CHAPTER THREE

No matter how much he hated being male, being female in this world was not an option. Apart from a sex slave like the other women , the king might just sell him off.

Even though there was no future for him, he has to do anything to give Mira a better life. His sister was all he had in the world.

Finally, he forced himself to get up. He slowly walked to the door and closed it behind him. 

As he walked out of the palace grounds, as usual he drew attention like flies, and murmurs flies behind as he walks by. Amongst those words that flew by as he passed, he could hear smatterings of it.

“He’s so pretty,”

“It’s the feminine prince,”

“No man should have a hair that gorgeous”

He ignored them all, feigning relaxation and nonchalance as he move forward, his head held high. Yet, his sense remained on alert. 

As he made his way towards the lonely route that led to the woods, his chest doubled like it always did whenever he walked by these routes, and he doubled his alertness. A person could easily be attacked on these route if a person weren’t too careful. He might be of royal birth , but that probably meant nothing in the face of desperate criminals. 

When he arrived at the palace in the evening with his meats, he was almost at his door when he sighted the king's soldiers. 

Arthur wasn’t surprised when they announced that the king summoned him. 

That old fat, Lord Ozia had ratted on him, hasn't he?

Don't show any fear, he, reminded himself, you're supposed to be a strong male. Don't show weakness. 

The peptalk did nothing for him on the inside, but on the outside, he looked calm as he dropped his deer at his door, and allowed the guards to lead him towards the courtroom.

But, his guess had been wrong—it wasn't because Lord Ozia ratted on him. 

It was far serious than that.

A heavy storm is coming for both him and his sister. 

∆∆∆∆∆∆

With the guards behind him prince Arthur made his way into the court room.

“ Long live your majesty!...”

Arthur couldn't complete the formality because of the flower vase at was hurled at him.

" Impudent fool!, why didn't you duck? " The old king sneared while glaring at his grandchild. Looking at him one would think that the tyrant has a soft spot for this grandchild of his, but everyone present knows better,if the prince had mistakenly dodge that vase he would have find himself in the torture room.

Prince Arthur didn't make any effort to wipe out the drop of blood dripping from his forehead, all he could do was smile.

“ it's a great honor to have a sharing in your majesty's troubles.” If there's anything he has come to terms with that's accepting whatever life throws at him.

Seeing that the young prince had successfully avoid his trap, the old king proceed to treat the matter on ground.

“ Tomorrow you will be going to Kansas, in a my place!.” Arthur was surprised by the king's announcement, going to Kansas tomorrow and he was never informed?! 

“ What with that look on your face?, this is the first time I'm entrusting such an important task to you, prince Arthur and I have high expectations. You don't have all the time in the world, the journey from DeHaven to Kanses takes almost a month, but all the ambassadors were only giving two weeks to arrive at the great kingdom. ” the prince hurriedly fell on his knees, he would be departing tomorrow morning and only got the news few hours to sun down, he wasn't even giving any chance to prepare. Of all the kingdom why Kansas?, what would become of Mira if he should leave her here?, prince Arthur kowtowed to the king pleading that his sister should be allowed to come with him, but all his pleas fell on deaf ears, since all the Ministers were in support of this arrangement, they all wanted a taste of the beautiful princess but the prince has always been an hindrance. 

“ If you still care about your sister you should be arranging your baggages." The king threatened, he hated the fact that a male descendant of his could appear so weak, sending him to Kansas was not just for the meeting, if Arthur could come back alive after visiting such a kingdom, the king will willingly pass down the throne to him.

“Grandfather!" Arthur was dumbfounded, his grandfather could stub so low to publicly threaten him with the life of his sister.

“ Fool!, make sure you come back alive." Looking away from his grandchild he ordered the guards to see the prince to his room.

“ No need!" Arthur yelled at the guards that made to assist him up, glaring at his king he storm out of the throne room with only one thought in mind.

‘ of course I won't die without having your head under my foot.’

Why will he die such a shameful death and leave his sister in such a world.

The king need not worry about him dieing anytime soon. But it will be over his dead body that he will set foot in a deadly kingdom like Kansas. 

∆∆∆∆∆

On his way to his chamber the soldier he had a match with quietly joined him.

“ Gather whatever amount we have, we're leaving this god forsaken land tonight! " He didn't stop walking as he dished out orders.

“ No my prince!, this is not the right time, if we get caught, princess Mira will be sold off." The young soldier strongly protested.

“ Then we'll try hard not to get caught, hurry up I don't have time to think about what will never happen!” He hissed walking pass the guard.

Seeing that his master already made up his mind, the soldier had no choice but to remain silent.

After a while he suddenly said." Please forgive me your highness, but I can't allow risk your life like this.” Before Arthur could process his words he was knocked out with a heavy metal.