23. THE TRUTH

Crysta shock. Deeply. Realizing that her parents had been hiding a secret that meant so much to her. Crysta would tolerate her father's silence. But her mother, Crysta couldn't figure out why her mother hadn't come forward in the first place.

Knowing that the Eastern Region only had one princess, King Lumiere took fairly quick action. While Pascal was away on a hunting trip, the king and queen deliberately traveled to Orva with a lot of jewelry and soldiers. Trying to win the heart of King Brent who is known to be stubborn.

While Pascal and Titan returned to the palace with a deer, the king and queen returned with nothing but disappointment.

''The princess is too young to be betrothed. And again, what makes Prince Pascal more superior than the princes of the East?''

King Brent's recounting of King Lumiere's words set Pascal's soul on fire.

After hearing how beautiful and graceful Crystabelle was, it somehow made Pascal's heart churn strangely. He didn't usually experience something like this. Then it made him desperate to go to Orva alone, only by riding a Titan. Hours of traveling the long road, slipping through the darkness, through the forest that guarded the palace's high fortress, trying to see Crysta with his own eyes.

The little girl in the golden dress was playing in a flowering garden. Picking roses, tulips and also some other beautiful flowers.

Pascal almost lost his balance and nearly fell off the twenty-meter-high tree branch he was spying on - while watching the girl's behavior. Although he was sure the tiger down there would surely use its back to catch Pascal.

''She far exceeded my expectations. It would be a shame if such a beautiful lady didn't become the future queen of Valliant,'' Pascal murmured.

Just a limited chronology from the point of view of the king and queen of Valliant from earlier, convincing Crysta that she would settle in Valliant as Pascal had requested of her. In Valliant, she found a lot of love. Not only from the king and queen, but also the respect of all the soldiers, servants and people.

But what made the biggest impression on her was the love of the prince. Who was so angry at the rebels who wanted to touch her, rape her and also kill her.

After lunch ended, Pascal took Crysta to her room to rest. And apologized for not being able to accompany the princess. The arrival of the generals and captains after the royal family had lunch forced Pascal to say so.

Pascal had to attend an important meeting that required his presence.

''I'll see you after the meeting. Promise me you'll wait, hm?''

Crysta received an intimate kiss that was seen by many people as the girl nodded her head.

Also a story from Natasha and confirmed by the servants who served her in the room, about Pascal torturing and killing the rebels who attacked Crysta in the dungeon.

"Prince was furious. He went straight to the prison as soon as he set foot in the East harbor of the palace. Even the ship's ropes were not yet moored at that time,'' Natasha explained.

''The prince chopped their bodies into pieces, then gave them to Titan,'' added another servant.

''No. It wasn't like that. The prince ordered the soldiers to do it.''

''But it was still our prince's order.''

Crysta gasped. Was the person she was listening to stories about her Pascal?

''Where did you hear all that?'' Monic was curious. ''Is it true that Prince Pascal is so cruel?''

''From the soldiers. It wasn't difficult for us to get such information. The prince is greatly admired. Even more than the king and queen. It may sound very harsh. But to us, his people, he is very brave and chivalrous. The kind of prince a prosperous kingdom like Valliant needs.'' There was a look of pride as Natasha explained. Pascal did not have a single flaw in the eyes of everyone in the kingdom.

''Do you know what cruel rumors are out there about the prince?" Monic said again.

''We do. That's why many people of neighboring kingdoms have great respect for the people of Valliant. Traders who traveled long distances were helped by our prince's fame. No one dares to mess with us or cheat us when negotiating prices.''

Before Pascal became crown prince, he heard from several soldiers that merchants who sold seafood such as fish, shellfish and shrimp to other kingdoms were paid at low prices. Some even dared to loot the merchants. Pascal, who was ten years old at the time, immediately intervened to solve the problem.

He negotiated with the traders from the outside of the kingdom. Eradicated the looters without mercy. Disciplined the sales system with a standard price that was acceptable to his people. In other words, Pascal created many written regulations. Which were followed by the people with discipline.

Crysta's lips were happy. The man she loved really cared about the people very wisely. An example of leadership that was rarely practiced by kingdoms in the East.

''You are very fortunate, Your Higness. The prince loves you very much.'' Sincere. That was what Crysta felt as the servants repeatedly said it. Making Crysta's cheeks flush red.

Crysta and Pascal's relationship had spread throughout the whole of Valliant and made everyone very happy. And quite a few felt heartbroken.

Thinking that such a happy thing was only known to the king and queen, it had become the subject of conversation among the people of Valliant and other kingdoms as well.

The happiness did not last long in Crysta's heart, because at this time, a servant informed Crysta that there was a soldier who had arrived in a hurry and was heading for the meeting room at this time.

''There is no one to help Valliant. We're all alone.'' Bold read the last scroll of the letter. Throwing it onto the mounds of papers from the other kingdoms. The contents were more or less similar. They were all unable to help Valliant in the war with the West. Just as Pascal had expected.

My bride-to-be is your prisoner and now you are asking for my help? The only reason for Lucard's soldiers to fight at this time is to conquer Valliant and get my bride-to-be back.

The letter from Leonard ended the negotiations regarding Valliant's expected reinforcements.

Pascal himself seemed unperturbed by it. Instead, he focused on his two Western kingdoms. Strategizing. Experience had taught him many lessons about war, life and love. He never lost a war and always returned to Valliant with a victory.

''Pakar, Mytris, Arcturus. They are not strong kingdoms. Their defenses are weak. The people are not prosperous and the government is corrupt. A kingdom with an unhealthy internal government system will not make its soldiers or people willing to die for the ruler.'' Pascal removed the three kingdoms' pawns from the map on the table.

''Lucard, Agnar and Lunar. They belong to the middle category. Not too bad. But their soldiers haven't fought a war since three decades. Their abilities are doubtful.'' The smirk on Pascal's lips made the humans present smile. Actually, Pascal was not focusing on his soldiers. Rather, it was on the ruler who was known for being weak. Including the princes.

''As for Orva...''

Besides being known for having a beautiful princess, the kingdom had a stern king and perfection in government. It could be said that Orva was a second Valliant. That was why, in addition to getting Crysta, the princes who married the princess would be greatly benefited in various ways.

But unfortunately, King Brent disliked Pascal for some reason.

''Then, is there any other news?'' Paying attention to his men one by one.

''Your Highness,'' Bold opened his voice. ''A spy from the west rode his horse day and night to get to Valliant. He said he has heard rumors of a Western army that will actually prepare to invade our kingdom.''

''And also the general...''

BRAK! The door opened. A soldier appeared with a worried face.

''Your Highness,'' he greeted with sweat pouring down his forehead. Occasionally swallowing saliva for fear of the expressions on the faces of the people inside. His breathing was labored.

''I bring important news. Prince Leonard from the Lucard kingdom is currently at the Valliant border. He was desperate to enter the kingdom and is now being intercepted by the Andromeda Army.''

Bastard! Pascal gritted his jaw. He already knew Leonard's purpose for getting here.

''Bold, you go meet them. Give that stupid prince the understanding that I strictly forbid anyone from entering...''

''You can't, Your Highness. You should go,'' concluded the soldier again.

''You-'' Bold was furious at the soldier's insolence before learning that...

''Princess Crysta is already at the border, Your Highness.''

Shocked. Pascal immediately left the meeting room and caught up to Crysta.