Aria walked through the gardens of the palace, trying to clear her mind from the recent revelation of her arranged marriage to Lord Blackwood. She couldn't shake off the feeling that there was something off about him and his true intentions toward her. She found herself seeking solace in the gardens, where she and her mother used to spend hours together. As she reached the far end of the garden, she came upon a willow tree where she used to sit with her mother and listen to her stories.
She sat down under the tree, feeling a pang of sadness as she remembered the times she had spent with her mother. She remembered the warm sun on her skin, the sound of the birds singing, and the gentle breeze blowing through her hair. She missed her mother dearly and she wished she was still here to guide her through this difficult time.
Just as she was lost in her thoughts, she heard a sound and looked up to see Lord Blackwood approaching. He stopped in front of her, and Aria immediately tensed up. He stared at her for a moment, his expression unreadable. Aria couldn't shake off the feeling that he had some ulterior motive for seeking her out.
"Good morning, my lady," Lord Blackwood said, breaking the silence. "I hope you slept well."
Aria nodded, unsure of how to respond. She didn't trust him and she didn't know why he was seeking her out.
"And I think you also slept well, my Lord."He nodded at her and sat on the swing.
"This garden reminds me of the kingdom of Arcadia. The sweet smell of the flowers and the beauty of that place never cease to amaze me. What do you think princess?"He asked turning his attention towards Aria.
"I personally have not visited that place. My father forbids me. He said that the beauty of that place is an illusion created with magic and is never real."Aria gave her opinion.
"Sorry to hear that princess," he paused for a while before he turned to Aria again, "what do you think of magic? Do you think it will save us or destroy us?"
"Magic has always been a subject of fascination for me. Growing up, I heard tales of powerful sorcerers and witches, but I always thought that it was just a myth. I know that in Avon Kingdom, magic is viewed as a taboo and those who possess it are burned at the stake. But I can't help but feel that magic is a powerful tool that should be embraced and not feared. I know that it is dangerous, but with the proper training and control, I believe that it can be used for the greater good." She looked at him curiously before asking, "and what about you?"
"Magic is a powerful and mysterious force, my lady," Lord Blackwood said with a measured tone. "It is not something to be taken lightly. I understand that in Avon Kingdom it is viewed as taboo and those who possess it are met with severe punishment. But I believe that with proper control and guidance, magic can be a valuable tool for the kingdom."
Aria was about to comment on Blackwood's opinion but their hearty conversation was interrupted by a knight who seemed to convey a message to the princess.
"Sorry to interrupt you my Lord and Her Highness. Your father, the king wishes to speak with you in the throne hall. Come with me."
"Seems our courtship has been postponed my Lady," Blackwood said sarcastically. Aria thought that he was somehow funny. She stood up ready to leave.
"See you around princess."Aria gave him a nod and followed the knight.
Aria felt a sense of dread in the pit of her stomach. She knew that her father might have changed his mind about the courtship and maybe had summoned her to discuss the wedding preparations, and she didn't know if she was ready to face him yet. But she knew that she couldn't refuse, so she followed the knight to the throne room.
When she arrived, her father was sitting on his throne, a stern expression on his face. He scanned her body with a caring yet cold expression then switched to his old self as fast as if it never happened in the first place.
"Leave us!"The knight bowed and left the room. He rose from his seat and approached Aria with fast but measured steps."Aria," he said, "I have summoned you here to discuss your protection."
Aria raised an eyebrow, confused. "My protection, father?"
Her father nodded. "As the princess of Avon Kingdom, it is my duty to ensure your safety. And so, I have decided to assign a personal knight to you. He will be responsible for your protection and will accompany you at all times."
Aria couldn't believe what she was hearing. Was this her father's way of showing that he cared for her? She knew that her father had always been distant, and she couldn't help but feel a sense of surprise and gratitude.
"Thank you, father," Aria said, bowing her head.
"You will choose your knight tomorrow," her father said. "I have assembled a group of the kingdom's finest knights for you to choose from. I trust you will make a wise decision."
Aria nodded, her mind already racing with possibilities. She knew that this was a big responsibility, and she intended to choose the best knight for the job. She left the throne room, her mind awhirl with thoughts and emotions. She knew that she had a lot to think about, and she wasn't sure if she was ready to make a decision yet.
As she walked through the palace's hallways, she couldn't help but feel a sense of hope. Maybe this was her father's way of showing that he cared for her, and maybe he would, one day, accept her for who she really was.