The next day in the hall, Claes and Taddeus were staring at each other. Claes looked into Taddeus' eyes seriously. Tad didn't understand so he feels awkward with Claes.

"Uhm... sorry prince, why are you looking at me like this? Is there something wrong with my face?"

"Hmm... It's weird, I don't feel any particular feelings toward Taddeus. But why with him, why do my feelings difficult to describe?" Thought Claes.

"Prince? Can you hear me?" asked Taddeus.

"Oh... Sorry. sorry, Tad. Does your face still hurt due to I hit you that time?"

"No problem, prince. It's nothing for me."

" Sorry Tad, I can't control my emotions."

Taddeus just smile.

"Anyway, please do not call me prince if just two of us. Can you call me the name only? After all, since childhood, we played together."

"B-but... prince..."

" No need to be formal like that. Until now, you are brother, family, and friends for me."

"Hah... Well, Claes." Sighed Taddeus with a warm smile on his face that did seem like a big brother to prince Claes.

Then Claes hugged," Thanks, Tad. You always support me."

Taddeus was startled, then he also put his arm around Claes' shoulders.

"With all my honors that I could give."

Taddeus out of the hall. Behind the door, he touches the face where Claes hit before. Then, he muttered, " At that time he was serious. How could he be like that towards someone he just met even with an unequal social status?"

********

Elsewhere, in the morning, the soldiers were training in the courtyard including Ryan.

"I did not expect again to enter the kingdom. "Uwwooow," said Ryan enthusiastic as a cheerful person. "This is the first step, I can't waste it."

"Attention everyone." The loud voice of the commander. All becomes quiet.

"The practice ends here. Because we will be the arrival of the princess from the neighbor kingdom. You will be assigned to welcome her along the entrance to the palace hall."

After the knight left, the warriors were excited, "Wow, finally there is a beautiful figure in the kingdom."

"It's fair for them to overreact. Because the queen of this kingdom is gone. What kind of a royal princess is she?" Ryan muttered.

******

At noon, the beautiful royal chariot was pulled by two purebred horses. Accompanied by his two knights on the left and right sides of the golden chariot.

"I can't wait to meet prince Claes." Her joy shine through her sparkling eyes as she looked at the street outside. Her beautiful smile adorns her face. The golden chariot entered the gate and stopped in front of the palace. The princess got off the golden chariot, led by one of her knights. Then they were greeted by the knights and warriors lined up on both sides.

Ryan saw the elegance of the princess and in Ryan's mind,

"Let's welcome the Princess......" A loud voice was spoken by the knight.

"She is Princess Eudora," Ryan muttered with his eyes fixed on the princess.

******

In the palace, the king approached the princess.

"Greetings my respects to Your Majesty." Greet Eudora to the king.

"It's been a long time since you do not visit here. What about the condition of your kingdom?"

"People live in prosperity and well-being. Likewise, parents are in good condition. I missed this palace. Now, I can visit because I have been allowed to go out of the palace, Your Majesty."

"Hahaha. Good... good... Please enjoy and don't hesitate. I hope the princess feels comfort while staying here."

"Thank you for your generosity, Your Majesty, I will remember the service provided by this kingdom and I also hope that someone from the kingdom will visit our palace in return."

"Princess does not need to feel shy. You must be tired of a long journey. Palace maid, please take the princess to her room. Give the best service."

"Yes, Your Majesty. Come this way, princess."

"I permission first, Your Majesty," said the princess as she bowed.

They walked through the corridor with the pillars standing firmly. The ornaments on the royal walls show a magnificent palace and flowers that are pleasing to the eye.

"I haven't been here in a long time. I miss it." Eudora muttered. "Maid, where is the prince? I haven't seen him yet?"

"He went riding with other knights, Princess. He'll be back later."

"Hmm... Alright."

The father of Princess Eudora is a close friend of Demetria King. Before the arrival of Princess Eudora, a messenger has been sent to give the news that within a few days princess will visit and then was approved by the king of the Demetria, Claes's father.

"This is room, Princess. Please take a rest. For the knights, please follow me."

"Thank you," replied Eudora.

The princess entered her beautiful room which was reserved for her. She goes straight to the balcony to see the view.

"Ah ... The scenery is beautiful."

Knock... Knock... Knock... The sound of knocking on the door...

"Excuse me, princess. It's a little snack."

" Yes, please come in. "

"Please enjoy, lady."

The maid left the princess alone. She enjoyed the tea while seeing the scenery outside. It seems the cavalry entourage entered the courtyard. The princess saw it and realized that the one at the front was the prince. She put down the teacup. When she was about to leave the room, she looked in the mirror first to ensure her appearance looked elegant. And then, she rushed downstairs to meet him.

The princess walked fast. All the palace maids bowed when they saw her. The prince got off his horse and intended to enter the palace and just then, the princess called him, "Prince Claes!!" The people there also turned and saw the figure of this beautiful princess, including Taddeus who was beside the prince. Claes with a confused look on his face keep thinking about her. Who is a beautiful lady? Then he muttered with a little hesitation, "Eudora... Princess Eudora?"

The princess nodded her head and showed her happy face because the prince still remembered her name. "Yes, I'm Eudora. We haven't seen each other in a long time."

The prince greeted her warmly, "Yes. It's been a long time. I'll take you in."

But the princess shook her head and replied, " Please take me around the castle on your horse. If you don't mind."

Claes turned to his knights and Taddeus answered him silently with a smile.

Eudora noticed Taddeus and guess, "Ah ... you Taddeus who usually together with the prince in childhood and we play together?"

"It's an honor the princess still recognizes me."

Eudora shook her head "Hmmm... I almost didn't recognize it. Because you are now looking more dashing."

"Thanks for the compliment, Princess," replied Taddeus glad as he blushed.

Claes nodded at Eudora as a sign of agreeing to go around the castle.

*********

Meanwhile, Ryan was resting on the field, he saw them both riding together. The joy burst on their faces. Then, the soldier next to Ryan said, "They're a great couple, aren't they?"

I was a little surprised because too fixated on them without paying attention to my surroundings. "Ah.... yes," I replied. But in my mind, I was envious of the princess. I just imagined, "Why didn't I be born like her? Ouch. What am I thinking? You can't be like that, Ryan." I advise myself.

**********

Princess Eudora hugged the prince's waist. Claes was only surprised for a moment and then asked, "When did you arrive?" asked Claes while occasionally looking back.

"Just now the king has welcomed me. While I was resting in my room, I saw the prince and rushed here. We used to walk around like this when we were little but on foot. He-he..."

"Yes. You still remember."

"Your appearance is like a girl in the past. Now you have grown up as a dashing prince as well as Taddeus."

"You are too flattering, Princess. Likewise, with the princess whose beauty is admirable."

Her feelings became flowery, then asked, "Do you remember the conversation we had when we were little?"

"Which one, Princess?"

"I used to say that I want to be your wife when I grow up."

Claes paused for a moment in surprise at what Princess Eudora said.

"Sorry Princess, maybe it's too early to think about that because I'm a young prince who still has a lot to learn."

While leaning his head on Claes' back.

"I appreciate you, Princess. We'll see later because I can't decide now." Claes answered like this to avoid it subtly.

Claes is 25 years old while Eudora is 22 years old. Eudora is feeling sad, but she couldn't force him.

********

In the palace hall when the royal members are having a banquet.

"Let's have a toast. It is an honor for a princess who is called the most beautiful in her country to visit our kingdom," said Sir Dion.

"Yeah." The king nodded in agreement.

"Considering the age of the prince who is getting older and there is a candidate now, how about we get them married?" said another.

Everyone was shocked, including Taddeus who was there, except for the king.

"Good idea," said the king, "In this way, our strength and power will be wider. Not only gorgeous but also knowledgeable. It's the best gift for our kingdom."

"You are praising too much, Your Majesty," Eudora replied.

"That's if Princess Eudora is willing," Answered Dion.

"But Your Majesty, it's too early for me. I still want to learn and work for the people directly," Prince Claes said.

"What are you waiting for prince? Otherwise, he can marry another prince," said another.

Eudora saw the face of the prince who did not agree with this matchmaking and said, "I will wait. Wait until the prince is ready. I think he also needs to gain more experience so that he can become king in the future." Eudora said this with a smile that turned to Claes. Claes who heard it was relieved.

"All right then. We don't have to think about it too much. Now enjoy the meal." Welcome the king.

After returning from the banquet, Claes headed to his room to rest. "Sorry, Eudora. Right now, I'm more interested in other people." As he lay down and covered his eyes with his arms, "Ah... What's wrong with me? Why do I think about Ryan?"