The Royal Quest

CHAPTER 3. Marrying Off

The next morning, Tala came running to the Princess’s quarter, not minding if she would disturb her peaceful slumber. She knocked once.

“Princess? Are you up already?” but she got no response. Slowly she opened the door and peek inside.

“Princess Dahlia, are you still sleeping?” she sighed, entering the room and closed the door behind her.

“My goodness, Princess. When will you ever learn to wake up early?” she complained as she walked towards the Princess’s canopy bed and pushed the white mesh curtains aside and tied it to the post on the edge.

“Princess, wake up.” shaking the young lady, who is still snoring softly while hugging her soft fluffy pillow. Until Princess Dahlia whimpered,

“What? Tala, what time is it?” 

“You will not believe it, but it’s time for your suitor’s trial to become your groom,” Tala announced while pushing the heavy curtains of her room aside to let the sunlight get through the wide window.

“What are you talking about?” The Princess chuckled as she covered her face with the thick duvet to hide it from the piercing sunlight and thought that her servants were only mocking her.

“Princess, you have to get up already, or else the ministers will decide to whom you will marry off.” Tala worriedly said as she prepared everything that the princess needed for her morning routine.

“What are you talking about?” She confusingly inquired and finally moved to sit up while scratching her eyes for a clearer vision.

“They gathered all the young princes, including some of the minister’s sons that stayed at the kingdom after your celebration yesterday in the assembly room for an assessment to be your possible groom.” 

“What groom? Oh, Tala, I’m sorry but I’m not buying your hoax.” The princess refused to believe her until suddenly a male servant knocked on her door.

“Your Highness?”

“Speak.” Princess Dahlia demanded with her still groggy voice.

“The King summoned you to come over to his library as he wanted to have a word with you, Princess Dahlia.” The man loudly announced outside her room.

“About what?” Princess Dahlia tried to get some hint from the servant.

“Apologies, Your Highness. But Your Majesty has mentioned none.”

“You can leave now.” Princess Dahlia firmly ordered.

“It must be about the suitors,” Tala remarked while pulling out a gown that the princess will wear for the day.

“That’s impossible. I just turned eighteen yesterday, and there’s no way that they are planning something like that. Also, the King and Queen mentioned nothing about it. I’m certain that they will not do such an action without my consent about that matter.” She spoke as she already got her both feet on the floor to start her confusing day. 

Tala leads her to her luxurious bathroom which she has already prepared, with a wide and round tub in the middle of shining marble tiles covered with white curtains. It also has a mini chandelier on top, surrounded by fresh flowers while the walls have molds with the image of lilies. 

Princess Dahlia stands in front of the tub full of different flower petals while the water is mixed with milk. She unties the lace of her long sleeping white gown and raises her both arms. Once Tala closes the door, she goes to the Princess, who is already waiting for her to pull off the fabric that covers her skin. Once done and fully naked, she slowly brought her foot inside the lukewarm water of the tub and after she adjusted the temperature to her skin, she put the other one then slowly deep, her remaining skin while Tala is holding her hand making sure she will not slip. Once settled, her servant pulled the curtains to cover the tub and stayed still on the other side, waiting for the princess to be done.

*****

With her light blue silk dress with gold and silver thread embroidery on the hem, the Princess has arrived at the King’s study. With no further words, the guards let her get inside alone, leaving her lady servant outside with the other servants and guards. She quickly had a view of her parents as they were sitting on the long couch in the middle of the chamber, facing the door where she entered.

“Good day, Your Majesty.” Princess Dahlia greeted, showing some respect to her royal parents as she bowed in front of them before proceeding in their direction, and gave them a peck on each cheek.

“Good morning, my precious.” Queen Olive greeted her back while she noticed her father’s uneasiness.

‘The news might be true, but no way.’ She told herself, and took a seat across from her parents.

“Thank you for coming at this instant, my dear princess.” King Rainier started.

“So, is it true that you are marrying me off?” the Princess interrupted before her king father could think of any excuse. And the king nodded. 

The princess’s heart skipped a beat and took a deep breath as she hardly keeps herself calm as much as she can. She turned her gaze to her mother’s direction, but she was just quietly looking down at her clasped hands resting on her lap.

“Dahlia, I am sick and you know it, including the entire kingdom, is aware of my condition. Each day, my body gets weaker and the doctors have declared it is no longer curable."

"Wha-what?" she muttered with furrowed eyebrows.

"Yes, your father is dying and you need to gain the throne as early as possible together with the chosen one as your king." The king firmly declared, looking straight into his daughter's almond eyes.

"No, maybe they are only mistaken." She denied it as her tears welled up in her eyes.

"No, Princess. It is true. You know I will never put you in something I know you didn't wish for just like this marriage." Her father sadly announced.

"But, I don't want to get married this soon." She protested and tears fell on her cheeks.

"Mother, why are you not saying anything? Are you just going to let them ruin my future?" She begged while her mother only shook her head negatively while wiping her own tears.

"We have spoken to the ministers about it and proposed to let you rule the kingdom alone for the meantime with our assistance until you finally decide about your king, but they didn't agree and warned that they will not support your reign. The only thing left we can do is to choose better ones to be your groom and Haru's future king."

"No," the princess pleaded and stood up, taking a few steps towards her father's direction, and slowly kneeled.

"Dahlia." She stunned her parents by what she did, especially her mother.

"I beg you, Your Majesty. Reconsider the marriage, I really can't do it. I can't lend my heart and soul to someone that I don't love at all." She expressed while her tears freely flowing along her cheeks with her shaky lips and trembling hands.

Her mother stood and pulled her up from the ground.

"Dahlia, you are Haru's future queen, and for you to be called as a leader, be brave to face every challenge given to you and that includes this marriage." Her mother fiercely told her. Princess Dahlia couldn't believe hearing those words from her mother. And without uttering another word, she turned and skipped out of the chamber.

"Rainier, this is so hard." Queen Olive mumbled, gripping her chest as she watched her daughter getting away and burst into tears. The king stood up and embraced his wife.

"This is all my fault. I should be the one to protect you and Dahlia but I only brought sorrow to our daughter’s life." He whispered heavily while caging his wife in between his arms.

"Don't say that. Our daughter is a wise princess. I know Dahlia will comprehend and will try to open her heart to save the kingdom."