Lord Nedes was aware of everything happening in the court and smiled drinking a sip of wine. Everything was going according to his plan and soon his plan would bear its sweet fruit. Although the arrival of prince Satchell wasn't in his plan still it wouldn't affect his plan. Lady Blaine came and sat in front of him.
"How are you, my dear?" Lord Nedes asked.
"I want to say you something bad." Lady Blaine replied with a sour expression. Lord Nedes sat straight and asked, "Did someone bully you?"
"No, it isn't that. It's about prince Satchell."
"What about him?"
"I think he loves Ives."
"What? How can you be so sure?"
"I just saw his highness and prince fighting for Ives."
Lord Nedes shows an amused expression, "What is he? Collecting men here and there."
The days were passing by quickly and the day which Ives hated and was anxious for finally arrived. It was finally the day of the engagement of King Raleigh Kainz and lady Blaine Sherwood. The whole royal palace was decorated with flowers especially white lilies and red roses. The long and wide red carpet was laid on the floor from the entrance of the palace to the royal garden where the engagement was going to take place. The royal garden was full of sets of tables and chairs for the guests. All of the royals and nobles were arriving one by one on the carriage and gathering at the royal garden. Chefs were busy preparing meals and breakfasts for the guests. Maids were serving drinks and juices for the guests. All of the guests were dressed extravagantly as it was the most important day. The royal family and the aristocrat were finally going to get combined with the engagement and soon marriage.
King Raleigh and lady Blaine were standing looking at each other. Dowager empress Avon and Prince Satchell stood behind his highness whereas Lady Blaine's mother and Lord Nedes stood behind the lady. All of the royal family members and the members of the Sherwood family were also present. Prince Satschell looked around and saw Ives sitting at the front table and smiled at him winking his eye. Ives also smiled back looking at him. Prince Satchell was lost for a while seeing that heavenly smile and he could feel his heart rushing. He knew Ives loved only his highness but also he couldn't stop himself from falling in love with Ives every time he saw him. He couldn't control his heart but for his situation, it was like he was already rejected before he could confess. But prince Satchell still was satisfied being his fr
BEFORE THE DAY OF THE ENGAGEMENT At the Sherwood mansion inside the bedroom of Lord Nedes, the two persons were sitting beside each other. Both of them were silent. They were Lord Nedes and his wife. Lord Nedes eyebrows were furrowed as he read the contents of the documents given by his wife. He sighed then looked to his wife who he had been married to for more than fourteen years. "Are you sure about this?" "Yes, Just sign it." His wife replied. It was the paper of divorce between him and his wife. It also said after the divorce they would have no relation to each other and were not responsible for reach other's actions. They would be separated like they haven't even married. "Why do want a divorce? We've been married this long. Is there any problem?" Lord Nedes's wife snorted at that. She narrowed her eyes angrily at him. "Do you think I don't what you've been doing behind my back
Poisoning was a serious crime in Raven. It fell under the three great crimes in the Raven kingdom which were Poisoning, Treason and having a relationship with the Southern kingdom. The Raven kingdom had made an extreme rule to punish those who violate these rules which were life imprisonment or execution. Moreover, poisoning royals, aristocrats or nobles would directly lead you to execution. Lady Blaine was from an aristocratic family moreover the future queen, his highness's fiance. It was a really serious crime. There was no excuse to escape from execution and Ives was blamed for that crime. There was no escape for him. After his highness ordered the guards to take Ives to the prison, the guards dragged Ives to the prison. Prince Satchell tried to stop but was stopped by the empress dowager. &nbs
The prison guards upon hearing Ives sudden words rushed to his highness's chamber requesting for a presence. They were also tired of punishing Ives as the boy was too stubborn. He was tortured by them and even lady Blaine. It would be better if he just admitted and they finally sighed in relief when they heard Ives was willing to confess. King Raleigh was sitting on the balcony outside thinking everything happening these days. He didn't know what to feel towards Ives. Hate him for betraying the kingdom and poisoning lady Blaine or love him. Ives was the first person he ever fell in love with but as usual, it wasn't supposed to go well. Sometimes he wondered all those people who cursed him to die all alone really worked. Was there any way to break the curse? He snickered. Since when did he start to
Ives was now again in the dark prison alone. He was still feeling tired and dazing off as he was feeling tired to even open his eyes. He was braced from the tortures yesterday evening so he wasn't hurt much. Yesterday evening he was finally given some food and water for the next day execution. So, he had some energy to stay awake for his execution which was happening today. The prison guards entered inside the prison with a bucket of cold water. They splashed the whole bucket of water at Ives and gave him white clothes to put on. They also gave him a glass of water to drink and some food as if that was the last meal he would ever have. Ives ate hungrily. After eating, Ives wore that white clothes and then the guards tied his wrists with iron cuffs. He then started to move towards the place of execution with guards behind him. Every footstep he took, he was getting nearer to his death.
At the northern border. commander Wesley and commander Jean finally managed a breakthrough. They launched a surprise attack on those bandits who were supported by both the Southern kingdom and the traitor from inside the royal palace and after five hours of battle, they finally managed to capture their leader. Both sides had equal casualties. If not for the help of his highness, they might have lost the battle. Commander Wesley and Commander Jean just hoped his highness also had dealt with the traitor although they were still unsure who the traitor was. And now today, they were going back to the capital with the leader of bandits and the war prisoners. "Who do you think is the betrayer?" Commander Jean asked commander Wesley who was on the horse beside him. "I have a certain person in my mind." Commander Wesley said looking far away into nature.  
All of them were looking at the boy as if they all were caught in a magic spell. They were all spellbound seeing the boy including the king and the queen of the Wallace. Although his whole body and head were bandaged, they could see the routine of his face. He was sleeping peacefully. He looked like a heavenly being because of his soft features. He looked like someone who need to be looked after well and pampered a lot. His pink lips were slightly parted making out light snores and steady breathing to make sure he was alive and well. While everyone was admiring the boy, Princess Rosanne's heart was thumping loudly. She was mesmerized or even hypnotized by him. Was this love at first sight? She had never felt this way before. She was absolutely smitten by this pretty stranger. She was always told she was the most beautiful but now looking at him there was the difference between