Chapter Three.

SERAPHINA'S P.O.V.

       As the carriage rolled along the winding road, taking me farther away from the familiarity of my home and closer to the unknown lands of the Shadowmoor kingdom, my mind swirled as feelings of anticipation and trepidation surged through my body. The sunlight streamed through the open window, casting its golden rays across the elegant interior of the carriage.

    I gazed out, through the window, at the passing countryside, and watched as the lush greenery and vibrant wildflowers whizzed by in a blur. Although my eyes took in the beauty of nature that passed by, my mind was focused on a completely different thing. The fact that my life, in it's entirety, was just a few moments away from unexpected and unplanned change bore on my mind like an heavy weight.

    As the carriage rattled along the uneven road, my gaze drifted to the horizon as the distant towers of the Shadowmoor Castle came into view. My mind was overcome with a mix of fear and unease at the sight of the castle's towers which loomed in the distance. But once I saw the way in which the golden sunlight bathed the landscape in a warm glow as we entered the outskirts of the kingdom, I was overcome with awe.

   The villages we passed through were like scenes from a storybook. Stylish cottages lined the cobblestone streets and their flower filled gardens bloomed with vibrant colors. While I watched as the villagers went about their daily routines, their friendly smiles and warm greetings to one another made me feel welcomed; they went about their daily lives with a sense of contentment and joy that was infectious. They reminded me very much of home.

    The kingdom was enchanting, but it was the palace itself that truly took my breath away. As we approached the palace gates, the towering spires reached towards the sky. They were adorned with intricate carvings and the sparkling windows reflected the sunlight.

    The carriage rolled to a stop, and I stepped out onto the cobblestone path that led to the grand entrance of the palace. As I looked up, my breath caught in my throat. The palace towered above me, its elegant architecture seeming to reach towards the heavens. The golden spires sparkled in the sunlight, casting such a radiant glow, that it made me feel like I had just stepped into a fairytale.

    I had believed, during my journey, that as I stepped foot into this unfamiliar land, I would only be reminded of my reason for being there in the first place; to fulfill a duty that fate and my parents had thrust upon me. My duty to become the bride of the Shadowmoor kingdom's Crown Prince in place of my older sister, Olivia.

   But instead, on my arrival at the grand palace, I was met with the desire to venture into the new world that stretched before me, contrary to my initial belief. This new feeling pulled me away from the reach of my responsibilities and planted in me the yearning to look around the palace grounds while taking my time to soak in the beauty that surrounded me.

   As my entourage bustled around, busying themselves with unpacking my belongings and settling me into my chambers,  I observed their movements with a unconcerned interest while my mind was preoccupied with planning ways of escape. I knew I should wait, to follow protocol and go through with the expectations that were placed upon me, but my curiosity burned deeply within me. It very well trumped my sense of duty.

   When I realized that my entourage, including the ever watchful Leana, was too busy to pay me mind, I took the opportunity to sneak away from their watchful eyes. I set forth on my personal adventure, slipping through a hidden side entrance before quickly  creating a safe distance between myself and the busy servants. All the while, my heart pounded heavily in my chest with excitement.

    With each step I took, the palace unfolded before me and my curiosity soon led me further away from the palace walls. The vibrant colors of the blooming flowers and the sweet scent of the blossoms filled the air, causing me to be lost in the beauty of the gardens. I wandered aimlessly, allowing my feet to guide me as I strolled along cobblestone paths. The sweet melodies of birds filled the air, and in the distance, I could hear the sound of a brook.

    Without hesitation, I walked onward as the path grew wilder and the leaves thickened around me; my curiosity pressed me forward as I was driven by a longing to explore the beauty of the palace.

   I was so lost in my exploration, that I was surprised when I found myself in a secluded clearing. It was then that I realized I had ventured so far away from the palace that even the towers were barely visible from where I stood. That, however, didn't deter me from my goal and as I pushed through a dense growth of bushes, I found myself in a small clearing that was bathed in streaks of sunlight.

   It was here that I saw it. I stumbled upon a sight that stole my breath away- one that would forever be etched into my memories.

   Beneath an oak tree, a majestic wolf stood before me. The setting sun cast a golden hue upon the grounds, and I watched in awe as the wolf emerged from the shadows, its beautiful black coat shining underneath the sunlight.

   My breath hitched, my heart skipped a beat, and my eyes widened in amazement as I laid eyes on the beautiful creature. Suddenly the magnificent wolf began to transform. I watched in awe as it's fur transformed and it's bones began to shift.

    Soon, standing in place of the majestic wolf, was a tall and dignified man with an aura that matched that of the palace itself. He possessed an air of mystery and his presence commanded my attention.

   As if sensing my presence, he turned to look at me and our eyes met. For a split moment, time stood still. I was so awestruck, that I was unable to move. The stranger made no efforts to move or speak either as he continued to hold my gaze and so, we both stood there in silence as the sweet melodies of the birds seized. But before I could fully comprehend what was going on, the mysterious man disappeared into the depths of the forest, leaving me alone in the clearing.

******

       Once he had vanished into the forest, the breath I had not been aware that I was holding escaped my lips and nostrils sharply. As I stood there, my heart raced and my mind filled with wonder while I processed the events that had just occured.

   Who was that mysterious man that I had seen?

  The sound of the birds resuming their twittering jerked me back to reality,  pulling me out of my trance like state. The sun had started to set and was slowly making way for the moon's ascent to the sky. That was my cue to return to the palace.

   With one last look at the part of the land where the transformed wolf had been standing only a little while ago, I retraced my steps back to the palace with several questions racing through my mind.

   As I made my way back to the palace, a whirlwind of emotions stirred within me. The forbidden scene which I had witnessed, just a few moments ago, had ignited a flame of curiosity and desire, urging me to discover the identity of the man who I had seen.

   However, all thoughts of the mysterious man disappeared as halfway back to the palace, I was met by a flushed looking Leana whose eyes widened on sighting me.

   "Your Highness!" she squealed before rushing over to my side, "Where have you been? We have looked all over for you." she said.

   "I'm sorry for troubling you. I could not help the urge to explore the palace grounds." I said.

   "The King has summoned you to the throne room." she said with alarm in her voice.

   "Really? How long ago?" I asked.

   "About thirty minutes or so, Your Highness." she replied.

    My eyes widened in response to her statement and I quickly pulled up my dress so that it's hems where above my ankles. My action elicited a gasp from Leana.

   "Your Highness. This is scandalous." she hissed.

   "Courtesy be damned right now, Leana. I need to hurry to meet the King. It does not bode gracious to keep the King waiting, especially in his own home." I explained before sprinting. I barely caught Leana's mutters of disagreement as I rushed across the courtyard.

   By the time we had made our way, with the help of a Shadowmoor servant, to the throne room, I was breathless and sweaty. With an alarmed look on her face, an equally breathless and sweaty Leana pulled out a hand towel from her dress pockets and dabbed at my forehead, neck, and bosom.

   "You're all set." she said to me once she was done making me presentable.

   "Wish me luck." I said before turning to face the two soldiers that flanked the doors.

   "State your business." the soldier on the right said.

   "I am the princess of Ravenscroft Kingdom. I was summoned by the King." I replied.

   Immediately, they both lowered their torsos in a bow before pushing the large oak doors open. I stepped into the room and sunk into a deep curtsy in front of the King of Shadowmoor Kingdom.

   "Your Majesty." I greeted.

   "You may rise." the gruff voice of the King commanded.

   As I rose up from my curtsy, I took a quick glance around the room in an attempt to study the unfamiliar room when my eyes landed on something that caused my breath to seize.

    Green eyes. Those green eyes captivated me, piercing into the very essence of my being. At the sight of those beautiful aquatic green orbs, my breath hitched and my chest heaved. Under the influence of those mesmerizing eyes, my palms started to sweat and my heart beat’s pace fastened. I could barely breathe as those eyes stared at me with an intensity that I could not explain. The reaction that I had to being under the watchful stare of those organs of sight baffled me as I tried to recall why they looked and felt so familiar.

   While I raked through my memory, it felt like it was just me and the owner of those eyes that remained in the room. I had forgotten who I was, and why I was there. All that I could see and feel were those green orbs which held my gaze.

   Suddenly, I realized where I had seen those eyes; they had belonged to the majestic wolf which I had been privy to seeing during my exploration around the palace grounds earlier that day. The realization sent a chill down my spine and once more, my breath caught in my throat at the thought of what I had seen that afternoon.

   “Come forward!” the powerful and authoritative voice of the King reverberated in the room, jolting me out of my state of sub consciousness. Without delay, I did as I was instructed to and stepped forward until I was a few feet away from the king’s seat on the elevated dais, but also at a safe distance.

   “You must be the Princess Olivia of Ravenscroft Kingdom.” The King’s voice rang in the large throne room.

   An heavy weight suddenly rested on my shoulders as the full extent of my responsibilities suddenly dawned on me. I had been so preoccupied with exploring the palace grounds that I had forgotten the reason why I was in the palace in the first place. To be a replacement for Olivia.The King's statement sent a surge of mixed emotions through me.

   Of course, they all believed that I was Olivia. She was, after all, the princess that had been promised to their prince. Then and there, I refused to walk in Olivia's shadow any longer. And so, with a deep intake of breath, and a tight balling of my fist, I replied the King.

   "No, Your Majesty. I am not."