The Only Daughter Of Lancaster
Part Forty-Three: Echoing

The announcement echoes, it repeats, and it produces a variety of perceptions. Anger, shock, disbelief, and various other emotions gathered in the room. Amabel went down the stairs with Arion clasping her hand. From that grasp, Amabel could feel the tremors of her hand. Either Arion is nervous or other emotions are not read by Amabel.

"Pa.. are you nervous, Arion?" Amabel asked finally after they had gone through so many congratulations. The two covered the balcony, where they could not be disturbed.

Arion looked not at Amabel, but at the sky. Today the moon only looks half. "Eitherway. I don't know how I feel right now. You alone?"

Amabel plays her linked fingers. What should he answer? Amabel doesn't know how she should position herself. Afraid himself? Or angry? Or not ready?

"To be honest I don't know. I don't even believe in the King's decision. Imagining myself in the future as Queen feels very strange." Amabel was silent for a moment, chuckling softly. His laughing voice invited Arion to turn his head. "Some of me felt inappropriate. For more than seven years I left Plodnavor and came back with many changes. Can I be in charge of my position? I might be afraid of disappointing the crowd."

Amabel turned her head, looking into Arion's eyes with a small smile. "However, as long as you become his King, I think everything will be fine. If you can lead your army and bring victory, this kingdom will surely get fame. In short I believe you can be a good King."

The corner of Arion's lips was interested, "how about you? You're going to be Queen?"

Amabel immediately slicked her shoulder. "Eitherway. No one knows the future." He looked back at Arion, "but, if you're the king, I won't refuse."

The eyes of the two meet. Seek meaning from each other's eyes. Eventually, both of them smiled. That night, Amabel's decision was made. In Arion's hand, Amabel felt she had to stand by his side. I don't know what or how, but Amabel wants to protect Arion. Amabel wants to support Arion and walk beside him.

Maybe since their first meeting, it was the only thing Amabel wanted. He just avoided being too scared. True said Rain, only the name will change. In him nothing has changed. Amabel remains Amabel, although her name will change to Walcote or anyone else. He is still him, not anyone else.

"So, are you going to marry me?" Arion asked after the two had been silent for quite a while.

Amabel turned her head, judging Arion from top to bottom. "You look good enough to be married to me."

Arion laughed at hearing that. The choice of Amabel's words was so funny to her. "It feels weird to hear you talk like that."

The silver-haired girl touched her neck, ashamed of herself. "I knew. Besides, if I don't marry you, no one wants to marry me. No one wants to marry a girl who was once the fiance of a Prince."

Arion knew that and somehow he didn't like to hear it. "If you don't want to marry me, I won't marry anyone either. I'll serve as a knight until I'm old."

The silver-haired girl quickly turned her head, not expecting Arion to say that. "Don't talk like that. If you don't marry me, you're not my destiny. Don't be a knight for life. You'll be lonely."

Amabel doesn't know what to give Arion. The words were sincere and it scared Amabel. "Arion .. If it wasn't me, there would be someone else."

Arion sighed, releasing his grasp on Amabel. "You're talking like you don't want this wedding." He looked at Amabel, in those eyes a disappointment that made Amabel stunned. "If you don't want it, I can talk to you. I'm not gonna force you to accept it."

The man turned around and Amabel could only see Arion's back. Why does it look so lonely?

"From the beginning, I've been in love with you. From the beginning I just wanted to be with you. However, if you don't feel that way I won't force." Arion turned around, looking back at Amabel with a wounded look. "I want you to marry me at your will. Without coercion or obligation. I want you to accept this marriage because you love me. But, like I was wrong. You don't want it. Because you don't feel what I feel."

After that Arion turned around and walked away. Amabel wants to stop Arion, but her legs feel stiff. He could only look at Arion who disappeared behind the crowd. Amabel doesn't want Arion to misunderstand. What he felt did not reach Arion. His feelings don't reach Arion. And it makes him feel tight.

When he returned to the palace hall, Arion was talking to Duke Hamilton. If there's Duke Hamilton it means there's going to be a lot of girls swarming around. The announcement from the King added to the many people gathered around Arion.

"You look sad." Amabel looked up, looking at Ryu in shock. "Aren't happy with the announcement?"

Amabel quickly nodded. "Not about that. How's the prince himself?"

Ryu raised his eyebrows, puzzled. "I? I'm thrilled. Finally someone wants to take care of the government. For me who takes care of magic matters, of course it helps a lot. Besides, I don't really want a complicated position like that."

Amabel's eyes are round. "Prince doesn't want to be King?"

Strictly Ryu nodded. "Taking care of the witch tower is complicated. I don't like politics anyway, I'd rather experiment and make things that are useful to people." Ryu looked at Arion, "if it was him I could calm down. He has no ambition, except to protect someone."

This time Ryu looked at Amabel, more resolute than before. "My brother was on the battlefield since childhood. He couldn't understand if he didn't say what you meant directly. Arion needs someone who can speak openly and honestly, so he can understand. He is a lonely child and just wants to be loved, even though he has got it but he does not feel it directly. Do you understand the Lancaster family's daughter?"

Ryu's words since then were like advising Amabel. The girl nodded and Ryu walked over to meet some other official. Amabel now understands, maybe Arion did not hear clearly and Amabel did not say directly anyway. The misunderstanding of the two must be straightened out, but now Arion is no longer in the palace hall. Again, Arion's disappointed look flashed across his head. I think Amabel hurt Arion.