The Lost Princess
Time passed, and night came. Prince Dylan is also in the car, and they are traveling to Paradise Castle.
When Prince Dylan got out of the car, he could hear the people inside the palace because he thought many people were attending a big party. All the palaces in their country are close to Paradise Castle, so there are only so many guests inside, even if Prince Dylan hasn’t been able to enter all the way.
Almost all the royals are inside, enjoying themselves and drinking wine while standing and waiting for King Felip and Queen Alice. When Prince Dylan finally got in, he went to a place where it was quite dark and there weren’t many people. He didn’t want to attract attention, especially since he was just a guest.
After a few moments of waiting, King Felip, Queen Alice, and their son, Prince Franco, appeared, but as before, he did not wear princely clothes again, so his image now is just like a palace servant standing near the throne.
“Can I get your attention first?” said Queen Alice. The people followed inside and faced her. “Before everything, thank you very much for attending our big event, but because this night is special, King Felip and I want it to be time for you to know on this night why this event happened.”
There were faint voices that seemed surprised at what the queen said, but they waited for what she had to say next.
“Ladies and gentlemen, the one we’ve been waiting for is here, and now it’s finally here, and we can finally be with her-” Queen Alice stopped for a moment. “She is my lost daughter, Princess Francesca.”
Everyone fell silent, and the only sound that could be heard in the hallway leading to the throne was the sound of the shoes the princess was wearing.
All the people the princess passed followed her with their eyes because of what she was wearing and the half-mask on her face. But if the others were quietly watching the princess, not for Prince Franco and Prince Dylan. Prince Franco, who frowned, and Prince Dylan, who couldn’t believe what he heard.
When Princess Francesca was next to Queen Alice and King Felip, King Felip spoke.
“All of you know that our princess was lost when she was a baby, and that’s when our palace began to lose color and vitality.” King Felip looked at the princess. “But now let me introduce our one and only princess, Princess Francesa.”
Some of the attendees applauded, but an old woman spoke, “How can you say that she is your missing princess?”
The two couples looked at each other, and then Queen Alice touched the necklace that Princess Francesa was wearing. “This is proof that she is our missing daughter.”
“Based on the necklace she is wearing, is she indeed the lost princess?”
“Yes, because it’s not just an ordinary necklace. I had it made before she was even born. It was designed and made by me, so I know that she is our lost daughter.”
“Then I’m sorry for asking, but I’m glad you already found her.” Queen Alice smiled and nodded once.
Queen Alice turned and smiled at the princess. Princess Francesca nodded and slowly untied her mask.
Everyone was waiting, even Prince Franco and Prince Dylan, and when the mask was completely removed from her face, a beautiful young lady had been hiding in the mask earlier. The guests smiled, and after that, they applauded again, but the supposed happy prince, Franco, did not seem to be happy on his face tonight.
The guests returned to their respective seats after King Felip and Queen Alice’s announcement. Meanwhile, the queen and king supported Princess Francesca’s decision to sit in the reserved seat for their princess.
King Felip approached Prince Franco. “Prince Franco, are you surprised by what you found out today, and your face is emotionless?”
He smiled a little. “Maybe so, Father, I think I’m just surprised by the Queen Mother’s announcement tonight.”
His father patted him on the shoulder. “Our palace will be happy again, and you will not leave again and go anywhere without our knowledge.”
King Felip smiled before leaving and sitting on his throne next to Queen Alice.
Prince Franco turned to Princess Francesca, who was looking at the guests while smiling. But for a few moments, he also looked away.
Meanwhile, Prince Dylan simply left the palace and went to the dark area outside the palace.
He was just dumbfounded by his absence and seemed to be deep in thought when someone tapped him on the shoulder.
“How’s your night, Prince Dylan?”
He quickly turned around and saw Prince Damon tap his shoulder.
“It seems that you are not enjoying the occasion here at Paradise Castle.” Prince Damon looked around in the front and back as if he were looking for someone. “And you’re not with the young lady here today either. It’s surprising.”
“I didn’t bring her here today, so you won’t see the young lady.”
Prince Damon smiled slightly. “I’m just wondering because, wherever you go, she’s there.” Prince Damon looked into his eyes. “Is it because of the princess?”
Prince Dylan stared and swallowed, but he didn’t speak.
Prince Damon smiled completely at his act. “I know about the princess of Paradise Castle, and I also know that she will be your queen.”
Prince Dylan looked away and didn’t bother to speak. It was also evident on his face that he was shocked by Queen Alice’s announcement.
Prince Damon sighed and also looked where Prince Dylan was looking.
“Other people here think of me as the prince who is hard-hearted or doesn’t feel pity for people, but I’m not like you who will follow my parents’ decision just to marry someone I don’t even know very well-she’s a princess.”
“Because we are different, Prince Damon.”
“We’re different because you’re weak, and I’m the stronger of the two of us.”
He smiled a little. “You’re right, I’m weak, but what you don’t have I have, so we’re just being fair.”
Prince Damon frowned. “And what do you have that I don’t have?”
He turned and looked at Prince Dakon again. “You said you have a hard heart for other people. I have a soft heart for others; if you can hurt, I can’t.” He looked at the sky. “I am the prince who is the weakest of all, but I have a reason why. Yes, I have to learn to fight, but I also have to set my heart to first understanding why there is a war going on, and once I know the reason for that to be given, I will come up with a solution in a way that won’t hurt anyone. If I can’t get through that solution, then I will pull my sword and face the enemy.”
Prince Damon just stared at Prince Dylan’s face as he looked up at the sky. He smiled slightly before looking down. “If you will be safe there, I won’t say anything, but don’t let your heart be too soft because sometimes you don’t know that your ally is also your enemy.”
Prince Damon walked and left Paradise Castle. Prince Dylan just followed Prince Damon’s gaze, but suddenly a servant approached him.
“I’m sorry, Prince of Stalwart Castle. The dear queen is calling you.” He nodded and immediately followed the servant.
In a hallway with no visitors, he saw Queen Alice and the princess. When he approached, he bowed and asked, “Are you calling me, Queen Alice?”
Queen Alice smiled widely. “It’s good that you came tonight, Prince Dylan. I’m sorry I didn’t see you earlier, but I wanted you to meet my princess right away.”
Queen Alice guides Princess Francesca to her front. “Francesca, meet Prince Dylan, the prince of Stalwart Castle.”
Princess Francesca smiled slightly and said, “Nice to meet you, prince.”
He looked at Queen Alice, then at the princess. “I’m glad, finally, you’ve seen your daughter, Queen Alice.” It took a long time before he took his eyes off the princess.
“And you know why I introduced her now? Because in the next few days, you should get to know each other.”
The princess frowned. “Why do we have to get to know each other, Queen Mother?”
Queen Alice immediately looked at him. “You will know too, but not yet, my princess.” And then smile. “Maybe we can go back inside; we still have guests, and it would be a shame if we weren’t there, especially you, Princess Francesca.” The princess just nodded and went inside the palace, but before they could enter, she turned to him and smiled before completely entering the palace.
He did not respond to the princess’s smile.
The event continued at the Paradise Castle palace, and after dawn came, they returned to their respective palaces, including Prince Dylan.C0pyright © 2024 Nôv)(elDrama.Org.