Chapter 3 Separate path but same wish

I'm the king's chamber.

The king kept on sighing as he recalled the events that occured today. Roselle was equally worried so she asked " Husband, are we doing the right thing?" Richard frowned as he said " What, you are doubting my decision?"

Roselle shook her head as she said " Husband, it isn't that I doubt your decision. But I am worried as she is our only daughter. Though I know you want the best for her, I feel restless knowing that she would be married off to the 3rd prince of the Ren luo Kingdom. I heard that he already has dozens of concubines. I am afraid our daughter would be treated harshly in that kingdom."

The king sighed as he understood his wife's troubled heart but what could he do? " I know what you are worried about. But she isn't our only daughter, the people of this kingdom deem us as a parent. For one child I dare not sacrifice them. If only I wasn't a king and was an ordinary father. If only my kingdom was stronger than the opposite forces, I wouldn't have had to sacrifice my own child like this. But I think she will understand my worries."

Feeling troubled she said " But husband, she is still a child. She doesn't know the harsh reality of the world. Though she has gone through some adverse situations in the past, she is still timid and too naive. I am afraid she wouldn't be able to adjust to the situation."

" Alas this is the fate that cannot be denied. If this is her destiny then there is nothing that we can do about it. Though we managed to get 3 months of time from the Ren luo kingdom, it's not enough to overturn the situation. Also that boy, he was clearly lying."

" Hmm, sis you mean the son of General Birbal? Why did you say he was lying? If he was then why didn't you punish him?"

He sighed again as he replied " I can't punish him. Though he claims to not have a feeling towards my daughter, his eyes deny his words. But I am satisfied as he understands the rules. It's not wrong for a princess to marry a son of a Knight like General Birbal. But he is aware of the fact that she would be condemned by the whole world. He seems unworthy of standing beside her."

" Hmm, I see. It can't be denied since he grew up with our daughter. But still can't you send her away and pretend as if you don't know about her whereabouts?"

Richard gritted his teeth as he said " I would have done so already. But it's not easy at all. The people of the 3rd prince of the Ren luo kingdom are already keeping a close eye on us. Any simple mistake and we would be welcoming a war."

" What! How could they send people to keep watch on our movements? Do they look down on us so much?"

Richard sighed as he said " I am sure the 3rd prince of Ren luo kingdom doesn't regard us as Royals at all. To him we are just the parents of a girl he desires. Also it's understandable when seeing through his eyes that we are a small kingdom unworthy of their attention. Even the forces under him alone outnumbers out total forces. What a shame that I can even have the dignity of a king in my own kingdom. But I am helpless and powerless in this dog eat dog world."

" Well it's quite late so you should rest. It was a tiring day for both of us. "

Finally they both went to rest back in their chamber.

The next day the princess woke up and began to go through the ancient documents again. The knowledge she gained was a shock to her. ' I was so naive to think that I could gain everything just because I am a princess. What a dog eat dog world is this? Can I really succeed?' She patted her face as she became determined and murmured " Aargh, what are you thinking about? You have to succeed at all costs if you don't wish to suffer."

Just as she was making up her mind, the guards announced " Son of General is here to see you Princess. He wishes to speak to you."

Her heart began to race as soon as she heard this

' Huh, why is he here? Should I let him come in? No, I should just ignore him. But what if he came here to confess? Come on, be strong. He was the first to ignore me so why should I give a damn about him?'

She roared " What! He wants to speak with me? Tell him to go back. I don't have time to spare." She gasped as she somehow managed to let out these words. Her face was red not with anger but with embarrassment. She was dumbfounded that she said something like that. ' Huh, how did I? Did I really tell him to stay away? Thank God he wasn't in front of me, or else I would have been able to say those words. Did he go away?'

She peeked outside from the keyhole of the door. He was still there. He seemed to be frustrated by her words. Looking at his frustrated expression she felt bitter but she controlled her urge to open the door. ' No, I can't be as timid as before. If I want to succeed then I would need to change myself. Just learning the art of war wouldn't be enough.' She clenched her gist and went inside as she ordered the guards " Don't let anyone disturb me. I am busy doing some work."

Hearing this the guards apologized to Bibek as they said "Senior Knight, I am afraid the princess doesn't wish to meet anyone. Please refrain from forcing us to use force against you."

Feeling agitated, Bibek said, " But, I have something important to say to her."

" We apologize for our rudeness but this is the order of the princess. We can't defy her orders."

Reluctantly he left as he said " When she comes out pass on a message. I will owe you a favor if you accept the decision of the king. I will do anything after I return."

After that he left the place. Princess Melina heard his words loud and clear but still acted as if she didn't hear it at all. ' Huh, he is leaving? Where is he planning to go? Should I go and stop him? Ahh, I guess uncle can give an answer to where he is going. But I didn't expect him to say this. He wants me to accept father's decision. But why? Did father pressurize him? I am sure my father did.'

She felt bitter as she sobbed ' Why was I born as a female in the first place? This isn't fair at all. How could you dare to leave me behind? Even if the king ordered you, you should have rejected it. How could you choose your king against me?'

At the same time

Bibek was feeling restless. ' I think she doesn't want to see me at all. It's good that she didn't let me in or else I wouldn't have been able to hide my sadness from her. I am sorry but this is all for your own good. If I stand beside you now then the whole world will condemn you. I don't want that to happen. I will become strong and come back.'

Just as he was deep in his thoughts his father approached him. " Son, is everything alright?"

Bibek made a cheerful face as he lied right into his father's face " Yes, I am alright. Hmm father, I would like to go on a small adventure. I think my strength is lacking in many ways."

Birbal sighed as he shook his head and confronted his son " Son, so you think I don't know? You are going through so much pain, yet you are trying to hide it even from me. Am I really not good as a father?"

Bibek shook his head as she hastily replied " No, it's not like that at all. Father, I don't want to burden you. I am sorry to have hidden this from you. But how did you know that I was suffering?"

Nirbled grinned as he said " What! You underestimate your father. Though I am a little old, my senses are still sharp. It's also my fault that I can't give you the happiness you want. Well you have done a good job all these time protecting her in the dark. I am afraid she isn't even aware of your feelings towards you. But that's good as it won't strangle her after she is married."

" I know why you want to be strong but I suggest that you give up on that thought. I don't want to be your enemy at all cost. So don't go to become strong, just go to the borderlands and do your duty."

Bibek shook his head as he said " Father, how could I call myself a man, if I can't even protect my loved ones, how am I supposed to protect hundreds of thousands of people in this kingdom? As a man I should stand firm in my decisions. This is what you have taught me."

Birbal sighed helplessly as he got in and said " Well, go buy, remember that your fayer will always be there for you. But when will you return?"

Bibek pondered for a while with his hands on chin. Then he replied " Well, I saw some unfamiliar faces in the city. I guess they don't harbor any good intentions. So I am going to sweep them first. And I will go to hunt the fierce beasts in the wilderness."

" Hmm, I see they have a safe trip."

" I will."

He then left to do his work. Looking at his vanishing figure Birbal sighed and murmured to himself " Sorry, son, your father cannot fulfil your dreams. I am such a useless father."

After that he went back to his duty. He also selected a few ways to teach the princess the art of warfare. ' Princess, I hope you won't falter in the face of adversity. Let's see how far you can go and what you can achieve?'