After Wales said “On the night the wind blows”, Henrietta would reply with “an oath of the water I pledge.”
On a particular day, the two were walking by the lake holding hands.
“You were pretty late Henrietta, I almost became tired of waiting”
“Sorry. The feast just stretched on. I’m so sick of drunk ramblings already.”
“But… Is it really alright for you to sneak away like that every night?”
Henrietta giggled at Wales worried look.
“It’s alright. I’m using a decoy”
“A decoy! That’s something pretty serious.”
“It’s not that big of a deal. That friend of mine you saw with me at lunch the other day…”
“You mean that skinny girl with long hair?”
Wales tilted his head. The girl that would follow Henrietta around and play with her. He was so captivated by Henrietta that he couldn’t really recall her look. However, he did vaguely remember her hair color.
“Yes. She dresses up like me, and then goes into my bed for me. The blanket covers her right to the tip of her head so even if anyone stands beside the bed, they can’t see her face.”
“But, isn’t her hair color different to yours? If I remember correctly, hers is pink while yours is…”
Wales brushed Henrietta’s hair with his hand.
“A beautiful chestnut color. That would be a fairly bad decoy.”
“I’ve concocted a special magic hair dye. But, I feel a bit guilty. I didn’t actually say that I was meeting you. She thinks that I am just out for a stroll.”
“You’re so cunning!” Wales said while laughing.
“Shh! Don’t laugh so loud. We don’t know if anyone is listening.”
“No one is going to be here listening at this hour of the night except for the water spirits. Ah, I want to see them at least once. I wonder what kind of beauty makes the moon jealous.”
Pouting her lips, she replied to her lover with a troubling tone
“Oh, I see now. So you didn’t actually want to meet with me. You just wanted to see the water spirit, and have me tag along.”
Wales suddenly stopped and grasped Henrietta’s cheeks gently in both his hands and approached her lips. Henrietta was surprised, but soon closed her eyes. Their lips pressed together. After a while, Wales moved his face away.
“I love you, Henrietta.”
“I also love you.” Henrietta whispered, blushing furiously.
A tinge of loneliness was reflected in Wales’ eyes. While he was entranced by the idea of their love, a composed part of his mind also imagined its conclusion. Their status did not allow them to be with each other. If anyone knew about their relationship… they probably wouldn’t even be allowed to see each other in formal events. It was a part of being a princess and a prince.
Wales began to speak, trying to brighten the atmosphere.
“Hahaha… We’ve both been born with troubling destinies haven’t we. Most of the time we’ve spent together has been at night, with a disguise! It would be good, at least just once, if I could walk by this lake with just you and the sun.”
Henrietta closed her eyes and slowly nestled against his chest.
“Then make an oath.”
“An oath?”
“Yes. The water spirits living here are also known as the ‘spirits of oath’. Oaths made before them are said to be unbreakable.” whispered the fourteen year old Henrietta while she hid her face.
“It’s a superstition. Just an old folk’s tale”
“Even if it’s a superstition, I believe it. If by believing, it will grant me my oath, then I will believe forever. Forever…”
A tear dropped from her eyelashes and rolled down on her cheek. Wales gently stroked Henrietta’s cheek.
“I love you, Henrietta, because you love me so much. So don’t cry like that. The river will overflow with your tears. The people gathered here will drown you know.”
“You probably don’t know how much I love you. The more serious I get the more you tease me.”
“Don’t be like that Henrietta”
Lifting the hem of her skirt, Henrietta made her way into the water.
“The princess of Tristain Henrietta vows before the spirits of water that she will love Prince Wales for eternity.”
“You're next Wales. Make an oath like I just did.”
Wales entered the water and embraced Henrietta. Henrietta clung to his shoulder.
“Wales?”
“Your feet will get cold.”
“I don’t mind. Rather than that, I made an oath that I will love you forever. Make an oath as well.”
“Unbreakable oaths are just a superstition.”
“Are you saying that you will have a change of heart?”
Wales went silent for a while, deep in thought.
With a gentle expression, he cast his oath into the lake.
“The prince of Albion, Wales, vows before the water spirits that he will one day walk on this Ragdorian Lake with princess Henrietta and the sun, hand in hand.”
“I made the oath.”
Henrietta buried her face into Wales’ chest and whispered quietly to herself.
“…So you won’t vow to love me?”
The surface of the lake twinkled with light. Then after a while the lake was once again engulfed in silence.
The two looked at each other.
Was it the moon light, or was it the spirits of the water accepting their oaths, they didn’t know… but nestling against each other they continued to gaze at the beautiful lake of Ragdorian.
Chapter One: The Saint
On the Bourdonné Street in the town below the Tristain castle, a magnificent parade was being held in commemoration of their victory. The parade was led by Princess Henrietta’s chariot, which was pulled along by the legendary beasts known as unicorns. Renowned nobles in their chariots followed after her. Around them, the magical defence squad served as their bodyguards.
The narrow road was filled with spectators. People cheered as they watched from the windows and roofs of the buildings as the chariots passed by.
“Long live Princess Henrietta!”
“Long live Tristain!”
The crowd was extremely enthusiastic. Princess Henrietta had led the Tristain forces to victory at the Plains of Tarbes the other day against the Albion forces who had broken their treaty. Princess Henrietta, who had defeated the enemy which outnumbered them, was praised as a ‘saint’ and was as popular as could be.
After the parade was over, a coronation was awaiting Henrietta, in which she was to assume the throne. This was proposed by Cardinal Mazarini, with most of the court’s nobles and cabinet ministers agreeing.
The marriage of the prince of the neighboring country, Germania, with Henrietta was canceled, much to their disappointment. After all, they could not afford to be unyielding to a country that defeated the invading forces of Albion.
Of course, cancellation of the alliance was out of the question. Tristain was a strong country that Germania, who was frightened of the wrath of Albion, could not afford to be without.
In other words, Henrietta had gained her freedom through her own hands.
A party of the defeated Albion soldiers were watching the triumphant return in the corner of the plaza. They were the nobles of the Albion forces who were taken as prisoners. Even though they were prisoners, they were treated fairly well. Their wands were confiscated, but they were not tied up, and could freely stand. Guards were placed around them, but none of them were thinking of escaping. When nobles are captured as prisoners, they undergo an oath. If they were to break that oath, then their honour and name would turn into ashes. For nobles, who valued honour very highly, it was the equivalent of death.