As Cassandra was frantically panicking at the sight of Andronika who was coughing almost non-stop, she noticed her trying to take something from her waist pocket. Cassandra quickly helped her and she found what appeared to be a small vial. She quickly opened it and administered it to Andronika's mouth and watched as she drank it.

Slowly but surely, Andronika began to calm down as her coughing turned light. Her eyes were teary from all the coughs but nonetheless she was fine. In fact, she began to chuckle a bit to herself.

"Are you alright? What happened?" Cassandra said putting her hand to Andronika's back

"It is nothing, my dear, hahahah... It's part of growing old. Sickness comes with you." Andronika shrugged her worry off "And it's probably also a side effect of working as a physician for many years... I may have contracted a chronic disease or two. Or maybe it is something passed down in my family, who knows? Hahahaha..."

"Sickness is nothing to laugh about, ompung!"

"It is very sweet how you seem so concerned with me, child. But on the contrary, a physician must try their best to make their patients feel as much at ease as possible. As they say, laughter is the best medicine, only slightly below prayer. Although, I understand your worry."

As she said that, Andronika took out another pouch of vials and gave them to Cassandra.

"Here, take it. They're medicines I made for your father. I hope this will help. A youngin like him would be wasted if he were to just die, hahahah. Make sure you give it to him."

"Oh, how thoughtful!"

"Oh it isn't a problem. Your family's physician is a friend of mine. He often writes to me of your father's condition and what medicines he is taking. I took the liberty of brewing up a new remedy that might ease him more based on the reports I was given."

"Signor di Tuscona is always looking out for my father. I thank you again for finding the time to do this."

"Oh it is no problem at all. I love making new medicines and treating patients. It is one of the joys of my life. And also, I loved Gianna very much, like my own daughter. ... And you, I hope I can call my granddaughter."

"I hope so too, ompung."

"Well that's good..." Andronika looked out again to the starry skies "Well, I believe that's enough for a day. If it's alright with you, this old woman must return to the infirmary."

"I pray you get well soon, ompung."

"Thank you, child."

As she said that, Andronika left the deck. Cassandra chose to stay there for a bit more, looking at both the night sky as well as the lights from the city. She hummed to herself for a while, and before she knew it, she fell asleep on one of the chairs there. It had been an emotionally tiring day for her.

***

The catacombs of the palace of Rumasil was a dark place, only lit up by lanterns and candles. It was the place where deceased members of the Rumasilian royal family - save the monarchs and their consorts - were laid to rest.

Antonio was there along with his wife and his son, as well as Valaron. It was the anniversary of the death of Lady Gianna and they had gone to pay their respects. They had just got off an elevator to the level where Gianna's coffin lay. The elevator was shaky along the way, which was a given since they were a relatively recent invention, based on a system of gears and pulleys, designed from the mind of Dwarven engineers from Mal Zaraka.

"I can never get used to these elevators." Antonio said as they got off

"They're completely fine." Valaron said as they continued on to walk to Gianna's sarcophagus "Well it sure beats going up and down the stairs."

Along the halls were a series of many coffins with inscriptions written on them as well as stone plaques on the walls adjacent to each coffin which gave a good description of who was in the coffin and a sort of biography similar to a tombstone but more detailed. The walls were also adorned with carvings.

"This place sure is large." Enrico noted as he saw the immense size of the catacombs which is only one of many levels

"Well it is a given. This palace was originally built as a tomb for Her Imperial Majesty Empress Maia. It's been six thousand years after that, of course there'd be a pile of bodies that need burying." Valaron explained to the young man

After a little bit more walking, they had reached a coffin with a painting of a beautiful woman on it. It was the likeness of Gianna. Antonio's only sister and Valaron's late wife.

"It's been fourteen years already, huh." Antonio said as he stood there in front of her.

His wife Avenne couldn't hold it in her tears any longer as she sat beside the coffin and cried. Enrico only stood beside his mother with his head bowed. Valaron stood quiet along with Antonio.

"Hide it if you may, but I can still see it." Antonio said to Valaron "You're still broken from her death."

Valaron only gave a slight smirk as he answered, "Could my mood be any more obvious?"

"Of course it can't. Your aura has been the same for the last fourteen years, Valaron."

"I know saying you wouldn't understand would be totally wrong of me, because she was your sister, but I loved her dearly."

"We all know that. And it's amazing you haven't remarried in over a decade."

"I'm offended that you've even suggested that." Valaron joked a bit to get his mood up a little to no avail "I swore to myself that this heart will only ever belong to her. If I'd married another woman, it wouldn't be fair to her."

"Si, I understand. I would also break down if anything were to happen to my wife." He said as he crouched down next to his wife to embrace her from the back

"Oh, you brat." Avenne said as she wiped her tears "You know full well I'm gonna be the one being left behind and suffering."

"Perhaps that is penance for seducing your grandson."

"Adopted grandson."

"You two are disgusting." Valaron scoffed at them "Anyways, why is Cassandra not here?"

"It's no problem. This isn't something they have to do. My son here asked if he could come, and so I said yes. And it's five in the morning." Antonio answered "She has other issues to attend to. Besides, she'll have plenty of time to spend in this Palace once she's married to Valamar."

"Hmmm, if you say so... alright, I believe we've disturbed the dead for a bit too long now." Valaron then immediately put the flowers he had brought with him inside a vase on top of the coffin "Shall I lead the prayers?"

Stolen content alert: this content belongs on Royal Road. Report any occurrences.

"Be my guest."

Valaron then started praying as was Rumasilian tradition. Not for the spirit who's already left, but for the friends and family left behind to which the others bowed their heads in respect.

***

Cassandra had awoken suddenly to the orange skies of the morning. She couldn't believe she had fallen asleep on the palace deck. She was confused why the guards just let her do that. What made even less sense was why she felt warm.

She immediately noticed she was wrapped inside a blanket. The shock increased when she looked to her side and noticed Valamar merely inches away from her in the same bench, also sleeping. She was flustered at the sight. Why did he come back? Why did he do all of this? But amidst all the confusion, she smiled.

Then, Valamar's eyes had opened. Cassandra was caught off guard as she fixed her posture. Valamar stretched his arms and back with a big yawn. He then looked at her and smiled at her worried expression.

"Morning, princess." Valamar said with a big smile

"M-m-morning, my lord..." Cassandra said a little timidly

Valamar got up from his chair and stood facing Cassandra. He then bowed his body to Cassandra with his hands clasped together.

"Please forgive my behaviour yesterday, Cassandra. It was unbecoming of me and it hurt you greatly." Valamar said sincerely apologising

"Please, my lord! There's no need for you to go that far! It was honestly my fault. I shouldn't have said what I said yesterday-..." Cassandra immediately got up and began to act frantically

"No, Cassandra. It is my fault and I need to acknowledge that. What I said yesterday was wrong. I shouldn't be stuck in the past. I must look to the future for both me and my country. If you would consider me again, please allow me to be your husband."

Valamar then took out what looked like a necklace from his pocket and presented it to Cassandra "This is a special locket that belonged to my grandmother. Please accept this as a token of my apology as well as a sign of me giving my affections to you. Though I may be lacking, and there might be no love yet between us, I will always do my best."

As Valamar said that he noticed Cassandra's eyes became a little teary again. He groaned in his mind to think that he might've done something wrong. But to his surprise, the unexpected happened. Cassandra immediately jumped at him and tackled him to the ground with her hug.

"I accept! I accept! I accept!" She said enthusiastically as she looked at Valamar's face with great delight "I'm so happy you chose to say this, you won't regret it!"

"I'm actually a little afraid that you'll regret it, Cassandra."

"Well it's my choice whether or not I'll regret it. But I promise I will be the best wife for you!"

"Dear God, what have I done to deserve you. I actually feel that I won't be able to meet your expectations."

"Don't think about that! Just keep praying and hope for the best and I'm sure everything will turn out fine!"

"Cassandra..."

"Yes?"

"Can we get up now? I mean, I'm totally fine if you want to stay like this a bit longer, but..."

"Oh! I'm so sorry about that!" Cassandra immediately got up and helped Valamar up as well but Immediately held him tightly "I'll always love you, my lord..."

Valamar's heart felt incredibly heavy. Here he was standing with a gorgeous girl in front of him declaring her affections for him. He honestly felt undeserving of such a girl.

"My lord, you look uneasy..." Cassandra said with worry

"No, it's just... I'm feeling a bit insecure."

"Insecure? The Crown Prince of one of the great powers on Terra feeling insecure? About what?"

"About you. You are too perfect... You honestly deserve better than me. You deserve a man who could give you the world."

Cassandra felt a mix of surprise and joy at what she saw in front of her. She just wanted to calm him down so badly. Then all of a sudden.

She had leaned in for a kiss which took Valamar by complete surprise.

"Did that feel wrong, my lord?" She said slightly blushing right after the kiss

"No..." Valamar said "Not at all..."

The warmness of a kiss. Something he hasn't felt for a very long time. He became more emboldened as he saw that beautiful face in front of him. As he was about to lean in for another kiss, he heard the sound of clapping coming from behind him.

"Good show, my boy." The Grand Sovereign Antonio had been watching them "Why did you stop? Please, carry on." Valamar felt the man's voice as being both calm but also threatening.

"Papa! We were just..." Cassandra said worriedly to which Antonio just motioned his hand for her to stop as he smiled

"So I take it you are in agreement with the engagement, then?"

"Yes, Your Excellency." Valamar said seriously

"Very well, then. The Wedding will be held next week." Antonio said nonchalantly

"Next week? Surely that's too quick. We haven't even sent the invitations out yet." Valamar said confused

"Who said we haven't?" Antonio smirked "We've sent the invitations out since a month ago."

"So I didn't really have a choice to begin with?"

"Are you having second thoughts, boy?" Antonio said with a smile, though his eyes were threatening

"No, of course not! I am a man of my words, and so when I say that I will marry your daughter, I mean it."

"Si, si..." Antonio said as he patted Valamar's back "No need to be defensive. But as your future father-in-law, I have to say... My daughter is the jewel of the Adventierri. It would be a shame to have such a girl brokenhearted. And it would be an even bigger shame should anything happen to you."

Valamar gulped a little as he heard that and only nodded.

"Good. We have an understanding. Now, if you two would excuse me, your father and I have matters to attend to. Please, enjoy your day. Ciao, figlia."

"Ciao, papa!" Cassandra said as she clung onto Valamar's arm

As Antonio had left, Valamar and Cassandra went back to the edge of the deck to see the bustling city in the morning. The Sunrise was equally beautiful to the sunset. And the two just sat there and kept on enjoying it while having small talk.

"You know I felt really bad saying the things I said to you yesterday, princess." Valamar said "I really wanted to immediately apologise but I was a little... embarrassed and flustered at how much of an Idiot I was acting like."

"Don't worry about that..." Cassandra said "What matters is I have my love here next to me."

"Hmmm... You know last night my grandmother came bursting into my chambers chastising me for what an Idiot I was acting like."

"Ompung did?" Cassandra asked in surprise

"She sure did. She was all, 'Ai dia do ho, oto?! Songon jolma naritik ma ho! Unang jou ahu ompungmi molo torus ho songoni! Holan bodat na boi mandokhon songoni tu boru na burju. Saonari, martangiang ma ho tu deabata, topoti ma dosam! Molo torus ma imana tangis sahat tu ansogot... Hudoltuk ho, bodat!'"

"Woah... she sounded very angry... although I didn't understand a word of that."

"She was very defensive of you. No need to worry. My grandma has a good eye on people. If she says you're wonderful, then of course you are."

"I love the praises, my lord. Please keep them coming."

"You cheeky girl..."

***

"Excuse me! Ompung!"

Cassandra knocked on the door to the infirmary where she knew Andronika was.

"A moment, child!" Her voice came from inside though it sounded like it was a little weak.

After a few moments, the door opened and Cassandra could see Andronika smiling though she looked a little messy. In fact she could see a bit of a mess on the tables which were being cleaned by some of the physicians there.

"Ompung, you don't look okay..."

"Hahahah, I'm fine, sweetie. Now what is it you were going to see me for?" Andronika answered calmly

"I just really wanted to thank you, ompung."

"There's no need to do all that. All is well when you put your trust in the Lord. And when I give my grandson the push he needs... Well, you better be ready for the procedures."

"Procedures?"

"Yes. First, you'll have to be given a new marga."

"What's a marga?"

"A family name."

"What? Why? I am a proud noblewoman of the House de Castelli. What's wrong with my family name?"

"I think you should stay here with me for a bit. I fear there's a lot about the Rumasilian culture I'll have to teach you..."

"I'm greatly excited!"

"Oh you're just too adorable!"