Chapter 2

  The Quest Begins

  In the grand hall, surrounded by officials and advisors, the King's announcement hung heavily in the air. He had boldly declared his quest for a suitable bride, but now, as the weeks passed without a single proposal from any of the noble families, a strange realization began to sink in: no one seemed even remotely eager to present a daughter. Not a single noblewoman, despite the allure of becoming Queen, dared to present herself. The King's stringent requirements, coupled with his extreme strictness, had effectively scared off every eligible noble in the kingdom.

  The King furrowed his brow as he mulled over the situation. Were the noble houses in his vast Kingdom truly unable to offer such a worthy bride? Was this kingdom really devoid of one woman who could rise to the task? His posture stiffened, as his thoughts were in turmoil over the situation. "Fine," the King muttered aloud, turning toward his advisors, "if the nobles will not offer up a bride, then I will find one among the commoners. And they all will have to bow to the commoner who will be my queen.”

  The room fell silent. The thought of the royal bloodline—one of unmatched pride and grandeur—entertaining such an idea was almost sacrilegious. Yet, no one dared to speak against the King’s proclamation.

  "We shall announce it widely," he said, with a grim determination. "All women of the Matgrail Kingdom may put forth their names if they believe they can meet my needs. And make sure to plainly state that the King is especially interested in a commoner. I would like to see how the nobles would react to such a blow to their dignity"

  The next few days saw the proclamation spreading, heralding a new, wide-reaching opportunity for women everywhere to become the Queen. But despite the King’s generous shift in eligibility, a subtle unease spread like wildfire across the land. The common folk, though not bound by the noble title, knew the reputation of their sovereign. King Alex had built his entire reign upon strength and infallibility. If anyone could command greatness, it was him—so surely, the woman he sought had to match that strength. Some may had dared to think of their ability to match his greatness but the list was just a letdown. No one could possibly meet such requirements.

  Hence, on that very day after the announcement from the palace was made many well-meaning individuals spread the warning to all: If banishment is not your portion, do not apply. This information spread like wildfire across the land. It was not that they were going against the king’s proclamation, of course not! They were only giving a warning of an undisclosed application but everyone knew what those words meant. Well, even without the warning it was common knowledge that no commoner in their right mind would even consider applying for such a daunting position. But they just had to send the warning to save any who may have dared to have the thought.

  "Not even one brave soul?" King Alex muttered to himself, eyes scanning the massive chamber as if he could find the answer in the polished marble floors. The royal advisors stood at attention, their faces a blend of confusion and deep concern as they quietly debated whether or not it was safe to interrupt the King’s monologue. "Not a single noble?" King Alex's voice, uncharacteristically pleading, rang out.

  A heavy sigh from one of the advisers broke the eerie quiet. “Not a single one, Your Majesty,” the adviser ventured carefully. “They... they’ve read the requirements, and...” His voice trailed off, not daring to continue.

  King Alex’s shoulders sagged dramatically. His eyebrows twitched in exasperation. “And it seems the kingdom’s youth have no courage! How can they not wish to be my queen?” he pondered aloud, though it was quite clear who the real problem was in this scenario.

  “Well, Your Majesty,” another brave advisor spoke hesitantly, not looking up from his hands. “It’s just that, uh, most of your requests... they are a little... um, unusual.” He glanced nervously at his colleagues, but their collective silence only confirmed that he was the one walking the fine line between diplomacy and disaster.

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  “I require a perfect bride!” King Alex announced, his voice sharp with a blend of frustration and resolve. “Someone with the laugh of a tinkling bell, who knows three instruments and has a scar,” he demonstrated on his wrist with emphasis, "just large enough to prove adventure!" He glanced at the advisor again. “Is this so much to ask?!”

  Uhhh, yes it is and it is a very weird combination of character, the advisor thought. Everyone wondered how he could not see the error in his expectations.

  The advisor looked around, waiting for the others to offer support, but all eyes seemed to linger on him. Swallowing his fear, he said cautiously, “Your Majesty... maybe it’s not the lack of courage. Perhaps it’s the lack of perfection.”

  Alex sighed, he hadn’t expected this—hadn’t imagined that his kingdom would be so disheartened by his offer.

  It was a stinging blow to his pride. No matter how magnificent the kingdom was, how magnificent he was, no one thought themselves or their daughters worthy. Was it really his demands as this clearly frightened adviser proposed? Was he too high in his expectations? Or was shy and needed him to come find her?

  It was then, in a rare moment of silence and deep reflection, that the King understood the scope of the issue. “I think you are right. I don’t think its them. It is be me.” All the officials in the throne room where in shock and immediately fell into ecstatic joy. They all gave the brave advisor approving glances and he was proud of himself and his courage. Some began to have the slight thought that he might change his requirements and actually find a bride. But their hopes were short-lived for the king had a different plan on solving the issue. Not one so simple as any official could imagine. He was the king afterall, he had to do all he could to find his queen. Though he had many options he believed that there was only one thing left to do.

  He reasoned that the position could well be handled either by a commoner or a noble. Though it would be very unlikely for her to be a noble if she was to have a scar to prove that she had an adventurous spirit. And it was unlikely for her to be a commoner if she could play at least three instruments. He weighed the balance and decided that one could be taught to have some of his requirments but the other must have some of these requirements from within. So, he decided to go for the one that was more suitable for his needs, though he would have a lot of sacrifices. But he did not care. For Alex was actually tender hearted and he yearned to have a queen beside him. He did no mind to go to any length to find her. He really desired to give and feel loved.

  The King of Matgrail would forsake his royal title and travel into the heart of his kingdom as one of the common folk. No throne, no power, no crown. Just him, walking among those who had neither the wealth nor the title. If no noble daughter dared to step forward, how could a common girl, she must be shy.

  It was absurd, it was unthinkable. Yet somehow, it felt right. If Matgrail harbored the shy woman who could rise to such monumental heights, then he would be the one to find her. Not through the eyes of royalty, not as a king waiting in the safety of his castle, but as a simple man who she didn’t need to be shy with. He would go to her level and become the one who would search beyond any walls of status and title just to be with her.

  After his deep thought, Alex rose from the throne as if to give a decree. The advisors and officials all felt a chill in their back as the King was about to announce his new decision. It was no surprise, considering the how unpredictable his recent decisions have left them speechless. The king was indeed wise in every matter but love. He made his pronouncement, "If no one in my own royal court will rise to the occasion, I shall go out and find my bride myself. While nodding, “She is only shy, hence she is a commoner and I will find her."

  Everyone in the room thought with confusion, how did he get to that conclusion?

  “But—Sire… perhaps there is another way?” one advisor whispered frantically, but no one could stop the storm that was unfolding.

  His mind was set. But deep down, this wasn’t only about finding a bride—it was about answering his own heart. As much as Alex loved power, he yearned for love to come from somewhere pure. A perfect marriage.

  No one understood his list of demands for a wife. No one knew why every point in his list was mandatory. But in his heart, they weren’t absurd—they were absolutely necessary.

  Alex had longed, deep inside, for one he could cherish and love—one that would meet those criteria, because he believed that he would love her only if she had every one of those requirements.

  The people would never understand why he couldn’t simply take “almost.” He wasn’t a heartless tyrant—far from it! Alex wanted love and affection. He only thought that it was to be found with the woman who perfectly matched him by everything in his list. It wasn’t arrogance, it was dedication.

  So, there he was, preparing to become a “commoner.” His mind was set. Somewhere in Matgrail, his diamond in the rough awaited—and he would not rest until he found her.