Chapter 237 - AFTERSTORY 6: "Obelius Sprucemint And The Runaway Princess-4"

"I knew something's up with your apprentice," Minerva raised her brow, "She's the missing princess, right? When I saw her sketch, I recalled she had some loose brown hair by her nape… She looked exactly like the drawing! I also noticed that her eyes are like the King's!"

"Big bro, I never thought you're actually the princess' secret lover," Kyra said with a disappointed face, "Come with us to the Silverblade Castle."

"What secret lover? No- Hey, get off me!" Obelius yelled as the knights started grabbing his arm.

Cyrina, who was awakened with the noise, immediately went downstairs to look for Obelius. "Obelius?" she called out and when she saw the knights dragging him out the house, "Let him go, please! He's innocent! This is my problem, so just take me!"

Kyra responded in a serious tone, "We're just doing our job, Your Highness. PPlease don't take it to heart."

There was a horse-drawn carriage prepared for her, and she and Obelius rode it. They traveled for many hours and with two stops in between.

When they arrived at the Silverblade Castle, King Levian and Queen Caille were waiting in the throne room.

"I wondered who took away my daughter, and I never expected it to be you," the king said, meeting Obelius' crimson red irises. "Aren't you Ivory and Sigmund's eldest son?"

"I pay my respects to His and Her Majesty," he bowed down, then replied, "Apologies, but everything's a misunderstanding."

Obelius started telling them how he and Cyrina met. He even told them that he started teaching her how to do sculpture.

"Apologies. If I knew it was her, I would have immediately brought her to you."

"If you're not her lover, then I guess the wedding's going to proceed," Queen Caille told them. Noticing her daughter's silence as she stood beside Obelius, she said, "Cyrina, you have nothing to say?"

Cyrina trembled, trying to hold back her tears. She wanted to retort, but she was intimidated by her mother's gaze.

Obelius waited for Cyrina to speak. But seeing her reaction, he decided to help. "Excuse me… I have something to say. I hope it's alright, coming from a commoner like me."

Levi nodded at him. "Your parents are not strangers to me. I shall let you speak. Go on, what is it?"

"Princess Cyrina… doesn't want to get married."

Surprised by the young man's courage, the King and Queen looked at each other.

Obelius continued explaining, "She wants to experience freedom, as she was inspired by His Majesty King Levian's past adventures. I know that the marriage alliance is important, but I hope you can also consider her wishes."

For a long while, the king and queen whispered to each other and discussed the unexpected situation. 

As they were busy talking, Cyrina pulled Obelius' shirt and said, "Thank you… For speaking up for me."

"At a crucial time like this, you have to learn to speak up your mind. Otherwise, nothing will change," Obelius replied to her, "It's just like doing sculpture. Most of the time, the initial plan changes as you think of how to beautify the craft… If you think being free will make your life more beautiful, then don't be afraid to take a risk."

Obelius' inspiring words gave a smile to the princess' face. She replied, "Thank you… I will remember it with all my heart."

When King Levian and Queen Caille finished, they turned to the two. "Give us three days to decide on this. There are many things to consider, as this is a serious matter that might affect the relationship with the Imperial family in the Kingdom of Juno."

During those three days, Obelius and Cyrina were not allowed to meet, as the king and queen were afraid that they might plot something together and escape the castle. Each of them were guarded by 10 knights, and assisted by 4 maid servants who reported their activities to Queen Caille.

Within those three days, King Levian met with Emperor Renci. As the head of a kingdom, Levi was careful not to offend the Huang Imperial family, but he made sure to explain the situation in detail. 

On the fourth day, the king and queen asked Cyrina and Obelius to the throne room once again to say their final decision.

Levi asked his daughter, "Are you willing to leave us, and your two older brothers… and become a commoner?"

Hearing this, Cyrina immediately nodded.

"But you may visit us any time… You're just not required to do princess duties anymore," the Caille said. It was obvious that she was quite sad with her daughter's decision, but she also realized how suffocating it must have been for her.

"From now on, Cyrina Silverblade… is no longer of noble status. Do you accept this?" the king uttered.

Cyrina bowed to them, "I humbly accept my new status. Thank you very much for your understanding!"

King Levi turned to Obelius, "Take care of our daughter. I'm leaving her to you."

"But I…" Obelius almost refused, but seeing the excitement in Cyrina's eyes, he eventually gave it up. "Yes, Your Majesty. I will make sure she will enjoy her life as a commoner."

Afterwards, Obelius and Cyrina were brought back to Greensteid town with a horse-drawn carriage. The king and queen couldn't help it; they still asked some knights to be with them on the travel.

When they arrived, Kyra told her brother, "Apologies, big bro. I misjudged you."

"Silly. I know you're just doing your job," Obelius told his sister. He then bid goodbye to the group of knights who accompanied them, then went inside the house with Cyrina.

To their surprise, Obelius' parents were already home.

"You're late," Sigmund told his son. Noticing the familiar woman behind him, he asked who she was.

"This is Cyrina Silverblade-"

"Oh my, greetings to your Highness!" Ivory said, and she and her husband bowed to her. 

"Please don't! I am now a commoner!"

Surprised with this, Ivory asked, "Why? What happened?"

"I just chose my own fate," Cyrina responded with a sweet smile.

Obelius explained, "The King… asked me to take care of her, so-"

"Oh, I'm going to have a new daughter! Come, let's eat, I know you're hungry!" Ivory said, guiding Cyrina towards the kitchen.

Sigmund noticed how his son looked at the young woman. "I smell something fishy."

"But father… I don't smell anything."

"I think we're not going to have a new daughter, but a daughter-in-law," he chuckled, before proceeding to the kitchen as well.

His father's words left Obelius thinking hard about it. When he realized what Sigmund meant, he shouted to him, walking towards them, "It's not like that!"

And so, Cyrina became part of the Sprucemint family. After learning the basics, she and Obelius traveled to many cities, doing all sorts of sculptures made from different materials. Their works were also exported to the Kingdom of Juno, and later became famous in both Kingdoms.

The two visited King Levian and Queen Caille during their free time and stayed in the Silverblade castle for some days. During their stay, Cyrina excitedly talked about her new adventures with Obelius, and how she has adapted to living as a commoner. 

"You've always been kind to my daughter, Obelius," Queen Caille said, teary-eyed. 

"You really take after your mother," King Levian commented. "How can we repay your kindness, young man?"

"Your Majesty, you don't have to repay me," Obelius answered truthfully. "Seeing Cyrina happy already makes me happy."

This brought a blush to Cyrina's cheeks and tried hiding it from her parents by looking at her side. 

"Is that so?" the king smiled upon the young man's statement. "Then I guess, the Queen and I should give you two our blessings in case you two decide to get married." 

Obelius and Cryina's eyes widened, and when they gazed at each other, they could feel their cheeks burning and their hearts fluttering. 

[END]