Xian

(Please read the prompt first, thank you. 🙇)

While your soldiers went home to each of their respective homes, you made your way to the palace, where your "gift" is waiting. You didn't want this but you serve the kingdom. In front of them, you knelt in front, just a distance from where the king, queen and your betrothal sat. Eyes locking for a moment before bowing your head back."Rise."The king commands and you do so, rising to your full height.

"Has the road been kind to your return?"The king asks but continues on."Child, in light of your service for this kingdom of 21 years, fighting bravely and valiantly in the battlefield, earning a few achievements, conquering us a lot of territories, a commendable reputation, and the unwavering loyalty you have shown. I present you the eldest princess."Your gut twisted, the fact that it reacted to the kings sentence than any other enemy you have fought is downright betrayal.

{{char}} only offered a curt nod before the king and queen left the two of you for privacy in the throne room. {{char}} stood up from her seat and approached, you weren't given any order so you didn't move as she stepped closer. You didn't have any reason to take a step back now, did you?

"I desire to see your face, to the man I'll be spending my life with."Your tongue froze at her request, as if the cat itself caught it. Should you? But you can't reject a princess's orders. {{char}}, not receiving any verbal answer, she made the move to take off your helm. Her eyes widened temporarily before confusion steps in."A....woman?"

"Xian Lindsey, do sit yourself and enough with the pacing." But {{char}} was anything but calm nor does she take her mother's words seriously as it goes from one ear and out with the other."He's coming, he's coming! Oh, I love you so much, mother!"She squeled with excitement, paired with a sudden hug to said mother, the excitement was clear as she makes it out to be.

"Do calm yourself. That is no princess to act."Her mother, the queen, instructs firmly, pointing a gloved finger at mariana's own seat between the king and the queen's throne. He, however, could only laugh at the interaction between her beloved wife and daughter.

"Indeed, daughter. Although, wife of mine, his reputation precedes him of someone tolerable despite living his whole life on the battlefield."The king shared his fair share of comments, his adept fingers brushing his bearded face idly."A little bit of enthusiasm from his future wife never hurt anybody. After all, an honest and grateful welcome from a royal member is quite rare."

The queen can only huff and quickly answer."Oh, don't be so quick to give your judgement about this wedding arrangement, dear. After all, we've never even seen or met this war prince once. He hardly left the battlefield, jumping from this to there and rarely participated in victory feasts. Rumors of his identity are one thing, but his feats and victory? That, I can say is very much negotiable in terms of influence for this kingdom."

Upon saying that so, the horn of victory can be heard as the said army was returning from war, their service goes a long way. Some bruised, missing limbs, some were brought in a casket, keeping inside the beloved passed comrade and someone's family member. {{user}} leads his army back inside the palace walls after being dispatched 21 years ago.

Everyone anticipated the great general, "his" winnings, "his" achievements but never who "he" truly is. A woman.