The Royal Quest

CHAPTER 6. Kingdom's Future

“What?” he asked again with furrowed eyebrows, hoping that he just heard the Princess wrong.

“I said, I have to bring the Vampire King’s head to prove that I can protect the kingdom.” 

Baron suddenly lost his words to answer the Princess. While the latter becomes anxious about the man’s reaction.

“Oh my God! What should I do now? What if that monster would kill me before I laid a finger on him?” cupping her angelic face with her wide eyes, the Princess became terrified.

“My Princess, you shouldn’t have decided such a thing. It is very dangerous.” 

“I know! But what can I do? I will not let them marry me off, especially since my father seems to agree with their decision.” The princess huffs in annoyance and feels broken by how just her father agrees on ruining life to secure the Kingdom’s future.

Baron frowned and looked down as the Princess's emotions dragged through him.

"So sad, isn't it? If only the Queen conceived a Prince instead of a clumsy daughter like me, this would never happen for sure.” the Princess sadly muttered.

“Don’t say that, Your Highness. Heaven brought you to the kingdom to spread kindness and joy for everyone. They have blessed you with a good heart, and that will be your weapon to conquer every hardship that will be given to you,” Baron gently told the Princess as he gazed into her eyes.

“Don’t worry, Princess. I will always be beside you, and your battle would be mine too.” Baron swore to the Princess when suddenly Prince Jax and Lord Duncan appeared from behind and interrupted.

“Hey, soldier! Tell me, are you that eager to get the Princess’s attention? Since they do not choose you to be one of the suitors, you decided to make your move? Is that how desperate you are?” Prince Jax bluntly told Brandon, who only stepped aside, looking down.

“Prince Jax! You have no right to judge Baron. He’s doing nothing wrong with you. Why are you so harsh towards him?” The Princess hissed with her sharp eyes.

“If only Baron was also selected, I will surely choose him over you.” She turned away, pulling her soldier by hand.

“See what you have done? Could you please use your brain instead of letting your mouth talk?” Duncan scolded the young Prince.

“If I need to choose between you and the Princess? I would rather let Princess Dahlia rule over than a chicken-headed Prince like you,” he added and walked away, leaving the Prince behind.

Princess Dahlia dragged the soldier to the palace's garden long pergola passageway. Where thick vines cover the entire roof, letting only a few slithers of light pass through. 

"I can't believe that they have betrayed me. Even Lord Duncan! I thought I could trust him!" She dramatically huffed in irritation after Prince Jax's attitude. However, Baron kept his feet in his place and just stayed quiet.

Princess Dahlia heaved a deep sigh.

"I sincerely apologize about his unruly behavior-" but the Princess didn't finish her words when suddenly Lord Duncan interrupted.

"Why are you apologizing for someone else's improper manner?" He asked as he walked in the Princess's direction. But the lady turned to avoid looking at the man.

"Baron, could you please give us a moment? I just want to talk to Your Highness. Please." He begged, which the soldier obeyed and bowed his head in respect before he left.

"My dear Princess," he asked for her attention, but Dahlia did not respond.

"I understand if you're upset, but I just want you to know that I didn't agree to this as well. However, the ministers have selected me to join the trial since I have been taking part in some government missions, and maybe they think…" he scratches the back of his neck before he continues.

"They think we could rule the realm together." 

"You should have stopped your father and told the other ministers not to pursue their plan of marrying me off." Still, without looking at the man.

"I tried, My Princess. But the ministers are eager to get you prepared early for the throne, and since they always trusted their old beliefs, they want you to marry already and have a husband, to be a king who will always stay and support you." He tried to explain.

"Whatever the reason is, I will never let them demand for my future." Princess Dahlia said as she looked at his eyes firmly.

"Of course, Your Highness." He agreed and held both of her hands.

"I promise to support whatever decision you make. I will always be at your back no matter what because I love you." Lord Duncan bravely told the Princess that made her blush, as she felt flattered by his words.

"Honestly, I don't even care if you choose me or not. As long as the chosen one will keep you safe, and smiling every day is enough for me to feel delighted as well." He added.

"I don't know what to say," the Princess mumbled, looking down. 

Lord Duncan smiled.

"You don't have to say anything, my dear Princess Dahlia. Letting me speak my heart is already an immense success for me." Squeezing her soft hands by his.

Princess Dahlia is fully aware of the man's feelings. However, she knew to herself that she was not ready for this kind of thing. Plus, her heart hasn't found the right one yet.

"Princess," suddenly the queen came over, and Princess Dahlia quickly withdrew her hands from Lord Duncan's hold.

"Mother! I-I mean, Your Highness." It startled her as she quickly bowed in respect. Also, the man bent his head.

The Queen looks at the two in exchange as she tries to analyze what's going on between them.

"Lord Duncan, would you mind?" Asking permission to have private time with her daughter.

"I'll get going, Your Highness. Excuse me." Duncan said and left already.

Queen Olive stares at her daughter, who still has her head bent down as she tries to get any hint from her.

"You are blushing red like a tomato, my dear." She commented while the Princess abruptly cupped her face with her hands.

The queen laughed softly at her daughter's reaction.

"Oh my goodness, Princess. You should see the look on your face!" Her mother giggles.

"Mom! Stop it! Someone might hear you." The Princess dramatically complained, which made her mother laugh even more at her.

Queen Olive caresses her daughter's angelic face.

"Lord Duncan is impressive. I’m glad he joined. I’m certain that he could be a noble king and husband. What do you think?" the Princess's mother insisted.

"Mother, he's just a friend. Besides, I have decided. I will prove to them I can rule the kingdom. I will let no one decide what is best for me, not even the King." Suddenly, the aura becomes serious after speaking about ruling the throne again.