She is the crown princess candidate who is loved by her people. She has a gentle speech, a beautiful face that shines like the morning sun, and a graceful demeanor. It's just that her excellent nature is not enough to make this kingdom more advanced.
...
"Helio!" cried a beautiful girl with blond hair.
"Isabella!" replied a handsome man in typical European royal attire.
"Helio, what are you doing here?" asked Isabella, who was panting from running up to Helio, the crown prince.
"I was just walking around, and I saw a red rose that was so beautiful, because I came here remembering you," Helio said, offering a bouquet of red roses.
"That's beautiful, Helio," Isabella took the roses, her eyes sparkling with happiness.
This was nothing new for Isabella, she was the future Crown Princess of the Aperto Kingdom. It had been a year since the day their engagement was announced, but until now, Helio had continued to avoid their wedding day.
...
A few hours before, Helio went to Isabella's house.
In King Aperto's study.
"Helio Clyne Aperto, you must end your relationship with Marques' son immediately," said King Aperto, sitting in front of Helio.
Helio, facing his father, raised his head and said, "Selena, Father, her name is Selena Van Dyke, she is the daughter of an honorable man, so please call her by her name.
King Aperto felt humiliated by his own son as he pounded the table and said, "Honorable man, you say? Even though he and his troops won the war against those barbarians, compared to Duke Poli, the difference is so great!"Â
"Father, I love Selena and I won't let go of her," Helio said as he left his father's room.
...
Flashback one year ago.
"Helio, Father and Duke Poli have set a date for your engagement," King Aperto said.
"What? Engagement? I have known about your relationship with Selena all along?" protested Helio, who seemed reluctant to be mated with Isabella.
"Helio, you know that the Duke's current position affects people. Which people from which circles do not submit and obey the Duke's orders? We will be stronger if we can unite with Duke Poli. Unlike that son of Marques, he can only swing a sword at me," said King Aperto.
"Father, I don't want to, I love Selena," Helio said firmly.
"Helio, never prioritize your love, for us nobles and royal families political marriage is more profitable, so think about what benefits you can get from this political marriage compared to you pursuing your monkey love!" said King Aperto at length.
"You will never understand what love is, because you married your mother to strengthen your position!" With these words, Helio left his father's room.
King Aperto could not refute the words of his only son. But this did not change King Aperto's intention to marry Isabella and Helio.
...
When Helio gave Isabella flowers.
"Helio, I'm very happy with our relationship, it's wrong that sometimes you are silent, as if my mind is drifting somewhere," Isabella said with a bow.
Helio immediately put down the tea he had just drunk. "Isabella, do you still doubt me? You are still consumed by bad rumors about me and Selena," Helio asked, turning the situation around.
"No, it's just that we've been engaged for so long, wouldn't it be better if we got married right away and denied the rumors without having to go through the trouble," Isabella said.
"Not yet, we're still too young to get married, so don't rush, especially now that I'm with you, I come to see you often too, isn't that enough?" asked Helio, trying to convince Isabella.
"You're right Helio, I'm just worried," Isabella said with a smile.
After drinking tea and chatting, Helio left the Poli residence.
...
In Isabella's room.
"Helio wouldn't lie to me, would he? Besides, I am Isabella, yes! Of course I am Isabella Poli, even the king chose me directly because I am the child favored by the gods, I cannot give that position to Selena," Isabella said silently.Â
Isabella has abilities that others rarely have, she is able to heal wounds of any kind, cuts, punctures, even burns that often make someone lose confidence because of scars that never go away.
Most importantly, Duke Poli's family is very influential in the progress and development of the Kingdom of Aperto. Duke Poli is the family of Cardinal De Rayes, so he has the most support votes from the people because he is considered religious, especially Duke Poli has Isabella who is clearly a child favored by the gods.
...
On the other side was a beautiful woman with shiny black hair. She swung her sword and slashed at the straw doll in front of her.
"Miss Selena, it's time to rest," called Grace, an aunt who had been taking care of Selena.
Selena stopped slashing and looked at Aunt Grace. "Very well," Selena replied briefly.
Selena handed her sword to the male servant who was ready with the towel he had used to clean Selena's sword. "Wipe it clean," Aunt Grace ordered.
"Miss, I've prepared some snacks and cold drinks," Aunt Grace said as she led Selena to a shirt that was available not far from the practice field. Selena then sat down and enjoyed her snack.
Soon after, a male servant approached Aunt Grace and whispered to her. Aunt Grace immediately relayed the news she had just heard.
"Miss, His Royal Highness the Crown Prince is at the gate," Aunt Grace said.
Helio, who had just returned from the Poli residence, went straight to the Dyke house.
Selena was stunned, "Crown Prince? Helio? Why is he here?" Selena said to herself.
"Miss, please forgive us for not being able to refuse the arrival of His Highness the Crown Prince," Aunt Grace said as she lowered her eyes.
"It's okay, Auntie, I'm just a little surprised," Selena said as she smiled at her nanny aunt. "I'll go see him," Selena continued confidently.
...
"Selena Van Dyke greets the little sun in this great kingdom," Selena said as she bowed.
"No need to be so formal, Selena! I'm here as Helio," Helio said.
"I would never do that to His Highness the Crown Prince," Selena replied, still lowering her eyes.Â
Helio told all the servants and bodyguards around them to leave Selena and Helio alone.
"Selena, there are no eyes looking at us anymore, isn't it time for you to act normally with me?" asked Helio hopefully.
"Your Highness, I mean Helio it is very possible if our relationship is still the same as before, but now we live on our own path," said Selena while looking at Helio's face.
"Selena, wait for me, wait for the next few months, I will ..." before Helio could finish his sentence, Selena immediately cut him off.
"When? When will that happen? Even a year ago you promised me the same thing but there is no proof you can show Helio, our relationship is over so don't expect anything else," Selena said while holding back her tears.
"Selena, please, just believe me for once," Helio kept trying to convince Selena.
"Selena Van Dyke requests permission to leave," Selena said as she bowed her body.
"Selena!" shouted Helio, but Selena didn't move as she continued her steady steps toward her room.
"Selena, I just can't let go of Isabella and you at the same time, have you really forgotten me?" said Helio silently.
Meanwhile, Selena, who was already in her room, was crying.