Kassandra's POV
My family owns the biggest army in the Moon Aires Kingdom. I've been living in the borderlands since I was seven, and I rose to be the strongest soldier that my family has ever had.
My grandparents and parents died after our camp was surprisingly attacked. It's already been five years since that tragedy happens.
We also lost a thousand soldiers and our dignity after the five villages became a military camp for those soldiers who mocked the Escalante army.
"General, you should wave too."
I blink when I hear my vice general's voice. I looked around and saw the citizens waving at us. I tried to smile without any sadness written on it and wave back at them.
"I can't believe that the capital is now more advanced after nine years. Things had indeed changed," she whispered.
We all stop when we reach the gate entering the palace, where the royal family resides. "Hyah!" I roared and pulled the leash of my horse.
"Let's go, everyone!" I said.
As soon as we get inside the palace, we wait for the royals on the ground. I insisted on taking the whole army with me.
But my officers suggest that half of the army will stay to guard the border and take care of the five villages who are still struggling for being colonized for five years. So I agreed.
I refused to be the only person who would take the credit. We lost some of our comrades, and all of us had to work hard to regain our dignity as soldiers and knights of this kingdom. The royal confidant had shown himself first.
"The royal family is all here!" he announces loudly. We all crouch down and down our left knees on the ground. We all bow our heads.
"Greetings to the royal family!" we all said, repeating it twice.
We're lucky because the sky is gloomy. We don't have to worry about the sun's heat. We only heard noises, but none of us raised our heads until the king spoke.
"Arise!" he commanded.
We all stood up and faced the king with dignity. The royal palace became larger. They must have conducted renovations to make it more beautiful.
The grounds are wide enough to accomodate a large group of people. Some of the citizens were all here as well.
The king and queen were still in their prime. They look young and beautiful, as I used to remember.
"Welcome back to the capital city of our kingdom, Escalante Army," the king says. We all bow our heads.
"We are pleased to be summoned back here in the capital, Your Majesty," I replied.
I look at each of their sides. I almost forgot that the king and queen have ten children. This kingdom has seven princes and three princesses.
They all moved forward and are now standing ten paces away from us. I wonder what the reasons are for our being summoned to the capital.
The king says its urgent. Maybe because I always decline coming over for court meeting.
"It's been nine years since the Escalante family left the capital and stayed in the borderlands. Don't worry. The palace's servants have been taking care of your family's residence here, General Escalante," King Calixto says.
I bow my head again to show my gratitude. I almost forgot that we have a house here in the capital. The only house that I remember we have is made of wood in the borderlands.
"I humbly say thank you for this favor, your majesty. On behalf of my clan, we are delighted for the royal family's efforts." The king shook his head and smiled at all of us.
"We, the El Greco family, are giving our warmest gratitude to the Escalante army for claiming the five villages and the dignity of this kingdom," he says.
He bows his head, and the rest have done the same thing. All of us were surprised and stunned because of what he did. What the hell is he doing?!
The citizens who are also here had to kneel down and show their respect to all of us. I look around. All of the soldiers I'm leading have done the same thing. Oh my!
"General…" the soldier says.
I smiled at them, and their tears started to fall down their cheeks. They've been away from their families, who live here in the capital and neighboring towns and villages.
They can now visit them and stay with them in the meantime. We all take off our swords and raise them. They all look at us. I speak.
"All hail for the dignity of the Moon Aires Kingdom!" I roared.
The soldiers repeat it three times. The king takes the chance to offer something that I never expected from him.
"We are giving everyone the rewards they deserve. As of now, peace is observed. The neighboring kingdom had lost a lot of its soldiers and resources."
"All of you can stay with your family and savor the peace that you all gain from winning the battle," King Calixto announces. He paused and looked at me intently. I feel like he's into something.
"As for the famous devil general, as a reward, I will grant you a wish, Lord Escalante. Tell me, what is it?"
'Wait, Lord Escalante? ME?!'
He looked serious when he said those words. The queen had finally spoken. "If you want, you can marry our firstborn daughter. She's now of marrying age. Princess Celeste will surely be a good wife for you," Queen Avira says.
My soldier laughs and forgets that we're in front of the royal family. I kneel right away and bow my head. My soldiers realize their mistake and kneel either way.
"We're asking for forgiveness for our rudeness, your majesties!"
These people! Of all fucking times! "We didn't mean to offend Queen Avira, Princess Celeste, and the entire royal family!" my vice general says. The king laughs a little.
"Arise, everyone. Don't be too formal," he replied. We all did. I close my eyes and gather all my courage, then speak.
Instead, the father of my vice general speaks first. "Your Majesty, I'm sorry if I'm the one who laughs first. But there's something that everyone must have misunderstood about General Escalante," Uncle Joseph said.
I looked at him, and he understood what I meant by that. That's why he keeps quiet. I faced the royal family again.
I guess they mistakenly thought that the Escalante who died along with my grandparents and parents was me.
"If the king and queen were serious about granting a wish of mine, I will say what I have in mind then," I halt. They all look at me. I made a step forward and gazed at them.
"I want to be a wife, your majesty. I want the 7th prince to be my husband." Their eyes dilated because of what I declared.
"Your Majesties, my older brother was the one who died at that time. I survived and promised my parents that I would take back the villages that we lost in battle as well as having descendants that would bear our name."