CHAPTER 5

Diala sat on a chair as the chirping of birds sounded like music in her ears.

Her gaze fixed on her reflection in the mirror as a smile crept on her face. 

Gently she brushed her hair; she wore a pink man's loose gown, which flowed down to her knees. She stared at herself dreamy with emotions in her mind. 

The thought of Robert flashed through her mind, and her lips stretched into a broader smile. He has always been her dream man ever since she set her eyes on him years ago during his father's party, the day her heart melted as she sighted him. She watched him with keen eyes; his long black hair glowed, radiating with so much power that it took her breath away. His eyebrows, full and dark as night, his tall body, and red lips that moved to the rhythm of her heartbeat when he spoke, she couldn't get him off her mind ever since that day.

She couldn't forget the moment he looked into her eyes; a shiver ran through her spine as she couldn't explain the feeling that overwhelmed her. Indeed, it was love at first sight for her, but she hopes he feels the same way towards her. 

Diala sighs replenished with smiles. She got up, her eyes flickered around dreamy, filled with love in her heart, she swung around, a chuckle escaping her lips. Gently, she laid on her bed; her eyes fixed on her ceiling as she held onto a book stroking it, her lips stretched in a smile. Finally, she is getting married to Robert; to her prince charming, the thought of it brought so much happiness to her heart. 

Diala's eyes glowed in joy; she turned to lay on her stomach, her eyes fixed on the window a few meters from her. She glanced around her vast room decorated with flowers just to her taste. 

It was almost sunset, and her maids will be here very soon for her bath. She wants to lay on her bed and daydream about Robert. She was so excited when her mother informed her that she let out her feelings about Robert to her father. She never knew her father would seize the opportunity and send a marriage proposal to Robert. Everything is just moving precisely the way she wants it without any problem. 

"My lady," A voice called out from outside her room, startling her.

Diala rolled her eyes as her daydreaming got cut short, "Come in, Berta." she called out, her gaze still fixed on the window filled with smiles.

The door opened as a young maid entered; she had a long sleeveless gown and a white scarf tied around her blonde hair. Her grey eyes stared at the princess, who didn't turn to her.

"My lady, it's time for your bath," she said calmly, her eyes fixed on the princess.

Diala smiled; she turned her stare to the young maid before her; she got down from her bed and walked closer to the young maid.

"Berta," she called, smiling at the young maid.

"Yes, my lady," Berta bowed in respect.

Diala's smile deepened, making her dimples deepen, "What do you think about the king of Linerdo?" She asked her looks on the maid.

Berta looked up at the princess before her. She has been serving the princess since she was 12, spending five years of her life helping princess Diala; she and the princess have become close and saw each other more as friends.

Berta's grey eyes glinted, her hands placed by her sides, "The King of Linerdo is a good man, my lady," she replied calmly.

Diala's eyes sparkled in delight; she turned her gaze away from her maid and walked towards her window, the book still in her hand as she held tightly to it, her hands wrapped around it in her bosom. "I will be given in marriage to King Robert, making me his first legal wife" she turned, fixing her gaze on the young maid, "I am going to get married to the man of my dreams, I do look happy Berta, don't I?" She inquired glaring at the maid, her blue eyes flickering.

A smile crept on Berta's face, "You look so happy, my lady," she responded calmly.

Dial Sighed dreamily and sat on her bed, her eyes still on Berta, "Do you think he will grow to love me as I do?" She implored, her eyes softened in worry.

Berta smiled at her, "You don't have to worry about that, my lady; you are wonderful; no man will be able to resist your charms," she assured her.

Diala stood up and walked towards her, "Oh Berta," she smiled, holding her hands, "I am glad you are coming with me once I get married," she said gracefully.

Berta looked up at the blue eyes that glared at her, "I was born to serve you my whole life, my lady, and I am happy doing that" she let out a soft smile.

"No Berta, "Diala mumbled, still holding her hands, " I want you to find love someday and start up your own family; you don't have to serve me throughout your lifetime, you are not just a servant to me, but as my sister, although I am nineteen and you are a year younger, I don't see any difference between us" her smile deepened. "Now come one, I have to take my bath now," she giggled, removed her grip from her's and began to undress.

Berta bathes her in the tub; she scrubs her body gently as Diala spoke more about Robert.

After the bath, Berta dressed and combed her hair beautifully, just the way Diala has always loved it. 

"It's time for dinner, my lady," Berta reminded her after styling her hair. 

Diala stared at her reflection, beaming with smiles. "Tell my father that I will be there soon," she ordered, still gazing at her reflection. 

Berta nowed and departs out of the room. 

Satisfied with her look, she stood up and walked out of her room down the stairs. 

She walked closer to the dining room as she could hear the voice of her parents discussing. Slightly, she opened the door; her parents turned to her with an expression on their faces.

"Come over, Diala," her mother gestured as she walked into the room and took a seat opposite her mother. Diala narrowed her eyes as she glanced at her parents, a frown replacing her cheerful face.

"Is anything wrong, mother?" She inquired, raising an eyebrow as she stared at her mum.

Queen Clara managed to smile; she held her daughter's hand across the table with a reassuring look, "Why do you ask that, dear ? Everything is fine," she assured her.

Diala left her mother's gaze and looked at her father, who was eating his meal slowly, "What is wrong, father? She imposed, her blue eyes flickering.

King William dropped his spoon and glared at her, " Nothing is wrong, your mother and I were making plans concerning your marriage immediately the war is over," he let out, picked his spoon, and continued his meal.

Diala sat up, her face filled with a surprised expression as she glanced from one parent to another, "A war?" She asked, her eyes fixed on her father, "Father, you didn't tell me that you have issues with another kingdom?" She consulted, confused.

King William looked up at her, "My kingdom isn't going on any war. Robert sent a letter stating that the marriage will be held after the war between his kingdom and the king of Dunham; he informed us to let you know about the changes," He explained.

Diala's eyes widened; the thought of Robert going on a war weakened her heart. She knows the king of Dunham for his cruelty and evil. He is a greedy king that will do anything to get what he wants, no one dares challenge him, and the concept of Robert fighting against him brought shivers down her spine. 

Diala looked up to her mother, then slowly turned to her father, "I will go on the war along with Robert and his soldiers; I can't watch any harm befalling them," she said sternly to the surprise of her parents, who glared at each other.

"No Diala, you can't; this is far more dangerous," her mother let out, her sight remedied on her daughter.

"No, mother," Diala rebuked, nodding her head, "I have fought far more dangerous wars, and I defeated all my opponents without any stress. Tomorrow, my servants and I will go over to the kingdom of Linerdo, and I will give Robert my word to fight this war with him," she declared, staring at her father. 

"There is no need for that." King William suddenly spoke; he glanced at his wife and back to Diala, "Robert and his men will attack at sunrise tomorrow."

Diala stood up and moved away from the table. Her eyes broadened in shock, "Father, you knew about this on time, and you didn't care to let me know," her face filled with fear.

  Queen Clara looked at her with softened eyes, "Your wedding will hold soon; your father won't like a scratch to be seen on your body when giving you out to King Robert; this for the best." She replied, her husband nodded in affirmative.

Diala stared at her parents with angry but worried eyes. She turned around and headed towards the door.

"Where are you going? You haven't even touched your meal?" Queen Clara called out.

Diala turned her gaze to her parents, "I am going to my room; I have lost my appetite," she noted, bowed at her father, and walked out of the room as her mother stared in awe.

King Williams touched his wife's hand, restraining her from standing up, "Let her be," he remarked, looked away from her, and continued with his food, his speechless wife staring at him.

Diala stormed into her room, locked herself, and sat on her bed with a heavy heart. She wishes she can do something to help Robert; maybe this will make Robert love her. But doing anything right now is impossible. 

Groaning, she laid on her bed, it's sunset already, and she can't wait for the war to be over so that she can be with Robert. 

"Diala," A voice called out from the outside.

Realizing it's her mother's, she rolled her eyes, got down from her bed, and walked towards the door, unlocking it.

Her mother came in along with a maid who held a tray with food on it.

Diala moved away from her mum; she sat on her bed, eyes on the maid who laid the tray on a table and left, closing the door after her.

Queen Clara sat beside her; gently, she placed her hand on Diala, her eyes piercing in her. "You don't have to be sad about this. Robert is a king, and it is his responsibility to lead his soldiers to war. You know that he is also a great warrior and has fought so many wars as a prince. This war is his first as a king, and I know he will be great, be calm, my child," she clarified, her hands still on her's.

Diala looked up at her mum, "I am, but I am just worried; King Philip is a fierce and ruthless king, and his men may try to harm Robert," she complained worriedly.

Queen Clara smiles, holding her face, "You don't have to worry; Robert's men will be there to protect him, exactly the way your soldiers protect you," she assured her with a smile.

"Now, eat your food and rest; the night is far spent," Her mother said, standing up.

Diana glanced at her, "Alright, mother," she replied and watched her mother exit the room.

After eating, she retired to her bed with a book in her hands. As she began to read, the thought of Robert flashed through her mind again; exhaling sincerely, she gleamed and hoped silently.