Shadow For The Princes

That day, Orva's royal palace did not look as quiet as usual. The palace that was only filled with rows of soldiers in each hallway was now filled with many humans who began to arrive.

Dressed in their finest gowns with striking colors and formalwear made of brightly colored embroidery for men.

By King Brent's order, all people from all background were invited to enter the palace to celebrate Princess Crystabelle's birthday. It is a very precious event for the people of the Orva Kingdom every year as it is considered important by the kingdom to celebrate the princess' happy day together.

After all, the people are the reason why a monarchy exists.

From the balcony in the center of the palace hall, King Brent and Duke Milano were monitoring everyone who entered the royal hall.

"Are all the princes of the seven kingdoms also present?''

Without moving his attention to the people and royal guests who had begun to arrive, King Brent waited for the royal advisor to answer his question.

''Prince Logan of the Kingdom of Agnar is the tenth prince from the six kingdoms who has been observed to be present, Your Majesty.''

King Brent's nod made Duke Milano take a step forward until he was level with the ruler of the Orva Kingdom.

''Have you sent all the invitation letters to all the kingdoms that I ordered?'' The king's stern voice made Milano a little depressed. The middle-aged man in the luxurious black clazer with golden trim nodded definitely.

"Then which prince of which kingdom has still not been seen until now, Milano?’’

''Valliant, Your Majesty. Prince Pascal.''

The news of the rebels attacking the Valliant Kingdom's borders a few weeks ago was heard throughout the eastern lands, including the Orva Kingdom.

Considering King Lumiere relied heavily on his only son who was known to be an expert in war strategy and proficient with a sword, King Brent forgave Prince Pascal's absence who was currently probably on duty guarding his kingdom.

But King Brent knew that there was a girl currently walking down the hall with her nursemaid and five soldiers in his palace who would not tolerate Pascal's absence.

''Crystabelle will not like this.'' Among the other princes, the gift from Pascal was the one Crysta was most looking forward to.

Duke Milano smiled. Besides being known for its beauty because it was in the middle of a bay and surrounded by blue seas, the kingdom led by King Lumiere and Queen Ruby had an honor and pride that lay within Prince Pascal Tristan. The prince always wore dark-colored clothes and rode a giant tiger as a mount.

In addition, Prince Pascal always gave the same gift every time Princess Crysta had a birthday. A pearl necklace but with a different color every time the girl got older. And the day Pascal was supposed to give the brunette girl a collection of pearls in another color, the man was absent.

From the one entrance that led to the balcony, two of the most beautiful women of the Orva Kingdom were smiling at each other. Queen Ophelia and Prince Crystabelle received an early welcome and everyone immediately bowed, paying their respects when they appeared together.

The mother and daughter took their respective positions beside the king. Sitting gracefully with the admiring gazes of the people, including the ten princes present.

Seeing one empty seat among the princes, Princess Crysta could only inhale oxygen roughly. King Brent's feeling was never wrong. But Princess Crystabelle covered it up with a smile while waving at the people who loved her.

One royal guest after another congratulated the princess who was now turning twenty years old. Marquess, Count, Countess, Earl, Viscount, Baron, Baronet, Knight to the people, all those present gifted objects as well as beautiful words for Princess Crysta's well-being and life.

''An emerald gleam for you, Your Higness.'' Prince Axa, from the Kingdom of Mytris gifted an oval mirror with a sprinkling of green stones in a velvet box.

Next, a gift from another prince.

''The finest silk dress...''

''Jewelry...''

''Deerskin...''

''Rare books...''

The princess let Prince Jack be the last prince to kiss the back of her hand after presenting the gifts. And Monic, the princess's nursemaid immediately gathered the beautifully wrapped items onto the special table for the gifts of princes and royalty.

''It's good to know you like my gift, Princess.'' Jack smiled, gazing in amazement at the princess who was always so friendly to everyone.

''No one would dare refuse a gift from the prince of the mountain kingdom, Your Higness.'' Crystal withdrew her hand from Jack to give the people a chance to meet her.

Still with her smile maintained, Crystabelle watched Prince Jack return to the princes' table before turning to the couple who were in line to give him a blessing.

On the other hand, the music that was flowing amongst the laughter and happiness of the people suddenly stopped as King Brent rose from his throne. Crystabelle then glanced at the queen who was equally clueless as to why the ruler of Orva had suddenly interrupted.

''May heaven and earth be a shady place for you, my daughter.'' The man with long hair and a golden crown with a red velvet combination on his head said aloud.

Crysta blushed with embarrassment. Even though her parents had been the first to chant prayers for her life during breakfast together this morning. But it seemed that her father wanted to say it in a large room with many pairs of eyes from outside the palace as witnesses, in addition to the royal servants and soldiers of course.

''As the king and father of Princess Crysta, I would like to make an important announcement to all those present at this event. An announcement that will be the beginning of how the princess will start her new life.''

There was silence. Crystabelle frowned.

''Today, I will choose one of the princes from the six kingdoms present as a companion for my daughter.''

Immediately, the king's words were welcomed by the people, the nobles and the princes who immediately smiled happily from where they were listening. The golden moment that was not attended by the right person made Crystabelle uneasy and stared at an empty chair from afar. Her feelings were mixed.

On a birthday where she had yet to make any requests to the heavens, she hoped that this time Pascal would appear from the large golden door below. The beautiful hands were intertwined- forming a grip as if they were saying a prayer.

''And... I have decided that Prince Logan will be the princess's husband.''

Suddenly everyone cheered. But Crysta's hearts dropped. Both hands that were resting on it instantly felt weak and slipped away. The smile that had been on her face faded away.

''Mother?'' She asked for a defense from the queen who was one seat away. Hoping that Queen Ophelia would take her side.

But a sigh and a forced smile brought the reality that there was nothing her mother could do. Once King Brent had said his word, nothing could be changed. The king's word was an oath as well as an order.

Crystabelle's shoulders slumped low. Monic also bowed sadly. She witnessed how Pascal was the person Crysta always mentioned when telling stories or doing things she liked. Although the cold prince did not know about Crysta's desire for Pascal to be her husband.

''Go ahead, Prince Logan.'' the king asked the blue-eyed man.

Logan walked in proud and dashing. Puffing out his chest where the envy of the other princes made him the winner in the palace hall.

The people pressed their lips to each other's ears as Logan stood in front of the banquet table occupied by the royal family.

Glancing at Crysta who had a flat face and was reluctant to look at him, Logan extended a hand to the princess. Making Crysta stop staring at the door leaf and start returning Logan's gaze. Understanding that the prince of Agnar wanted her to stand beside him as he introduced himself to the people of Orva.

Her heart wasn't in it, but Logan's expectant blue eyes made it impossible for Crysta to refuse.

Crysta accepted Logan's palm and released it when she was standing next to Prince Axa's older brother. On the day she should have felt happy because she was going to meet Pascal, Crysta instead felt a sadness that she could never have imagined.

''People of the Kingdom of Orva-''

RROOAARRRR!

Logan took a step back as the sound of a beast roaring filled the silence. Surprised, he didn't realize that he was already behind Crysta. It would be a shame for a prince not to be a shield for the woman who would become his consort.

RROOAARRRR! The roar was heard again. Everyone wondered in panic. The terrifying sound was coming from outside.

‘’Check what that sound is?’’ King Brent commanded. All the soldiers moved. But the General of the Orva Kingdom immediately whispered something in the king's ear that brought all the soldiers' movements to a halt when the ruler raised one hand up.

''Open the door!''

The four soldiers at the hall door initially stared in doubt, but when King Brent's sharp gaze made the soldiers in armor tremble in fear, they rushed to open it.

The door split open with a creaking sound to reveal the figure that had been making their hair stand on end in horror.

A giant golden tiger appeared with its rider. Dressed in black armor complete with a helmet covering the face.

Crysta couldn't stop the happy sigh that made her chest rise and fall at the prospect of seeing the figure she was waiting for. What's more, the beast's large strides were directly toward her which allowed her to see the rider's face as he removed the headgear from the beast.

''Pascal,'' Crysta exclaimed, softly and with relief.