The Princess Return
758 Words
The royal palace stood proudly on the highest hill in Asteria, its white marble walls glowing beneath the afternoon sun. Servants hurried through its grand halls, preparing for the arrival of someone who had been away for many years.
Princess Liora was finally coming home.
News of her return spread quickly across the kingdom. Television stations interrupted their programs. Newspapers printed special editions, and social media buzzed with excitement.
But there was one man who didn't share the excitement.
Arin.
He stood silently in his office, staring at the invitation resting on his desk.
"A Royal Welcome Banquet in Honor of Princess Liora."
Attendance was not optional.
His parents expected him to be there.
After all, everyone knew the future king's daughter and the Ashford heir had been promised to each other since childhood.
---
That evening, Ashford Mansion was unusually lively.
Arin's mother adjusted his bow tie with a smile.
"You look handsome."
"I only hope that's enough."
She noticed the sadness in his eyes.
"You're thinking about her."
Arin looked away.
"I don't know what you're talking about."
"Kaisha."
He remained silent.
His mother sighed softly.
"You have a kind heart, Arin. I only pray it doesn't lead you into heartbreak."
---
The royal ballroom sparkled with crystal chandeliers, golden decorations, and elegant music.
Nobles, business leaders, and diplomats filled the room.
When the grand doors opened, everyone stood.
Princess Liora entered wearing a flowing silver gown that shimmered like moonlight. She carried herself with grace, smiling warmly at everyone she greeted.
She was beautiful.
But more than that, she seemed kind.
As her eyes searched the room, they finally found Arin.
She walked toward him.
"It's been a long time."
"It has," Arin replied politely.
"I barely recognized you."
"I could say the same."
She laughed softly.
"I've heard so much about you."
"I've heard about you too."
For several minutes they talked about their years apart.
Liora spoke of studying abroad, learning different languages, and working with charities.
Arin listened carefully.
She was intelligent.
Gentle.
Compassionate.
Exactly the kind of woman anyone would admire.
Yet...
His heart remained strangely quiet.
---
Across the ballroom, Lord Ashford and the King watched proudly.
"They look wonderful together," the King said.
"They always were meant to be."
Neither noticed Arin forcing every smile.
---
After dinner, Liora stepped onto the palace balcony.
The night air was cool.
Arin joined her.
"The stars are beautiful tonight," she said.
"They are."
Silence settled between them.
Then Liora spoke.
"May I ask you something?"
"Of course."
"Are you happy about this marriage?"
The question caught him off guard.
He looked at her.
Instead of excitement, he saw uncertainty in her eyes.
She wasn't asking as a princess.
She was asking as a woman.
Arin answered honestly.
"I don't know."
She nodded slowly.
"I appreciate your honesty."
"You deserve the truth."
"So do you."
She looked toward the stars.
"Our families made this promise."
"Yes."
"But promises made by others can become burdens for those expected to keep them."
Arin stared at her in surprise.
"You feel that way too?"
Liora smiled sadly.
"I believe marriage should be built on love."
"So do I."
For the first time that evening, Arin realized they shared the same fear.
Neither of them wanted to hurt their families.
Neither wanted to marry without love.
---
The next morning, Arin returned to the community center.
The children ran toward him the moment he arrived.
"Mr. Arin!"
"You came back!"
He laughed as they surrounded him.
Kaisha watched from a distance, smiling.
"You look tired," she said after the children wandered off.
"I attended a banquet."
"The royal one?"
"Yes."
"How was it?"
Arin hesitated.
"I met my fiancée."
Kaisha's smile slowly faded.
"Oh..."
"So... it's true?"
"Yes."
She looked down at the flowers she had been planting.
For reasons she couldn't explain, her heart suddenly felt heavier.
"I'm happy for you," she whispered.
But her voice lacked its usual brightness.
Arin noticed.
He wanted to tell her everything.
That he didn't love Princess Liora.
That every visit to the community center was because of her.
That she had become the first person who made him feel truly alive.
Instead, he remained silent.
Sometimes...
The hardest words to say are the ones hidden deepest in the heart.
As Kaisha walked away to join the children, Arin watched her go.
For the first time, he realized that the promise made years ago wasn't just threatening his future.
It was already breaking someone's heart.
And perhaps...
His own.
- Writer
