Chapter 356 A Tragic Family
The sun cast its golden rays upon the rolling hills surrounding the elegant estate of the Baron family.
The atmosphere was filled with an air of anticipation as the prestigious knight, Sir Reginald, the eldest son of the baron family, returned home after another successful campaign. Andriya, the young lady from the royal family, could hardly contain her excitement. Today, she was visiting her dearest friend, Lady Amara, to enjoy a delightful afternoon of tea in the baron estate.
Normally visiting a baron family for a princess would be something taboo and shouldn't do considering their status but after Andriya's relationship with her best friend Amara developed, she used to visit all the time even though Amara didn't like her to see how pitiful their family wealth is compared to other nobles.
Andriya approached the not-so-grand entrance of Lady Amara's residence, her heart beating with anticipation. The door swung open, revealing Lady Amara, her eyes gleaming with joy at the sight of her beloved friend.
"Princess, you're finally here!" Lady Amara exclaimed, pulling Andriya into a warm embrace. "I've been counting the minutes until your arrival. Come, let us retire to the parlour and indulge in our favourite tea."
Arm in arm, the two ladies made their way through the corridors of Amara's home. As they settled into their wooden chairs outside the mansion.
They talked about different things that girls would usually discuss and from time to time, Andriya would blame her brother for being tactless, but the same cannot be said for Amara, who fancied her brother.
Lady Amara couldn't resist asking the question that had been lingering on her mind.
"So, how is your relationship with my brother, Sir Reginald, progressing?" Lady Amara inquired with a mischievous smile.
Andriya's cheeks flushed with a rosy hue, a telltale sign of her fondness for the knight. She glanced down, her fingers twirling the delicate teacup in her hands.
"It... it is going quite well," Andriya stammered, a shy smile gracing her lips.
"Sir Reginald and I have spent more time together lately, and I find myself growing fonder of him with each passing day. His valour on the battlefield is matched only by the kindness and gentleness he shows towards me."
Lady Amara's eyes sparkled with delight as she leaned in closer, her curiosity piqued.
"Oh, princess, do tell me more! What tales of your shared moments do you have to share? I would like to confirm whether my brother is a blockhead or a gentleman,"
Andriya's voice softened, carrying a hint of longing.
"There was a day when Sir Reginald returned from battle, his armour stained with the blood of his enemies. I helped him remove it, piece by piece, revealing the exhaustion etched on his face. We sat by the hearth, his head resting on my shoulder, as I tended to his wounds. At that moment, I felt a connection, a bond deeper than mere friendship."
Lady Amara leaned back, her eyes glimmering with excitement. "Oh, how romantic! It sounds like the beginning of a love story, Princess. I have always believed that destiny has a way of intertwining hearts. Our family's rise in rank and brother's position as the most trusted knight would also increase... it seems as though the stars are aligning in your favour."
Andriya blushed even deeper, a mixture of hope and uncertainty colouring her expression.
"Indeed, Lady Amara, it is a path filled with both promise and uncertainty. But I am willing to embrace whatever lies ahead. For love knows no boundaries, and in the tapestry of fate, our hearts may find their rightful place."
As the two friends continued their conversation, their voices carried a sense of enchantment that seemed to transcend the confines of the room. Andriya's heart fluttered with the possibilities that awaited her, the culmination of a love that could rewrite the future of her sad life. Little did she know that her journey had just begun to take a different route with all the other nobles plotting against this small baron family that kept rising in their ranks because of their skills.
***
"Why? Why can't I leave the castle? I just want to visit Lady Amara's mansion, I just want to discuss something with her," Andriya shouted St her maid, who kept her confined inside the room with a guilty look on her face.
She had been Andriya's maid since her childhood, so when she notice even the smallest change in the maid's face, Andriya was able to tell something was happening.
"Princess, you should stay inside for now, please don't go," She begged but Andriya being the stubborn girl she is, didn't care about her words.
Quickly pushing her aside, she tried to escape only to meet her brother on their way, who was talking with a group of nobles.
He was on the verge of accepting the position of the crown prince, so people treated him way better than any other person in the castle.
She didn't want to meet that annoying brat, who always try to defame her, but as soon as his eyes met Andriya's, he grinned like an idiot causing her to suspect that something must have happened.
'Why is he laughing? I don't feel good looking at him being all cocky'
Andriya thought and kept running only to be brought back to the main hall of th castle, where most of the nobles were gathered as Andriya's father arranged an emergency council.
"What's happening here?" She questioned the guards, but none of them answered and after a fee minutes the council started with most of the nobles looking rather grim, but Andriya manage to see that, some of them were different.
Silence fell upon the hall as King Malfoy raised his hand, commanding the attention of all present. His voice carried with an air of authority, resonating through the vast space.
"Ladies and gentlemen, nobles of the realm and my dear subjects, I bring grave news that has come to light. This is a dad news, but we should fave the truth," He said in a sorrowful tone, but deep down he was chuckling like a fool.
"Sir Reginald, the esteemed knight of our family, has committed an act of treachery against our beloved kingdom."
Gasps echoed throughout the hall as soon as he said those words, and Andriya's eyes widened with disbelief. She clutched the edges of her gown, her heart pounding in her chest. How could this be? Her beloved Sir Reginald, the man she had grown to admire and cherish, accused of betrayal? It was impossible.