Chapter 48: Purple Sapphire Flower

  Amidst the commotion and hundreds of eyes fixed on Nitaan, he merely smiled slightly, seemingly unaffected, as if the entire spotlight wasn't on him.

  ‘Is this your doing?’ Niil's voice echoed in his mind.

  ‘It wasn't me,’ Nitaan replied with a smile.

  Nil didn't answer, simply turning back to his conversation with his companions at the banquet. Both Banphot and Salika clicked their tongues in annoyance, turning to talk to their own factions as if everything that had just happened was a minor occurrence.

  Princess Pailin, though outwardly calm, was deeply troubled. She didn't know what had happened, but she wasn't stupid. In fact, she was smarter than many here. She was certain it was Nitaan's doing. Not because she sensed anything, but because she sensed Nitaan's anger when Qianbao Yue insulted Kiita.

  And that surprised her even more than Nitaan's abilities.

  The young man in front of her, only a few years younger, appeared calm on the outside. Even when thrown into the cage of tigers and lions as before, he remained composed and responded intelligently. Even when cornered, he chose to accept the humiliation instead of fighting back.

  This calm, composed, and adept-at-reading-the-room person actually took an extremely risky move. He ambushed Qianbao Yue in front of all Enlighteneds, all to avenge his animal companion.

  What's even more terrifying is he actually succeeded.

  Just from what he is able to do, she was certain that Nitaan is exceptional. Maybe the best she had ever seen. Not only in abilities but also in mentality. Yet a man of his caliber actually did something as stupid as that.

  Princess Pailin grew increasingly perplexed. She grew up in a society of cutthroat competition. She was face-to-face with the harsh truth, ‘If you are useless, you are worthless’ every day of her life. Friendships were fleeting, ephemeral. It took her years to truly trust anyone, and even then, she had been betrayed by those she trusted. Trusting people was a painful experience for her.

  She trusted herself primarily. When powerless, she would utilize others, and she would repay everything she received when she regained her power. Therefore, she always chose the most suitable path in every situation to climb the ranks even without power, with the minimum requirement of never betraying who she held dear. And if possible, she would protect her people to the best of her ability.

  She knew herself well enough that she was quite contradictory. She loved the people whose names she didn't even know. She also willingly helped strangers, yet she found it hard to trust them.

  Princess Pailin believed that Nitaan is the same. Not in how they perceive the human mind, but in mindset. He doesn’t care how others judge him. He can be strong when needed, able to bow when the situation asks him to, capable of abandoning many things to reach a higher position, and willing to accept humiliation if it means a better outcome in the future.

  No, she 'used to' believe that Nitaan was like that.

  Nitaan's reactions and responses were so similar to her own. If she were in his situation, she would have chosen the same thing. She would rather bow her head and accept the misery herself than pass it on to her people.

  And Nitaan chose exactly as she suspected. That's why she believed they were alike.

  But everything changed in the blink of an eye. Just a single insult. No, it wasn't even an insult. Just a taunt to his animal companion. With just that, he transformed into a different person.

  He chose to take the most dangerous risks for a small moment of satisfaction. He became a vengeful person who sought revenge even for the smallest things, a completely different person from the calm and composed young man she knew before.

  Princess Pailin couldn't help but frown slightly. She disliked people like this. Vengeful and impatient, such people often had short-sighted futures and didn't think about those behind them.

  When humans acted on impulse and when emotions took over, they often forgot everything they once considered important.

  She had once found him interesting because of his brilliance and the recommendation from Colonel Lalanta, but now the image of him in her mind had plummeted.

  But she had to admit that the small act of retaliation had greatly improved her side's image.

  When I am strong, I won't be like him. I won't be intoxicated by my own power. I'll use my power only to protect.

  This small matter is just a pebble thrown into a lake, not worth paying attention to, Princess Pailin thought to herself.

  Yet, she was powerless. Because she was powerless, she could only think, only plan, only dream.

  But he isn’t. A sudden realization struck her. Princess Pailin bit her lip tightly, feeling utterly resentful of herself.

  This was the difference between him and her. She was yielding. She bore the expectations. She accepted the taunts. She bowed her head for the greater good. Not because she could, but because she had no choice. This was all she could do while striving with all her might to one day be strong.

  But he wasn't. He was yielding. He bore the expectations. He accepted the taunts. He bowed his head for the greater good. Not because he had no choice, but because he willingly did so after weighing the pros and cons. But once the line was crossed, he would no longer be yielding. His power was used for this.

  Then who am I to judge him? Princess clenched her fists.

  Just because he protected what he loved, I judged him as someone whose emotions override reason. Just because he didn't do what I thought, I judged him as someone who couldn't control himself.

  Princess Pailin's emotions were so turbulent that even Colonel Lalanta could sense it. Colonel Lalanta smiled slightly, her gaze fixed on Nitaan before turning back to Princess Pailin.

  Colonel Lalanta noticed the displeasure in Princess Pailin's gaze when she first looked at Nitaan. She observed how that look changed to confusion, then discomfort, and now to the present moment filled with guilt.

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  "Your Highness, would you like to go outside and get some fresh air with me?" Colonel Lalanta smiled.

  Princess Pailin turned her face away, regaining her composure. She suppressed the conflicting emotions in her mind, returning to the cheerful Princess Pailin she usually was.

  "It's alright, I'm fine, just a little tired," Princess Pailin smiled.

  "But I heard that the Purple Sapphire (Pailin) Flower in the palace gardens is in bloom. I've heard of the beauty of the palace gardens for a long time, and I hope Your Highness would do me the honor of showing me around. We still have plenty of time before the official banquet begins," Colonel Lalanta smiled faintly.

  Princess Pailin was slightly confused. Although she didn't know what Colonel Lalanta was thinking, she was sure that she might have something she wanted to say to her. She didn't refuse any further. With an official invite gesture, Colonel Lalanta walked away with Princess Pailin.

  “Nitaan, you go and get to know the others.” Colonel Lalanta instructed.

  “You will leave me here alone just like that?” Nitaan’s face fell.

  “Little one, come with me. I’ll introduce you to the supporters of the Fourth Princess,” Nil swiftly appeared, pulling Nitaan into the crowd.

  —————————————————————————————————————————————————

  In a small garden beside the grand palace, Colonel Lalanta and Princess Pailin stood on an exquisite marble balcony. Numerous deep and light purple flowers bloomed beautifully, basking in the soft white moonlight above, creating a breathtaking, dreamlike scene.

  Princess Pailin felt a sense of calm upon seeing this beautiful sight. She smiled faintly.

  “It’s truly as beautiful as the rumors say. I wonder how much care must be given to this palace garden to create such a magnificent scene. Maybe this is what the Land of Dreyfus looks like,” Colonel Lalanta smiled.

  “It’s not as difficult as you think,” Princess Pailin replied. "Purple Sapphires Flower are very resilient to heat and easy to care for. They don't require delicate attention."

  "But I've heard that making them bloom beautifully isn't easy at all," Colonel Lalanta replied.

  "Yes, Purple Sapphires Flower are indeed easy to care for and don't need much attention. They are resilient plants. However, if you want them to bloom beautifully, careful attention is essential. The amount of water, temperature, soil, and the fact that you must let them wilt first to shed the old leaves are all important." Princess Pailin explained. She often comes here to help the gardener take care of these flowers.

  Colonel Lalanta nodded. She held up one of Purple Sapphire Flower’s petals to admire it, then gently picked up another that had fallen to the ground.

  The petal in her hand had a beautiful, deep purple color. The darker the color, the older the flower. As the purple reflected the moonlight, the tip of the petal shimmered slightly, as if glowing.

  As for the other petal that she had picked up, it went black and wilted, yet still showed a shade of beautiful purple.

  Princess Pailin looked at the petal in Colonel Lalanta's hand with a smile.

  "No matter how strong they are, no matter how independent they may be, if they want to bloom, they must be cared for."

  "Receiving love, overcoming experiences, and discarding certain burdens. That's what it takes, isn't it?" Colonel Lalanta turned to look at Princess Pailin with a gentle smile. She offered the princess a Purple Sapphire Flower’s petal.

  Princess Pailin's smile froze, lacking its usual naturalness. She took the petal and inhaled its scent, then lowered her head, avoiding Colonel's gaze.

  All those talks, it wasn’t about flowers.

  After a long pause, she spoke.

  "And when will it all pass? When will I be able to discard these burdens?" Princess Pailin asked in a calm voice.

  Colonel Lalanta didn't answer, only gently stroked the girl's head.

  After a moment, Princess Pailin, who had been silent under Colonel Lalanta's warm touch, spoke again.

  "Nitaan…He is truly strong." Princess Pailin's calm voice trembled slightly.

  "He is just another flower that has weathered the storms. He was just able to endure till this day. After all, a storm is fated to go by.”

  "Today is also a storm that will go by. So that someday… another flower can bloom beautifully." Colonel Lalanta replied softly.

  "…. It's not the same. He has talent, but I don’t. All I have is this status. No matter how many storms go by…this flower won’t be able to bloom,” Princess Pailin whispered.

  "Your Highness has a family, a mother who loves you, people around you who are ready to help you, and countless people who care for you. Talent is never a condition for being strong. Grand Continent is always equal for all," Colonel Lalanta shakes her head.

  It was as if these comforting words had struck a deep wound in her heart. The gentleness that had coated her face instantly melted away.

  "Equal? ??Equal?! How could talented and strong people understand?! And how well do you even know me?!" Princess Pailin brushed Colonel Lalanta's hand away.

  "I love so many people in this kingdom! The old baker who always gives me delicious bread, the kind uncle who helps feed the orphans, the priest who cares for the homeless beasts, the healer who treats people without charging, all the children who smile when I play with them, the old people who greet me with a smile when I enter the city. I love them all! I want them to be happy!"

  Princess Pailin shouted, unable to contain her emotions. She liberated all traces of the false image and facade that made her a beloved Princess. She was completely oblivious to the delicate barrier surrounding them that had formed, shielding them from both sight and sound.

  Enlightened Sun Avatar turned to look at the empty space beside Pailin. A disturbance in that area vanishes when Colonel Lalanta smiles at it.

  “But what can I do? I try to bring many influential people to my side so they can cooperate in governing this kingdom! I try to befriend powerful Fate Scripter so that this kingdom can be peaceful! I try to create trade routes so that everyone can have enough to eat!”

  Princess's voice grew louder as she spoke, as if trying to release pent-up emotions.

  "That's all I can do! Rely on others!"

  "I know! I am a princess. I live luxurious lives! I know! I don't have to face the hardships many others face. Those around me love me, citizens love me because I try my best for them, and I love them because they also try their best for me. But so what! That's all I can do! Just try and try and try!”

  "Yet after all those efforts, the power to decide rests with others! It’s those who have power who get to decide! I can't decide anything because I have no power! All I have is this useless status!"

  A drop of clear water, beautifully reflecting the moonlight, gently fell to the ground. This drop held all of the pent-up emotions within the small body of her.

  Sadness, jealousy, stress, exhaustion, and most of all, anger. Anger at herself for lacking power and talent.

  "You who were born with talent wouldn't understand! I have to bear all this with a powerless body, doing everything I can to make the future better, but no matter what, it never seems enough, because power is everything!"

  She yelled and yelled. All of the pent-up emotions never seem to stop. Yet, Colonel Lalanta still listens closely. Her eyes look straight into Princess Pailin's beautiful pink eyes all this time. As if trying to understand what her soul wants to say.

  Princess Pailin knew she had been extremely rude. Colonel Lalanta only wanted to comfort her, but she exploded in anger at Colonel.

  She slowly gained her senses. Colonel Lalanta’s brown eyes still look straight at her.

  Pailin wiping away tears with both hands, her eyes red and teary. She bowed her head and apologized. Colonel Lalanta was one of her biggest supporters. She couldn't let this incident affect her factions.

  "I... I'm sorry for saying that. I was overwhelmed by my incompetence… that's why I spoke those words. I..." The princess stammered, tears still streaming down her flushed cheeks.

  Colonel Lalanta looked at the young girl with an impassive expression that Pailin was unable to read. She slowly raised one hand, startling Pailin.

  That hand then rose high before resting on her head, gently stroking it.

  "There you go again. As soon as you realize you've done something that doesn't match the image you've created, you quickly bow your head and apologize, taking all the blame yourself. You two are so alike. Don't children these days know how to be happy and silly like children anymore?" Colonel Lalanta smiled.

  "You're just children. Sometimes you can be mischievous, disobedient, naughty, or make mistakes. What's the harm in that?"

  "Since you're still a child, since you're powerless, is relying on others really that wrong?" Her hand gently stroked Princess's hair.

  She gently combs Pailin’s radiant red hair that has become messy with her hand. Colonel didn’t address Pailin as ‘Your Highness’ anymore, just a simple ‘you’.

  Princess fell silent. Although she was close to Colonel, this was the first time they had truly opened up to each other.

  "I am not a child anymore. I'm 24. I'm old enough to think about my own future," the princess argued.

  "And do you think life ends at 40? Just because you think you aren’t a kid anymore, does that mean you can't be happy? Does that mean you can't make mistakes?"

  Princess Pailin lowered her head in silence.

  "What you said is true. This world isn't kind to us simply because we're good people. That's why power is what allows us to script our own fate. That's why it's called Fate Scripting. If you want everything to go your way, then possess power and script it that way."

  Princess’s body trembles. Even though she knew the answer in her heart, hearing it again only made her more heartbroken.

  “I am talented, and so is Nitaan. I was born more talented than most, never losing to anyone my age. I grew up without obstacles, entered military academy, and quickly rose to become Colonel.” Colonel Lalanta smiled.

  Princess clenched her fists. She truly envied Colonel Lalanta. If only she possessed talent like her.

  “Although you and Nitaan share some similarities, you are still two different people. You are right, Nitaan is incredibly talented, even frighteningly so. In a few years, he will likely surpass me.”

  Princess Pailin nodded softly.

  “But the happiness he enjoys now, he created it himself. He is very different from you, Princess. You say you lack talent, yet the many people around you are willing to help you with all their heart.”

  “But Nitaan is different. He is truly talented, but he has no one.” Colonel Lalanta smiled sadly.