Lady Marila was carefully packing the clothing and an assortment of items that Majic would require for her stay at the royal residence of Reverie. Only a month had elapsed since Majic's arrival in the kingdom of Fontana; now, she had to leave the palace.
The young girl gazed out the window of her chamber, noting the bustle of the servants, for today marked the king's second wedding; she was supposed to await the entrance of the king's new bride, but feared her heart couldn't endure seeing the king dance with another woman. She had asked Lady Marila if it was possible to avoid the occasion; the princess's current mentor explained that everyone viewed her as a willful, proud princess—departing now would only reinforce that notion, but they could leave after the king had set off for the church. The princess agreed to the plan.
The king had requested a meeting with Majic before his departure to the church, so she went to the Office to speak with him. Taking a deep breath before entering, once inside, she executed a perfect curtsy followed by a highly formal greeting.
"What may I do to please His Majesty?" the princess asked, her voice tinged with sorrow.
"Strive for happiness, princess. Enjoy nature, the fresh air; learn as much as you can, and think little of me," the king counseled. "Someone like myself doesn't warrant the grief of a soul so pure. I will return for you, hoping that when we next meet, you'll have grown stronger and braver. I just wanted to show you something," he stated.
Approaching the princess, he conjured a special magic, spelling out the princess’s name in the air with luminous, color-changing letters that danced before them.
The princess stood in awe, a small smile brightening her face.
"You are like this—dazzling and spirited, bringing joy to the heart despite the darkness you’ve faced. Remember that," the king said as they both lingered in a silent moment.
Meanwhile, Tesko had made his way into Lady Zarila's quarters at her residence, once more entering unseen.
"You look lovely in your simplicity," Tesko commented, aiming to cheer her.
"Why must everything be so plain? It feels as if I’m marrying a commoner, not the king of Fontana," Lady Zarila complained, visibly annoyed.
"To undermine the overindulged Princess Majic, everything was done modestly; by tradition, the second wife may not enjoy finer things than the first," Tesko explained.
"How dreadful! At least she’s leaving the palace. She must realize she has no role to play with the king," Lady Zarila said, her words laced with satisfaction.
"The pity is mine. Even as the daughter of that scoundrel King Carpio, she’s quite lovely, her wild nature intriguing—if a bit careless, revealing just a bit too much of that exquisitely smooth skin. Were I the king, I wouldn’t let her go, but I suppose he prefers you," Tesko remarked with unabashed boldness.
"Do you hear yourself? Perhaps I should forget about you and focus on the king," Zarila retorted, rolling her eyes.
Tesko’s gaze turned fierce. He seized her chin, squeezing her cheeks tightly.
"Don't you dare betray me, or you'll regret it," Tesko threatened, then threw her to the floor. "The king will never forgive you for deceiving him, so we're in this together. You betray me, I reveal the truth to the king. Do you think you'd withstand his wrath?" he hissed before disappearing.
Zarila struggled to breathe, shaken by Tesko's aggression—it was the first time he’d treated her so harshly, causing her to question his love for her.
Later, the wedding commenced, this time with no hand markings, only a ring signifying Lady Zarila’s new status as the king's second wife.
During this time, Princess Majic’s belongings had been loaded onto the carriage. She wandered through the garden, saying goodbye to each flower and recalling walks with the king until Lady Marila called for her. The king had requested volunteers to serve the princess in Reverie; only Yura had agreed, eager to be near her family. Though protocol dictated that Yura travel with the coachman, the princess insisted that she ride with them, moved by Majic's spirit of generosity. As the palace receded from view, the carriage set forth.
When the ceremony concluded, King Fortem and Lady Zarila were en route to their carriage when a guard approached, reporting that Princess Majic had departed for Reverie during the service and wouldn't be found at the palace upon their return.
Understanding it was the last day he'd see the princess, yet hoping to find her afterward to deliver something from their past, the king now realized that moment had slipped away. Unable to bear an unbid farewell, he saw red leaves fluttering past—a memory of Majic—prompting him into a sudden dash. Vaulting onto a horse, leaving onlookers aghast, he spurred into a full gallop, desperate to find Princess Majic.
Back in the carriage, the princess forced herself to stave off tears. She wasn't alone this time; Lady Marila and Yuri, despite her fears, were there for her. They were nearing the place for the magic stones that enabled swift travel when a loud voice boomed, "Majic! Majic!" Upon seeing it was the king from her window, the princess alighted hurriedly, rushing toward him. Both dashed forward to be enveloped in an embrace they wished could last forever, fearing the possibilities of what lay ahead in Reverie.
"I will come for you; I assure you I will come," the king vowed, seeking to soothe her.
"I will wait for you; please don't linger," the princess replied.
They knew they had to part ways for now. Both had weathered painful goodbyes, yet this felt the most heart-wrenching. The king endeavored to release her, so she might face the fate she was due, one cruelly snatched away by misfortune.
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