The Rising Sun

51

Although the Prince was against my pregnancy for my safety, he was the one who loved Claire the most. In an instant Claire became his favorite princess. And as per the prophecy of the Mermaid Princess, Claira is very close to Ferlay. The Prince will be very troubled in the future facing the two of them. But I don't expect the Prince to be stupid enough to hurt them.

I was Thirty-three years old when the Prince exiled me to a small palace. For trying to kill his other wife. The prince punished me for going to that palace until He decided I could come back. Raymond's coming with me. And so is Claire. Hazel was sent to training. He's with Alviandra. Besides, the Prince does not allow others to follow us.

The Prince's overly harsh nature to them worries me. But I can't do much. He blocked all my access to be able to communicate with him. He didn't hit me at all. I just heard about it.

Has his heart changed ?.

I'm trying to believe it. Sometimes in my little heart...There is an inner struggle.

Depressing.

I'm waiting for the Prince.

But he didn't come.

A year

two years

and....Five years.right at the time of the sixteen years of Prince Sera's death. The holy priest invited me back to the holy temple. Along with Raymond, Claire, Lekky and Ferlay. We went to the holy temple.

When he laid his feet for the first time in sixteen years. I'm appalled. It felt...Prince Sera was quite close to me.

I can feel his presence.

The first day I took a walk around the Temple building with Raymond. Recollecting all the memories that were. Grief. Blissfulness. My stupidity in youth.

I regret a lot of things. But I also have a lot of things to be grateful for.

Raymond stood near me. We fell silent in each other's thoughts after I told him how Prince Sera could die.

We stand in a balcony of a tower. The sun just set. From my place, I can see how the sacred tree grew and flourished in the middle of the vast forest.

In the garden below, I saw the entourage of Prince Riana had just come. The holy priest apparently invited him as well. Alviandra, Hazel and Nara are in the group. I recognize the figure of Prince Riana's Nobles Friends. This afternoon I met and talked with the holy priest. Meet Prince Arana who came before me.

"You better take a break. Today you've met enough people"

Raymond reprimanded me. I turned my face a little to see it. Raymond helped me a lot. He was always by my side as a friend. Raymond was never married or close to anyone here. He always follows me wherever I go.

"The priest invites us to gather for a meal in the garden. I want to go there" I asked as I looked at him with a pleading gaze.

Raymond looked at me for a moment. Sighs after being silent for a long time.

"Usually I will oppose your decision. But today your family's gathering, you need some fresh air with them. Just remember Yuki" Raymond raised his index finger with a serious expression. "Just because I let you go doesn't mean you can act as you please"

"Let's just calm I understand"

Raymond finally reached out to help me stand up. I followed. We finally arrived at the park. But Prince Riana is not there. I met Alviandra, Nara and Hazel. They greeted me kindly. I hugged them one by one.

Holy priest...It's still the same as the last I saw. He hasn't changed even though it's been a few years. Sit in the other corner. Talking to the Nobles of Xasfir. The nobleman Voldermon appeared a short while later. He came up to me and sat down near me.

"I'm.." Said the nobleman Voldermon in confusion.

"It's okay. I got it"

Noble Voldermon wants to apologize for never seeing or contacting me since I was exiled. I-i know. Prince forbids.

I tried to shake the sadness in my heart. Trying to think positively. That he still loves me like he used to.

The nobleman Voldermon was dragged away by Hazel shortly after chatting with me, inviting her to meet Prince Arana. I looked at everyone I loved one by one. A musician holding a musical instrument like a guitar, accompanied by a female singer standing on the other side.

"This is a song ordered by the holy priest in memory of Prince Sera. This song is sung by the Prince in this place, To Princess Yuki" The singer said bowing respectfully to me. I smiled back at his greeting.

Music began to play. The picker sings. I closed my eyes. Lean on the back of the chair with large pillows. Raymond covered my feet so as not to get cold. He sits next to me.

"If you're tired, we can go back to the room"

"No.." Reject me. "I want to be here with them"

"You're pale"

"I knew...I'm begging...Let me be with them..I want to see them...This is a rare thing for me. I've long since missed this kind of atmosphere"

Raymond rested the backrest of the pillow in my head. I watched everyone one by one. Lekky's not here. I wish he hadn't heard what I thought.

Claire's Laughter.

Calmness Nara

The motion of Alviandra

Hazel's curiosity

All this struggle and suffering has been for them. Protecting Them.

Suddenly I feel tired.

"Yuki's.." I immediately clasped Raymond's hand which was holding my hand just now. Asking him to stop.

"You'll be fine" I whispered to him. Raymond looked at me gasping. "Don't let them know. I don't want to ruin this moment"

Raymond swallowed for a moment.

From the corner of my eye I saw the holy priest staring at me. From the look in his eyes I could see that He had expected this to happen.