2.2 The Kingdom of Everlasting Night and The Prince’s Fiancée
At that time, the kingdom had to make the painful decision to turn the rich forest into agricultural land in order to save the kingdom.
If it was accompanied with a reform, that would have been a great thing. However, reforming the forest would be taxing. If done poorly, the kingdom would only end up in an even direr state.
The King probably thought that he had to protect his people at the expense of the rich forests that continued to protect the kingdom.
Nevertheless, the Duke of Gillasfi raised his opposition. He said that the forest was the origin of the kingdom, that it was the bed for the soul of the people. He suggested for the King to start the agriculture development in his territory, instead, and judge the results.
Many agreed with Duke Gillasfi, however, they were less involved in the center of the state affairs than those who opposed the Duke. Dia knew that there were many nobles who weren’t involved—
—and because of that, they naturally didn’t just how dire the state of the kingdom was.
…Father and Mother were very kind people. Dad, in particular, was a close friend with the last dragon who lived in the forest when he was a child. He would’ve wanted to protect the forest and the lake where the dragon lived…
When Dia turned seventeen, she finally understood her Father’s wish. After she became nineteen, she understood that such idealism wouldn’t last in that kingdom.
Perhaps, Dia’s family’s wish was but a pipe dream…
…Albeit so, it was sweet while it lasted.
It was as beautiful as a gleaming forest crystal, however, it wouldn’t be enough to sustain the kingdom. Neither her family nor the kingdom could make the most of it.
Nevertheless, that was it. Such a sweet dream didn’t cause any problems.
…Was it because said sweet dream carried the potential of being a drop of poison that would threaten the kingdom? Was that enough a reason to wipe out her family? For the sake of the kingdom, was it worth it?
Dia was a Duke’s daughter.
That was how she was called, and yet, that ‘Dukedom’ had no name whatsoever. She didn’t have a family name—she was like a ghost.
It was this engagement with Prince Ricardo, whom was in front of her, that made Dia a ‘living person’.
“…Forgive me, Dia. Even though you’ve been my fiancée since childhood…”
Dia blinked as Ricardo bowed deeply.
Ricardo, who had visited that room and told her he wanted to break off the engagement, had always been so—however, he was still the First Prince of this kingdom.
Dia had already said countless times—he didn’t have to worry about that anymore.
He was a person with beautiful silver hair and blue eyes like a lake on snowy day—beautiful enough to be sung by the bards.
If he came to that room to dissolve the engagement, it would seem strange to be talking face-to-face like that.
Last year, at a ball hosted by the Royal Palace on the night of a full moon, Dia’s fiancé reportedly met his soul mate.
Even though Ricardo was sensitive enough not to tell Dia, the talk regarding the First Prince’s love became widespread all over the Royal Palace. Of course, it inevitably reached Dia’s ears.
…The rumor didn’t mention the relationship being new…
Unsurprisingly, Dia’s and Ricardo’s engagement stemmed from a political decision to manage Dia’s personal affairs. However, this new engagement was different.
The First Prince had found someone he loved.
“…Lord Ricardo, please lift your head. I already know about the Marquis’ daughter, and thanks to Lord Ricardo’s sincere gesture, I don’t feel betrayed.”
“However, for such a long time promise to be broken just like that, it’s still considered a betrayal. I just don’t want to be unfaithful to you, who grew up with me. That’s why, without pretense, I choose to dissolve my engagement with you. Still, my chest hurts.”
“Well… you decided to act upon this terrible thing yourself, and yet, you beg for my forgiveness. It wouldn’t be my fault if I mistook this as an act of bullying, no?”
It was about time to round up the apology.
Dia laughed and said so. Ricardo only smiled faintly, seemingly troubled.
To an unassuming bystander, her words might sounds unsparing, and as a Duke’s daughter, she shouldn’t be spared for it—however,
Such exchanges were common between them. It showed how free Dia was, despite being in the Royal Palace.
…what has just appeared on Ricardo’s eyes, is that a tinge of relief? Or maybe, disappointment?
“With that said, you should try and get as much as you can out of this. The King and Queen who allowed my decision also promised to give you whatever you want. You shouldn’t experience any inconveniences ahead because of my selfishness.”
“…Well, I shall then curse Lord Ricardo—in ten years, you’ll be bald from the top of your head.”
Dia uttered so, and Ricardo, a little astounded, finally showed a familiar, gentle, smile.
“That’s harsh, but it can’t be helped. Because I’m an unbearably stupid man, I shall accept this retaliation of yours. I also won’t ask you to forgive me, I don’t mind being cursed by you forever.”
“What a troublesome prince you are. You do know that I don’t love you like that pretty and intelligent Marquis’ daughter, right?”
They sat side by side on the chaise lounge. In front of them was a fireplace. The firewood had just been placed, and was burning, making cracking sounds.
The Royal Palace of that kingdom might have appeared ordinary-looking people visiting from rich continents.
There were no magic stones to create the fire. There were no magic stones to warm the interior without the need of a fireplace. At most, the royal sorcerers could only bestow blessings upon the highest quality of forest crystals.
Still, Dia loved that kingdom.
Stone houses lined with small towers and lanyards on a tiny land nestled deep within the forest. The Royal Capital had a beautiful Royal Palace, and the Royal Palace’s Square had a wonderful fountain studded with plenty of forest crystals.
It might not be as developed as the Royal Capitals of bigger kingdoms, but the detailed architecture of that kingdom, which was made by those recognized nationally for their crafts in jewel and crystal, bedazzled even the greatest of kings.
Moreover, there was also the fact that the people of Fashitaru Kingdom were well endowed in term of appearance—just like her former fiancé. They were often described as charming as night fog and drizzle.
It was the low magic zone of that kingdom that allowed it to avoid the invasion of other kingdoms.
The magic zone was a term that indicated the upper limit of the magic conduit required for humans to deliver magic.
***T/N: Even though she had such a neutral view regarding everything that had happened which is also concerning, I can’t help but worry that she was just being brainwashed by the kingdom… ///look at how often she repeat ‘this kingdom is beautiful’///
and I was about to applaud how wholehearted this one Prince sounded after breaking off the engagement… that, until I recalled that in the synopsis, he planned to murder her eitherway. Okay. Just an Asshole thinking he’s doing her some favor in her remaining days.
I’m not sure if I would say she was brainwashed, more, like, thats the nicest thing she can think to say.
HAHAHAHA WHY. WHATS WRONG WITH RICHARDO
https://youtu.be/nUpqGKZgJEw
I can’t help it! I am so sorry I am now associating Dia’s ex-fiancé with this video because they both share the same name. Now every time Ricardo has a speaking line I will imagine him saying it while dancing like in the video even if it is a serious situation…….
I am currently contemplating if I should put a Ricardo GIF in the comment sections everytime the prince appears………
Gabe Gabe, a student’s question! As a teacher, can you differentiate which assignment is made with effort and not? Which assignment do you deem is deserving of a full score? One where the student made what u told them to do, or student who put in extras?
It depends on the kind of teacher you are dealing with. There are teacher who doesn’t give favorable grades to those who put a lot of extra stuff in their projects and assignments cause they want you to follow the criteria given but there are also some who loves those kind additives but personally I do not mind if my student gives me a work with added stuff as long as its related to what I told them to do and its not excessive cause it means they put in their effort in doing it and they are passionate about it and if they did good with those extra stuff they did I would give them extra points.
And yes as a teacher I know which one gave an effort in doing their assignment and which one didn’t but there are some who can’t differentiate. Off topic but I tend to give higher grades to kids who submitted me some ugly but complete looking project or assignment and reeks of childishness like crooked handwriting and excessive glue cause it shows that the kid was the one who really made it not their helicopter parent…….
Ohhhh yeahhhh. I never realized how common it is for parents to make their children’s homework until just recently.
Its actually very common here but I still give them an average passing grade for the parents effort if a parent comes to complain I just tell them that I gave the task to their children not them and the tasks I gave are meant to be a form of assessment for their learning so there is no point in the task if the parent or someone else did it. They can guide or give a little help in the complicated stuff but never ever should the parent do it all for the kid. It also teaches the kid to be over reliant to their parent so its definitely no good. But for kids who do them by themselves I usually give 90 to 100 and if they added extra effort and I like what they have done I may give exemptions for quizzes or give bonus points for major exams…..
Is it that easy to figure out which is done by the parent?
It is easy to figure out cause I teach kids whose fine motor skills are not fully developed so it becomes very obvious if what they submitted is very well done and shows that the person who made it has a fully developed fine motor skills…..same goes for hand/ typewritten homeworks and you will also see the usage of words, there are times the word used is not something your student knows and uses and there are also times where it is obviously copy pasted, although it is more difficult to tell if the kid really did it when it comes to hand/ type written works. To avoid parents doing their kids homework or projects as much as possible I avoid giving them if I do give them projects we do it at school and not at home. I just sometimes take pictures of my students doing them to show to their parents during our meetings. I don’t want my students bringing school work at home though I advise them to review the lessons as much as possible I want them to enjoy their time at home and not be burdened by the school work cause even I hated school work when I was a student.
Forgive me commander for I have sinned…………
https://66.media.tumblr.com/83ab4375aba0e6dd5fa39c2953e7ab91/tumblr_q8o4vilAzD1sxfkw9o1_250.jpg
I am so sorry but I have to do this just to get it out of my system. I was unable to focus on what was happening after I read what the prince’s name is and kept thinking about this………I am so sorry……
She sounds resigned, when you are a ghost who wanders along without purpose, there is very little substance… what does she have to tether her to that place… all that had meaning is dust…
This is throwing me off the track, how do you go from this to ‘let’s just kill her’… and she seems a little apathetic, but I don’t think she’s brainwashed about the kingdom (land) itself, she’s just apathetically rolling towards her own death… I feel like she is detached and disinterested… Really interesting to see how this goes.