Vanieza: The Captured Kingdom

Decisions during Dinner

The atmosphere in the dining hall was tense. Once all was in attendance, the servants were ordered to leave. Something big was up and the matriarch decided to speak up to break the silence. “Darling what is it that we are to talk about?” The queen inquired in a gentle voice. “I assume it is related to what Lord Kaema brought in earlier?” The lady sovereign was spot on about the matter.

The male sovereign revealed his plans to allow the successor to immerse in the Alpulus. That will be done once the visit to their grandfather is concluded. “Keith, what will be gained if we confirmed Father is accepted by the scroll?”

“I am curious if the scroll detects blood hierarchy.” The king expounded. “The scroll detected Luvelia, even if no official coronation rites has been made.” The ruler expressed his curiosity. “Or it just accepts as long as the individual is of Vaniezan royal blood?” Nathalia raised her hand to speak and was given permission.

“Father, may I touch the scroll?” the petite inquired. If it recognizes her, the smaller princess would volunteer to take Luvelia’s place. Irvald is her trainer, it is but right for them to work together. Then a though came to her mind, if the elder goes there, she will be parted from the flamed prodigy. Would it be good or bad? It seemed that the successor has gotten over her infatuation over the genius. But one cannot be too sure.

“The parchment is in my study safely sealed.” The patriarch explained. “My mind is made up of letting Luvelia take the assignment. It would be a good experience for her. “ Was the confident answer of the king.

The second daughter seek permission again. Receiving a nod, she opened her mouth once again. “But Sir Irvald is my mentor and knight. We are a team that should be training together.” The tone of her voice sounded more possessive than expected. “Didn’t you say Father that the two of us should be together?” The manner made the elder feel a bit uneasy. The second knight belongs to no one. It was quite insensitive of Nathalia to brand him that way. But wait, isn’t the man wielding her mark? He has technically offered himself to her. So she has every right to be with him too.

“Nathalia, I think father has made things clear.” The taller daughter spoke. “I understand your concern. But you can also grow with other people.” The successor explicated “He might be a constant for you. But it does not mean all should revolve around your partnership.” The younger bit her lip. She was doing great progress with Irvald. If it gets cut off prematurely won’t her skills degrade?

“I will be training you in exchange Nathalia. “ The king revealed. “And as an additional assignment to learn, you must learn quick healing from Lord Kaema.” The petite’s eyes widened. So she and her sibling will be swapping teachers? “Your speed is good, but since you cannot have automatic healing from Volhan. Then you must depend on aura recovery.” The ruler expounded. “We all knowLord  Kaema is the swiftest both in body mechanics and curing abilities.”

“Yeah that is why his skin is too smooth.” The second daughter muttered. The queen raised an eyebrow at her. Realizing she said something out loud unnecessarily, the princess waved both hands to shake off the idea. “When we were making the humanized claws… He took my hand measurements and that is the time I uh..” The young lady stuttered. “That is the time I noticed his hands are not calloused.” The smaller stated blushing. “He said, it is like that because his injuries are healed fast.” The matriarch eyed her daughter knowingly. The petite feeling embarrassed added “It’s not like I wanted to touch him on purpose.” The second daughter declared defensively.

“Lord Kaema is a beautiful man.” The elder lady sovereign confirmed. “Almost all the female servants in the castle have a strong liking for him.” It was common knowledge but hearing it from the matriarch’s mouth the fact became more intriguing. “He is exceptional among scholars too, I think it is good both of you girls can learn from him.” The queen smiled with mirth. “Studying with him would be like pleasant. He is both nice inside out.”

“You seem to have strong fondness for Lord Kaema.” The king blurted out loud with a little hint of jealousy. The queen smiled and reached out for his hand to give assurance.

“I am merely stating facts. Nothing to more.” The matriarch reassured with a chuckle. “There is nothing wrong in appreciating someone’s attractive traits.” The lady of the house professed. “Don’t be ashamed of it girls. As humans we are appreciators of beauty. It is but natural to manifest it.”

Luvelia kept silent. Nathalia being in Kaema’s tutelage seems to be beneficial. She has no problems about it. To tell the truth she is not bothered by it. Her reverie was broken when the younger princess lifted her hand once again. A complaint escaped her mouth. “Father, I know this healing ability is important. But I can learn it from mother.” The petite reasoned. “I am deeply moved we can train together but you are also immersed in state affairs. To be honest, I desire more practical engagements in the battle field. Sparring is great but applying skills in actual situations is the best.”

“Nathalia..” The king tired muttered, the little one was being stubborn. “I plan to spar with you and give assignments teaming up with other knights. It’s about time you get to know the other warriors. “The king proposed. “You will not be confined so don’t worry over it.” The proposal is logical and appropriate, however discontent is all over the younger princesses’ face.

The queen smirked knowingly. “Nathalia, instead of showing us a sour face. Explain your argument. Why do you need to go in this mission instead of Luvelia?” The petite kept silent both hands tightly clasped. “Why do you think being Sir Irvald is the finest choice for you?”

“I just want big sister safe here.” The younger replied. “I can do the dirty work. She is needed here in the capital.”

“Nathalia, Luvelia needs some exposure to the outside world too.” The patriarch enunciated once again. “Alpulus will be the best place. Are we clear?”

“Please Father let me touch the scroll. I can go on this journey too.” The petite pleaded. The queen exhaled at the intensity going on and decided to offer a suggestion.

“If I may suggest. For Nathalia’s piece of mind Kieth let her touch the scroll.” The matriarch the gazed at the younger heiress. “However as planned and decided by your Father Luvelia will go.” The small princess bit her lip in frustration. “Nathalia, I know you worry about your sister's health. But she has been improving since Lord Kaema has thought her aura manipulation. You might be pleasantly surprised at what she can do.”

The king cleared his throat. “To make things clear I do not intend for Luvelia to stay in that area too long. Once enough information is gathered, she will return back to the palace.”   

Luvelia reached out to Nathalia’s hand who is seated beside her. “Thank you for worrying about me Natie. But rest assured I will be fine. You know very much Sir Irvald will protect me no matter what. So please accept it okay?”

The younger heaved a sigh. That fact she knew of course. It seems she won’t be triumphant with her arguments. As her ,mentor told her its okay to retreat in some battles if it will result to a win later. “Fine, I will no longer disagree with the plan.” The shorter princess declared “But I have a request. Can I see Alpulus too?” The king raised a brow and his features presented doubt. “I promise to go back and not be pigheaded about it.” The younger maiden replied. “I just want to make sure that Luvelia will be fine there.”

“Arha darling, you know that paralyzing serum you formulated before? The one we use so prisoners won’t escape?” The king uttered out suddenly. The queen nodded smirking. “You were able to develop away to pierce it by using a needle right?” The lady sovereign bobbed her head in understanding. “Once into the blood stream you can call it to activate with aura? How long can it last?”

“It will be effective for a week darling.” The matriarch confirmed. “Would you want me to stir a concoction?” The king dipped his chin in agreement. The two daughters wondered why the ruler would be needing it.

“Nathalia, I will allow you to come with Luvelia to Alpulus.” The patriarch finally decided. “But you have to pierced with the serum your mother made.” The head of the family declared. “If you refuse to go home, Luvelia cast the spell on her so Lord Kaema can take her home.”

The proposal shocked the youngest princess. She was not able to stop herself from speaking. “Father I will be defenseless!” the petite argued, her blue eyes in fury. What if the flame haired i***t does something in appropriate? “I know you trust Lord Kaema a lot. But allowing me to be with him under paralysis? This is preposterous!”

“Nathalia weren’t you listening?” Luvelia exhaled in tiredness. “It will only be activated if you refuse to go home. In short if you return back when I asked you too, there is no need to cast the spell.” The successor explained. “Father has already been gracious enough towards you. Please stop being stubborn.” The younger snorted and finally gave in. To which the elder finally smiled in relief. “Good, I guess we can all eat now?” The statuesque princess chimed to which both parents agreed.

The meal went on with less tension but doubt still hanging in the air. Each family member talked about the things they have been working on to ease the awkwardness. Luvelia’s mind then wander off on how living in Alpulus be like? Definitely there won’t be a castle. No handmaid will be accompanying her. She will be doing a lot of things by herself. It will not be like the short expeditions Nathalia has done. But at least she can finally go out of the palace confines. She can finally now see part of the world.

Irvald and her may not have been able to fulfill their plans of spending the day by the meadows overlooking the kingdom. But she does not mind taking this other chance. Even if the situation is dire and risk are involved.

                                                                                        -o-

Nathalia laid in bed tossing and turning unable to sleep. After dinner the king presented the scroll to her. It also reacted, the initial conclusion as it accepts Vaniezan royal blood. Tomorrow her sister will met up with their grandfather to finalize the answer. Then she will see her off in an unknown territory the next day.

It has been almost a week since this Alpulus quest has started. That is how long she has not seen him. The a memory flashed in the petite princess mind. She could still see the disdain on the second knight’s face when he answered “ I can never have her.”  The thought made her blush. His eyes were so intense during that instant. It pierced her soul. 

She felt his deep sincerity. Irvald Koane is a good man. His virtues exceed even the highest nobleman. She has never met a foreign prince, but Nathalia is certain Irvald can outshine them. And to receive such passionate stare from him is most flattering. It would not be difficult to fall for a man like him.

It is written that the Koane bloodline cannot marry into the royal house of Vanieza. But that was an order for the successors. She is not the successor, there is probably a way around it. Besides her sister will be queen. That man is also the elder's friend, surely Luvelia will be happy for them. 

Nathalia's heart continued to pound. In story books the princess and her knight develop feelings for each other. It was laughable for her way back then. But now, her cheeks flushed again. She is living her fairytale.