Here's the next chapter, no action sorry but it is vital to understand what's going to happen.
"Thank you for joining us Kiara" her father says as she enters.
"Sorry I'm late I was in the gardens they are quite beautiful" she says sitting, Soo-Won smiles.
"I'm glad you think so".
"Yes especially the fire lilies and the ponds that are scattered around, your gardeners have done a wonderful job"
"I'll tell them" he says raising his glass to drink, they ate quietly, Kiara actually liked the food.
"Kiara" her father suddenly said, she looked up him, was she doing something wrong?
We've spoken and your betrothal will be finalised after dinner"
What was she meant to say?
"Okay?" she said looking between the two.
"Okay?" her father echoed.
"What am I supposed to say? Nice to meet you? Oh yes I'll sign it immediately?" Soo-Won laughed.
She's quite right there isn't much to say, please enjoy your meal"
"It's very nice thank you" Kiara comments, her father nods in agreement drinking wine, Kiara didn't drink wine so she just had water.
"Do you like tea Princess?" Soo-Won asked conversationally.
"Some yes, more the fragrant type though"
You don't drink wine?"
"No I find it to strong"
"Far enough, I have some special tea from the earth general's wife I'll have some brought out to you for desert" he says with a happy smile.
"Thank you I've heard of the tea it's quite in demand, I'd love to try it" she says honestly.
"Is the wine to your liking your highness?" he asked her father.
"Yes it has a nice tang to it" he says taking another sip and pouring himself another glass, they continue eating until Soo-Won speaks.
"I plan to have the five generals come for a banquet dinner to celebrate the betrothal in three days if your schedule allows it will you remain?"
"Absolutely I'm staying until the wedding, no one's giving my daughter away but me" despite herself Kiara smiles softly finishing her water.
Desert was brought out, a lovely cake that Kiara ate a lot of she didn't care it was so nice and the tea was the best.
"Did you enjoy the food?" Soo-Won asks her.
"Ye it was wonderful please thank your chefs and the tea I have to say is my new favourite"
"I'll tell General Geun-tae to tell his wife I'm sure she'd be more than happy to send us more"
"That would be nice" she says standing with her father, on the right hand side of the room was a small table on top was a scroll with a meticulously written betrothal contract for Soo-Won King of Kouka and Kiara Princess of Kai, once she signed, she was betrothed to him until their marriage where she would be married for the remainder of her life or his, Kiara took the time to read it, she was taught by her father to never sign anything without reading it first, she made sure there was no other agreements. She did find that by signing it she would become a citizen of Kouka meaning the Queen as well as the former princess of Kai and was subject to both laws the authority of which was King Soo-Won, and her father so if she signed this she'd be subject only to them, she could live with that, as long as she had her father's ear while he was in Kai and she was here. She softly inhaled and picked up the quill to sign her name and title 'Kiara Princess of the Kai Empire' she hands the quill to Soo-Won who does the same as her quickly scans the words and then signs his name under hers 'Soo-Won Emperor of the Kouka Kingdom' her father takes the pen next and purposely slowly reads everything before almost reluctantly signs his name 'Subaru King of the Kai Empire' as witness Kye-Sook who had appeared out of nowhere also signed as witness 'Kye-Sook adviser to the King' with that he gently picked up the scroll and took it away to dry it and probably frame it or put it somewhere for safe keeping.
"I'm going to turn in for the night Kiara I'll see you at breakfast"
"Okay goodnight father" she said giving him a hug because she really felt like it he pats her on the back.
"Goodnight" he says with a smile at her and a nod to Soo-Won, they watch him leave.
"There is a bath close to your room if you'd like to bathe" he tells her a little surprisingly.
"Yeah I would like to thank you" he smiles and leads her out.
"Here it is use it as long as you want only myself and the five generals, and of course your father can use this bath so you won't be disturbed.
"Thank you Lord Soo-Won"
"You don't need to be so formal with me princess"
"Right sorry goodnight…So-Won" he smiles and she believes it is genuine.
"Goodnight princess" he says with a bow, he turns to head to his room.
"Wait!" she says he turns to her.
"You can call me Kiara too most people call me princess or Princess Kiara so you can just call me Kiara…if you want"
"I'm honoured" he says with another bow Kiara curtsies with a smile and a light blush before quickly heading back for her room to get her clothes to change into after the bath oh god, is she actually feeling something for this king? He could stand to be a little less cute, she decides but can't stop her smile as she grabs some clothes and heads to the bath.
Yeah we know how charming he is, Hope you've enjoyed and the dragons are back in the next chapter!