-VI-
A Vow
Of spirited seeds sway within Asterye (Castle)
"And why were you at the Prince's garden and not attending to the guests?"
Arielle kept silent and instead stared at the textured stone white walls of the castle adorned with ivy leaves. The King's butler tended to find fault in all her actions, and Arielle did not have the energy to argue with such a frail man. How he managed to stay beside the King for so long in a tiring job baffled her.
"Nevermind. His Majesty would like to see you as there has been a change in his plans."
Arielle nodded from behind, not entirely heeding his words.
While strolling through the Prince's private garden with Myrtle, Arielle was not surprised to come across the King's butler, who reprimanded her lady-in-waiting out of nowhere. His main concern with Myrtle was allowing the Princess to neglect her duties and that she wasn't a young child any longer who lived in the country.
"With the Prince gone, it is up to the Princess to fill in his shoes."
The butler also wasted no time criticising Arielle for her indifference and subtly instructed her to follow him to the King's chambers without a word.
Feeling dejected at the idea of dealing with the King shortly after being told she was useless by the revolutionary officers and now the butler, Arielle swallowed a shaky breath. Didn't the King say whilst he was resting in his quarters, she would look after the guest and that no one would disturb him?
Unless he found out that she wasn't completing her obligations correctly. How did the King expect her to sit in the corner of the room and observe them without feeling bored? Was she to spy on them when she barely understood the purpose of their arrival?
Arielle frowned at the butler from behind and paced her steps at an ever slower pace, dreading the meeting with the King. From a little mile away, she saw a glimpse of the guards stationed by the King's chambers armoured with heavy glistening shields and swords. She inwardly groaned and picked up her pace, coming to terms with the eventual appointment.
In a swift moment, Arielle's arm was seized, and without any warning, she was dragged into a secluded room just before entering the King's chambers.
Thinking she was about to be in an assassination attempt, Arielle held her breath, terrified of what was to come. They were going to annihilate her just like the Queen a few years back, and with the King nearly at his end, they'd come to end the August bloodline altogether.
The door to a remote room was quickly shut behind her, and with her mouth covered by the assassin's hand, Arielle started to gasp out for help. An instant surge of fear rushed through her veins as she felt a suffocating heat pressing onto her.
"Shhh...keep down, Princess," a familiar voice whispered, releasing her a second later.
Arielle crumpled to the ground, panting for air in the dark room. Stunned.
Automatically, her eyes roamed around the dark room filled with shadowed silhouettes of the furniture, desperately seeking a way out. The cold marble floor sent shivers down her spine, for she knew deep down the faith of an abducted royal would only ever end in a tragedy.
She swallowed a dry cough, closed her eyes and whimpered softly. She knew her future was set in stone in her mind until a small glimmer of light resembling a flame hovered over her. Its flickering nature startled her awake, seeping through her dreaded heart.
A sense of realisation crept into her soul as she tried to catch her breath, staring at the assassin wide-eyed.
"Y-you?"
"Forgive me, Princess."
"Y-you-
Just as she was about to open her mouth to yell at him, he placed his finger over her lips and shook his head.
Taken aback by the sudden closeness, Arielle instinctively jolted back, finding herself leaning against the cold surface of the back wooden door. The chilly air prickled through her thin dress as she stared back at the intensity of his bold black eyes, telling her to keep silent. Her gaze shifted from his masked face to the hat perched atop his head. He was still wearing her mask, yet a part of her couldn't help but notice his wavy blonde hair cascading down like golden rays.
"I wanted to speak to you before King August had the chance to," he spoke quietly, almost like a whisper fluttering against her ears.
A fraught pause, followed by a deep sigh that brushed against the side of her ears. Arielle shuddered at the slight sensation but didn't dwell on it for long as the relief of not being in an attempted assassination flooded her.
Arielle ignored the tingling sensation pricking up her back and pushed him away, causing the flame to fade into the darkness.
"What's there to discuss after you've cast me aside?" she muttered under her breath before turning her attention to the door behind her.
Her heart was still pouncing aloud, and while she was glad he wasn't going to murder her in cold blood, she felt nauseous.
A haunting, shady, strange voice at the back of her mind reminded her that he was not to be trusted. First, he was a noble traveller, then an officer harbouring a secret and a few seconds ago, she thought he was an assassin with a ruthless mission.
"There's been a change in circumstance regarding the Prince and the future of this nation," he revealed, shuffling through his pockets to find the letter in the dark room.
"And? I believe I was told not to be involved," Arielle reminded, with a scoff in disbelief. She recalled his curt remark from their official meeting moments ago. While she knew she was being petty, she couldn't forgive him either.
"I'm merely a frail, sick Princess, never to be concerned over the nation's affairs, and whatever is doomed for this Kingdom has nothing to do with me."
"What do you mean has nothing to do with you? You're Princess Arielle, are you not? I know the reports of your sickness are not entirely true."
Lips pressed together as if to hold back her quiet anger, Arielle held her tongue. She was only the Princess in name when, in reality, she'd been hidden away in the country since her switch. "I might as well be sick, for the curse is one and the same."
"Curse?"
Arielle shook her head and stood up, grimacing at the re-kindled flame in her view, "You wouldn't understand."
No one would ever comprehend her plight of a lingering past, an idle present and a hopeless future. With a heavy heart, Arielle cast her gaze onto the intricately patterned marble floor beneath her feet. Her mind filled with a deep sense of dismay and fatigue, as all she had longed since returning to the castle was finding a way to escape.
Ever since the announcement of the coronation, Arielle had planned to flee the Kingdom during the coronation of the Prince. Though ever since the report from the King, she wasn't sure the coronation would even happen, and her dreams of freedom were slipping out of her control.
The silent room enveloped them for a second longer than necessary. Until clattering sounds of footsteps echoed behind them, signalling the guards were still hunting for her whereabouts, shook away the daze in her mind.
"If you're not here to annex Asterye," Arielle stepped forward, taking the letter away from him. "Then, I want nothing to do with your plans."
A troubled frown curved down his lips.
As if she could sense his reluctance, Arielle cleared her throat and turned to the door. "Now, if you'll excuse me. The King hates unnecessary delays."
"Wait."
Arielle halted in her steps to collect herself before ignoring his warning entirely, with her chin held high. He had no authority to tell her what to do, so she took another step closer in an effort to reach the door.
And yet, for some odd reason, Arielle froze as she stared at the towering figure blocking her way. She was most certain he was standing behind her a second ago, so why was he now in front of her and preventing her from leaving?
"We're not here to reign over this Kingdom. King August extended a royal invitation to us a little over a month ago, asking for aid in ending the rampant exportation of the Kingdom's resources. With the heir missing, it is undoubtedly clear that the King is scheming something and has you in mind for his ulterior motives."
Arielle could not bring herself to feel any relief over his revelations as it only deepened the inevitableness of her curse, living the life of a princess destined to rule or perish as an eternal symbol of virtue.
"I know we advised you not to involve yourself, but as we stand now..." He gestured to the letter in her hands. "You are our only hope in turning this mission into a success."
Arielle glanced down at the crumpled letter and then peered up at him. As soon as she met his unwavering gaze, Arielle retreated backwards.
"And, h-how could I possibly be of use?" she mumbled under her breath and bit her lips. With trembling hands, the letter in her hand tightly crumpled under her grip.
"We need intel, specific intel." As soon as he had said those words without a second guess, Arielle perked up and tilted her head to the side.
"You want me to be a spy?"
"Not necessarily, but we need to monitor the movements of the King."
For a moment, Arielle considered his strange request and mulled over the possibilities of taking this chance as a way to escape. While the idea tempted her, his stark remarks of the King whispered caution to her ears. There was certainty to his tone, but perhaps, like the King, the revolutionary officers were thinking of using her too.
She had read numerous books on knights, marines, warriors, pirates and mercenaries to know they were all the same in the face of power. Taking advantage of a princess proclaimed sick would be the easiest way to hold the upper hand in a Kingdom where its status quo was gradually changing like tides of the relentless oceans.
Arielle peered up once more and stared at him silently until the clattering sounds of the hallways started to pick up again as the guards called out her name in dread.
"Princess."
Cringing at the constant repetition of Princess and the hysterical mummers of an abduction occurring in their presence, Arielle shuddered and let out a weary sigh.
"I must go."
He nodded in agreement and moved aside accordingly, not trying to stop her from leaving without any assurance. Arielle lingered by the door before holding her breath and slipping out of the room, the letter in her hand dropped to the floor without notice.
"Your Majesty, the Princess is here at your request."
Arielle stiffened at the announcement in instinct and ran her idle fingers through her hair, a distraction to keep her calm. Her heart and mind were racing at the idea of spying on the King. A man who had, for better or worse, treated her with a veiled pity. Someone who couldn't do anything, a cursed child who had to be sent away to shield his power.
And what exactly was she supposed to report on?
"Your Majesty?" Arielle croaked, focusing on the marble floor as the guards opened the door.
Sitting in the throne hall under the canopy, the King appeared worn out whilst his guest of honour turned towards the door at her appearance. Not paying attention, Arielle's mind was far too preoccupied with the thought of not knowing exactly how to accomplish his request and walked into the great hall, failing to notice that the King was in the company of another.
"Princess, how lovely to see you."
"M-my Lord..." Arielle sputtered in disbelief and halted in her tracks.
What was he doing here?
When Lord Harnet suddenly pulled her in for an embrace, Arielle froze and struggled to maintain her stunned expression.
"My Lord?"
Marquess Hartnet. Father to the ruby of high society and the to-be Queen Livia, the supposed close friend to the King and the person behind her displacement to the countryside. But, most importantly, he was famously known for his accomplishment in defending the borders against pirates—a cunning man who sought influence in all spheres of the Kingdom and Paradise at any cost.
As he pulled away, she blinked in surprise and seethed a rigid smile through her clenched teeth at the man who beamed at her dearly. She tried to ignore the turn of her stomach and instead focused on the King, who appeared awfully quiet.
Frowning, she released a slow breath through her nose to regain her composure and regarded the treasure box before the King.
Anything to turn his attention away from her.
"Your Majesty?" Arielle spoke out, slightly concerned he wasn't even looking at her. It was almost as if he had withdrawn from the world and was secluded in his mind. Not even blinking, nor speaking or even coughing aloud like usual.
"During the trip across the grandline, we came across a few precious jewels. However, we also came across heavy news," Lord Harnet pointed out in a muffled tone over his hand, "Mostly concerning his highness, Aster."
Arielle raised a curious brow at Livia's father and the King.
A beat of silence passed until a fit of coughs broke the stillness of the great hall.
"Your Majesty," Lord Hartnet called out, rushing to his side.
The King shook his head and held out his hand, "I'm fine. Where is Arielle?"
Arielle twitched at the call of her name, a chilling realisation capturing her mind. The revolutionary officer mentioned something strange about the scheming of the King and that she was part of whatever ulterior motives he had.
No.
She shook her head. There was no possibility the King would ever rely on her to do anything with a marred reputation. And looking after the esteemed guest did not count as the only reason she was to keep an eye out for them was to make sure they weren't snooping around the castle.
"Arielle, come closer to the King," Lord Hartnet demanded harshly.
Arielle gulped heavily, taking a step closer like a prey cautious in the face of a vulture. But, when the King stretched out his frail arm to her, Arielle flinched back in instinct and turned her head to the Marquess beside the King.
She couldn't help but notice the quiet look of disapproval etched on his face and quickly lowered her head, remembering the etiquette of dealing with the royal King. She had no right to refuse the order of the King, especially in front of someone who was considered the closest to the King.
"Yes, Your Majesty."
Her heart was pounding as she approached him, and out of nowhere, the King immediately reached out and clasped her hands.
"Arielle."
A trace of unease laced over his face, soaking away the familiar mask of indifference. He seemed much more frail, as if all he had ever known would disappear before him.
"Aster has joined your mother and I—it won't be long until the people will rise to bring us down."
"Your Majesty," Marquess Hartnet interjected, a scowl crossing his face. "I can assure you nothing of that sort will ever transpire in this Kingdom."
"I know," The King hummed, his grey eyes frantically staring at Arielle. "But, with Aster gone..."
Marquess Hartnet knelt and placed his hands over the King's, who was still holding onto Arielle's hand. "If it's Areille you are worried about, I can guarantee you have nothing to fear. She's done well keeping those officers at bay, and society will soon welcome her return with open arms. All she has to do is prepare well."
Arielle tore her gaze away from the King and dug her fingers into her palm. Too shocked to even process what was coming out of that vile man's mouth, she smiled in hesitation at his strange compliment. Was it his idea to watch over them?
Instantly, Arielle, having a sense of an epiphany, remembered the warning from the revolutionary officer. His words echoed over her mind and affirmed her new reality that if she were to survive, she would have to be careful, monitoring the King. Then perhaps she could play her cards to her benefit against anyone willing to take advantage of her and eventually escape the Asterye Kingdom for good.