Whispers of the Tree Roots appears #3

[ Troubled Me ]

Princess Ruka

( Sighs )

Princess Ruka

I can't believe tonight is the ring ceremony...

New maid 1 ( Hana )

Is everything alright, Your Highness?

New maid 1 ( Hana )

You seem... troubled.

Princess Ruka

It's nothing... Just thinking about... things.

New maid 2 ( Leyla )

Your fiancé, Prince Alistair, must be so excited for tonight!

New maid 2 ( Leyla )

You two are perfect together!

Princess Ruka

( Forces a smile )

Princess Ruka

Perfect... yes.

Pov ; If only that were true...

{ Flashback - Last Night }

Princess Ruka

( Walking through the castle hallways, stops suddenly )

Princess Ruka

Is that... Alistair's voice?

Princess Ruka

And... Meina?

{ Behind the door 🚪 }

Young princess, Meina

( Giggles )

Young princess, Meina

You shouldn’t worry, my prince.

Young princess, Meina

My sister won’t ever find out about us.

Prince (Alistair )

( smirking ) You’re right.

Prince (Alistair )

She’s too kind-hearted... and too trusting.

{ Backside of the door }

Princess Ruka

( Heart clenching )

I knew it... but why... Meina...?

[ Back to the Present ]

New maid 1 ( Hana )

The ceremony will begin soon, Your Highness.

New maid 1 ( Hana )

Shall we help you get ready?

Princess Ruka

Yes... Let’s get this over with...

[ --- }

[ Later at the Ceremony Hall ]

Princess Ruka

I'm here .. I have to take a step..

Princess Ruka

( takes a deep breath and approaches her father )

Princess Ruka

Father, I need to speak with you... in private.

King 👑

What’s the matter, my dear?

Princess Ruka

( Glances towards Alistair, who’s talking to guests )

Princess Ruka

I... wish to break off the engagement.

King 👑

( Startled )

King 👑

What are you saying, child?

King 👑

Tonight is your ring ceremony!

Prince (Alistair )

( Overhearing )

Prince (Alistair )

Break off the engagement?

Prince (Alistair )

My dear princess, you must be joking.

Princess Ruka

I am not. I’ve made my decision.

Prince (Alistair )

( grabs her wrist )

Prince (Alistair )

You can’t just call it off like that.

Prince (Alistair )

We have a duty to our kingdoms.

( A cold figure Steps forward, his expression calm )

Master Rowan (The mysterious tutor)

If the princess has her reasons, perhaps they should be heard.

Master Rowan (The mysterious tutor)

It is only fair... wouldn’t you agree...

Master Rowan (The mysterious tutor)

Prince Alistair?

Prince (Alistair )

( Eyes narrowing at Rowan )

Prince (Alistair )

This is none of your concern, teacher.

Master Rowan (The mysterious tutor)

( Smirking slightly )

Master Rowan (The mysterious tutor)

Oh, but it is. After all, I’m here to teach...

Master Rowan (The mysterious tutor)

And sometimes.

Master Rowan (The mysterious tutor)

Even a prince needs to learn when to let go.

Prince (Alistair )

You're making a huge mistake, princess.

Prince (Alistair )

You'll regret this

Master Rowan (The mysterious tutor)

Perhaps, Prince Alistair.

Master Rowan (The mysterious tutor)

You should focus on your own actions rather than trying to control the princess's decisions.

Princess Ruka

I won't be swayed.

Princess Ruka

My mind is made up,

Princess Ruka

And I won't marry a man who doesn't truly love me

{ Guests : Woah-! What's this about, what's princess talking about??? }🔊

King 👑

I'm disappointed.

King 👑

But I want to hear your reasons.

King 👑

Explain to me why you wish to break off the engagement.

Princess Ruka

Father, I...

Princess Ruka

I don't feel the way I should about Prince Alistair.

Princess Ruka

And I've discovered something that makes me question his true intentions.

King 👑

What is it that you've discovered?

King 👑

Tell me everything

Princess Ruka

Father, I...

Princess Ruka

I overheard Prince Alistair talking to Princess Meina.

Princess Ruka

They were laughing and whispering together, and it was clear that they're...

Princess Ruka

Involved with each other.

King 👑

What? That's preposterous!

King 👑

Prince Alistair would never-

Princess Ruka

i know what I heard, Father.

Princess Ruka

And I've seen the way Princess Meina looks at him.

Princess Ruka

I don't want to marry a man who doesn't truly love me, and who would betray me in such a way.

King 👑

I... I don't know what to say.

King 👑

This is a serious accusation.

King 👑

We'll need to investigate and-

Prince (Alistair )

How dare you!

( Prince Alistair storms over, his face red with rage. )

Prince (Alistair )

You'll pay for spreading such vicious lies about me.

Master Rowan (The mysterious tutor)

Ah, Prince Alistair

Master Rowan (The mysterious tutor)

I think you'll find that the princess is merely stating the truth.

( Rowan's voice is calm, but his eyes seem to gleam with amusement. )

Prince (Alistair )

You'll regret this, princess.

Prince (Alistair )

You'll regret ever doubting me.

( Alistair's anger is palpable, but Rowan's calm demeanor seems to unsettle him. )

Master Rowan (The mysterious tutor)

I think the princess has every right to doubt you, Prince Alistair.

Master Rowan (The mysterious tutor)

After all, it's not every day that one discovers their fiancé is having an affair with their own sister.

Prince (Alistair )

Shut up! You don't know anything!

( Meina's face is red with rage and shame as she steps forward. )

Princess Ruka

Meina, how could you?

Princess Ruka

You're my sister, my own flesh and blood.

Princess Ruka

How could you betray me like this?

( The princess's voice is shaking with emotion )

Young princess, Meina

You've always been so perfect !

Young princess, Meina

So loved by Father and everyone else !

Young princess, Meina

I just wanted someone to love me for who I am

Young princess, Meina

And Alistair was there for me.

(Meina's voice cracks as she speaks.)

( Guests : woa.. This is crazy, we need to talk this about the other nobles !! ) 🪭

King 👑

Enough! This is a nightmare.

King 👑

We'll deal with this later, in private.

King 👑

For now, let us end this ceremony and pretend that this never happened.

King 👑

Guards!

Gaurds -- Yes your majesty !

King 👑

Escort Prince Alistair and Meina out of the castle.

King 👑

We'll deal with this treachery later.

Prince (Alistair )

You'll regret this, princess.

Prince (Alistair )

Mark my words.

(Alistair's eyes blaze with anger as he's dragged away.)

Young princess, Meina

I'm sorry, sister.

Young princess, Meina

I never meant to hurt you.

( Meina's voice is barely audible as she's led out of the castle )

Princess Ruka

I need to get out of here.

Princess Ruka

I need some air.

( The princess turns to Rowan, her eyes welling up with tears )

Master Rowan (The mysterious tutor)

Let's take a walk in the gardens, Your Highness.

( Rowan offers his arm, and the princess takes it, grateful for his support )

To be continued

On ep 4