Chapter 1: King Rashal's Twain Delights

In the ancient land of Pars, later than the Battle of Carrhae, there sits the Royal Capital of Clapestris extending her vast power to the outskirts of the surrounding provinces. The subjects and monarchs alike would walk and live with the antiquities and honors of Pars. Their lineage, culture, and even sympathy are with Pars. But in the name of Clapestris, they flourish.

This is the tale during the 9th sovereign governing Clapestris. Where the crown of the monarch is adorned with the paradox of order and dissension, of excellence and futility, and the persons of Prince Thariem and Darina.

As long as the edges of history can bring a subtle touch to this side of the tale, the unveiled beginning always arises at the vehement drought that afflicted Clapestris.

The drought lasted for three years. During those times, some farmers thought of selling their flocks. Others fled to the mountains in fear to die from hunger. The Kingdom of Clapestris has sent their valiant men to purchase goods from foreign lands. They called for merchants from Southern and Northern territories to accommodate the needs of the capital's people at a good price.

No one foresaw how the toil of Clapestris will be eased. The awaited days would dawn upon the kingdom on this very day with the sign that two children are born in the capital. Queen Mariam brought a healthy son with the help of her court lady, Dahlgem.

The rain started to pour down the plains then into the capital. There were grateful cries along with the symphonies of the rain bringing bliss to a dreaded desolated land. The people of Clapestris rejoiced altogether. The drought is finally over.

King Rashal brings the triumphant news after the battle at Atropatene. The heavens blessed him and his kingdom dearly. Hasting against the rain, the king and his men return to the capital to meet his newborn son. While on his way, he thought of storing his torn cloak inside a wooden cabin, for it is uncustomary to bring a cloak worn on war to the palace. The king halted as he heard the cry of a child. He called Bolo, the Minister of War, to bring the torch to check the place.

The king saw the child, wrapped in fine silk cloth, with a familiar sign of a tiger embroidered. King Rashal felt his heart skipped a beat at the sight. He made sure that his minister didn't see it. The same familiar icon makes the kingdom hostile against the bearer of that symbol. He doesn't want any uprising to begin right after the recovery from the drought. He has also favored the little girl just like someone who pities a person chased by death. The umbilical cord of the child is still fresh. He carried the child and pacified it. The baby girl in his arms halted in crying. King Rashal couldn't help himself from beaming.

"Bolo, what do you think if I will bring this child to the palace?" King Rashal asked while carefully holding the baby. He wishes that by this child, his son will have someone to lean on. The king also knows that the best way to keep the little girl safe is to put her in the palace under the sovereign name. In this way, no one can go against her. King Rashal can ensure the babe's safety while the child's parents will seek her in the latter years.

"It is well. My Lord," Bolo replied understanding that the King implies to take the little girl to foster. For the sake of his king, Bolo is confident that the little girl is not a threat to the throne which will be passed to King Rashal's son. The Minister of War even thought that the little girl can be a means for a peaceful pact with another country. Someone that can be married off for the sake of the kingdom. He dares not yet to speak about this foreboding idea because he doesn't want to dig his own grave before the sight of the king. He continued reminding the king about the rules of Clapestris. "However, she is not your daughter. It is against the law to crown her as a princess of Clapestris."

"I may not give her the title but she will be served like one," Rashal declared. "Even if the nobles would disagree."

"As you pleased my lord," Bolo said. He restrained himself from shivering about the last time he witnessed his king's anger against the ministers. His ministers were bold in defying his decree to stop foreign merchants from entering provinces situated away from capital cities. Bolo understood his king's reason for that matter. Perhaps, he will understand his master's decision in this present situation too.

King Rashal entered the palace with the baby in his arms. The servant turned their heads, thinking that the child is their lord's captive for their kingdom's prosperity. They thought that she's a highly honored child that can make that child's kingdom subjugated by King Rashal's authority. On the other hand, Queen Mariam was upset to see that the king brought another child while she bore the real descendant. If it wasn't for the rain and the Royal Adviser's news that it's a new moon today, she will never believe that the little girl is another present for all of them. Even the servants trembled because they thought wrong about the little girl. Surely, the king has the power to bring one up and the other down. If their thoughts are sent to the kingdom, they will probably be ousted for indirectly hating the little girl.

"What makes you doted by the king, dear?" asked Queen Mariam inside her chamber with the little girl sleeping on her bed beside the prince. Two babies sleeping soundly before her makes her calloused heart melt. She's starting to understand why the king is comfortable with the little girl. The lassie will be their hope to save the kingdom from getting tied with another country. Queen Mariam thought of announcing her words in the naming ceremony.

In the naming ceremony, all of the kingdom's nobles and peasants stand together to witness the start of a new beginning for Clapestris. They found in the great throne in the midst of two golden lions, their King Rashal, beaming with delight to his people.

"The heavens had blessed us with the rain and a prince that will keep the glory of Clapestris. Yesterday, two children were born in this capital. I will call my son, carried by Queen Mariam, Thariem. For he is the triumph in my battle," he declared while upholding the prince. He brought back the prince to Queen Mariam to proceed to another declaration. "I will call this pretty child, ministered by Dahlgem, Darina. For she came like a threshold of paradise," King Rashal announced.

The nobles and the ministers expected Queen Mariam to protest about the special adoration given to Darina. However, she also stood up like a proud mother to her only daughter, speaking in delight to the king.

"My lord, may you be pleased for thy queen to speak to your people," Queen Mariam asked.

"I am. Spill it, my queen."

Queen Mariam nodded and stepped forward. "Today, you heard the names Thariem and Darina, and the blessing of the rains," she started while holding her royal seal. "You are all witnesses to the three precious gifts that this kingdom received. These are the signs of prosperity. Hence, I declare to take Darina as part of our family. But the reason that I announced this, is to protect her from the tendency of marrying her off to another kingdom."

The ministers started to murmur. It is what they dread that Queen Mariam would overrule the plans of the court and the kingdom's defenses. This does not help strengthen the military prowess and allegiance to other kingdoms. There's a knot from a neighboring country waiting to be tied with the vows of the Clapestri's Crowned Prince. By the prince they can peacefully conquer one country, but what country can they conquer with the Queen's special restriction on what to do to Darina?

"Darina is our royal member. If she is to be married off to another kingdom, it is like we are also subjugating our kingdom to that country. But if another kingdom is rather married off to the Crowned Prince, it is like we are winning over against that country since he will be the one who will have the authority to overrule prevailing powers. Do you understand this, ministers?"

"We understand, Your Highness," the ministers replied.

Others marveled at the Queen's kind of wisdom, without knowing her true motive. She glanced at the king, believing that the king also knows what is hidden behind Darina's identity. After all, they had encountered that tiger symbol during the times that King Rashal has to march southwards to bring more forces to his royal father. Queen Mariam remembers how the owner of this mysterious symbol offered refuge for their near-death expedition. In Queen Mariam's thoughts, Darina is perhaps the token of brotherhood between the kingdom of the mysterious symbol and the kingdom of Clapestris.

After the arguments, the ceremony continued with its final part.

"We heard the names of these children and their future with Clapestris prevail. I offer you a drink, for my beloved son and the doted Darina," King Rashal brought up his golden cup.

His people followed and spoke their blessings altogether.

"Long live the triumphant king of Clapestris. Prince Thariem, the heavens favored us with your birth. Let wisdom and bravery be your swords. Lady Darina, doted by the Majesties. You are named as bliss, bringing paradise in his kingship. May the children help each other like siblings for the sake of the kingdom. Prosperity and vitality be with them."