VII. Welcome

"Oh ..." Amanda answered shortly at the news, while the other three maids stared at her nervously.

"She won't report our actions to her husband, will she?" whispered the maid who had been ordering Amanda to the other maid who had failed to eat the soup in front of her.

"Don't worry. She's been forgotten. Even if she told her husband, I think His Lord was the first to die."

Amanda glanced at them briefly, then resumed cutting the pile of pumpkins in front of her.

"You don't know about it? Prince never gave you news? Your father also didn't tell you?"  Nesa asked repeatedly.

Amanda nodded slowly.  "No," she answered quietly.

The maid who was whispering earlier smiled as she raised her eyebrows. "See? I'm right. She has no charm! The prince was so disgusted with her that he didn't want to touch her, and now, he's forgotten about her!"  he said loudly mocking Amanda.

Hearing this, the silver haired girl got up from her place and left the kitchen without saying a word.

"Hey! Where are you going?!  I'll report it to the Old Lady, you'll see! You rags!"  screamed one of the waiters who wanted to follow Amanda but was restrained by Nesa at the kitchen door.

For them, Amanda was just a rag that was thrown away by her husband and family. She was completely worthless.

"What should I do now?" Amanda muttered. “Why do I feel sad? Wouldn't he be able to remember me? Don't expect this to be a romantic novel, Amanda. Come on, wake up!”  The girl slapped her cheeks tightly which produced a pink tinge. “I shouldn't have behaved in defiance that would have troubled myself. Stupid you, Amanda!” She cursed as she turned towards the kitchen and prepared to face the angry servants from her behavior just now.

In contrast to the calm state of Sulli's Old Town, the capital city of Anarka this morning seemed to be excited to welcome the Black Prince's return. The corners of the city were lined with Golden Lion flags, ready to welcome the war hero. The townspeople were already standing along the border road to the royal entrance, waiting with joy for the arrival of the Black Prince. The victory of his black legion became the main topic of conversation at every gathering of Anarka citizens.

“This is indeed a great victory. The Black Prince taking control of the famous fertile Exilas area with an area of ​​one third of Anarka! He can be called one of the top ten richest rulers in the world.”

“You heard the stories of travelers crossing the desert near Exilas? They got goosebumps when the cry of victory for the Black Prince's troops resounded in the sky, in stark contrast to the pitiful screams of the royal guards of the steel wall country."

“The most terrifying thing was when the Black Prince's armor nearly turned blood red while that man with an icy stare flaunted the head of King Exilas that he had severed on the palace balcony.”

The noise of the warm conversation of the citizens of the capital Anarka began to subside when the trumpet sounded. Soon, a neat line of troops in black armor, followed by cavalry and elephant troops – carrying cannons – entered the city. Whether it's because of the black color of the troops' attributes, or because of the distinctive smell of blood that still clings to swords, spears, and other weapons, the atmosphere was suddenly so dark that it's suffocating, unlike the one that looked full of joy.

Everyone suddenly fell silent in fear, as the main character in the parade appeared. The Black Prince looked arrogant and cruel by riding a black horse of the shire race - the largest horse breed in the world -.  In addition to the Black Prince's intimidating charisma, the townspeople were also amazed by how handsome the third crown prince was.

His sharp jaw, high nose bone, coupled with cold black eyes seemed to frame his handsome face perfectly. The man was like a walking work of art. It seemed that this was the first time since fifteen years ago that the townspeople had seen the Black Prince's figure again.

"I hope that woman knows about this," thought the Black Prince with a sinister smile on his face.