The Moonstone Blade : Revenge of the Abused Princess

A Faraway Home

For any royals to leave the Palace for extended periods of time, taking permission from the King was required. Ayana knew that if she went in person her work would be done faster as her father did not mind having his work or rest interrupted by his children. But she dreaded setting foot inside the Royal palace. It would be almost impossible without breaking down. 

She was lounging in the sun room of the Rose Palace, enjoying a bit of calm before her life becomes a race against time. She had been carefully extracting details from people around her about Military movements and Politics of the country and surrounding kingdoms to gauge around what was going on. But she had to be extremely cautious with her actions because it would look suspicious if the ten year old Princess was suddenly interested in extreme issues like that. 

The book she was currently reading was an abridged version of constitutional laws of the country. That might come out helpful later on.

She had assumed that it might take a day or two for her father to allow it but she had not been expecting to have her visit permitted in the afternoon itself, let alone, in the form of her older brother, the First Prince of the country, Richard Alois Ruvesta. 

When Martha had announced her Brother’s arrival, Ayana had scrambled out of her chair and hid the law book behind one of the flower pots and picked up some kind of Novel Risa had brought for her. 

“Greetings to the First Star of the Kingdom.” She greeted in all courtesy when her brother entered the room, not raising her head up to take a few moments to school her features to not let the swarming mess of feelings inside her show on her face. 

“It’s fine. Raise your head up Ayana.” 

Quick to dismiss her greeting, he sat on the seats provided and gestured for her to sit as well. 

“How have you been? I have heard that you have not been feeling well in the past two days.” 

She hated how thick the worry in his voice was. It made her want to launch her into his arms and sob her eyes out. But her resentment allowed her to steel herself. She finally met his eyes and internally flinched at how young he looked. The man she had hated for not fighting harder for her in the beginning was barely a fifteen year old. He still had the slight baby fat on his cheeks and none of the weight on his shoulders that came when you’re forced to choose between your country, your father and brother and your little sister. 

She remembered Richard had been impassive and neutral about sending her to Bekadna Empire at first but after he had learned of the ill treatment she was facing there, he had been one of the first and strongest forces alongside Ryan to rally against Bekadna in a futile attempt to get her back. And it was this attack that was seen as the act of defiance and used as an excuse to destroy Ruvesta later.

Richard was badly injured during the last stages of the war and it had flipped the coin into Bekadna’s favour when he was whisked away to Emerald palace for healing, only to be murdered later. 

“I’ve been alright brother. It was nothing serious.”

“I wanted to send the royal physician for you but Martha assured me that it was nothing to worry about.” 

“She was right. But thank you for worrying about me, Brother Richard. Oh, would you like tea? The Rose Palace just gave harvested blue pea flowers.”

“I’d like to.” He smiled softly.

A silence settled over them as Martha left to brew them beverages. 

“So, why to Duchess Evanti, all of sudden?” He asked, leaning back in his chair. 

“I was just really missing her, that’s all.” 

Not to mention that she was the only person who could save her and help her to get out of this mess.

Richard hummed at her answer as Martha returned with the deliciously brewed tea. They enjoyed it in silence when Richard offhandedly mentioned, “Are you not a bit too young for that novel?”

He gestured to the novel she had picked up in haste to hide her law book. “Why?”

She was hoping that her brother would not ask any questions about the book because she had no idea what it was about.

“No, it's just...that it contains a few difficult concepts that you are too young to understand.”

Ayana had to bite the inside of her cheek to hold back a smile because mentally, she was older than her brother by more than a few years. She just had to remind herself that her older brother was just looking after his ten years old sister. 

Ayana told him that she had just started the book so she was not deep enough in it. He recommended some easier ones and she remembered that she had read most of them in her previous life. He stayed for half an hour more before deciding that it was time for him to leave and she let him know that she had received an okay from the Duchess already which he nodded to and handed her the letter of permission. She thanked him for his time when he started to leave. He was halfway through the door and he visibly hesitated and looked over his shoulder. 

“Ayana...I’m not sure, but I think something is bothering you.” His words made her stiffen as she stared at him with wide eyes. He let out a sigh and continued, “If you want to talk, your brother is right here.”

Those were the last words before he walked out and Ayana collapsed on the sofa, tears gathering in her eyes because as much as she hated to admit her brother sounded sincere. She wanted to hold on to her grudges but Richard was the only person who might have wronged her but had done his absolute best to make it right when he realized his mistake.   

When Martha requested to enter, she quickly wiped her eyes from the back of her hand and announced that she would retire to her chambers for the rest of the day. 

The next day was the day of departure and they had decided to leave soon after breakfast. Ayana walked around lethargically doing routines because sleep had not been coming easy to her. It was plagued by constant nightmares. 

“Are you alright, Princess?” Martha furrowed her brows, “We can postpone travelling by a few days if you wish.”

“No!” Ayana jumped up from the seat, “I think I will find myself in better health once I am out of here.”

Martha tilted her head to a side, staring at Ayana curiously which made her shrink. Sensing her discomfort Martha backed away. “As you wish, your highness.”

Yesterday her brother had noted her different behavior in a meeting of less than an hour so did that mean Martha had noticed something off about her as well?

“Martha?”

“Yes your highness?”

“Uh, do you think I’ve been behaving differently lately?”

That made Martha stop arranging her belongings and look up at Ayana directly.

“Why would you question something like that?”

Under Martha’s intense scrutiny, she fisted her skirt. “I just...yesterday Brother said something like that so…”

Martha smiled somberly. “You have been behaving differently since the day you woke up from that nightmare. I’m not sure what changed, but you’re behaving less like a child with each passing day.”

“You did not mention anything?”

“Did you want me to?”

Ayana knew that she did not. Thinking about it was painful and if Martha would have mentioned it...it would have not ended well for either of them.

But she thought Martha deserved to know the truth. 

“Someday,” she clutched Martha’s hand firmly in her small ones, “Or maybe soon enough, I’ll let you know what changed.”

Martha smiled kindly. 

“Of course, your highness. I’ll wait for you to settle down.”

...

The ride to Evanti’s estate spanned for the entirety of two days but was blissfully uneventful. Martha was sitting in front of her in the carriage with a small notebook working on god knows what And Ayana felt her mind run a mile a minute making plans about how to handle what comes next. 

Adira Daphne Evanti, wife of Duke Evanti and one of the most prominent powers of the kingdom. But her marital status itself, is not only what makes Duchess Evanti the most powerful woman in the country of Ruvesta. 

Duchess’ maiden name was Adira Daphne Vivianak, the same as the deceased Queen’s. They both were the daughters of Vivianak family - Marquis territory of Viviana. The Vivianaks were known for their military and strategic fortitude , and her grandfather was the famed general of Ruvesta who was later succeeded by his grandson who was also Adira’s brother.  

Adira was the older cousin of the Queen by barely three years. Both girls had starkly different personalities.

Ayana’s mother, the Queen - Briana Isa Vivinak, had been a social butterfly since her debut, attracting all kinds of people with her powerful charisma, her cousin Adira was just opposite. She was elusive, limiting social connections to a small circle of people and preferred to be called by her middle name “Daphne” by her loved ones. Another thing that separated Adira from other women of those times was her immense interest in Swordsmanship and archery and desire to become the country's knight. 

Most people expected friction between two women but were honestly surprised that both cousins loved each other like sisters. 

Briana adored her sister’s strengths and really wanted to see her be knighted. She had presented a strong and passionate case about how women could be knights as good as men if they were given the chance. Her intelligence and sense of integrity had endeared her to the newly crowned young King and this is how Briana Isa Vivianak was crowned as the new Queen - Briana Isa Ruvesta. 

Briana’s efforts were not in vain and Adira had been given a chance to prove her skills. The people who had witnessed the entire ordeal still shudder remembering how a young noblewoman had beaten some of the most elite knights of the country effortlessly with her immense skills surprising everyone except for her sister. 

King had proudly declared Adira Daphne Vivianak as the winner of those battles and granted her Knighthood. Daphne was knighted in a grand ceremony by the Queen herself and people had shed tears in the beautiful moment of sisterhood. Later she married Duke Evanti who fell head over heels for her after her display of strength. She had given birth to a son around a year after Richard Alois Ruvesta, heir to the throne, was born.

After the young Queen’s unexpected death, Duchess Evanti had taken to looking after her sister’s three children as their Godmother and had done an admirable job. Her feats and her love for the Queen's children made her popular among people and she took on the attention bravely to keep her young charges away from prying eyes. 

Ayana remembers, the woman had fought tooth and nail to stop the King from sending her niece to Bekadna Empire arguing that Ayana was more than a bargaining chip to trade away for desired results and mediation. It had ended badly. King had to chuck off a large share of Evanti’s power despite his reluctance because of the aristocratic faction. He understood the anger and hesitation of Evanti family but had no other choice but to do it to keep the country safe.

Three years after she had become Emperor’s concubine, her Aunt had passed away after an illness that had destroyed the Evanti region.  

“Your highness, we’re here.” Martha’s voice cut through her train of thoughts and Ayana excitedly poked her head out of the carriage was Evanti’s summer mansion came into view. She had spent a large part of her life in this place and had so many fond memories. 

As the carriage came to a stop, Ayana flung open the door despite Martha’s protests and it was no surprise that Duchess Evanti, herself, was standing at the entrance to welcome her.

“Greetings to the Kingdom’s star.” She bowed, dressed in a navy blue gown with simple frills, her dark brown hair pulled into a bun and hazel eyes that looked like beautifully tinted glass in sunlight.

“Greetings to Duchess Evanti.” 

The older woman smiled, her lips turning into an arch and her eyes crinkled.

“Now that we are done with the formalities--” She opened her arms, “-why don’t you give a hug to your aunt?” 

Ayana launched herself in her motherly embrace, soaking in all the love and affection the woman was pouring out on her. She left a lump in her throat and her eyes burned as she buried her face in her Aunt’s waist, feeling safe for the first time in a long while. 

Aunt Daphne would protect her. 

“I missed you.” Ayana murmured in her Aunt’s dress, her voice choked as she tried her best to hold back the impending tears. For a second she hoped her Aunt had not heard her, had not seen her weak and pathetic self but then she felt a hand gently cradling the back of her head and the voice she had longed to hear for so long whispered back, “I missed you too.”

And the relief she felt at those words was like she had felt never before.

Everything was going to be alright now. Maybe it was not that easy but Ayana was willing to work and knew Aunt Daphne would guide her through it by the hand if the need came to be.

“Let us go inside, little one. I’m sure we have much to talk about.”

Ayana nodded and separated from her Aunt discretely wiping her hand over her eyes and then looked up to see her Aunt holding out a hand to her. 

Ayana blushed but took her with no reluctance, returning the soft smile the old woman offered her as they marched back inside together.