Chapter 5: The Princess’s Smile
THE date of Sara and Richard’s departure was fixed without a hitch, an army of mutants was assembled for the battle, and they set out to begin the invasion of Saleilles with Prince Richard as their commanding officer.
As the officer leading the charge, Richard was wearing his traditional military uniform. It was a crisp, light blue color, almost as if it reflected the cloudless sky above. Draped in a cloak embroidered with the crest of the Ferrier royal family, Richard looked positively regal, yet also valiant. His maskless profile looked so dignified and serene, it was almost hard to believe that just six months before he had been called the “Hermit Prince.”
As his consort, Sara wore a matching blue gown. It was technically a dress, but it had been custom-made by Claire specifically in preparation for that day. It looked far removed from the extravagant dresses one would wear to a ball—it had included design accents, like buttons and epaulettes, borrowed from Richard’s own military uniform. It was made of a thicker fabric, and the skirt of the dress was shorter, only going down to Sara’s calves, so it exposed her lace-up boots.
After bidding Claire and Daniel, who would be holding the fort down at home, a temporary farewell, Sara and Richard had set off in a carriage. Sara gestured toward the townsfolk who had gathered on the main street.
“Your Highness, look… The people are—”
“I know.”
The citizens were offered a clear view of the prince and his wife riding in the carriage as they led the procession toward the harbor. The general commotion grew louder as people crowded together to see them off.
Sara glanced beside her and noticed that Richard’s hands were closed into tight fists. He wore white gloves, but with how tightly he was clenching, she would wager his veins were bulging on the back of his hands.
It was his first time being seen in public since his ability had been revealed, and he was frightened of how the public, who had loved him for so long, would think about him now—what they would say about him…
“Your Highness…”
“……”
“Look out the window. Look at their faces.”
Sara grabbed his hand and put her other arm around his shoulder, even though she knew it wasn’t long enough to reach around him fully.
There were no curtains on the windows of the carriage, so they could clearly see the faces of everyone lined up on the main street.
They seemed a little cautious, but as soon as Richard lifted his head and looked out the window…
“Good luck, Your Highness!”
“The Black Beast has always been our protector! Thank you, Your Highness!”
“Prince Richard, please be safe!”
Cheers of “Your Highness” soon spread throughout the crowd, merging into a unified chant that rippled down the street toward the harbor. As the rows of people chanted, Sara gently looked at Richard.
His green eyes were wide as he stared out the window in amazement.
Sara gently poked the back of his hand. After hesitating a moment, he brought up his hand in an awkward wave.
A thundering cheer erupted immediately, and the voices screaming praises for Richard grew louder still.
Everything will be okay. You’ve devoted yourself to this kingdom for so long, and everyone can see your unwavering resolve.
“Sara…”
“Yes?”
“I’ve been…terrified of this power my entire life. But now…I feel grateful. Everyone knowing the truth…I think it’s better this way.”
His trembling voice quieted to a murmur until, unable to bear it any longer, he lowered his head and hid his face in Sara’s shoulder.
Sara held her husband as his shoulders shook with emotion. She closed her eyes and carded her fingers through his wavy hair.
I know everything will be okay.
Sara and Richard would carry out their duties and then come home to Ferrier.
✦ ✦ ✦
🐺🐺🐺
BEFORE they had left the castle, the queen mother had pulled Sara aside.
“There’s something I want to tell you before you go back to Saleilles.”
Sara braced herself, wondering what it could be. Sadness flickered in the queen mother’s eyes.
“I read the memories of your parents from the corsage, but…I’ve learned some more about them.”
The other day, Sara had asked the queen mother to examine the corsage once again. Sara had just been hoping to find out a little more about her parents, but the way the queen mother phrased it made it sound as though some unexpected revelation had come up instead.
The queen mother looked a bit out of sorts, but Sara had been the one who asked her to do this. So, when Sara nodded, the queen mother began:
“I discovered something about your family and your parents… You were told that your family’s business failed and that your parents died in a terrible carriage accident, but…”