Her name is Asa. She is the twin younger sister of Pars crown prince, Arslan, meaning she is the princess of Pars Kingdom. Born as twins, the two have very similar features; same blue eyes, same eyelashes, same fair skin, and even their facial expre...
"I do still feel a bit lightheaded..." Asa closed her eyes again, sighing, "Then I will be in your care, Daryun."
"Yes, leave it to me." Daryun's words were the last thing she heard before drifting off into a dreamless sleep.
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The next time Asa woke up was because Daryun finally stopped alongside the other soldiers. She quickly learned from him that they would rest for lunch there and continue their march by noon. He still refused to put her down until they arrived at the crown prince's side.
"Thank you, Daryun." Asa sheepishly muttered, soon sitting beside her smiling brother. Daryun nodded back with a smile and took a seat himself next to Arslan's right with his other vassals. Bahar was also there, welcoming him and Asa.
Arslan happily thanked Daryun and next was about to greet Asa when he suddenly got elbowed by her in his upper arm, followed by her scolding, "Geez, you could have just wake me! Then Daryun wouldn't have to carry me all the way here!"
"I guess I deserve this," Arslan rubbed his aching arm, half-whining and half-smiling as Asa puffed her red cheeks and crossed her arms. "Am I glad to see you have recovered. Do you remember anything?"
"Nope," Asa replied nonchalantly, taking a glass that Bahar had made sure to be filled with water and sipping it, "I remember drinking nabeed, though... wait, did I do weird things after that?" asked her worriedly.
"Oh no, you didn't do anything weird whatsoever," Arslan chuckled, recalling the small incident where she directly insulted Rajendra. For some reason now he found that incident very amusing, and not only him his vassals actually thought the same, "Unless that... but I don't think that's a weird thing."
"Ehh, why'd I do? Tell me!" Asa protested, clinging to his arm and swaying it back and forth. This act had promptly made everyone in their little circle crack into laugh and when Arslan also laughed instead of answering her, she pouted again.
They had lunch together after that. As soon as Narsus had finished his serving, he wordlessly went away with a canvas and brush in hand. "Is he going to paint? Now of all times?" Asa thought aloud, curious.
"It seems the foreign scenery has inspired his artistic heart," Elam explained as he tidied up Narsus' plates, "He also takes his brush when he is thinking. He must be planning our next move!"
"How good is he?" Farangis wondered and was added by Gieve, who said, "You haven't seen his art, Farangis-dono? Well neither have I but if he aims to be a painter he must be rather skilled, don't you think so?"
For some reason Asa sensed sudden gloom around Arslan and Daryun after Gieve's comment.
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"Oh, please! It's Narsus, even his art must be amazing!" she heard Alfarid's cheery remark after that, "I hope he'll paint a portrait of me!"
"You truly know no fear, don't you..." Daryun mumbled, receiving a head tilt from Alfarid. This comment made Asa's curiosity peaked, and finally couldn't contain it any longer she stood up, beaming, "I want to see the art of the man who will become court painter!"
