Chapter 23 — Kneeling before the Queen and Duke

Time passed quietly, for many months after the solemn investiture ceremony, the feelings between Sam Khinh Vu and Uc Viet Khoi became increasingly deeper, far beyond the boundaries of childhood friendship that they both used to call their special relationship. They often meet each other, not only to discuss government affairs or continue to perfect the reforms that Khinh Vu initiated, but also simply to walk together in the royal garden, review childhood memories together, or simply sit together in silence, enjoying the rare peace amid the chaos of work.

However, even though the feelings between the two had become clear to themselves, neither of them had ever officially confessed or made their relationship public to the court. There were afternoons when Viet Khoi's hand accidentally touched hers while looking through a collection of operas. They both paused for a beat before withdrawing their hands. No one said anything, they just continued reading as if nothing had happened. Khinh Vu, after the painful events she experienced in her previous marriage, could not help but feel a vague fear every time she thought about entering a new relationship, even though the man in front of her had proven his sincerity and trust throughout a long and arduous journey.

One autumn afternoon, when the two of them walked together in the royal garden, watching the yellow leaves falling in the light breeze, Viet Khoi suddenly stopped walking, turned to look straight at Khinh Vu, his eyes contained an unusual seriousness.

"Khinh Vu," he called her name, no longer calling her princess formally as usual in front of others, "I want to ask you something, I hope you answer honestly."

Khinh Vu looked up at him, feeling the change in tone, suddenly feeling strangely nervous. "Just say it," she replied, her voice soft.

"For the past year, from the day I saved you at Tay Lang mound, to the time I went through many ups and downs with you to overthrow Tuong Ba Khiem, and until today when you have stabilized your position as princess," Viet Khoi said, his voice was deep but containing a deep sincerity, "I realized that my feelings for you were no longer simply childhood friendship. I love you, Khinh Vu, not because you are a princess, nor for any reason. I want to ask you, are you willing to give me the opportunity to be by your side, not just as a friend or ally, but as a husband, someone who will always protect and cherish you for the rest of your life?"

Khinh Vu stood silently before that sincere confession, his fingers clasped together in front of his chest trembling slightly, wanting to hold his hand immediately, while reflexively taking a half step back, a little shyness remaining from old wounds. She remembered the painful years of her previous marriage, remembered the feeling of being cruelly betrayed by the person she trusted the most, and for a moment, that vague fear made her hesitate, not knowing how to respond.

Noticing her hesitation, Viet Khoi gently held her hand, his voice gently reassuring. "I understand, what you've been through makes it difficult for you to completely trust anyone again. I don't want to force you to make a decision right away. I just want you to know that, no matter how much time you need, I will always be here, waiting and accompanying you, not out of obligation or responsibility, but because that is what my heart truly desires."

Those sincere words seemed to somewhat ease the insecurity in Khinh Vu's heart. She looked into Viet Khoi's steadfast eyes, remembering everything he had done for her over the past year, from narrowly saving her life, to not hesitating to confront his entire family and the greatest power in the court to protect justice for her, and she understood that this was not a man who would betray her like Bach Quan did.

"Viet Khoi," she softly called his name, her voice trembling but full of sincerity, "I have also realized my feelings for a long time, I just haven't had the courage to say it, for fear that I will once again give my heart to another betrayal. But looking back on the whole journey we have gone through together, I believe that you are the person I can trust with the rest of my life."

Viet Khoi heard that, his eyes lit up with an indescribable happiness, he gently hugged her in his arms, the two stood quietly in the middle of the royal garden, the sunset dyed the sky yellow, as a testament to a new beginning full of hope after all the storms that had passed.

A few days after that sincere confession, Viet Khoi decided to officially meet his father again, this time not to ask for advice about confronting Tuong Ba Khiem, but to ask permission to officially propose to Khinh Vu. His father, after witnessing everything his son had gone through and achieved over the past year, not only did not object but also wholeheartedly supported him, even blaming himself for previously advising his son to be cautious and stay away from all trouble related to Khinh Vu's case.

"I was wrong to advise you to retreat before," said Viet Khoi's father, his voice filled with regret and pride. "If you had listened to me then, maybe the princess wouldn't have been able to find justice for her mother, and you wouldn't have been as happy as you are today. I'm very happy that you were brave enough to follow the path your heart told you, instead of just listening to safe but unfair advice."

The news about the relationship between the two was quickly reported to the Saint, who had long recognized the special feelings between the two young people and couldn't help but be happy when he heard the official news. He immediately summoned both of them to the palace to meet him, officially bless and prepare for the marriage between Duc Vuong Uc Viet Khoi and Khanh Duong Princess Sam Khinh Vu, a union that not only carries a deep personal emotional meaning, but also strengthens the solidarity between branches of the Dai Ninh royal family after the recent great upheavals.

Khinh Vu, when receiving the news of the marriage contract approval from the Saint, could not help but be moved to tears. She remembered the time more than a year ago, when she was still lying motionless in a cold coffin in the middle of the deserted Tay Lang hillock, thinking that her life had ended in humiliation and injustice. Yet now, not only has she found her true identity, reclaimed justice for her biological mother and herself, she has also found a sincere, solid love to rely on for the rest of her life. She silently thanked fate that, although it had been too cruel to her in the past, it had finally compensated for it with a complete happiness that she had never dared to dream of in her darkest days.

Viet Khoi could not hide his happiness, he personally prepared a special gift for Khinh Vu on the occasion of the engagement, which was a new hairpin, meticulously crafted by the best artisans in the capital, engraved with the image of a pair of phoenixes entwined together, symbolizing the strong bond between the two, and also reminding of the phoenix wing-shaped cinnabar birthmark that helped confirm her true identity, as a reminder that it was from the seemingly adversities. Even the most desperate, the most sincere happiness can flourish.

That good news quickly spread throughout Khanh Duong capital, warmly congratulated by a large number of people and officials in the court, considering it an inevitable thing after everything the two had gone through together to protect justice and righteousness for the entire court.

Butler Binh, the Imperial Physician, Guard Bang and many people silently stood by to help Khinh Vu throughout the long and arduous journey. When they heard the news, they could not hide their immense joy. Together they organized a small cozy party to congratulate her. Although it could not compare to the luxury of banquets in the palace, it was filled with the sincere feelings of those who had accompanied her through the darkest days. Khinh Vu, in the midst of that simple party, could not help but feel warmer than ever, understanding that true happiness did not only come from the noble position or power at hand, but also from the sincere relationships that she was lucky enough to have throughout the entire tumultuous journey.