Princess and her Knight

Imperial palace of the Elion kingdom

The king and queen along with their children were gathered in the throne hall. The knights were silently guarding the palace from outside. A beautiful girl of around 14 in age was crying continuously as if her world had been shattered.

" Father, I don't want to marry that bastard."

" How dare you raise your voice and thoughts against your father? Is this how I raised you?"

" Father, please I am begging you. Don't make me marry that bastard."

The queen intervened as she said " Little girl, why won't you obey us and marry the 3rd prince of Ren Luo kingdom? He is quite a good match for you."

The little princess shook her head as she pleaded " Big brothers, why aren't you saying something? Do you all want your sister to be a concubine?"

Nobody answered her. It was something she could have never believed. She wanted to take this as just a dream but the agony brought by the reality was too harsh for her to forget easily like this.

" Little girl, Be obedient and listen to your father. He is doing this for your own good. Do you want us to make Ren luo kingdom our enemy? If that is so then tell us?"

She was reluctant to believe this reality. She remembered the face of a person that she cherished.

Few days ago.

Garden around the princess palace. The young princess was taking a walk along with her loyal knights. She saw a boy who grew up with her. The boy had a very timid personality but she liked him. As time passed her likeness turned into love. On that day she decided to face him properly.

As he was training his sword arts he felt flustered as the princess began to approach him with a blushed face. ' What is she up to now? Don't tell me she has a thing for me?'

He was afraid that his thoughts would come true and desperately wanted to deny it but what should come true will come no matter the reason. "Bibek, there is something that I want to say to you. Can you listen to me for a while?"

He stopped his practice and kneeled down as he was Infront of the presence of the princess. " What can I do for you princess?" His question was simple but his act made the princess feel a little disheartened. She quickly grabbed his shoulder as she said " Huh, why are you kneeling in front of me? Didn't I tell you not to kneel in front of me? Quick, get up."

Bibek was reluctant but he was forced to stand up. As their gazes met they immediately turned other side. Both of them had a red face. Seeing that it was obvious that they both liked each other. Seeing this Birbal, the loyal knights of the princess and Wang Song's father frowned.

He was elated to realize this fact but he was afraid that his son was having a futile dream. It wasn't just his son but also the princess. ' How naive of her? If she learns of the truth of this cruel world, will she be able to maintain her stubbornness? Will she endure or collapse like others?'

He also knew why his son was training so hard like this. Three years ago there was an incident that happened to the princess.

Tree years ago,

Princess Melina was having a good time around the marketplace. Since she was loved by the citizens of the kingdom, the guards weren't vigilant. Also because of her carefree nature, she tends to ignore minute things. Just as she was enjoying her time, she was bullied by some young boys who were in their early teens.

It was inevitable that she would attract those boy's attention with her unmatched beauty. As the guards were negligent she was taken away by the unscrupulous boys.

She was in a trance as she never expected someone would dare to abduct her in broad daylight. " She warned the boys " What are you doing? Let me go. I am the princess of this kingdom. The guards will soon come and find me. You will be in trouble."

But the boys were having delusional thoughts because of which their mind was clouded. " Hmph, you are a princess! Then why didn't I see any guards? Little girls don't bluff, let's have some fun with you. We won't make it hard for you if you cooperate. If not, we have many ways to make you obey us."

She was afraid of their vicious gazes. She couldn't help but cry as she was still a child. Just when the boys were about to tear off her clothes the guards responsible for her protection came rushing towards her. Seeing the guards, the boys were devastated. ' What! Is she really the princess? We are in big trouble.'

The guards understood the situation and beat the boys. They would have continued to punish the boys but looking at the princess's current condition they couldn't help but back away.

Later that day when we returned my son was still training in the garden. He asked me about what happened. Thinking that he would be able to cheer up the princess he told his son the gist of the situation.

Later that day his son was nowhere to be found. Since his son was more than capable of defending himself, he went to rest without feeling worried at all. On that day his son arrived late at night. He wondered and went to see what his son was doing.

He didn't want to disturb his son so he went sneakily and saw something he never had imagined. His son's body was covered in red. It wasn't a colour but blood. Also it didn't seem like he was injured. ' Should I go and ask where he had been?' He shook his head as he thought ' Guess not, since he wants to keep it a secret I should consider his thoughts.'

The next day he learned the gist of the situation. The young boys who troubled the princess were crippled. Some had their limbs broken and some had their hands broken. Thankfully their life wasn't in danger.

After that many similar things happened. All of this had one similarity. It was that those who angered the princess or talked behind her were punished.

Back to the time when she proposed the boy

" So what do you want to say? I, along with my father, will be punished if you make another unreasonable request." The little princess felt a little hesitant after hearing her words but still with a lot of courage she said " I like you. I want you to be mine forever."

" Huh, what are you saying? It's impossible. Sorry princess but I have to decline." The words were hard but true but she was reluctant to accept this. Even though she knew the reason she asked " But why? Am I not pretty enough? Do you not like me?"

Bibek shook his head as he said " Princess you misunderstood me. I didn't say you are not pretty. Also I do like you but we have a boundary that we should never cross. You are the princess and I am just a knight. The king's order is utmost for me. Princess I am not worthy of you."

She felt disheartened at his words. She felt as if her heart was being pierced by countless thrones. She didn't know what this feeling was at all. But she knew that it hurts to hear those words from his mouth. " You, you are so mean. Don't talk to me again." With those words she left the boy.

He also felt disheartened but what could he do? ' Princess, I am sorry but I am too weak to be able to stand alongside you. With these weak abilities of mine, I can't dare to think myself worthy of you.' Though he acted distant or ignorant in front of the princess, he lived with her from the depth of his heart.'

Birbal followed the princess and tried to comfort her " Princess, please calm yourself. Don't be disheartened or offended by what my son said. He didn't mean to hurt your feelings."

Sob...sob…

" Uncle knight, is it wrong of me to love him? Why doesn't he understand my feelings? He is your son, can't you do something about it?"

It was hard for Birbal to speak while looking at her eyes so he turned his face and said " Princess, it isn't about right or wrong. You are from a royal lineage while we are a commoner. Your destiny is to marry a prince of a better nation and live a better life, while our destiny is to die protecting the royal line that we serve. How could a servant dare to accept the love of their master?"

Princess was reluctant to let go so she asked " Uncle Knight, isn't there any way for me to marry your son?"

It wasn't a question to be asked by a princess of a kingdom but looking at her determined eyes he couldn't help but say" Princess, the world is cruel and vicious. There are people far more powerful and dangerous than your father. Weak bends in front of strong so your father will also bend in front of a strong kingdom."

She asked, " So if I become strong no stronger, will I be able to choose my partner?" Though young she was quite clever. He only nodded his head.

Back to the present…

She remembered those words uttered by her knight. " Father, you used to tell me that you love me the most but now you are trying to send me away even though I don't want to."

The king spoke in a domineering manner " You aren't called here to put forward your opinion. You aren't called here for you to complain about our decision. I called you to let you know that we have made a marriage arrangement for you. But it seems you don't understand the situation. Since you dared to go against the order of your father the king, you shall be punished."

" Guards, take her back and lock her up in her room. Don't let her out until the day of her marriage."

The knights soon came in and carried the princess back to her place. After the princess was taken away the eldest prince asked " Father, is this the right thing to do? I felt bad to see my little sister disheartened like that."

The second prince said " Elder brother, it's not our father's fault. Not is it our fault. It's just that we are helpless in the current situation."

The king shook his head as he said " it's good that the kingdom has brilliant princes like you all but this is indeed my fault. I don't want to send her to that hell but I can sacrifice the life of my people. It is my fault for being too weak, that I can't even give happiness to my own child. I am ashamed to call myself a father."

He sighed and left the throne hall. The four princes were also feeling hard but there was nothing they could do. Like every day Wang Song was training diligently. As the princess arrived he felt disheartened. She looked lifeless. He then began to wonder about what happened and finally found the reason.

' Shit, I am so weak. Only if I had enough authority,I could have done something for her. If I was a prince of a stronger nation, I could have saved her.' He blamed himself for being weak and helpless. He wanted to approach the princess but he knew it would be of no help. The only way he knew of was to be the strongest. So he continued to train his body and mind continuously.

Later that day

The eldest prince Sabin went to visit his little sister.

" The eldest prince has arrived."

The maids and guards announced his visit. Melina was still reluctant to see her brother. From inside of her chamber she screamed " First prince, why are you here? Isn't it enough that you don't support your sister's wishes? What more do you want from me?"

She was extremely disappointed by the things that conspired today. She couldn't believe that all of this happened. When she told that she liked Bibek, the son of her knight, her father glared at her and threatened "Don't say that again. If not, I will take their family to the prison as a traitor."

Because of those words she couldn't even fight back. Seeing his sister's behaviour the first prince knew she was in a state of trance. Ignoring her improper manner he said " Little sister, it isn't that your brother doesn't love you but he is helpless. I can't defy my father's word as he is the king of this nation. You also know he loves you the most among all of us, don't you?"

She was reluctant to accept this so she screamed again " How could you say that he loves me? He doesn't even care about my happiness. Brother, tell me am I a burden to you all?"

Her questions made the first prince flustered. He didn't know what to do or how to answer this. He pondered for a while as he said " Little sister, please don't think like that. We are at fault that we can't fulfill your wish. But you must know the ones who want to marry you belong to one of the dynasties of China's empire. It would also be good for you."

She interrupted him as she replied in a harsh manner " Brother, if that is what you want to talk about then please leave."

The first prince felt troubled again. He came here to comfort his sister but instead he seemed like trying to convince her to accept the decision made by her father. ' Shit, this is getting out of hand. Why is she being so stubborn? Oh didn't she say she likes him. If he tells her to let me in then she may consider it.' Thinking that the prince summoned Bibek, who was training in the field.

Since Bibek was training nearby, he quickly came to the summon of the prince. He kneeled down as he said " This lowly one greets your highness the first prince, What work do you have for this lowly one." The first prince felt flustered again. ' What are you doing kneeling in front of me? I don't care if it's somewhere else but it's in front of my sister's chamber. She is already infuriated by the father's decision and my words.'

He quickly raised Bibek and said " Bibek, we are nearly of the same age so don't be polite with me."

He shook his head as he said " How can I? Prince, forgive my rudeness but I dare not deem equal to you. I am just a commoner born to serve you."

As things were getting out of hand the first prince had no other way but to order him " Bibek, this is the royal order of me the first prince, From now onwards you are not to bow in front of me."

Bibek felt reluctant to accept this. Though this was good he didn't want to accept it but since it became a royal order he could no longer reject it as it may implicate his family. Nodding his head he said " Yes, I understand your highness the first prince."

The first prince finally felt relieved. He then said " Bibek, can you ask my sister to open the door for me?" Bibek began to sweat continuously. He was shaken by the words of the first prince. He needed to comply with the prince's words but he couldn't. Helplessly he said " Your highness the first prince, I am afraid that I am not able to fulfill your command."

The first prince angrily asked " why? Are you trying to defy my orders? You know the consequences of defying the order of a prince, don't you?"

Bibek nodded his head as he replied in a polite tone " Your highness the first prince. Forgive me for my impudence but I can't do what you just said. If you wish to take my life, I can gladly hand it over to you."

" Tell me why you can't call her?"

Bibek sighed and gulped helplessly as he said " Your highness the first prince, Recently princess have been infuriated by me. So she has ordered me not to talk to her. I can't defy her orders just for you."

Melina, who was locked up in her chamber, heard everything. Fearing that her eldest brother would be enraged she quickly opened the door and said " Brother, since you want to talk to me. Come inside and don't bother my people."

Despite being the youngest princess she was a bit polite towards her brother. Finally feeling relieved the first prince entered the chamber. The atmosphere was tense as both of them remained silent. Finally Melina broke the silence as she asked " So what do you want from me now? Aren't the things you want to say finished already?"

The frost prince shook his head as he said " Little sister, don't blame father and mother for making such decisions. They also don't want to send you away. But."

" Brother, are you here to make me submit to their decision? Also why did they make such decisions, if they don't wish to send me away?"

The first prince gulped. His sister's anger was at peak today. He was afraid that their brother and sister relationship would be ruined. He calmly said " Ren luo kingdom is one of the dynasties belonging to the Great empire of china. Also their military force is 20 times more than that of ours. As a king of a nation, our father needs to think for his people above all else. Ren luo kingdom has given us three months time to decide. We only have two options, either marry you off or go to war against them."

He continued " Father was reluctant to make such decisions but he was forced to when the ministries began to oppose him. So sister, you have three more months to decide. To be precise the fate of this kingdom solely lies on your hand."

She couldn't say a single word to him at all. He then left as he said " Well then I shall take my leave. Little sister, think carefully about what you want to do."

She thought " I used to think that I could get anything that I wished for. But it seems it was all just my delusion. Since I have three more months, I won't remain here waiting for my fate to be decided. I will make my own fate. Since my father is weak to even protect me, I will become the strongest from whom even death will fear."

If anyone heard her vow they would have laughed but the determination in her eyes was something praise worthy. Still it was unknown as to when she would give up on her flimsy thoughts.