2. CAN'T BE CHANGE
Titan flicked his beard as he took a cautious step. Growling- step by step, showing sharp fangs- threatening. Making everyone in the center of the hall reflexively move out of the way. Aside from the horror that reigned in everyone's hearts, most of them thought that Pascal had appeared in an amazing way.
Queen Ophelia knew Prince Pascal quite well. When she visited the Kingdom of Valliant many years ago, Pascal entered the throne room in just this way. Dressed in a formal light blue tailored suit and white fitted trousers. His gesture was imperious, his gaze cold as snow. Undeniably dashing. Back then, Titan was still the size of a normal tiger and Pascal looked more like a young prince as he was only ten years old.
Dukes, knights, general, soldiers from each kingdom chuckled in admiration of the little prince. When Pascal saluted from his tiger as he was doing right now, his demeanor brought warmth to anyone who saw. But now, there was only a tense aura that a Pascal carried. The conquest of one of the western kingdoms led by him at the age of sixteen made Pascal recognized as one of the feared princes of the ancient east.
Three meters away from Crysta and Logan, the titan planted his four feet. Bowing, Pascal immediately jumped down without difficulty.
Although there were a pair of princes and princesses in front of Pascal at the moment, his bead was only fixed on Crysta. The girl who forced him to leave the borders of the Valliant kingdom and travel a full twelve hours just to give the princess a pearl.
''Happy birthday, Your Highness.'' Pascal opened the red velvet box in his hand. Black pearls filled the small box impeccably. Full and neatly organized. Without a carved smile, it was flat and cold. But none of that masked Pascal's handsome features.
Crysta shouldn't have come down from the balcony, Monic could have gotten Pascal's gift for her. The king and queen felt the special treatment that Crysta didn't give to other princes.
''Thank you, Prince Pascal.''
As Crysta reached for the box and whether intentionally or not, touched and squeezed the small of her palm- the cold prince's lips unconsciously parted. Pascal looked at her and Crysta did too.
Crysta was not happy. The girl deliberately wanted Pascal to know. And the prince understands her.
''Prince Pascal,'' King Brent's voice made the touch release. ''All the princes present brought chariots and hundreds of warriors to come here. But none of the princes entered the palace hall with their rides and warriors. Do you want to disrespect me, Prince?''
Pascal blinked his eyes at King Brent's accusation. Raising his head, he looked at King Brent, Queen Ophelia, Crysta, Logan and even everyone. Including the princes and nobles of the kingdom.
''With all due respect, Your Majesty. I was too late to come here. Without a carriage and a single soldier. Leaving the Kingdom of Valliant to attend the princess's annual feast. I am guilty.'' Pascal bowed his head, apologizing.
But everyone knew that such condescension was unnecessary given Pascal's busy life dealing with the rebels-King Brent should have understood that Pascal was supposed to be in Valliant, not Orva.
Each prince who entered the palace hall did not really come alone either. They were accompanied by at least four to five bodyguard soldiers. One prince with his mount shouldn't be a problem.
''But, at least you can knock instead of making your tiger roar, Your Highness.''
Finding Logan clutching Crysta's wrist made Pascal walk backwards. The unwillingness to walk away from Pascal struck Crysta. Especially with the Prince of Valliant's self-conscious attitude, Crysta's face was immediately pained.
The Titan took a step forward, Pascal took two steps back. Bringing the animal and its master together in one spot. Pascal's gaze focused on King Brent who was still standing in front of his throne.
''I did it. But it seems like the sound of a small knock couldn't beat the big announcement about Princess Crysta getting married.''
Crysta turned to Pascal with eyes full of twinkles. The last time she felt this sad was when she saw Pascal leave Orva and would return in a year to attend a similar party. All this time she had kept happiness in her heart for their next meeting. But now, she had lost that ability. The capability of hoping and dreaming to be able to meet Pascal again.
''So, the prince of the eastern seas will not be able to insult the mighty King Orva.''
King Brent took in a little oxygen and exhaled briefly. This prince could not be blamed with any kind of charges. His logical and honest thinking- able to temper King Brent's anger.
''If for the rest of your life you continue to argue with such methods, as the king- I have confidence that there will be no one who can make you lose and fall silent in a battle of words.''
Pascal looked up slightly. His expression was flat, but his bead radiated a very noticeable pleasant aura. That was a compliment to him. But it was unethical to show it- where Logan had already felt threatened from the moment he emerged from the door. So, a respectful bow is all he can give.
Pascal grabbed the saddle on the tiger with armor like his rider. Until Crysta said something that made Pascal stop his intention to get on the Titan's back.
''You're leaving already, Prince? That fast?’’
''Princess...'' Monic hissed. Crysta would make Logan feel humiliated for again showing favoritism to Pascal. Attention that some people might not realize.
''The princess is right. After a long journey, you shouldn't leave before enjoying the banquet,'' Queen Ophelia chimed in. The hand covered in the gold-colored silk dress was directed at the chair Pascal was supposed to sit on. ''Please.''
Crysta squeezed the dress, hoping Pascal would agree.
''As long as the Titan is allowed to be here, I will stay longer, Your Majesty. As you know, I didn't bring any soldiers from Valliant. So no one can make me feel comfortable with my own animals outside without people I trust. I promise, he won't be a problem.''
Understanding Pascal's intentions, Crysta turned to the queen as her brows knitted together pleadingly.
''Very well,'' Queen Ophelia said then.
General Cornelius came to Pascal's banquet table. Where there was only one prince and a beast in the corner of the room. He was the one who told King Brent that the beast was Pascal's ride. Which made King Brent rush to have soldiers open the steel shutters of the palace hall.
Cornellius lowered his head, bowing respectfully. And Pascal reciprocated by inviting Cornellius to sit in front of him.
''I had thought that you would be unable to attend, Your Highness.''
''There is no reason for me to be absent.''
''Rebels-''
''Prince Axa's absence last year led Crystabelle to send many bad ravens to the Kingdom of Mytris. Shedding anger in letters for one week straight. I don't want her to do that to me, Cornellius.''
The general chuckled amusedly. That was true. Crysta did that because the princess was very close to all the princes in the Eastern region, except for Pascal.
''Forgive Princess Crysta, Prince. She is indeed a bit...''
''Troublesome,'' cut in Pascal. Without feeling guilty and not caring if Cornellius would complain to Crysta later.
Hearing this, Cornellius smiled a little. But not a single line formed on Pascal's lips.
A few minutes later, the swordsman and warlord finally left the topic of Crysta. Switching to a conversation about the enemies plaguing the Valliant Kingdom. Exchanging ideas, strategies and information. Something Cornellius could not do with the other princes. Not because the descendants of those kings lacked military knowledge. But because Cornellius felt that no one could keep up with him in discussions about the kingdom's defense system. Pascal was an exception.
From the hallway with no one following, Crysta and the forty-year-old nursemaid were having a serious conversation. Monic held Crysta's arm repeatedly. She was about to tell the king about her wish to have Pascal as her husband.
''You can't do that, Princess.''
''A princess can do whatever she wants!'' Crysta said with a bead bark. Removing Monic's hand from her arm. Then hurried away towards the king's seat that could be seen from the hallway. King Brent was in conversation with Prince Logan.
''I agree,'' Monic's words made Crysta stop and turn around. After twenty minutes of arguing, her annoying caretaker finally sided with her. But there was doubt in Crysta's eyes at the moment. Monic didn't seem to really agree with her statement.
''Do you agree?" she asked with a frown on her forehead.
''I don't doubt that you can approach the king, then be in a one-on-one conversation. But, are you sure that the king will grant your request, Princess?’’
Crysta turned to the throne, where King Brent was now talking to Queen Ophelia. Monic had been her mother's handmaiden before she was born. Knowing what King Orva's character was like wasn't difficult considering how long he had worked for the royal family. King Brent never went back on his word once he made a pledge. Therefore, before choosing Logan to be the chosen prince, King Brent conducted many meetings and deliberations with the council regarding the princess's marriage.
However, Crysta kept swinging the high-heeled limbs that carried her towards her parents.
''Princess...''
She ignored Monic's call until she was at a distance where she could hear the king and queen's conversation. Silence- hiding at the end of the hallway.
''My daughter will be married only to Prince Logan. Prince of Mytris or nothing.'' King Brent pulled his face away after saying in the queen's ear. But Queen Ophelia was still trying to get King Brent to change his mind. Grasping the king's burly hand. Caressing it gently.
''What if Crysta is unhappy with him?'' Her intonation was low and also soft.
''She will be happy. Love will come as the marriage ages,'' he confidently said. Grabbing Queen Ophelia's hand. Her reddish mane moved slightly with her lips that formed a carved smile. ''Like us.''
In King Brent's arms, Queen Ophelia discovered Crysta's presence. From the look in her eyes, her mother knew that Crysta was both shocked and disappointed at what the princess had wanted to ask but had been preceded by her.
''The absolute rule is a prince, right? A prince or no marriage. Is that right?''
''Right.''
Crysta did not know why her biological mother emphasized this. But from the smile etched on the queen's motherly face, Crysta found a glimmer of hope from the despair that made her heart fall.
She looked down, trying to reach the wall to support herself as she struggled to stand upright. Her knees were weak. The energy to dare to express her wishes had been used up. Not because she had used it to tell the king her intentions. But because it was difficult to receive an answer when it was not the one who conveyed it herself.