6 Biggest Weakness

Rizelle must really be tired from the five days long journey; she ended up sleeping for a few hours right after taking a good bath. She woke up from her deep sleep and when she realized that it was already evening, she was perplexed.

Did she sleep that long? That means she even skipped lunch!

The Princess got off her bed and walked towards an opened window on her right. Standing there, her gaze swept around the splendid view of the vast Esriven Royal Palace. The sight brought back memories from the time she arrived in the royal court.

That crazy-looking King; the lively Crown Prince; the elegant and friendly Supreme Princess; and... her cold and aloof fiance who surprisingly had a soft spot for his mother.

Just a week ago, her life was revolved around her father and her older brother who loved her more than anyone else in this world. Rizelle still remembered how sullen and pained those two men were when she decided to fulfill the alliance marriage on behalf of her Linolia.

Of course, she loved her father and older brother. However, as a royal, she knew that the kingdom and the people must come first.

Esriven was their neighboring kingdom in the east but Linolia was much smaller and powerless compared to a great and vast kingdom like Esriven. King Hamon of Esriven cornered her kingdom for years until one day, he suddenly proposed an alliance marriage.

No one saw it coming and even Rizelle couldn't understand.

An alliance marriage was much more serious than simply signing a peace agreement and for a great kingdom like Esriven, there will be many kingdoms who were willing to ally with them through marriage.

Why her Linolia? Why did King Hamon choose her small kingdom?

She still didn't know why but... she knew that if her father rejected the proposal, her kingdom might be done for. It was why she stepped up knowing that it will never be easy.

For the first time, she went against her father and hurt her brother. However, Rizelle knew that they understood her decision as a King and a Crown Prince of one nation. It's just that... they were unwilling to accept her decision as a father and a brother.

With all these memories crossing the Princess's mind, she ended up narrowing her eyes and letting out a breath.

"It's not time to dwell on the past," she told herself in a low voice. She should think of her present situation instead.

Trying to prepare herself for the rest of the day, Rizelle turned around only to notice Vincent who was standing a few steps behind her. Startled, the Princess's eyes went wide!

"When did you come in?"

"I knocked but it seems like you don't hear me, Princess," the guard explained while the Princess was adjusting her breath.

"You almost scare me," she complained but soon, a subtle smile was seen on her lips. "You're so quiet, Vincent. No wonder you're a guard."

"You don't have to worry, Your Highness," Vincent responded to Rizelle's first sentence. "I will make sure that no one comes in unless you give your permission."

"Forget about that," Rizelle shrugged and sat down on the bed. "You don't take a rest?"

"I'm fine, Your Highness. This is not Linolia and I'm the only one. I just can't leave you alone," Vincent promptly responded in a calm voice.

Staring at the guard for a while, Rizelle let out a sigh. "I know that you will be like this," she bluntly remarked. "Don't worry. Once I settle here, I will make sure to let you return to Linolia."

"Princess -"

"Don't be stubborn," Rizelle snapped. "You are so capable and I know that you can do much better. I won't allow you to waste your life here in a foreign kingdom."

Silence occupied the huge chamber for a while yet all the time, Rizelle had her gaze on Vincent who stood still. Finally, the guard broke the silence after what seemed to be forever.

"Let's not talk about that now," he muttered in a low voice. "You should have some more rest. You look tired." With that said, he bowed and turned his back at the Princess, and made his way towards the door.

Nevertheless, when the door was just a step or two away, Vincent halted and remained that way for a few seconds while Rizelle looked at him the whole time. "Spending the rest of my life here," he muttered without turning around and made a deliberate pause. "I don't think it's a waste of my life as long as I can keep you safe."

Rizelle opened her mouth but before she could even utter a word, Vincent was out of the chamber.

He was always so stubborn even when they were a child!

Before Rizelle could even think of anything else, she was instantly interrupted by the sound of knocking on the door. She lazily responded but... when she saw the Supreme Princess walking inside, she abruptly rose from her seat.

Supreme Princess was a high title granted when the firstborn child of the Esriven King was a girl and not a boy. The one who held the title was to be regarded with respect by even the highest-ranking official, the other royals such as an average Prince or Princess; and even when the younger brother of the Supreme Princess took over the throne, he was supposed to show some respect to the Supreme Princess.

As such, it was no miracle that the children of the Supreme Princess were all to be granted the title of Prince and Princess despite not being descendants of males from the royal family and bearing another surname.

The influence of the Supreme Princess was so huge that in the past, there were some kings who regarded the reigning Supreme Princess, who was their older sister, as a threat. However, no Supreme Princess had ever fallen from grace throughout the history of Esriven.

The current King of Esriven, Hamon Caderin might be a bit crazy, cruel, and suspicious of almost everyone; but miraculously, he was known for having a close relationship with his older sister, Supreme Princess Selova. There was even a rumor saying that the King's biggest weakness was the Supreme Princess who was his only sibling.

It's strange, right? The sly and power-crazy King turned out to be a fool for his older sister who would easily pass as the biggest threat to his throne!

When Rizelle looked at the Supreme Princess who was walking inside with the same friendly smile on her face, she was reminded of this certain fact she heard before she came to Esriven. Once again, she was reminded of the complicated relationship between the members of the family she will soon be joining.

Just when she was about to greet the Supreme Princess, another person walked inside the chamber and Rizelle identified him as Prince Nicien Vamieres, the man whom she will wed in three days.

Why must he come here too?!