"You have made a good choice. The only way I can protect you well here is if you are on my side and if you would do what I ask of you" Asalan said. He was glad she had agreed to what he proposed. If she had refused and he chose to end her life it would still not solve his issues. "First things first you would need to learn the ways of our people, our culture, and our land. How many days do you think you would be able to learn how to become a well-trained princess for the kingdom?" Asalan asked. Una did not know how bulky their culture was. She did not know how long it would take her to learn everything. If she was going to stand as the princess then she needs to learn everything and be perfect. She must not be found out or else she could be in danger. "A few days" She answered unsure of what to say. "Okay then, we would say you don't feel well and you have to go to the praying streams to pray and bathe in the water. Instead, you would go to the house on the east coast and be there

Of all the things he had been expecting his father to say that was not one of them. What could the Emperor's request be? Did he want to carry out a secret burial? It was a state of confusion to Pishtu that he wondered how the Emperor was taking the matter. "Baba, what do you mean by that?" Pishtu asked when he finally found his voice. Was his father trying to play a prank on him? Did the government house and political bodies finally approve a prank day where everyone goes around to prank others? "You heard me and I know you heard me loud and clear. The princess was found dead at noon time yesterday" Xisuthra said. It was impossible because Pishtu had run into the princess yesterday when she was going on her usual afternoon stroll. She had been kind as she always was. "But..." Pishtu began. "Now is no time for tales and stories," Xisuthra said cutting him off. "We have found someone who looks exactly like the princess. She is going to pose as the princess until the Emperor finds

"I thought you said the Emperor did not want to be disturbed?" Inal asked stepping back out of the dark room. "The emperor has gone on a stroll and asked that if anyone comes looking for him I should tell them that he doesn't want to be disturbed," Tiartu said. "Mother, I am glad to have found you here, "Aranar Enlim said.Aranar Enlim was the crown prince and he was just nine years of age. He had been looking around for his mom for a while. "Crown Prince, what are you doing here?" Inal asked when she saw him walk towards her. "I came to see the kingdom's father" Aranar responded. They had been thought to call the Emperor and address him as the Kingdom's father and the Empress as the Kingdom's mom. Aranar had refused to call Inal the kingdoms mom because she was his mom. "What for? Tell me I would help you relay the message to him" Inal said. She wondered if what his son was about to say had something to do with the disappearance of the princess and the emperor. "My guard has

"I am the future of the kingdom, who more do you need to protect?" Aranar asked. "Crown prince, call yourself to order" Asalan commanded. "I am still your king and I have the final say. You might not even have the chance to be the king so do not think about challenging decisions" he added. "My emperor please do not say something as dreadful as what you just said," Inal said. The words of the monarch had sent chills down her spine. How was she to lift her head high up if her son did not end up as the crown prince? "I am sorry Kingdoms father," Aranar said when he saw the anger on his father's face. His lessons and tutors had thought him that the crown prince was the one among all royal blood to be given priority and protection. May the Emperor know better? "Let's retire to our chambers now. The princess would be back son and you would get tour guard back" Asalan said. "Yes nations father," Aranar said "Yes Emperor," Inal said as Aranar spoke. Inal and Aranar moved out of the r

"Go ahead, Crown Prince. What is it that is troubling you" Madi said concerned. Copla was one of a kind person. He rarely had issues and when he did he solved them himself. He did not trouble the royal court by being a nuisance. He fulfilled his duties dutifully and did all he had to do when due. "I think I might have to visit Slosalia," Copla said. "You want to visit there? Why?" Madi asked. Uthyr felt his ears stand. He wanted to know why the Crown Prince was interested in Slosalia. Copla looked around uncomfortably and his eye landed on Uthyr who stood as a statue in the room corner. Copla gave him a look and then looked back to the king."Don't worry, he can be trusted" Madi said when he realized his discomfort. Copla took a deep breath. He hated what he was about to do but his gut feelings told him something had done wrong in the kingdom of Slosalia. How was he to convey the message to the king that would be understandable? "Crown Prince?" Madi said drawing his attention wh