The king inspected the ring for a while, "Tell the guard to bring the girl here."
The aide went outside to talk with the guard.
"Hey girl,the king accepted your audience."
Ruby smiled brightly, "I told you he would accept it."
"I greet the sun of the kingdom."
"That was a proper etiquette. You are not a noble but you know about the royal etiquette. Who are you girl?"
Ruby flung off her hood revealing her red hair and eyes.
The king didn't get surprised, "Oh-ho. A girl with red hair and eyes. What do you think Darren?
"It is something that symbolise that the person is a dangerous being."
Ruby looked at the king's aide for a moment before talking again, "I am the daughter of the former king."
The king got startled by the sudden remark.
"You looks like you are not lying. Where did you get the ring?"
"My mother gave it to me. She told me that,if i give it to the ruler,he will be able to understand."
"Your mother,where is she?"
"She died,your majesty."
"What is your name girl?"
"Ruby."
"Ruby,whether you are a princess or not will be decided tomorrow. We will be going to the temple,there the high priest will say if you are a royalty or not."
Ruby looked around for a bit and bowed her head again, "Please give me the ring. This is the only keepsake of my mother."
"Darren,give the ring to her." The king looked angry.
"Thank you very much your majesty."
"Don't thank me yet. If you are lying,you will be excuted by me. For now,you will be living at the royal prison."
Ruby didn't look at the king and left with the king's aide.
"Excuse me,mister Darren." Ruby tried to attract the aide's attention.
"Call me Darren,princess." said the aide with a smiling face.
"I am not a princess yet."
"Whatever you say."
"How long have you been working here?"
"Many years."
"My mother,did you ever see her?"
"Lady,i don't know who your mother is. It would be difficult for me to say,who and where i meet with her." Darren walked fast avoiding Ruby's gaze.
The prison room was very shabby but not as bad as the inn she lived in. There was a small window and a heavily guarded door.
"This guard will take care of you "
A guard in his twenties greeted Ruby with a blank eyes.
"I am Ruby. What is your name?"
"Victor."
After a while,Darren left as he was busy with many state affairs. He bid goodbye and left for the day. Ruby took a look around the room. It was big enough for three people.
"Victor! Victor!" Ruby yelled.
Victor opened the door,just like usual,he has blank expression.
"Let's play chess."
"I will prepare it." Victor hurriedly left the room.
After some times,Victor came with a chessboard. It was new as if he has just bought it.
"You didn't buy it now,right?" Ruby asked with a serious face.
"I did." Victor answered without any expression.
Ruby sighed, " You are really odd."
Victor looked at Ruby for a while and started arranging the chessboard.
...
...
...
"You really lack the strategy,Victor." Ruby frowned.
"I am sorry miss."
"[Look at this boy. He doesn't have any expression. Just what happened to him to be like that.]"
"Victor,don't worry. I will teach you."
"Will you?" asked Victor as if he is a puppy.
Ruby smiled and patted his head, "Of course."
At night,Ruby couldn't sleep. She was scared knowing that she doesn't have anyone by her side. Tomorrow what if it is proved that,she doesn't have the royal blood. When her mother was in her deathbed,she told Ruby about her home and origin. At first,Ruby had a hard time believing her mother. But after a while,she had no choice but to believe her mother who had never lied to her. Her mother said,she used to work as a maid in the royal place. One day,the king saw her and fell in love. Since then they both frequently met with each other untill she become pregnant and ran away. She was afraid if it is known that she is pregnant with the king's child,the queen will try to get rid of the baby so she had no choice but to left the palace. She also told her about the current king,who was the brother of her father.
Ruby couldn't sleep all night. At dawn she tried to sleep for a while but due to loud noise of birds chirping,she couldn't close her eyes at all.
"Ugh...these damn birds." Ruby yelled.
Hearing Ruby's yelling voice,Victor opened the door.
"Victor,you are already awake?"
"Your yelling sound sure is like a bell." said Victor trying to lit up Ruby's angry mood.
"Are you saying my voice is bad?" Ruby frowned.
"That's not what i wanted to say."
"Go and get some foods for me." Ruby waves at Victor.
...
...
...
Darren comes to the prison room with a new set of clothes. These are the clothes for today's event. Whether she is a princess or not will be proved today. Ruby looked at the new set of dress and closed the door to wear the dress while the other two waited outside for her.
"This dress is very beautiful." Ruby looked at Darren.
"This was chosen by the king himself."
"He chose this red dress?"
"Yes,he said it would match the vibe."
Three of them got into the carriage.
Ruby touched her chest and sighed unable to calm her nerve.
"Miss,you will get motion sickness if you are anxious like this." Darren give a worried look at her.
"Dar-ren,i can't calm myself." Ruby tremble.
The carriage finally stop at the temple. The king was already waiting for them. Ruby get off the carriage with the help of Victor. A soft morning breeze touch her skin.
"Darren,is this the temple?" asked Ruby with a nervous look.
"Yes,it is." Darren answered with a worried voice.
Walking fast,Ruby along with others greet the king.
"You are late Darren."
"Forgive me,your majesty."
"Whatever. Let the procedure begin."
A old and bald looking man comes forward with a bowl of water.
"This is the holy water. Those who have royal blood can turn this holy water into golden. Just drop some of your blood on the water."
Ruby pricks her finger and drop some blood on the holy water. Suddenly the water starts to whirl like a tornado. Afterward,the water emits a golden light from it and then the water turn into golden colour.
Ruby gazed at the emperor who was also looking at her with a smile on his face.