Cassandra was in tears and about to leave the deck when Valamar grabbed her arm. He brought her closer to him and looked at her meaningfully.

"Cassandra, please. I don't understand." He said softly "What happened? Did I do something wrong?"

Cassandra quickly wiped her tears as tried to regain composure, but despite that, she still had a sad expression.

"It's nothing, my lord." She said, forcing a smile "Please don't worry yourself. Let's pretend this never happened."

"Do you really believe I could do that?" Valamar said inquisitively "If you are really going to be a bride of the House of Vala, you have to start being honest."

"Oh, my lord is so cruel..." Cassandra looked like she was about to cry again

"No no no no no, Please don't cry! Please don't cry!" Valamar was very worried at the fragile state of Cassandra's emotions "Ai i do, Huboto (Alright, I understand)! There is no need for you to explain... I don't want to trouble you any further. Forgive my Impudence."

"... I will tell you..." Cassandra said softly. As she looked at Valamar with tearing eyes which wiped "...But my lord. You must promise not to laugh!"

"Why would I laugh?"

"Just promise me! Please...!"

"... alright. I promise."

As Cassandra was going to start her story, she took a deep breath.

"It was the first time I've met with you, about ten years ago in this very palace. We were only seven years old."

"Umm, I don't seem to recall. What event were you talking about?"

"It was the 8th anniversary of the alliance between Rumasil and Florentia."

"Ah, yes, I remember. It was also the anniversary of aunt Gianna's death. But, I don't remember seeing anyone remotely like you."

"No one?" Cassandra asked almost distraught

"...Well there was this one girl with short red hair. But she was really fat... well, plump to say the least. Not really ugly, but maybe 'cute' in her own way. But it was still sad to see someone so mercilessly made fun of like that..."

"That girl was me, my lord..."

"You're joking, right?" Valamar said slightly in disbelief "You must be joking..."

"I'm not!!" Cassandra pouted as she lightly punched Valamar's chest to which he laughed "Those were horrible times, and what happened at that event was the worst! Those bratty daughters of noblemen were so mean! I didn't understand at the time, but they called me 'huerje... or mokmok!' Though I don't understand Rumasilian, I knew that must've been an insult! Their smug faces showed it!"

Valamar couldn't help but let out a loud laugh.

"See! Why are you laughing! So they were insults!" Cassandra became even more flustered in embarrassment

"They basically called you a fat pig....hahahahah...." Valamar explained as he started to regain his composure but then promptly began to laugh all over again. However, he immediately stopped laughing as he saw the girl in front of him starting to cry again.

How can this delicate girl possibly be a fearsome general of the Florentinian Army? Valamar thought to himself

"My... My lord *sob* promised not... *sob*... not to laugh at me..." Cassandra began to sob "You liar! You know at that time, when the children were playing together, after the girls were done sneering down at me, the rowdy boys started pushing me around like... like I was some sort of a ball! They were so mean... but then there was this one boy who stood up for me. And I found out he was you, the Crown Imperial Prince of Rumasil... but now you're laughing at me... *sob* so you were lying that time...?"

"No, no, no, no, please don't cry! Calm down, I wasn't intending to insult you, Cassandra." Valamar began frantically trying to calm her down "I will not laugh anymore, okay!"

"...I'm fine..."

"And I wasn't lying that time! The way those boys were acting were not reflective of their status as children of Rumasil. And again, I apologise for that."

"I know they were just children... but it really hurt my feelings. But you really helped me out when you stood up for me. And what you said to me after that was really motivating! I may have fallen in love with that boy then and there..."

"How do you even know the concept of romance at seven years old?"

"I always loved reading stories about knights saving their princesses. And I really believed you were my little knight back then. Which is why when I went home back then, I asked my father if I could be betrothed to you!"

"Seriously? This is still a seven year old we're talking about, right? And what did he say?"

"He said, 'you really think the Prince would marry a piggy like you?'..."

"That was... very harsh."

"My father had always called me his 'little pig'. I got used to it from him... but I had realised he was right. In all the stories and fairy tales I've read, the Princesses were always these slim and charming women. So that motivated me to become prettier. I started changing the way I ate, and took up many hobbies my father had shown me."

"... dancing and cooking?"

"...more like hunting, fencing, and running..."

"Ah, that makes a lot of sense. But for you to turn out like this... simply amazing."

Valamar began eyeing the beauty in front of him. Now realizing what she had come from, he was really amazed.

"So now you know, my lord..." Cassandra said as her head turned down again "The reason I very much would like to become your wife. The reason I love this idea of you... But I was very disheartened when I found out you were going down the traditional route of marrying an Aurosian Princess. I didn't feel like eating or doing anything for days... and God forgive me, when I found out she had died..."

"Please don't finish that sentence..." Valamar's tone immediately grew stern at the prospect of what Cassandra was going to say. He would not tolerate anyone celebrating the death of his beloved, even a prospective bride. "If you said you were happy when you heard the news she had died, you might as well give up on becoming my bride."

Valamar's eyes turned cold and Cassandra was struck with worry.

"No, my lord! Of course not! I knew of Princess Alea and I could tell she was a very kind person... I wasn't happy that someone died. But God knows a hope grew when I heard the news. It meant that maybe you were my destined one."

Valamar couldn't help but feel conflicted. He had mixed feelings of rage and happiness at this girl in front of him. Rage to see one speaking such of the death of Alea, yet happiness that there was another so passionate and sincere about him. But his mind was cloudy. He couldn't think straight right now.

After a while of awkward silence, Valamar took a deep breath to calm himself down. He then looked at Cassandra and their eyes met with his giving an ever serious look. The light from the sun was beginning to disappear as the sun itself had almost fully set and the night sky began to emerge.

"It is getting late, your ladyship." Valamar said with a polite yet indifferent tone "Forgive me, but fatigue is starting to catch up with me. I hope the servants have shown you to your temporary quarters. I'm afraid I'll have to excuse myself right now."

With that, Valamar bowed and left Cassandra standing on the deck, still holding his binoculars. Only a look of regret and sadness were on her face now as she might have destroyed her only chance of getting the man she wanted. But she only bowed her head and sat down as if in prayer.

***

Cassandra only continued to sit there, crying to herself. She really didn't know what to do about the situation. She had thought she jeopardized the entire prospect of marriage with her comments. She was looking out to the horizon where the moon was starting to show. It was a beautiful night sky, but she couldn't enjoy it in the current state she's in.

"You shouldn't be crying on a beautiful night like this, princess." A voice of a woman was heard as Cassandra was startled as she looked back to the source of the voice.

There she saw quite the regal looking woman. She looked a bit more mature, probably late thirties or early forties, but still very much beautiful with long dark brown hair.

"Also, crying would ruin that beautiful face of yours, young lady." the woman continued as she got closer. Cassandra immediately wiped her tears away.

"Please excuse me for being like this. I am fine." Cassandra said as she tried to smile

"You don't need to explain. I saw the whole thing happen." The woman then bowed to Cassandra "Please excuse that grandson of mine. His mood will immediately change if he hears anything remotely bad about Alea. I do hope you can bear with him."

As Cassandra heard the woman called Valamar her grandson, Cassandra immediately realised who this person was and bowed. This woman was the Queen-Dowager of Rumasil, Andronika of Auros, sister of Emperor Alexios XIV.

"Please forgive me for not recognising you sooner, your majesty." Cassandra said

"Oh please, no need for such formalities, deary. Just call me ompung." Andronika said

"Ompung..?"

"Ah, I forget you are not yet too well versed in the Rumasilian tongue. It means grandparent. It's alright to call this old lady that. May I have a seat with you?"

"Of course, your majesty-... uh, I mean, ompung." Cassandra immediately gave space next to her for the woman to sit "Though it still doesn't feel right to me for you to consider yourself old. I even thought you looked fourty!"

Andronika laughed as she sat down and heard Cassandra's comment.

"Well, of course you wouldn't consider my life of over fifty years to be old. Especially compared to your mother who's lived five hundred. Though, nothing really compares to my sister-in-law the Empress."

"She's a Razyan. I'm not even sure if they can die of old age. Anyways, you wanted to talk about something with me, ompung?"

"Ah yes. About Valamar. Please don't think any ill of him. Give him some time, I'm sure he'll come around."

"I would never think ill of my lord! It was my fault to begin with! My careless comments made him that way. I fear he won't even consider me anymore."

"Ohhh, you're such a precious child." Andronika said as she caressed Cassandra's cheek "And almost the complete opposite of Alea."

"What do you mean...?"

"You are sweet, adorable, soft-spoken, and all around a gentle person. Our Alea was very kind, but she was very feisty, headstrong, brash, and - when compared - not as mild-mannered as you to say the least."

"I'm sure she had many good qualities."

"She did indeed, my dear. But that wasn't my point. You are not Alea. You are you. Cassandra of Florentia, a great general and brave woman."

"I'm not that great..."

"Prove to Valamar you are. Show him that you could be headstrong as well. But remind him, you are Cassandra, his future wife. You are not a replacement for Alea. You are your own woman and make him love you for that. Make him give his all to you as I see you will give your all to him."

Cassandra felt reassured from Andronika's motivating words. However, doubt was still in her mind.

"But, I doubt I'll ever be able to replace Lady Alea's place in his heart."

"Of course you won't. Didn't I say you were not her replacement? The memories Valamar has with her will always be special to him. But you need to carve out your own place in his heart and make yourself just as irreplaceable as hers."

As Andronika said that, she noticed the shine in Cassandra's eyes began to return and she smiled.

"Child, you still have much to learn. But I know you'll be a fine wife and an even greater Queen. And don't you worry about Valamar. If he doesn't accept a wonderful person like you into his life... let's just say we have ways to make him."

Cassandra laughed at Andronika's cheerful demeanor.

"Thank you for your words, ompung." She said as she bowed deeply

"It was my pleasure..."

"...Do you want me to accompany you back to your chambers, ompung?"

"Oh no, my dear. I'll just stay here. I like the atmosphere around this place. You can leave if you like, no need to worry about me."

"No, it's fine. I'll accompany you here. I have nothing better to do anyways." Cassandra smiled "But yes, the atmosphere here is very good... It feels so tranquil and peaceful."

"I remember many years ago when my husband was still alive we would just sit here together looking to the skies. To the shining moon and the twinkling stars. Mostly we just sat and soaked in the view, but sometimes he would play on the guitar and we would just start singing together. Sometimes, even our children would join us... They were so cute singing together while their father accompanied them with the guitar. We used to love to sing hymns. I mean, I still do."

"It sounds wonderful."

"It was, my dear. My husband was very big on family, but he was also a very strict disciplinarian. But he never ever was harsh with me. He never raised his voice with me and always put up with me even when I was being difficult. He would never let a day pass without saying 'I love you'. That big romantic oaf."

Andronika chuckled to herself. But tears were beginning to flow from her eyes. "Excuse me, princess. I just keep on getting teary-eyed when I reminisce about him."

"From what I can understand, the late-king was very lovely."

"That he was. The first time I met him was during the war with the Latinites in 1550. He was still a young prince eager to prove himself in battle. My father had called out to the Rumasilians to aid us when the Latinites marched on our western borders. Suffice to say, when I first saw him, I was very much indifferent. I thought he was just another pompous prince and a distant relative."

"Distant relative?"

"Our grandparents were cousins. You do know Rumasil almost always takes a queen from the House of Memnos, don't you?"

"Ah yes. But wouldn't it be that you were cousins as well?"

"My father only had brothers. In a situation where there were no suitable princesses, Rumasil would then look elsewhere. It so happened that my mother-in-law was from Slavsnik. Which is why King Valasar's middle name was Kasper, named after his maternal grandfather, the King of Slavsnik. It is customary for the mother to give the middle names to their children in the House of Vala and sometimes, their middle names is what they liked to go by when they were children. I would never call Valasar by his first name in private. He preferred that I call him Kasper... Now where was I?"

"You were telling me of how you two first met..."

"Oh yes! Hahahaha... forgive me. Age doesn't really do much good to ones memory. Well, long story short, I just had some introductions with him which were nothing more than formality... At that time, I was still an apprentice physician. I was still studying under the doctors of the palace... But I... I..."

All of a sudden in the middle of talking, Andronika's expression grew weary as she began to start coughing. She quickly pulled out her handkerchief to close her mouth, but the coughing became worse. Cassandra grew worried as she stood up. She didn't have any clue what was going on.