The sound of a toddler's laughter echoed through the halls of Bluerive Palace, filling the air with joy and happiness. Inside one of the palace's elegant rooms, Audrey, the esteemed diplomat sent by Riz spent the remaining of her time in the North by playing with Benjamin.
The young prince's infectious laughter harmonized with Audrey's cheerful demeanour, creating a heartwarming symphony of delight.
Audrey's eyes sparkled with delight as she and Benjamin exchanged laughter and giggles.
She had quickly formed a special bond with the young prince, and their friendship blossomed with each visit she made to the palace.
As Audrey expertly built a tower of wooden blocks, Benjamin clapped his tiny hands, his laughter echoing through the halls. His contagious joy filled the space, and even the diligent maid watching over them couldn't help but smile at the heartwarming scene before her.
The maid, dressed in her uniform, stood nearby, discreetly observing the two friends while ensuring their safety. Her presence was unobtrusive, like a silent guardian, ready to assist whenever needed.
Amidst the playfulness, another figure graced the room with her presence. Reina, Benjamin's mother, watched the scene with a smile of genuine happiness.
Her son, who had no playmates of his age within the palace, had formed an unexpected but delightful friendship with the visiting diplomat.
Audrey's presence had breathed new life into Benjamin's daily routine, and the joy that radiated from his face brought immeasurable delight to his mother's heart.
However, Reina was aware that her son's joy would come to an end today.
After taking a wistful look beyond the window, Audrey slowly stood up. She had cherished every moment spent playing with Benjamin, and the impending farewell weighed upon her heart.
Benjamin, who was engrossed in their game, grew confused by Audrey's action. His innocent eyes searched for an explanation. "Whewe awe you going, Audwey?" he asked, emphasizing the name with his endearing mispronunciation.
Audrey sighed softly, knowing the time had come for her to bid farewell to her young friend. "My little buddy, Benjamin, it's time for me to go home," she said, her voice filled with warmth and affection.
"Home? South?" Benjamin asked, his mind connecting the dots based on their previous conversation about where Audrey came from.
Audrey nodded with a soft smile. "Yes, south," she confirmed, gently brushing a lock of hair away from Benjamin's forehead.
His young face scrunched up, Benjamin looked up at her with a pout. "But I want you to stay and pway with me," he said, his voice tinged with sadness.
"I'm sorry, Benjamin, but I can't," Audrey replied, "I promise if I ever come to the north again, I will visit you."
Benjamin, on the verge of crying, clung tightly to Audrey's leg, not wanting her to leave. His tiny hands reached out, desperately seeking the comfort of her presence. But his mother, Reina, quickly stepped in, swooping him up into her arms to soothe him.
"There, there, my little prince," Reina cooed, rocking Benjamin gently. "Audrey will be back to visit, won't you, Audrey?"
Audrey smiled through the hint of sadness in her eyes. "Of course, I promise," she reassured him, stroking his soft cheek with affection.
As Reina continued to comfort Benjamin, Audrey knew it was time to say her goodbyes. She gently disentangled herself from Benjamin's grasp, trying to keep a brave front despite her own emotions.
"Thank you for your hospitality, Your Highness," Audrey said to Reina, her voice filled with genuine gratitude. "I have cherished every moment spent with Benjamin."
Reina smiled warmly, acknowledging the genuine connection that had formed between her son and the diplomat. "You've brought him so much joy, Audrey," she said. "We'll be looking forward to your next visit."
With a heavy heart, Audrey nodded. "I will cherish the memories we've made here," she said softly, glancing one last time at the room filled with laughter and happiness.
As she left the room, Audrey couldn't help but feel a sense of longing. The sound of a toddler's laughter had brightened and warmed her days in the cold north, and now that she was departing, she felt a mixture of happiness for the time spent and sadness for the parting.
Walking down the grand stairs of the palace, Audrey stumbled upon two men. One was Prince Baldwin, a familiar face she had encountered during her diplomatic duties. The other was a man she had never seen before, his presence exuding an air of authority.
"Oh, Miss Audrey! How lucky to meet you here. Are you on your way returning to Ryntum?" Prince Baldwin inquired, a warm smile on his face.
"Yes, Prince Baldwin," Audrey replied, offering a polite nod of greeting.
"Good, good," Prince Baldwin said while nodding repeatedly. "Let your king know about the treaty as soon as possible."
"That's my intention, Your Highness," Audrey affirmed, understanding the importance of the treaty and the need to inform Riz promptly.
"By the way," Prince Baldwin then spoke up, "Allow me to introduce him to you, Miss Audrey. This is Duke Percival Klover."
"Nice to meet you, Duke Klover."
The Duke doesn't respond to her greeting but instead, looked at her with anger in his eyes.
His action caused Audrey to be taken aback by his intense glare, not understanding the reason for his displeasure.
Unbeknownst to her, Duke Percival Klover was Sarika's father, the Barlian lieutenant general who had been captured during the war.
He had come to the capital to lodge a complaint about his daughter's capture and to urge the prince to launch a raid on the prison island to free her.
However, his plan had been rejected, leaving him frustrated and determined to persuade the prince to change his mind.
On the other side, Audrey was completely unaware of the Duke's identity or his connection to Sarika. She was not familiar with the specific details of every captured Barlian officer.
As the air become increasingly tense, Prince Baldwin stepped in to ease the atmosphere. "Duke Percival, Audrey here is a diplomat from Ryntum," he explained, "She plays a crucial role in fostering relations between our kingdoms."
Audrey nodded respectfully, trying her best to remain composed despite the Duke's obvious displeasure. "Indeed, Your Grace," she said, choosing her words carefully. "I am here to work towards promoting understanding and cooperation between our nations."
The conversation continued briefly, with Prince Baldwin attempting to steer the discussion towards more neutral topics.
However, knowing that Audrey needed to depart that day, he eventually interjected, "Audrey, you are free to take your leave. I understand that you're scheduled to depart today."
Audrey smiled gratefully at Prince Baldwin, acknowledging his understanding. "Thank you, Your Highness," she replied, feeling relieved that the tension was slowly dissipating. "I will make my way back to Ryntum and inform King Rizieri of the treaty as soon as possible."
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