As Benjamin and Sofia sat by the decorative pools in front of the palace, the sight of the Xenon royal carriages pulling up caught their attention, and they walked over to the courtyard to observe. One of the carriages pulled up to the main entrance, and the door opened.
An older woman stepped out first, immediately turning back to face the carriage. She was Ara's governess.
"Princess, you cannot go out like this. Let me fix your hair, and one of the girls will grab your gown. This is no way for a princess to be seen," the governess sighed, exasperated.
Ignoring her, Ara hopped down from the carriage. She was dressed in a long-sleeved, pastel green cotton shirt that fit her comfortably, showing off her curves, loose beige linen pants that widened at the bottom, and leather sandals. Her long, shiny black hair had been tied up into a messy bun, held in place by a single hairpin.
"Please, Madam Liu, I'm fine. My parents aren't even here with us," Ara insisted. "I have an audience with the Imperial family after lunch. I'll change then. I don't want to walk around the palace in uncomfortable clothing when it isn't necessary."
As the palace staff approached her, Ara noticed Sofia standing in the distance with a tall man. When they drew closer, Sofia rushed forward to greet her. "Ara! I'm so glad to see you!"
"Sofia, it's great to see you! Thank you for waiting, though you really didn't have to."
After a warm embrace, Ara glanced toward the stranger. "And who is that with you?"
"Oh, it's someone you know. Benjamin! I mean, Dr. Benjamin Nystrom," Sofia said, turning back and waving for him to join them.
Suddenly, Ara's memories caught up to her, and her face turned a deep shade of beet red. "No, no, no! Don't ask him to come over! I have to go!"
To the shock of her governess, the ladies-in-waiting, and the palace staff who were waiting to escort her, Ara ran back into the carriage and pulled the door shut. Sofia ran to the carriage after her.
Watching from a distance, Benjamin had no idea what had just occurred. Perhaps she forgot something important in the carriage, he thought.
A moment later, he saw Sofia approaching him. "Is everything alright?" he asked.
Sofia's face was flushed, and she was trembling as she tried to contain her laughter. She struggled to keep a straight face, but a few hearty laughs escaped anyway.
"Ara is... occupied at the moment," she managed to say. "She says she will meet with us later. You should head inside first, Benjamin. I'll stay and help her sort out her things." Her face remained a bright shade of pink as she spoke.
Ara was mortified to have been seen in such a disheveled state by Benjamin. He was the last person she expected to see greeting her upon her arrival. Had she known he would be there, she would have put on the gown and styled her hair exactly as Madam Liu had been insisting all morning.
Sofia had realized the truth the very moment Ara bolted back into the carriage. It was a rare sight to see Ara affected by anyone. There had been one time, during a royal ball, when she found herself intrigued by a noble who shared her passion for astronomy. She had panicked then, too, worried that she hadn't put enough effort into her appearance since she usually found such events to be a bore.
However, with a push from Sofia and Liv, Ara eventually worked up the courage to speak to him. Her interest had vanished when she realized he was boring and an elitist who believed astronomy was a science that should only be pursued by those with the wealth and means to do so.
"Ah, I see. Well, please tell her I said hello and that I look forward to our meeting. It's been so long!" Benjamin said warmly.
Benjamin began the walk back to his room, accompanied by Felix. They discussed his plans to depart for the beach later that evening. Felix reminded him that he was required to escort him. He didn't mind Felix's presence. Felix had always been thoughtful and considerate.
During their time together at the palace, Benjamin had tried to learn more about Felix's life. Felix had been raised within palace walls, trained from childhood to be part of the Isadoran Royal Guards. To Felix, there was no life outside being a Royal Guard.
"How do you feel about that?" Benjamin asked.
"It is a great honor. It is my family's legacy, and it is my duty," Felix replied without a shred of doubt. "I hope to die as a Royal Guard."
"That's really impressive," Benjamin replied.
"I love what I do. The only thing that irks me is... having to deal with my brother. Since we're in the same division, I have to be around him more than I'd like," Felix lamented with a sigh. "Why was I born a twin?"
Benjamin smiled at the sibling rivalry, but then his thoughts drifted. "Charles has been missing all day," he said quietly to himself.
Felix didn't know how to reply. He knew exactly where Charles was.
"Charles, what is it that you wished to discuss today? Is it regarding the border affairs?" Emperor Farrokh asked.
Charles took a deep breath in and remained silent for a moment.
"I suppose not," Emperor Farrokh said, waiting patiently for Charles to gather his thoughts.
"Well… it is regarding the Imperial engagement," Charles managed to say, his heartbeat quickening. "I understand that my parents expect me to marry Princess Shirin. She is a wonderful person, and I have nothing against her. Anyone would be lucky to be chosen by her…"
Emperor Farrokh nodded while Charles spoke, as if he already knew exactly where the conversation was headed.
"I do not wish to… be the one to take her hand," Charles said. "I am unworthy and—"
"Charles," the Emperor interrupted. "You are not unworthy. I, myself, wish to see you and Shirin stand side by side. You are both outstanding people. However, it is not my place to push you into a union you do not want to be a part of. Though, I am sure Shirin will not take the news well..." The Emperor sighed.
"Have you discussed this with your parents? When we spoke on the phone most recently, they were looking forward to this union. After all, the ball was intended to announce the formal engagement event, which was to take place in three months' time."
"I… I have not," Charles said, looking down at his feet.
"I understand, Charles," the Emperor said. "I will talk with your parents. But why do you refuse such a union? As someone who always wishes the best for you, I see it as advantageous to both you and the Kingdom of Isadora. This is an opportunity you may never get again. Before you cut things off entirely, I only wish that you take time to consider all things. The engagement isn't for another three months, after all."
"Thank you for your understanding, Your Majesty. It… it means the world to me. This is not a decision I made lightly. It has weighed on my mind since I first heard of the possibility of an engagement. I was surprised to know that I was even a candidate. I have no excuses. I… I feel terrible. I've always upheld my duties. I've always done what was best—"
"Charles," the Emperor said, placing a steady hand on Charles's shoulder. "I know. I know that you have always been dutiful. You have always been a model citizen and a model soldier. If this is a decision you have taken time to ponder and this is your final answer, I will accept it. The only obstacle I see is your parents. While I am the Emperor, I prefer not to step into private, familial affairs."
Charles nodded, overwhelmed with gratitude and relief washing over him. He stepped forward and embraced the Emperor in a hug, causing the older man to let out a thundering laugh.
"Charles, I will let you know once I've spoken to your parents. I will try to convince them as much as I can, but I cannot promise you anything. Come meet me later in the evening. I will be here."
With that, Charles felt a massive weight lifted off his shoulders and his chest. He had not expected the Emperor to let him off so easily. The Emperor had always been impartial, open-minded, and kind, so he didn't know why he had been so nervous. But, dealing with Shirin would be a problem for another day.
Charles couldn't wait to tell Benjamin the news.