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"Your highness, congratulations on your debutante!"
"Your highness as grown to be such a beautiful lady! I'm sure you will find a husband in no time!"
"Your highness, would you like to meet my son?"
Too many questions.
Questions about her appearance, her body, her outfit, her face and makeup, how smart she is, and how all of these traits will land her as a wife to a great man. Society is very cruel on women, and it gets worse when you go up in the heirarchy.
A woman living in the commoner society consists of her simply staying home, taking care of her kids and making sure everything is ready and up to the standards of her husband who spends the entire day outside the house working, or if it's the weekend — drinking at the pub until late hours into the night. They are also the ones responsible for educating the children and make sure that they have enough knowledge for the kids to help their dad in work. Some of these women too may get the opportunity to work as maids in the houses of nobility or maybe even land a job as a maid in the imperial palace, but depending on the environment this can be a very peaceful job or the worst one since they will be subjectected to intense bullying from the ladies in waiting or the family living in the house.
A woman in nobility is different but the circumstances are somewhat the same. They also need to stay home and take care of the children too but the problem here is that the husband can cheat and have many mistresses and no one bats an eye, getting a divorce is even worse because divorce is a huge scandal in the noble society and the woman is the one who suffers the most and not the man. These women also are not allowed to have a job, they can run businesses for sure but most of the time the man of the house gets the credit. Parties can also get very stressful for the women in nobility, whether it's a tea party, imperial ball, debutante, or even a birthday. The stress usually comes from the gossip and the rumors that spread like forest fire and can easily destroy someone.
Because words can be quite deadly.
The third princess of the Mondstadt empire grew up around these scenarios and toxic society that she became desensitized to their harsh words and even harsher actions. Not to mention having assassin's attack you in the middle of the night on a daily basis makes anyone immune to anything.
The princess can handle anything that is thrown her way, except the constant backlash and off handed comments she gets from her parents.
Her father, the current emperor, is known to the entire world as a kind hearted and wise leader, a man loved by all and praised by everyone even people from foreign nations. Except his children never saw him that way. That man has always been cruel to his children, especially the two youngest. The crown prince got all the praise in the world just for being the first born, but the younger prince and princess recieved no love or warmth at all from that man.
The second prince was told early on that he will be the captain of the knights, replacing the grandmaster, the man who taught him everything about the art of the sword. While the third princess was set off to marry a foreign prince just for peace negotiations.
None of them liked this. None of them had a say in their future.
The empress can be called a victim in her circumstances, her husband keeps cheating and bringing in mistresses, he would always put her in challenging and humiliating situations just for him to "miraculously" save her and be praised by the people. So their mother lives in the palace like a ghost, a ghost with no love for her children nor her people.
As the princess silently watched the night sky from the balcony, she kept pondering about the future that will happen in two years. The same future that she has been thinking of ways to escape from but to no avail, the security around the palace increased significantly due to the constant assassinations. Her thoughts were cut off from the sound of the balcony window opening behind her.
"Oh- My apologies your highness, I didn't know that you are here."
If there is one man that amazes the princess, that would be the grandmaster of the knights. His cheerfulness and willpower to continue living and working under the emperor despite his cruelty and hypocrisy. This man works deep in the imperial palace and knows so many secrets and how the emperor treats his children yet always walks around with a grin on his lips as he goes about his day.
"It's alright Grandmaster Varka, I was feeling quite lonely honestly. You can join me if you wish."
"Thank you for your generosity your highness, well would you like to join me for a drink?" The grandmaster asked, raising two glasses and a bottle of red wine in his hands. The princess gave him a soft smile as she nodded, "This would go perfect with the night, thank you."
And that's how you found yourself having a drink with the grandmaster of the knights. The conversations went on, branching from different topics such as the recent gossip and rumors going around society, the recent trainings and events the knights have encountered. No wonder the second prince thinks so highly of him and doesn't want to take his position, the grandmaster has mastered the art of being everyone's favorite.
"Oh and last month, me and the knights got lost on the way and found a beautiful meadow, the sun was shining so bright me and the knights sat down and enjoyed the warm rays after the harsh terrains we had to move through as it was raining! It felt like mother nature was rewarding us."
Varka's tales about his adventures beyond the border piqued your interest more and more as he kept telling his stories in great detail you could imagine it in your mind. You have always wondered about how life is beyond the palace walls, how people live, what kind of terrains are out there, and whether they are as beautiful as how the people around you that had the opportunity to see it describe.
As he went on and on about his adventures, your mind began wondering how life would feel if you were a mere adventurer, wandering the lands and exploring the vast lands and continents, learning about the different cultures and lifestyles of the people in other nations. You would learn about how they live, how they go on about their day. What do the nobility in other nations do? Do women have power and authority? Can women run businesses and be able to live independently without the obligation of being tied to a man?
Is there such a thing as paradise on earth?
"My apologies your highness, my constant talk has bored you." The grandmaster words snapped you out of your thoughts as you quickly shook your head and smiled softly at him.
"Not at all. In fact, the stories are so interesting I wondered if one day I can experience them." You started, staring at the glass in your hand as you took a sip from the wine and then looking up at the starry sky. "These stories…. they are the most inteinteresting thing I have ever heard inside those castle walls. For me, these walls are so cold and cruel, they never held a happy memory for me, never felt their warmth, all I ever felt is cruelty, insults, and their never ending pressure that never welcomed me."
"Tell me, would you ever feel welcomed in a place that has never embraced you? A place that everyone claims to be beautiful but that's just the illusion of money and high status? And it's a place you can never escape because all eyes are on you."
Silence enveloped you two as the grandmaster stared at you, eyes filled with a mix of sorrow, guilt and another emotion you can't decipher. All he did is shed off his jacket and place it around your shoulders.
"I hope my jacket can provide a bit of warmth in this cold night."
After that night, things went normally in the imperial palace. Everyone doing their job around the palace walls and just wanting to be done with the day. Maids walking all around the palace cleaning and making sure the halls and rooms are pristine and crystal clean. The second prince is busy training with the knights while the crown prince is dealing with state affairs.
While you? You sat in the empress's chambers with your head lady in waiting looking at the various files on the table in front of you. Every file has detailed information about your potential marital partner and the pros and cons of this marriage for the empire.
Of course it is for the empire, every thing you do is for the empire.
"Crowm Prince Kunikuzushi has one younger sister. He is a very wise man who is quite intelligent when it comes to the military and wars. People also report that he has done a lot for his people and everyone praises him. The only problem is that several people said he doesn't like our empire." Your mother said in a monotone voice as she looked up at you. "And that's all. Do you have any questions?"
"None, your majesty."
"Great. We will choose the perfect husband for you then. The marriage Will happen in two days."
Amazing. They even had the liberty of choosing the perfect husband for you. Aren't they amazing parents?
"Noelle, Let's head to the garden." You muttered, standing up and exiting the empress's chambers.
"Of course your highness. Mary, please go grab her highness's parasol."
"Of course." The maid, Mary, said as she rushed down the hallway towards your room to grab your parasol as you made your way towards the palace gardens.
The gardens are the only place you can somehow escape from the never-ending pressure of the many eyes around the imperial palace that judge you on a daily basis.
At least in these gardens the trees, flowers, grass, and the birds will not judge you on your decisions and thoughts. All they do is provide a peaceful environment despite the relentless place they belong to.
Your long walk around the gardens ended at the gazebo, where your maids quickly prepared tea and refreshments for you as you silently gazed over the vibrant flowers whose colors shone under the rays of sunlight. Creating a peaceful view that has a calming effect on your mind.
"Good afternoon your highness." A voice called from next to you, standing at the entrance of the gazebo is none other than acting grandmaster Jean.
You heard about her before, she was mentioned quite a lot in Varka's tales of his adventures. She is who the knights refer to as the mother figure of the group, she is always on the lookout for her fellow knights and her boss, always making sure no one is left behind and everyone is well fed, hydrated and rested. You also heard about her from your second brother, he would always mention how she feels like a mother more than his own mother, the ghost empress.
"Nice to see you acting grandmaster, care to join me for a cup of tea?" You smiled sweetly at the gentle woman, who happily accepted your request and joined you on the table as the maid poured her a cup of tea.
"This is dandelion tea, it's a non caffeinated herbal tea that has great effects on the liver." You mentioned as the maid poured the tea into Jean's cup, the yellow blooms of dandelion rest calmly on the cup. The acting grandmaster thanked the maid as she took a sip from the cup.
"It tastes wonderful, maybe the knights can have this to help their liver considering the insane amounts of alcohol they drink every day." She said as you giggled at her remarks, "Seriously, I always warn them about the dangers of alcohol but all Varka does is reply with how amazing dandelion wine tastes like."
"Dandelion wine is the biggest trade market we have in the empire, it does have quite the addicting taste honestly."
"Your highness, I beseech you not to get addicted to it as well. Remember to drink in moderation."
"Don't worry, I don't drink that much anyway."
"Oh! I apologize for overstepping my boundaries."
"It's alright, it felt quite nice."
You offered her a soft smile, a smile that had acting grandmaster Jean silent and admiring how beautiful your smile is.
"Varka is right. Your genuine smile is indeed beautiful."
"Excuse me?"
"Varka mentioned it to me a few weeks after the party. I've never seen him act like this honestly." Jean began, taking another sip from the teacup as she continued. "He would always glance down the hallways that lead to your chambers and would question your ladies in waiting about you."
"Me?" You raised an eyebrow, looking at Noelle, who nodded along Jean's words. "It's true, he would always ask me how you've been whenever he sees me"
Weird. Very weird.
If he is that curious about you, then why did he not approach you?
Those words were haunting you ever since, even as weeks have passed. Whenever you see the grandmaster in the distance, Jean's words always ring in your head. To be honest with yourself, you would also grow quite curious about the grandmaster.
Well, you can't dwell on it any further, you are quite busy already. Mainly due to the fact that the empress has set up multiple dates for you to meet your potential partners. You found yourself spending the weekend in the empress's chambers settling on dates to meet every person on the list of potential husbands. The first one being tomorrow in a banquet up north, where the Ragnvindr duchy lies. Because the first person on the list is none other than the duke himself. According to the empress, he is a good man with a good reputation and he won't bring shame to the imperial family.
So is every single man on this list. All are good men, with good reputation that won't bring shame to the imperial family.
"Since the journey will be long and neither me nor the empress can accompany you, I decided to send a reliable knight with you on your journey to meet your potential partners."
The day of your journey has arrived in the blink of an eye. The emperor said, leaning back against his throne. You stood before him like an envoy and not his daughter. You wondered why he is simply sending you to meet these guys and not them visiting you themselves, considering that you are the princess of the empire and they are just nobles. In the end you just nodded along to whatever they are planning for your future.
"There is no one in the world that I would trust with your safety other than the grandmaster himself. He is someone very reliable who won't bring shame to the imperial family."
This is about to be an interesting journey, you thought. Since the person accompanying you is none other than Varka, the same guy who is staring at you with an unreadable expression which is quite new for someone as freespoken and down to earth like the grandmaster.
"Your highness, look! Over there on your right is Starsnatch cliff, it's where the infamous Thousand Winds Temple is located. Did you know that the temple is rumored to be frozen in time? Many people who entered the temple claim that the sun never sets there and that it's always daytime in there even though its the middle of the night."
"Did you visit it before grandmaster?" You asked, looking outside your carriage as you look at the cliff then back at the man who's riding his horse next to your carriage. He has a huge grin on his face as he nodded.
"I did! And yknow what? The rumors were true. I entered the temple around 2 AM and somehow the sun was shining brightly when I entered. Although most of the temple is destroyed, but there are some areas that are still intact but the adventurer's guild has advised people to stay away from this place since it is dangerous."
"Because it's frozen in time?"
"That is a reason, another reason is that there is a ruin guard that roams the place that is hostile towards everyone so it's best to stay away from it. Of course that centuries old machine is in no way stronger than me!" Varka cackled, his eyes closed as his head tilted back in laughter. His laugh somehow made you smile as well.
This man is like a ray of sunshine to everyone around him, he is someone who is very easygoing and loves living. He truly deserves his name and reputation. The Knight of Boreas. He has the strength and chivalry of a knight and is someone who is highly respected by the empire and has quite the respectable reputation outside the borders of Mondstadt.
"Did you manage to beat it? Surely something as old as this robot is no match for our greatest grandmaster to ever exist?" Your little joke got a heartwarming laugh out of the grandmaster, the knights who have joined you on your journey groaned and some of them rolled their eyes.
"Your highness please don't feed his ego, it's about the size of a thousand whales by now."
"Hey now! She's not wrong, I am the greatest grandmaster to ever exist." Varka replied back at the knight and then turned to you. "You are right! I did beat it in exactly one minute-"
"It was actually one minute and thirty seconds."
"Mika!"
"I'm being honest."
"I'm going to fire you"
"You can't live without me and everyone here knows it."
"Okay true."
You kept chatting along with the knights throughout your journey. The more you talked with them the more you began to love things about the life you are living, that there are still some things and some people who care about you for who you are. Grandmaster Varka was successful in making sure that the knights are so friendly that anyone can approach them and also provide a sense of security when surrounded by them.
Sleepless nights are very common for you.
The journey had to stop for the night for everyone to have some rest before continuing the rest of the track the next day. The inn you are staying in is comfortable at least, although it's no match to the luxury of the palace, but as long as you have a blanket, a warm room and a bed to sleep on then that's all that matters. But even if you live in the most luxurious place on earth, it won't be a cure for sleepless nights. These nights were a common occurence for you, even when you were a little kid and this prompted your nanny to suggest sitting outside and basking in the night breeze to aid in calming your nerves.
"Your highness? Why are you awake in such an hour?"
A calm and deep voice called out softly from the bottom as you sat outside on the small balcony of your room. Looking down, your eyes laid on the golden hair of the grandmaster that glowed softly under the moonlight.
"Just a sleepless night, how about you?"
"I usually get up around this time to do a quick patrol and also do some training." Varka started, holding up a bag in his hand. "I also got my hands on some chamomile tea that the innkeeper's wife gave me, would you like a cup of tea perhaps? Maybe it will aid you in sleeping?"
"Sure. Come on up." You said with a small nod as Varka smiled back at you and headed back inside the inn as you got up from your chair to open the door of your room for him. It didn't take long for him to arrive at the room and head inside.
"Pardon my intrusion."
"It's alright, tonight seems like a good time for some tea anyway." You said, taking the tea leaves from him as you began brewing the tea.
"Wait your highness please let me-"
"It's alright, I love brewing tea. I am positive you will have the best brewed tea you will ever have in your entire life."
"If it's your highness who brewed it, then of course it will be the best tea I have had in my entire life."
"Did anyone mention that you are such a sweet talker, grandmaster?" You asked, slowly pouring the tea into two mugs. Varka replied with a soft laugh as he took his teacup from your hold.
"I'm just an honest person your highness, lies and deception are things I tend to stay away from."
"True. Nothing good comes out from these anyways." You replied, going back to the balcony as Varka followed you outside and sat down on the chair opposite to yours.
"I have a small request grandmaster." You started, taking a small sip from your cup, "While we are alone, please just call me by my name."
"Your wish is my command, (Name)" Varka said softly, "Well, you can call me by my first name too."
"Alright, Varka." At the mention of his name from your lips, Varka smiled softly as his eyes were lost in yours.
"Do you find your room comfortable? If you ever need anything please don't hesitate to ask me, I shall bring to you as fast as I can."
"Even if I ask for something bizzare and insanely impossible to get?"
"(Name), if you ever asked me to bring you all the stars that are scattered across the endless cosmos then I would do so."
"Hey now, I'm just joking here. Don't worry, the room is very nice and comfortable." You said with a soft laugh as you leaned back in your chair and looking up at the sky. "There's just no way someone can get all the stars in the cosmos." After your words, Varka mumbled something.
"What did you say?"
"Oh, don't worry that was nothing."
"Alright." You shrugged, your mind drifting into the millions of thoughts that are swimming through your mind. "I have a question."
"What is it?"
"While you were talking about your trips this morning, I was looking around as we passed several villages before coming to this town and I felt extremely guilty at the living conditions of the people. I know that I am extremely privelaged and may sound like I'm just a spoiled girl but I have always wanted to help the poor and for them to live a comfortable life because they are human too."
"Varka, you have been outside. Can you tell me what happened to the areas that Mondstadt has attacked during the war? how are the people?" You asked Varka, who stared at you for a second before looking down at his cup.
"The people… They have suffered greatly because of the war the current emperor caused. I am doing the best that I can to help them out."
His words stung, those people did not deserve to suffer the war and pain that the king unleased on the continent just because someone hurt his ego. Your father was never a good person, he just surrounds himself with rumors and people just like him to fix what little is left of his reputation.
"It's not your fault, you didn't know back then. You are also a victim of the emperor, don't blame yourself."
"Yeah but the feeling of helplessness is horrible Varka." You started, turning to the man beside you with tears in your eyes.
"I hate the feeling of helplessness, I hate feeling like I am completely useless and no one wants me around. I spent my entire life trying everything I can to remind my parents that I exist, yet they always disregard me all because I'm a woman. Women never get the opportunity to shine or be independant in this male dominated society. The moment you are born a woman, your lif is not yours anymore, you will grow up on and die living the life that society has shaped for you."
A hand softly reached out to wipe the tears that were falling down your cheeks, you looked over at Varka who is now on his knees and wiping away your tears.
When did I start crying?
"(Name), tell me what do you yearn for?" Varka asked softly as he looked into your teary eyes.
"Freedom."
"Then I shall bring it to you."
The Grandmaster has spent his entire life being praised for everything he has every done. If you ask anyone on the street who Grandmaster Varka is, they will surely talk about him for days. He is a beloved man throughout the continent even though he serves under a corrupt king. Many people asked him before why he is still serving under this man, why is he serving under a king who hides his cruelty and corruption under a glamorous mask crafted by the nobility.
His reply would always be the same: He has to stay to protect the innocent people who were unfortunate to live in a place where their home can be taken away from them because of the people on top.
Grandmaster Varka has always been a hero in everyone's eyes. From the day he saved the empire from the crisis of the abyss and almost losing his life in the process and was crowned the title Knight of Boreas to the day he was promoted to the Grandmaster of the Knights of Favonius.
He is a man who spent his whole life saving people and children from war attacks, from the never-ending clashes with the abyss. He had to spend three years away from his homeland and venture up north to the lands blessed by the moon goddess and the frozen terrains of Snezhnaya all to protect the land he calls home.
One could say that the Grandmaster's reputation is so positive that nothing can ever destroy it.
All those thoughts and memories of his heroic deeds has shattered the moment the princess of Mondstadt wished for freedom.
The Grandmaster has never approached the young princess before ever since he was promoted to Grandmaster. The princess was an enchanting mystery for him, a woman hiding behind a mask that protects her from the deadly thorns of the imperial palace.
From the day he first stepped into the grounds of the imperial palace and he noticed that this place is a horror house, everything about you is judged by the higher ups and they are watching your every move. Just one simple mistake is all it takes for them to drag you down into the mud and discard you like you are nothing. This treatment is much worse when you're from a commoner background like the Grandmaster. He was always placed under scrutiny and the humiliating eyes and comments from the nobility, nothing has changed even after he became the Grandmaster of the knights.
"Know your place commoner, the only reason you are here in the first place is because of your strength. We can take that away if we want and ruin you."
Grandmaster Varka has grown accustomed to those comments made by the inner council, also known as the people who run the internal affairs of the empire and help hide the horrible crimes the emperor has commited. He would alwasy return those words with a smile and walk it off.
It's fine, even when they send assassins his way at any time of the day, whether it is poison or someone sneaking into his abode in the middle of the night with a dagger, it is quite challenging to take on a warrior like him. He just stays silent, even when he has damning information that would get them killed.
The Grandmaster has always carried his sword to protect the peace of the people, he shall not ruin it just for their petty comments and actions.
That night by the balcony, the tears in the princess's eyes, her wish for freedom. That night has changed something in the Grandmaster.
The first to notice was one of his great friends Lohen. Lohen has been with Varka every since they both joined the Knights of Favonius. He knows that man so well he can read his emotions well and can understand what he is thinking of and the reason behind his actions. Even when several nobles were against his departure from the empire to head onto the expidition, Lohen has defended him with all his pride and honor as a son and heir of the countdom that has full control over the empire's trading systems and businesses.
Lohen has noticed the slight change in his friend's eyes, even when he dragged him with a huge grin on his face to a local bar after thei arrival to the borders of the Ragnvindr Duchy. Despite the few glasses of Dandelion wine that Varka drank, he looks like he came here for another purpose and not just to let go and have some drinks.
"Varka, tell me honestly why are we here?"
"You'll see~ " He replied, grabbing his friend's hand and getting out from his chair and walked towards the bartender. "Hey there! Do you guys serve calla lily tea?"
The bartender stared at him for a while before nodding and stepping away from the bar. "This way, follow me."
The two friends followed the bartender down a long corridor before stopping at a flight of stairs leading to a basement, the bartender nodded at them again and walked back out to the bar.
"Varka, what are you doing?"
"You are the only one I can trust for this Lohen, that's why I am bringing you here." Varka said with a serious voice, a voice he uses when he's on the battlefield leading the knights to victory. Lohen stayed silent as he followed the man down the flight of stairs and past the door of the basement.
Sitting in the middle of the room is a large rectangular table, decorated with several tea sets with some of the tea cups floating in the air. Around the table sat five chairs, with three of them occupied by three women dressed in a witch's attire. Their distinctive colors, manners and outfits told Lohen exactly who they are.
The Hexenzirkel. An information center run by a group of women who are considered geniuses in magic and the art of alchemy. These women are so powerful the nobility were doing everything in their power to earn their favor and would buy as many gifts as they can just to get the witches on their side, as a result the witches chose to hide away from the public and run an information center because if they ever chose a side this entire empire would be in ruin.
"Long time no see Varka, how's Klee doing?" The one with golden hair and a red dress asked with a smile on her lips as the two men sat down across from the three witches.
"Alice, you saw Klee yesterday already." The witch with ocean blue eyes replied to her, even though everyone in the room just heard her voice in their heads. It's how the witch Nicole communicates, no one knows why except the other witches.
"If you have a daughter as adorable as Klee of course you will miss her at every hour!"
"She's doing fine! Last I heard, Jean is taking her out to a festival today." Varka replied with his usual chirpy attitude as he greeted the witches.
"Well then, what is it that you want from us?" The third witch, Rhinedottir, asked, taking a sip from her teacup as she looked at the two men sitting across from her and her fellow friends.
"What I asked for you all to protect, I need it."
The three witches stared at Varka in shock. The first one to move was Alice, who got up from her chair and glared at Varka.
"Do you even know what will happen if you use those files? The entire empire will go up in flames!" She exclaimed, crossing her arms over her chest. "I absolutely won't let you do this, the only reason I agreed to keeping them was because of your promise! You promised-"
"Klee will be safe. I already sent a letter to Jean and informed her about what I am planning to do."
"Varka, even I don't think that this is a good idea." Rhinedottir said, placing a hand on Alice's arm to calm her down, "This is not the time to do this, we are still not done with the preparations."
"Can you let us know why you are doing this now?"
"I was secretly preparing everything. That's why Lohen is here." Varka said, turning to his friend who is trying to wrap his head around everything that just went down.
"Varka… Are you starting a rebellion?"
"You could say that. I need to save this empire. Tell me Alice, you know how corrupt and evil those nobles are, why is Klee still living happily in such a space? Why does she have to hide away from the world and be on constant surveillance with her mother on the run all because the nobles won't hesitate to do anything to have their hands on you. Are you forgetting what they did to your husband?"
Varka's words have stunned the witch, the horrors of how her title as a Marchioness was destroyed and her husband murdered all because she refused to help the current Grand Duke of the Laurence family. It was this incident that caused Alice to put her daughter in Jean's care as she hid herself away from the public eye.
"Varka, Alice, you two need to calm down." Nicole said, looking between the two, "Varka, please explain by how you have everything ready?"
"I have been preparing for a long time. During the exhibition, I made strong relations with every nation I visited, made sure that their nations are safe for the children to go and live there freely, for the people who are being wronged daily by the corrupt government just because those at the top can't hide their intense greed for money and power, those corrupt nobles won't hesitate to destroy the entire empire just for them to get richer. This is the reality we live in but no one wants to do anything out of fear."
The silence in the room was enough for everyone included to understand that Varka has a point.
After getting what he wanted, Varka made his way back to the Duchy with Lohen in silence. His friend knows that Varka needs his time to get his head straight but with how he looks right now, Lohen is worried about his best friend who is slowly losing himself in his thoughts.
Once the two returned to Varka's quarters, Lohen finally found his voice.
"Varka. I don't buy what you said to the witches. I know that you left the files with them for a reason and you wanted to wait before using them, so what happened for you to suddenly change your mind?" Lohen asked, watching his friend walk towards a small table in the room where a few lilies lay.
"Lohen, am I a hero in your eyes?"
"Where did that even come from?"
"Just answer me please."
"I see," Lohen replied, moving towards his friend and looking at lilies that he carefully picked up, "You are doinng this because of the princess?"
"How did you-"
"Varka, you can hide your emotions from the whole world but you can't hide it from me. We have known each other for so long I can tell what you are feeling just from your actions Varka. Are you in love with the princess?"
"Yes. Yes I am, and before you go on the fact that it is wrong and that the emperor will behead me if my feelings were ever discovered I know that. I know and that's why I'm doing this."
"You will seriously throw away your life for the princess?"
"Lohen." Varka said, turning to look at his friend. "This is the first time the princess has eve wished for something. She never wished for something in her entire life and this time, she wished for freedom. How can I not grant her the freedom she yearns for when I have the very weapon that can achieve such freedom?"
"If the emperor found out, he will search for you everywhere and have you dead."
"It doesn't matter. If my life is to be thrown away and used to break the shackles that bind her to this place then so be it. I love her so much that if my honor, my name, my reputation and my life are to be sacrificed for her then I will gladly welcome Ronova with open arms."
Months have passed since Varka's conversaion with Lohen, months since Varka started his secret plan of a rebellion, since he swore to himself that your wish will come true.
During those months, you were busy preparing for your marriage with Diluc Ragnvindr. A marriage that the emperor and the empress see as beneficial for the palace since they will have the support of his family. During the weeks before the marriage you spent those days preparing for your wedding. Measurments for the dress and heels, choosing a suitable design for the wedding dress, and the bouquet. You also practiced for the dance, the rehersal, and taking bridal lessons.
The whole time you did not see Varka. Perhaps it's because of your insanely busy scedule and him being busy with his Grandmaster duties. Still, your mind sometimes would wonder when you would be able to see him again. You miss speaking with him. You missed the days where you were travelling together as he would tell you tales about his adventures around the continent and describing to you the beauty of the other nations that you believe would be quite the sight to see.
But alas. This wasn't your fate. Your fate is something else you never asked for. Marriage, which is just a glorified way to say that you are bound to a man you barely know for the rest of your life.
"Your highness, it is time we depart."
An hour is left until your fate is sealed, you silently joined the maid on your journey to the palace gardens where your wedding is being held. You would hear the ladies in tea parties mention how the wedding day is every woman's happiest day of her life, where is the happiness in marrying a man that you didn't even chose? A man you don't even know? You can tell that even Diluc Ragnvindr finds the entire situation awkward and this wasn't what he wanted either.
Unfortunately this is just one of the many things children of high society have to face, having to walk down a pathway carefuly crafted by their parents and decorated so beautifully you would instantly fall in love with it and not notice the several red flags.
Marriage is scary, and it is your turn to experience such horrors.
You were snapped out of your thoughts when your maid suddenly pulled you to the side, you watched as the ceiling broke apart and a huge chunk of it fell on the ground. Soon your brain registered the chaos going on around you, destruction everywhere. People are screaming, running and as you run away to safety you would see more and more people screaming and running for their lives. Different noble men and women were crushed by the boulders, some managed to survive but with how the rocks have their limbs pinned to the ground they would end up with very serious injuries.
"Victoria! Victoria where are you?!" Admist the chaos, you lost track of your maid, no longer feeling her soft hand in yours. You prayed to Barbatos that she gets to safety as you kept running.
You successfully escaped the crumbling parts of the palace, finding yourself in the throne room. What was even more surprising was the sight before you.
Before you stood Varka, his greatsword in his hand as he stood infront of the throne. Your eyes widened in horror at the deep red liquid that is coating his greatsword, then you notice the head laying nearby.
Your father's head.
"V-Varka… What have you done?" You mumbled, hands shaking as you felt your knees go weak and tears brim in your eyes as you stared at the man before you.
Varka turned to you with an intense gaze in his eyes before he descended the stairs of the throne and walked up to you.
"Why? Why did you do this?" You mumbled so softly it felt like a whisper, your mind still trying to understand how the day went from a wedding to a rebellion lead by the Grandmaster of the Knights of Favonius.
"(Name)," Varka said, kneeling on the ground in front of you as he held your trembling hands in his, "I am a man who grew up with people comparing me to the sun because in their eyes, I am the one responsible for bringing them hope in the dark times of war. Honestly I have never seen myself as someone worthy of that title. You are the one who is deserving to be compared to the sun, even the brightness of the sun is nothing compared to the light you gave me. The smile you give me, the smile that comes from your heart, a smile so soft and genuine it lights up my entire world. Your presence is so enchanting that I will not hesitate to tear down and burn anyone who dares to harm you in any way."
"But, thats the king! Do you even realise the chaos that will happen if the people find out that you did this?! This is treason! You will die!"
"This man is no king in my eyes because he always brings despair to you, a man who is uncapable of taking care of you doesn't deserve to be respected. My lady, if you wish I will not hesitate to burn it all. My status, my honor, my title, my reputation — if I am to be branded the title of a devil just for your eternal happiness then I will gladly do so."
"No! Varka, you spent your whole life to reach where you are. You can't ruin it all like this!"
"For you, I would."
His words caused more tears to spill from your eyes as your knees gave out, Varka quickly caught you and held you closely to his chest as you kept crying tears of sadness and happiness. Happy that you are finally free but it came at a huge cost.
"My lady, do you wish to explore the world? I believe we have all the time in the world to do so?" Varka said with a grin as he stood up with you in his arms and started making his way outside the palace to get to his horse and get out of here.
Your vision was blurry from the tears in your eyes, but even so you can clearly see the sheer determination in Varka's eyes as he is leading you towards freedom.
"Yes. I would love to explore the world with you." You replied, wrapping your hands around his neck. This action caused Varka to stop in his tracks and look down at you.
"I swear to you, I would burn down the entire world just to see you happy. I'd watch the world burn down just to see you in the lighting of the embers, my beloved princess."
This day went to become the happiest day in your life. Being in the arms of the man who made your biggest wish come true, kissing that same man as everything burned and crumbled around you.
Freedom is beautiful.