The battle fieldwas quiet now-but the silence screamed louder than any sword ever could.
The wind below gently across the battle field, carrying with itthe scent of ash and wilted roses. Ariana stood among the fallen, her armor stained not just only with dust and blood but with memories. Silence stretched across the land like a mourning veil. The war had ended, but a different kind of battle had begun-the one within her. Ash down broke over the horizon. It did not sing of victory, it whispered of loss, sacrifice and of hope struggling to rise from the veins.
Some of the soldiers were injured, some were really fine, some were lost their eyes, limbs and legs and some died. It was not just a war, it was a storm which devoured everything without any trace. She didn't just kill soldiers;she also felt all of their pain.
She was on a deep thought when someone come before her
Arnold.
She rushed and hug him because she was broken from inside. She never wanted a war never wanted to kill anyone.
He hug her back and when they finally pull apart, she turn as like nothing happened. Maybe she just didn't wanted to show her burden.
Then a little girl approached her " You are princess Ariana,right? Thanks for protecting us from them. You are so brave and beautiful."
"Your kind words touched my heart-thank you" Ariana replied lowering her gaze.
"Actually, i have something to share" a women approached.
"Tell me your thoughts" Ariana replied turning her head towards that women.
" It may seem odd, but…they never show cruelty towards us. They even helped us on many various problems. It was never like that, they ever touched us-they always talked with polite tone and gentleness. Even King Alessendra also came to see us. Don't know we were really captured or…"
"So you mean, they were never on the rush to win the kingdom?" Ariana asked with curiously.
"But how is that even possible,is king Alessendra was really-kind?" Arnold said.
"We don't know, we can just make a conclusion but…we really don't know" the women replied.
When the moon really took place, then everyone slept except Ariana. She was on her pavillion when Arnold come to her.
"You hadn't slept?" he asked.
"I couldn't, there are many soldiers who need aid and food supply. I am just checking the Ledger" She replied without taking her gaze off from the ledger.
"Are you alright?" He asked leaning on the door.
There was a pause for a second and then she looked at him " When i was on the battle field, killing them, my hands were trembled woth every soul kneeling before me. I never supposed to be like this or i say i never wanted. Many soldiers died-not only ours but also of them and this is not a good sign" She said looking at her hands.
"This responsibilities-i just wanted to escape from all of it even just for once" she said with a smile which couldn't reach her eyes.
"And now?" He asked, voice lower now.
" I don't know. People think being a royal is a very good things but they don't know the struggles of being a royal. Many responsibilities and even a small mistake ruin the reputation-not because of the mistake but from the expectations of others. We all have problems and struggles in life, poor people are struggling for food and shelter and uppers are-"she took a deep breath as if gathering her emotions.
"Maybe, i am a mad right" she said and this time, the smile really reached to her eyes.
He stood there-quiet, as if he couldn't face her or just himself because he never saw this version of her-calm composed and maybe… fear.
"Sorry i forgot to ask, is there anything which pull you here towards my pavillion?" she asked " And we are going to royal palace tomorrow, make yourself ready-the journey is quiet long after all."
"I was just crossing by and saw you awake so i just-"
"May i able to know why you are out this late" she interupt " just accept it; you were worried about me, weren't you?"She asked with a teasing tone.
"Just sleep now, we have a long journey tomorrow" he said turning back towards his pavillion.
Next morning, They were ready for their journey.
After a month, they reached the royal palace.
"Arnold, you are finally here. How was your journey?" king Maynard asked.
It's my honour to meet you and my journey was good.
After some time, Arnold and Ariana was on the balcony. "Try this, this is the best tea of our kingdom." She said pouring a cup of tea for him.
"Sister!" A voice come, a little girl approaching Ariana.
"So you finally come from uncle's home ( mother's brother)" Ariana asked.
"Yeah"
"But where is Aiden and Rowan?" Ariana asked.
"They are on their room-changing clothes. Who is this person" she asked pointing towards Arnold.
"Hello, i am Arnold and you?" He asked with curious eyes.
"I am Aria" that little girl replied.
"Wow, soo cute name."
"Thanks for your compliment" Aria replied " Sister i am going now in my room."
When Aria really disappeared into the hallway Arnold asked " Who is she? As far as i remember, you didn't have any sister."
"Not only sister, i also have 2 brothers. Aria was adopted by my parents 4 years ago. Her father was a very brave and loyal commander of our kingdom, who died following his responsibilities 4 years ago and her mother died after giving birth to her. It's commander Andrew's last wish so we adopt her. Aiden and Rowan are twins. One day when my father went on the jungle for some matters, he saw a women who was pregnant so he brought her into the palace. Because she was very weak, after giving birth to Aiden and Rowan, she died. They didn't have anyone to call them their so we adopt them. They both are 11 now and Ariana is 10. You don't know anything about it because you were outside from years.
"So you two are here" King said approaching them.
"Father… i have something to discuss with you and Mother" Ariana said.
"What is it? Is it urgent?" Queen Andres asked .
"It's not urgent but very important. Uncle Theodore wanted me and Arnold to get married. This was his last wish."
"I know" King replied.
"What?"
And we are waiting for this from years. Your father and King Theodore fixed your marriage a long ago. I think you two don't remember this" queen Andres said.
"I do."