26. FINEST HOUR

There was a memory that Pascal suddenly remembered. When Titan set foot on the end of the bridge to the capital city.

He was six years old at the time. He had just returned from hunting with the prince's guards. The king probably thought that Pascal had come home with a deer or wild boar as a catch. Unfortunately, Pascal did not bring a dead animal as a gift to be presented to the king and queen. Instead, it was a wild animal and it was still alive.

That day, was the day Pascal got his hands on Titan. Who is now known as Prince Valliant's favorite pet.

Titan was not locked up in a cage or tied up like a hunted animal. Instead, he was a friend to the prince. Pascal rode the animal calmly and was able to control Titan who was initially difficult to tame.

The people who wanted to welcome his return were not as enthusiastic as they are now. They were afraid and considered Titan as a threat. But those days have passed.

Now everyone is very happy when they see Titan in the capital city. Especially with Pascal and Crysta on top of him.

Beautiful flowers fell like snow. People raised their hands, waving as they called Pascal's name. Crysta also saw some girls whispering when they saw her. Crysta felt that he had not been fully accepted even though Pascal looked calm waving his hands, responding to the people's calls. Without any smile and looking cold.

''Everyone loves you so much,'' said Crysta, who was sitting sideways in front of Pascal.

''They're my people, Sweetheart.''

''You know exactly what I mean, don't you?'' Crysta looked down. Her cheeks flushed with embarrassment. This greeting was solely for Pascal and not for her.

Pascal lifted Crysta's chin until their eyes locked.

''What is a leader without the love of his people?''

Crysta was silent.

''They will rebel, betray and worst of all become spies for other kingdoms if they feel that their leaders don't care about them. And their current attitude is the effect of what I have done for them. For this country.''

''You will also get the same respect when you become my wife. They may not fully accept you. But if you show your love for the people, they will do the same.''

Pascal was right. A person will not earn respect just because he is a ruler. But how he behaved and treated his people was the way to earn that respect.

Crysta smiled, then nodded.

''Say hello to them, Love. They also want to know the character of the princess of Orva's kingdom. And you will know what kind of Valliant people will be under your rule.'' Pascal pleaded as he lowered his hand to her chin.

Together, Pascal and Crysta raised their hands in the air. And sure enough, the people who had been whispering and seemed to dislike Crysta also waved their hands at her. Making Crysta chuckle while glancing at Pascal.

The soldiers prepared when Titan started to approach the gate. Which automatically opened shortly afterward.

From afar, Natasha and Crysta's servants could be seen already in the palace courtyard. Waiting for the princess, who was soaking wet from the endless drizzle.

Upon arriving at the main door, Titan immediately lowered his position. Pascal descended first, extending both hands to help Crysta down.

''Make sure that you clean her hands more than usual,'' Pascal told Natasha.

And the princess butler simply nodded, obeying.

Shaking her head, Crysta smiled as she watched Pascal leave after saying that.

The rain still hadn't stopped until the servants stripped Crysta naked and asked her to get into the bathtub. Thunder and lightning were also still exchanging greetings in the black sky above.

The fragrance brought by the servants created an atmosphere that was inversely proportional to what was outside. It calmed Crysta who had been frightened. But now, that feeling was gone. Vanished without a trace. Moreover, the servant's massage on her hand gave her a relaxed feeling.

''Your Highness, I have already cleaned your hands more than twenty times. Your other bathing rituals have already been completed, and only your hands need to be cleaned. Is this not clean enough?'' asked the maid by the bathtub.

''You did as much as Pascal told you to?''

They nodded.

''The prince will be very angry if he still finds your hands dirty. Although I still don't understand why the prince gave such an order. Even though your hands weren't dirty at all when I checked them,'' said Natasha who had just picked out the dress that Crysta would wear.

My hands are not dirty. Crysta muttered as she looked at her wrist. But Pascal saw that these hands were in someone else's hands. Hands that are not his own are dirty things that should not touch his possessions.

The jealousy and overprotective attitude made Crysta hang a small smile on her beautiful face again.

***

After what happened at the Valliant border this afternoon, Pascal went to the palace library alone. Twisting the sword of a statue that stood guard near the blank wall. Where a secret door appeared and Pascal entered it.

He descended the stairs and hurriedly approached the bookshelves that looked well-maintained because Pascal always visited that room.

A black book, it contained a lot of information about weapons, war strategies and restricted areas.

Initially, he wanted to go to Crysta's room. However, information from the Maester who received a message from a raven, made Pascal drop his plans.

''The Eastern Kingdom is planning to attack Valliant. They are currently gathering their army and weapons.''

Now, Valliant's enemies were not just kingdoms in the West. But also in the East. And Pascal had to prepare many umbrellas before the rain of fire attacked his kingdom.

He was neither frightened nor afraid. But he had become the fire that shrouded the entire East in smoke. And he had to create rain to drown out the smoke. By reading the many books that had been passed down from Tristan's predecessors.

Inside the palace hall, King Lumiere and Queen Ruby continued to argue about the problems that Pascal had created because of Crysta. There was no one there, just a couple who were worried about their son.

''You always knew this would happen, didn't you?''

''I knew,'' King Lumiere replied, concerned.

They stood, facing each other with the same anxiety.

''And you believe in defeat or victory?''

''I have always believed in our son's ability.''

''He's just a child,'' Queen Ruby screeched.

''A boy who always wins battles and never loses.''

"He's just a kid."

"Who always wins wars and never loses."

"Still it won't be a sign that Valliant will be fine this time."

"Then what's your advice? Do you want us to hand over Crysta? She's a part of Pascal, and your son will never let King Brent's daughter leave without his permission."

"Do you realize that the kingdom of two regions is looking for our only son, right? Want to kill him! Take him away from us.’’ Afraid to imagine Pascal's death.

"He's also my son, Ruby. He inherited intelligence from his ancestors. He won't die easily. He was too hard to be killed by the hands of the enemy.’’ The king took his breath, lowering his emotions. Trying to think clearly to calm the queen. He hugged the woman with that pink pearl necklace. He shakes his eyebrows gently.

"Do you remember the prophet we accidentally met when you were pregnant?"

The queen nodded.

"He will be a great king; he will be unparalleled. He will be well known among the rulers of all regions.

The king remembered the prophet's words and shut his eyes with his head on the queen's neck. "He's the prince my great-grandfather dreamed of. And I just realized it.’’

King Lumiere remembers a little conversation between him and his grandfather. At that time, they were in a soldier's tent and were in times of tension with the kingdom in the north.

"From my descendants... will be born a prince who will cause the loss of peace in the East. A kingdom that is not on his side will be in a deadly crisis. The war will spill out because of him. Blood will be colored in the sky as long as he's guerrilla. And the sea of Valliant will remain blue. Our kingdom will be strong thanks to him. And I hope to live until the time he executes his destiny.’’

King Leopard, was the grandfather of King Lumiere, who in his time had a lot of warfare. And right now, Pascal is in the room where King Leopard is reflecting on his strategy.