Weeks have passed and it was already three days before the festival begin. All of the preparations are ready and the Sultan even complimented Ariya for her work. What is left to do now is to prepare herself.
"I think that wearing this emerald dress on the first day would be more suitable princess." Mirya excitedly chirped holding the gown to show to the princess. "it would suit with the emerald jewelries that your father gifted you in your debut last year"
"Well, I trust your instinct Mirya." Said Ariya who was being measured by the seamstress for her wedding gown. Once again her heart in now filled with worry and she can't help but feel anxious now that the day of her wedding is near.
"Don't worry your highness, I will make you the most radiant woman in Valentus, and that King will never be able to take his eyes of you. Not that you are not beautiful as you are now, but you will be even more beautiful in the festival." Mirya reassuringly said. Ariya said nothing but just chuckled half-heartedly.
Come to think of it, she never had any information about the young King.
What was his name again?
"Mirya, do you know his name?" Ariya asked while looking at the window outside. The seamstress was done taking her measurements and left her quarters.
"Who's name your highness? The seamstress? I heard her name was Naya. Her reputation in good when it comes to making wonderful gowns, last year..." before she could continue, Ariya cut her off.
"No, I mean the name of the King."
"Oh, I'm sorry your highness I misheard you" Mirya stopped cleaning the gowns and jewelries that she just took out from Ariya's closet and went closer to sit beside her. "When I find the seamtress yesterday, I heard some compelling rumors, your highness"
"Rumors?"
"Yes, rumors say that the young king's name goes as Cyrus"
"Right, Cyrus."
"But there's more, your highness"
"There is?"
"Yes! His name goes, Cyrus the Lion of the East?"
"Lion of the East?" Ariya slowly spoke each word to try to decipher the meaning behind his calling.
"It is said your highness, that the King is as fearsome as the Lion. He over throw his father from the throne, effortlessly. Rumors has it that he is just as a fierce in the battlefield, slaying every enemy that comes into his way." Ariya was listening to her maid's ramble intensely, and find her story quite intriguing.
"It is also said your highness, that..."
"That?"
"That he is really hairy and his beard is as thick as those of a lion's!" Both young ladies laughed to their heart's content. Mirya felt happy that she is able to make the princess laugh. These past few days, the princess seemed anxious and uneasy, she even lost some weight because of the preparation for the festival so she can't help but worry for Ariya.
"Mirya, where did you hear such absurd rumors?" Ariya said while wiping the tears from her eyes because of laughing too hard.
"Well, its just rumors you highness. Right! You're supposed to meet Her Majesty, Disani, today. Let's get you ready"
Disani sent a letter to Ariya yesterday, inviting her for a tea. Ariya have never shared a word or two with the current wife of the Sultan, and she thought that it will be the perfect opportunity to know her. She decided to wear a light flowly blue dress, good for an afternoon tea. Arriving at the Disani's quarters, Mirya carefully knocked the door and announced the presence of Ariya.
"Come in." A soft feminine voice replied.
The door swung open and a petite and frail looking lady stands to greet them.
"Welcome your highness. I didn't expect that you would actually accept my invitation because you were so busy with the preparation. Thank you for coming." She bowed elegantly.
"It is nothing, Your Majesty" Ariya reassured and bowed in response.
"Oh please, do call me Disani. It is only the two of us here, there is no need for such formalities. Come sit." Disani took Ariya's hand and guided her to sit onto the sofa.
"Forgive me, Disani. I was not able to welcome you formally when you came to the castle. It was rude of me."
"It is nothing your highness. I understand your position. It is not too easy to be hospitable to someone you do not know." She took the tea cup and slowly sipped the herbal tea.
"Thank you."
"Is the tea to your liking, your highness?" Disani asked.
"Oh yes, of course. Its nice. I trust this is chamomile?"
"It is. It is known for its soothing properties and aid in sleeping," Disani explained and Ariya hummed in response. She continued to sip the drink in her tea cup, soon enough she placed the cup down to the table.
"You didn't just call me here to drink tea, did you?"
Disani let out a small chuckle and said, "You're very smart, your highness. Actually I called you here because of you father."
"The Sultan? What of him?" Ariya asked.
Disani sighed heavily and looked at Ariya's eyes directly. "These days, the Sultan has been, distant. He seemed to be in constant worry, and I fear that his neglecting his health. I fear that he might be hiding something he couldn't share with anyone."
"I know what you're thinking. I did try to talk him out, but he is just too stubborn. He won't tell me anything so, here I am hoping that you might be able to help him. Ease his burden a little. I know there is too much at your plate right now but..."
Ariya was quite for a while. It seems to her that this woman in front of her truly loves her father.
She stared at the cup placed in the table.
"I will try to talk to him."
"Thank you your highness."
"But do know that my relationship between my father and I do not run deep. So there is a high chance that he will brush off any of my efforts. But I will try, because you mustered your courage to ask for my help."
"Oh your highness, if only you knew how much your father cares for you." Ariya looked up and stared directly into the woman's eyes. "Thank you again, your highness. You truly are kind."
"You flatter me. I possess any quality but kindness" she scoffed and took the tea cup that she had just put down.
"But my son says the opposite. That boy, won't stop praising you all day and night.It seems that he has taken a liken to you" Disani said as with a grin, almost like a tease for the princess. The two continued to chat for a while before Ariya left her chambers.