-Helia Palace; Throne Room-
In the grand throne room of Helia Palace, I stood before my father, the King, my heart racing with a mix of anticipation and trepidation. The room was a breathtaking display of opulence, with high vaulted ceilings adorned with intricate gold leaf designs and majestic chandeliers casting a warm glow over the polished marble floors. Rich tapestries depicting our kingdom's storied history lined the walls, and the throne itself, draped in deep crimson velvet, loomed behind my father, a symbol of his authority.
"Radiant as the golden sun that illuminates our great kingdom, Your Majesty, I, your humble subject, stand before you, honored to bask in the light of your divine presence," I greeted, my voice unwavering.
"Raise your head," he commanded, his tone sharp. I complied, meeting his gaze with a calm demeanor.
"Luxana..." he began, his brow furrowing as he searched for the right words.
"This is a conversation between the King and the Princess, not a father and his daughter, Your Majesty," I interjected, my tone resolute.
The King’s expression hardened, frustration flickering in his eyes. "First Princess of Domino, Luxana De Carna Mera Domino. In your presence, I humbly seek elucidation and resolution to the matters that have stirred uncertainty within my mind."
I tilted my head slightly, maintaining my composed facade. "It shall be my duty and privilege to provide the necessary clarification and guidance to address and ultimately dispel the concerns that trouble you, Your Majesty."
"Then..." the King began, but I interrupted, feeling a surge of determination.
"Regarding Her Majesty the Queen, I realize I have been rude, and I do not plan to continue this behavior. I will conduct myself with the utmost decorum. As for the person visiting me at night, it is my personal maid. I have acquired an attendant to serve me personally, as I wish to stay informed about the latest trends in High Society."
A flicker of guilt crossed my mind as I fabricated my explanation about Myla, but I brushed it aside. "And what I do all day, I venture out because I believe that restricting myself to the Palace will not aid me in achieving my ambitions."
The King raised an eyebrow, clearly taken aback by my boldness. "Ambition? What sort of ambition?" he inquired, his voice laced with genuine curiosity.
Oh look who's interested! But sooner or later this ambition itself will reveal itself. Luxana thought to herself.
"Why must I disclose that to you? Do you truly believe this is an age for a daughter to confide in her father about her dreams? I think not... and besides, if I told you, you would destroy it just as you did with my mother's ambitions. Oh, wait... how would you even remember what my mother’s ambitions were? You don't even know how old I am..."
"How old? Of course, I know how old you are! You are turning 20 this year!" he exclaimed, his tone incredulous.
"What?" I replied, my expression shifting to one of disbelief.
"Isn't that why there's been gossip about your marriage recently?" he asked, confusion evident on his face.
MARRIAGE? Ah! It must've been that idiot who did this. I thought I made my stance clear. But seems like that idiot's brain cells aren't functioning at all. Sigh. God, please show some mercy on me. Luxana thought to herself.
"I believe it is one of Lady Furia's doings, Your Majesty. And I am not 20 years old; I am merely 15," I clarified, my voice steady despite the turmoil within.
"Lady Furia? Where did she come from?" The King pressed, his brow furrowing deeper.
"It seems dispensable for me to elaborate this any further. I shall take my leave now, Your Majesty. Have a good day." With a graceful bow, I turned to exit the throne room, leaving my father in a state of shock.
Just as I reached the door, the King called out, his voice sharper now. "Luxana, wait."
I turned back, surprised by the sudden shift in his tone.
"Luxana, do not think you can simply dismiss these matters so easily! Your cold demeanor is infuriating! Do you not understand the weight of your actions?" he shouted, his voice echoing through the chamber.
I felt a jolt at his words, the heat of his anger washing over me like a wave. "Your Majesty, I—"
"Do not interrupt me!" he thundered, his fury palpable. "You act as if you are untouchable, as if your choices do not affect those around you. You are my daughter, and yet you refuse to show any warmth or regard for your family! This is unacceptable!"
His words struck deep, and I felt the cracks in my composed facade. "Your Majesty, I do not—"
"Enough!" he bellowed, his voice rising in intensity. "You think this is a game? That you can simply walk away from your responsibilities and the expectations placed upon you? You are a princess, and your actions have consequences!"
The tension in the room thickened, and I could feel my heart pounding in my chest. "Your Majesty, I am trying to—"
"Trying to what? Defy me? Act as if you are above your station? You think you can simply disregard the legacy of your mother? You think you can ignore the sacrifices she made for this family?" His voice was a mixture of anger and disappointment, and I felt my composure slipping.
At the mention of my mother, a wave of emotion surged through me, and I struggled to maintain my calm. "You do not understand—"
Alright! This won't do! He cut me off 4 times in a row. I'll show you! Luxana thought to herself.
"I do understand! I understand that you are throwing away everything she worked for! You are a reflection of her, and yet you choose to tarnish that legacy with your arrogance!" he shouted, his face flushed with rage.
In that moment, the dam within me broke. "How dare you speak of her like that!" I shouted back, my voice rising in defiance. "You have no right to judge her sacrifices when you were the one who crushed her dreams!"
"Crushed her dreams—" he began, but I cut him off.
"No! You do not get to speak! You do not get to dictate my life or my ambitions! I will not be a pawn in your game, nor will I allow you to tarnish my mother’s legacy with your cruelty!"
For a heartbeat, silence enveloped us, the weight of our words hanging in the air. I stood my ground, my heart racing, my breath coming in quick bursts.
He continued, his voice harsh and unyielding. "I raised you better than this."
I scoffed. "Raised me? Oh, apologies, but I believe I'm not the person you've just mentioned to have raised."
The King was furious. "You really are nothing compared to Roxana!"
At the mention of my mother, a storm of emotion surged within me, but I held my ground. "Because I am Luxana. Someone who has nothing to do with her foolish, obnoxious mother." I replied, my voice steady.
"Are you insulting your mother now?" asked the King, his voice rising.
"Insulting? I'd rather call this 'stating the truth,' Your Majesty. Because she is a disgrace to the throne, and please do not associate me with a dead woman anymore."
The King was shocked and taken aback.
"I remember well how the two of you have raised… no… thrown me aside. So please stop thinking if you mentioned my mother, I'd be taken aback or so. Nothing is going to change me, not even my mother's death or presence. I want to forge my own path."
"Your path? You think you can simply disregard the sacrifices she made for this family?" he roared, his fury palpable. "You are throwing away everything she worked for! This is unacceptable!"
"Your Majesty!" I replied, my voice steady despite the rising tension. "I am not my mother, and I will not be defined by her choices or your expectations!"
The King’s expression twisted in anger. "You think you can defy me? You think you can ignore the responsibilities that come with your title? You are a princess, and your actions have consequences!"
"You do not understand the burden of your expectations!" I shot back, my voice unwavering. "I will not be a puppet for your ambitions!"
In that moment, the King’s fury reached its peak. "You are an embarrassment to this family! You think you can act as if you are above your station? You are nothing without your mother's efforts, recognition, sacrifices, influence, and my authority. You are a princess, and you will act like one! You will learn to respect your role as a princess, whether you like it or not. You will learn your place in this family, one way or another."
"Your Majesty, I will not be silenced!" I retorted, my voice filled with conviction. "I will not allow you to sew me to form a reflection of that woman or dictate my future with your mouth!"
"LUXANA!" he screamed, his voice echoing off the walls. "You will regret this defiance," he warned, his eyes filled with anger.
"The one who'll regret it will be YOU, Your Majesty! I've… never done anything to you… or anybody…"
The King’s expression shifted, his anger giving way to something deeper—regret, perhaps. "I only wanted to protect you, to guide you," he said, his voice quieter now, though still tinged with frustration.
Tears pricked at the corners of my eyes, and I fought to maintain my composure. "I do not wish to be a pawn in your games, Your Majesty."
"Then what do you wish for, Luxana?" he demanded, his expression softening just a fraction, though the tension remained palpable.
In that moment, I felt like I was drowning in a sea and without realising I said things that I knew I'd regret. "I wish to be seen for who I am, not just as a reflection of your past or a tool for your ambitions!" I cried, my voice rising, the tears spilling over as I struggled to regain my composure. "I wish to forge my own path, to pursue my own dreams without fear of being crushed by the weight of your expectations!"
The King’s expression shifted, surprise flickering across his face as he took a step closer. "Luxana..." he began, his voice softer now, almost pleading as he walked toward me.
I felt the tears flowing freely now, the sound of my quiet sobs breaking the tension in the air. "You do not understand! I am not her! I am not a reflection of her failures!"
As I stood there, my emotions pouring out, the King hesitated for a moment before moving closer, his expression shifting from anger to something softer. He opened his arms, and in an unexpected gesture, he enveloped me in a hug. The warmth of his embrace enveloped me, and I could hear the soft sound of his breath as he whispered, "I never meant to hurt you, Luxana."
I felt the weight of my tears against his shoulder. "I just want to be me."
He held me tighter, the tension between us dissolving into a fragile understanding. "Then find the artifact of Lirania and prove yourself, my daughter," he whispered, his voice filled with a mix of hope and expectation.
"What… do you mean?" I asked, my voice trembling.
"I can't tell you that… it's up to you… to find out." He released me from his arms, stepping back to look into my eyes. "First Princess of Domino, Luxana De Carna Mera Domino, prove yourself to me."
With that, he turned and left the throne room, leaving me standing alone, my heart racing with every drop of tears.
I felt an overwhelming heaviness settle over me, as if I were nothing more than a soulless body drifting through a fog of despair. The woman who had vowed to seek revenge now stood weeping before the very person she was destined to kill. "AHHH!!! I hate myself!" I cried out, my voice breaking as I collapsed onto the cold, unforgiving floor. The chill seeped into my bones, amplifying the numbness that had taken root in my heart.
I couldn't stop the tears from flowing; they poured down my cheeks like a relentless storm. I wept and wept, each sob echoing in the silence of the chamber, a haunting melody of my anguish. The sound of my cries filled the air, raw and desperate, until the knights entered, their expressions a mix of concern and confusion as they urged me to leave.Yet, I couldn't shake the thought of my father—no, His Majesty. Would he still…? AHHH! My mind spiraled, drowning in uncertainty. I couldn't think anymore. I just didn’t know… I just didn’t… I don’t… I… don’t…
The words faded into a choked whisper, lost in the depths of my despair, as I felt utterly alone in my turmoil.
-In Valentine Duchy; Garden-
In the serene garden of Valentine Duchy, the sun filtered through the leaves, casting dappled shadows on the ground as I sat across from her, who held a delicate tea cup in her hand.
"Cillian, have you been well?" Liara asked, her smile warm and inviting.
Liara Rorina, the second daughter of House Rorina, possesses a captivating appearance with her vibrant purple hair and striking blue eyes. On the surface, she exudes a sweet, serene, and intelligent demeanor, making her seem like the epitome of a well-mannered and disciplined young woman. Her soft smile is a constant companion, often disarming those who encounter her.
However, beneath this seemingly friendly exterior lies a woman who is colder than the most frigid of individuals. While she excels in political and business affairs, her icy nature can be off-putting to those who seek a more warm and inviting personality. Despite her exceptional qualities, she is not the type to actively seek attention or go out of her way to engage with others.
It is worth noting that since the age of ten, Liara has been betrothed to me, though the relationship has always been more akin to that of siblings rather than romantic partners. Neither of us have shown any particular interest in the other, and it is highly unlikely that she harbors a secret lover, as her focus seems to lie elsewhere.
One of Liara's unexpected passions is archery, a skill often considered unbecoming of women in your society. During one of my archery lessons, she surprised me by visiting and expressing a keen interest in the bows. Without hesitation, she picked up a bow and effortlessly shot a perfect bullseye, earning applause from my teacher. This unexpected display of talent and skill left me puzzled, as it seemed to contradict her usual demeanor.
Liara is a woman of many surprises, and her unpredictable nature keeps everyone on their toes. She possesses an uncanny ability to gather information about almost everyone, making her a highly sought-after confidante among the women of the empire. In fact, last year, she gained the title of "Queen of Popularity" among the ladies, with many forming a fan club dedicated to her.
Despite her aloof nature, Liara has a way of revealing her true self at unexpected moments, catching those around her off guard. Her ability to adapt and surprise is a testament to her complexity as a character, making her a fascinating and intriguing individual to observe and interact with.
"Of course, I have. Thank you for asking," I replied, taking a sip of the fragrant tea while glancing around the lush garden, the vibrant flowers swaying gently in the breeze.
Liara leaned in slightly, her left index finger resting thoughtfully on her chin, a curious expression lighting up her features. "The fact that Princess Luxana of Domino awakened her powers... is true, isn't it?"
To be Continued...
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