It's natural for a suitor to show his interest."
Leticia observed the dress with genuine surprise. She had known, since childhood, of the betrothal to Prince Ryuuji, an agreement between the kingdoms. However, this was the first personal gesture she had received from him. The ladies-in-waiting, ecstatic with the beauty of the dress, continued to admire it, touching the embroidery delicately.
Suddenly, a gasp of surprise. Upon examining the box more closely, they discovered a letter nestled among the folds of the fabric. With a radiant smile, one of the ladies handed it to Leticia.
"Princess, a letter for Your Highness!" she announced, animated.
The initial surprise gave way to a sudden hesitation. Leticia stared at the envelope with a mixture of curiosity and apprehension.
"I'm not in the mood to read it now," she replied, looking away.
"If Your Highness permits, we can read it for you," offered another lady, eager to unravel the mystery.
"Wait..." she said, her voice now laden with a curiosity she could no longer disguise. "I'll read it myself."
She broke the seal with trembling fingers and unfolded the paper. The silence in the room intensified as the gazes of her ladies-in-waiting converged on her, eager to decipher any reaction that might reveal the contents of the letter.
"The autumn leaves rest upon beautiful crystals of snow, so our hearts prepare for the blossoming of a love that will withstand all seasons."
A thoughtful silence hung in the air after the letter was read. Prince Ryuuji's poetic phrase echoed in Leticia's mind, laden with a meaning she could not yet fully decipher.
"Princess, what lovely words!" exclaimed one of the ladies-in-waiting, her eyes shining with admiration. "He seemed so poetic in the letter."
"Perhaps the King will announce the wedding soon!" commented another lady, enthusiastically.
The last remark hit Leticia like a jolt of reality. Marriage. The word resonated in her ears, heavy with an unexpected weight.
As soon as the ladies withdrew, the princess found herself alone, alone with her thoughts and the growing apprehension that tightened her chest. She went to a small chest hidden under her bed and retrieved a notebook, its leather cover faded. She opened it carefully, revealing pages filled with delicate handwriting, and began to read, her eyes scanning the lines with an air of deep concern. That notebook had belonged to her mother, Queen Elyza, a precious legacy and now, perhaps, a source of answers to her growing worries.
Elyza had been a wise and beloved ruler, responsible for the golden age of the Winter Kingdom. Her administrative skill, the result of rigorous training that coincided with that of King Ryuuichi of Autumn – Ryuuji's father – had ensured prosperity and lasting alliances. The friendship forged between the two monarchs during their apprenticeship had sealed the fate of their children, culminating in Leticia's betrothal to Prince Ryuuji. However, two years prior, the queen's health had begun to decline until the light of her life was extinguished, leaving the kingdom plunged into mourning. Her husband, King Hayden, had assumed the throne, but his administration had proven disastrous. Lacking Elyza's political skill and tact, Hayden had lost important economic partners, plunging the Winter Kingdom into a serious crisis.
Leticia's eyes scanned her mother's notes, a mixture of practical advice for the future and personal reflections. Most of the instructions seemed random, reminiscences of a life dedicated to the kingdom, but some of them caught the princess's eye, laden with a deeper and more urgent meaning. One, in particular, disturbed her: "Distrust the Royal Knights. Find a warrior without ties, whose loyalty is only to you." The enigmatic recommendation echoed in her mind. Why would her mother advise her to distrust those who were supposed to protect her? What hidden threat justified such a precaution? Leticia didn't understand, but the gravity of Elyza's words, written with a hand already weakened by illness, was undeniable. She would keep that advice as an amulet, a silent promise to her mother's memory.
The next day, in the dining room, King Hayden, Leticia, and Prince Laurenn gathered for breakfast. The atmosphere, however, was far from serene.
The king's deep voice broke the silence, bringing to light the subject that hung like a heavy cloud over them all: Leticia's marriage.
"Leticia, the current circumstances require sacrifices. This marriage is necessary for the stability of the kingdom. To defy such a powerful kingdom would have disastrous consequences for our people."
Leticia, with impeccable composure that hid the storm within her, replied:
"I understand, Your Majesty. If it is for the good of the kingdom, I will accept."
Her sister's apparent resignation ignited a spark of indignation in Laurenn. He himself was in a similar situation, forced to marry the daughter of the chief of the royal advisors to strengthen political ties.
Laurenn, a young man of twenty-one, with dark brown hair and the vibrant green eyes inherited from his father, felt the injustice of the situation more intensely than ever. The idea of his sister, Leticia, being subjected to the same fate was intolerable to him.
"Leticia, you can't do this!" he exclaimed, his voice thick with anguish. "You deserve to marry for love, not obligation!"
Laurenn's intervention was cut short by King Hayden's icy voice.
"You cannot argue!"
"But... with Leticia it should be different!" Laurenn insisted, the frustration evident in his tone.
"There is no difference! Your sister has willingly accepted. Don't make the situation even more difficult for her."
Defeated, Laurenn lowered his head.
"As you wish, Your Majesty."
Despite his numerous skills – diplomacy, strategic intelligence, swordsmanship – Laurenn shrank before the imposing figure of King Hayden. All his confidence and eloquence drained away, leaving him at the mercy of King Hayden's iron will.
As soon as they left the dining room, Laurenn took Leticia's arm, preventing her from continuing down the corridor. His gaze showed deep concern.
"Leticia, tell me the truth. Are you really resigned to this marriage?"
Leticia sighed, but with a trace of determination in her eyes.
"The safety of the kingdom is more important than my will. Besides, this agreement was made by our mother. I would not oppose her decision."
"But... The Autumn Kingdom has many enemies. I wouldn't want you to be the target of threats. I worry about your safety."
A glint of determination appeared in Leticia's eyes.
"Don't worry about me. I've trained hard, I can defend myself. And besides, I intend to find a knight I can completely trust to protect me."
Laurenn frowned, skeptical.
"I know your skills, Leticia. But finding a loyal knight... is harder than it seems. Do you want me to recommend someone from my personal guard?"
"I appreciate the offer, brother. But I prefer to choose someone on my own."
With an enigmatic smile, Leticia bid Laurenn farewell, claiming to have numerous tasks to attend to. Laurenn, however, knew his sister well. He knew that this was her day off and, consequently, where she was headed.
Back in her room, Leticia summoned Dagmar, her most trusted assistant, and dismissed the others. She requested common clothes, attire that would not identify her as a member of the royal family, and Dagmar promptly complied, already accustomed to this ritual. The assistant would take care of covering the princess's absence, as she always did. Leticia then crossed the secret passage behind the bookshelf, leaving the palace and entering the labyrinth of tunnels that would lead her beyond the castle walls.