In the kingdom of Casta, there is a great king named Samuel Dary who was feared by his enemies, loved by his people and respected by the scholars, The Dary family was ruling the country of Casta over 100 years, The Casta went through three great wars in the history but ended up winning all of them due to great leadership Dary family. But one thing is worrying King Sam so much that he had no successor to take over the crown after him.
Present time:
The King was attending the meeting with his ministers and hands, as in the matter one of the ministers asks the king "My Lord! I am not sure to ask you this, it's been two years since we lost our beloved prince and people were worrying about the future of this country after you."
With a worried and heavy tone, the king replies "So what do you meant to say minister?", The minister replies with a soft voice "It wasn't meant to hurt you my lord, I just have a solution for our problem, if my lord doesn't have problem with it, I will share with you."
King:(with a face showing both curiosity and sadness) "what is it?"
Minister: "Our princess had reached the age well suits for marriage and if we are able to search a great man for our princess and make him as the king."
(The chamber got fired up and all people started murmuring with each other)
King: "Please be quiet! And for your statement minister Aaron I will surely think about it and I am leaving now."
(Aaron Zarlord is the minister in Samuel's Court and more of his right hand)
As the king leaves the meeting room, he observes its evening time and sun is about set and he walks to the pond in the garden, the pond was reflecting the fading sun and a wavering reflection of a young woman, As the king approach her and calls "Victoria, my dear".
The woman turns around gently as a flower and she is as beautiful as a blooming flower, her smile is creating a sense of awe and wonder with its radiant presence and the woman comes to king and says "good evening father, how was your day?"
As they walked toward the castle, twilight painted the sky in shades of gold and blue — where day meets night in a quiet embrace. The pond mirrored the setting sun, casting a warm glow that seemed to echo the princess's radiance.
In the distance, beneath the rising moon, a knight stood watching. His eyes, filled with silent affection, followed her like a promise waiting to be spoken.
As twilight deepened over the stone path, Arthur stood still, his gaze fixed on the princess walking toward her chamber, surrounded by maids like stars orbiting a quiet moon. His eyes softened — not with longing, but with something older, quieter, like the ache of a half-remembered song.
Then came the voice, cutting through the silence.
"Sir Arthur!"
He turned slightly. A soldier stood before him, eyes sharp, armor catching the last glint of dusk. It was Marcus — the King's personal knight.
Arthur didn't answer immediately. Instead, he sighed, as if pulled from a dream. "Ah… memory is such a strange thing. Sometimes, the little things vanish like grains of sand between fingers… yet the burdens we long to forget, they carve themselves deep into the soul."
Marcus furrowed his brow. "Sire… I'm not sure I understand. What are you trying to say?"
Arthur finally turned to him, his expression softening into a tired smile. "Oh, it's you, Marcus. Don't worry about those words. Just the wind of an old mind blowing dust around. Tell me—have you ever loved someone?"
Marcus blinked, clearly surprised by the question. Then, after a pause, he nodded.
"Actually… yes, sire. But it's one-sided. I've loved her since we were children. She sees me only as a friend. She likes someone else. I've never had the courage to speak my heart. But still… I've promised myself I'll protect her, no matter what. Even if she never knows."
Arthur looked at him for a long moment, and there was something like sorrow — or maybe memory — in his eyes.
"Oh, poor Marcus…" he said gently. "At least tell her someday. Don't let the silence turn into regret. Life will keep moving, but that ache… that stays."
There was a beat of silence between them before Marcus straightened, recalling his purpose.
"Sire — the King has summoned you. He said it's urgent."
Arthur's expression shifted. "Urgent, is it? Very well. Let's go."
They walked together through the winding corridors of the castle, their footsteps echoing over cold stone. As they passed a side hall, Arthur caught sight of the princess again — her laughter light, her steps graceful, her maids fluttering around her like petals on a breeze.
He leaned slightly toward Marcus. "Hey, Marcus… have you ever really looked at the princess's face? Isn't she… beautiful?"
Marcus chuckled softly. "She's the most beautiful woman in the kingdom, sire. She's the dream of every neighbouring prince. Even Minister Aaron wants her to marry his son. I see her often — my duty keeps me close to the King. But why do you ask so suddenly?"
Arthur's voice dropped lower. "I've only seen her twice in my life. Once, when we were children… and again on her seventeenth birthday."
They said no more until they reached the great court hall.
Inside, torches flickered against tall marble pillars. Ministers and nobles lined the chamber, their expressions solemn. The air was thick with anticipation.
Arthur strode forward to the center of the court, dropped to one knee, and bowed his head.
"My Lord," he said with reverence.
On the throne sat King Samuel Dary, robed in deep blue and gold, a crown of modest weight upon his brow.
"Sir Arthur Tarragon," the King spoke, his voice rich and commanding. "Knight of Dawn — what is the status of the mission I entrusted to you?"
From the shadows, two court men whispered among themselves.
"Do you know who that is?" the first murmured. "Sir Arthur of Dawn. Second in command after the General himself."
"So young for that rank…" the second replied. "But they say he once slew thirty enemy assassins in the dead of night — all sent to kill the princess. Fought them alone. That's when the King gave him the title 'Knight of Dawn'… and started entrusting him with the kingdom's most secret missions."
In the heart of the court, Arthur remained kneeling, eyes steady, the weight of many burdens hidden behind his quiet strength.