An hour has passed, and I finally finished packing and eating my dinner. While I waited for my body to feel exhausted, my door suddenly creaked open. I put the report that I was reading onto the table and removed the blanket from my legs. As soon as I tried to get out of bed, Elizabeth slowly entered my room. “Oh, Elizabeth,” I breathed out of relief, “I worried for a second on who it was.” “Um, your page isn’t here so I thought you’re not busy,” she explained, briefly pointing outside of my room. “Are you in the middle of something? Is this a bad time to pay a short visit?” she asked I smiled as I patted the part of the bed next to me, asking her to come. She closed the door and walked towards me. I reached out my hand and she took it as she sat beside me. “Elizabeth, how many times do I have to tell you that you are always welcome in my room?” I replied as I held her hands in mine. I continued, “No matter what I’m doing, if you want to come and talk to me, you can.” She smile
‘It was morning, I believe. ‘The rays of the sun entered the windows, giving light to the halls of this castle. I looked at myself from my feet. I was in my usual day clothes: a loose shirt, black pants, and boots. ‘But, as I was walking through the halls, I noticed that it was different. It looked like our castle but I never remembered the halls having this kind of design and decor. The curtains were still a shade darker than red. But it had golden lines embroidered on the edges. Paintings were still hung up on the walls but I didn’t know what and who they were. And the carpet wasn’t red, it was blue. ‘I could also hear a faint sound of an organ, somewhere inside the castle. ‘I didn’t know where I currently was. I could only follow the music in the hopes that I could figure something out. -*-*-*-*-*-*- ‘A few moments later, the music grew louder. It was as if I was in the same room as the instrument. Ahead of me was a balcony. Far below were two chairs, both have red, velvet cus
“Robert, I know how you feel towards me at the moment. But, it shouldn’t affect your duty when you reach Middle Earth,” he answered. He continued, “Always remember in all things that you are the next king of Western Wind. Everything that you do will reflect on our kingdom.” Everything was always about reputation and monarchy, I guess. The very least he could do was to wish for our safety during our trip. “You don’t have to worry about that because I always have that reminder in my mind,” I said in full confidence. “Is there anything else?” I asked. He sighed as if he were preparing to say something else. “About the fishing trip–” “Please, James, I don’t want to talk about that,” I interrupted as I turned my head somewhere else. “Robert, please, let us have a civilised conversation about this matter,” he quickly replied. He took a few steps towards me and continued, “I understand that you’re angry and I acknowledge that what I did was wrong. But if you give me a chance, I will mak
He sighed before a nod. “However, that’s not the only thing that I want for you to do.” I looked at him dead in the eyes, waiting for what else he expected me to do. Wasn’t he aware that he had already put so much weight on my shoulders? Did he really have to add more? Being his sole heir has already placed too much expectations on me. Adding more to what I should do would make it even harder. “I want you to take some time to enjoy the scenery and culture of Middle Earth,” James proceeded. “Aside from your royal duties, you deserve to reward yourself for all the hard work you’ll be doing.” I replied, “Your Majesty, in case you don’t know, I will be studying their culture because of my future bride. You don’t have to remind me of something I already know.” “There’s a difference in what I’m telling you to do,” he quickly answered. “Correct, you are to learn the culture for the sake of an alliance. But, you also have to know their culture by heart, as well as enjoy everything that it
The birds sang as I stood before a mirror, studying my reflection. The rays of the sun illuminated the crystals embedded on my white coat. I also combed my hair back, showing the full features of my face. I never wanted this sort of outfit. But, Mother said I had to be at my very best. Being a king meant your comfort was out of the question. Instead, I was required to show my majestic flair. And it should be incorporated in my manner of dressing. I let out a sigh, tugging on my coat before I headed for the door. I silently prayed, hoping that everything would turn out well today, as well as for the remainder of our stay here. ~*~*~*~ Stepping out on the dock, everyone was busy. They all chatted with one another whilst carrying various items. Some brought down our belongings onto the dock. Some were occupied with the ship whilst the rest simply wandered around. Constant shouts were heard from above as the sailors tried to communicate with those below. “Your Highness,” a man came u
As I said those words, I felt the tension between Queen Marta and I. Mother also turned to me in shock. “I understand that you don’t want us to meet until the formal announcement of our engagement,” I explained right away, “However, I do believe that, as her future husband and lord, I think it’s only appropriate that we meet each other now that I am here.” I continued, “Seeing that I’ll be spending a long time here in your kingdom, I want to have good relations with the princess. With your permission, of course.” A moment of silence came upon us. Mother suddenly clung onto the back of my coat. I kept my head down and my hands behind my back, not moving a muscle. Queen Marta sighed. “With all honesty, I find nothing wrong with your request,” she remarked. My head quickly shot up, delighted that she wasn’t angered by my sudden request. “You have a very good point, young Robert. I don’t mind if you want to meet my daughter now. If anything, your explanation makes a lot of sense,” she
The day has finally arrived. It was the morning of our departure. Within the past few months that I spent in this kingdom, I could confidently say that I learned a lot. From how their economy thrived for centuries, to how the crown managed a kingdom that consisted of both Immortals and human inhabitants; everything about this kingdom was interesting to learn about. I was allowed to watch a few sessions of parliament that were held during our stay. Queen Marta showed her efficiency when it came to ruling the kingdom on her own. She was worthy of the crown that sat upon her head. From what I witnessed, Queen Marta has done everything to ensure that the kingdom stayed afloat. To rule without her husband was a feat not easily done by her predecessors, even if the kingdom has been ruled by women since ancient times. Princesses should learn from her. “Your Majesty, I had a wonderful time in your kingdom,” Mother said as our luggages was loaded into the carriages. “Your sentiments are t
Our third night at sea had arrived and we were on our way to the Island of Dangling Trees. As our guards and the crew patrolled outside on deck, I was in the captain’s cabin. For quite some time, I analysed the map for other possible routes in case we couldn’t get past this one. I also sent Mother back to her quarters, along with all of my guards to accompany her and her ladies. “I see that there are other routes beside the Island of Dangling Trees,” I started the conversation with the captain. The Island of Dangling Trees was a place where trees came to life when darkness took over the skies. If you were unlucky to be stuck on that island once night cloaked the world, you wouldn’t survive. The trees would float once the sun was awake. But they were immediately pulled back down to the ground when the moon took over. The island would then be submerged into saltwater. “There are other routes, Your Highness,” the captain stood beside me, looking at the map. He continued, “However, th
A prince had a peaceful night all to himself.His fireplace burned brightly as it kept his quarters warm against the harsh, cold atmosphere outside the old castle he currently resided in. A direct view of the beautiful moon outside his window. And a scrumptious meal right in front of him.He happily dug into his meal, which was something that he hadn’t done in a long while. Not after all the sleepless nights that he had. As well as the days where he pretended in front of his family.‘Ah, finally,’ he thought to himself as he cut through the tender meat on his plate. ‘A night where I can finally enjoy my food.’Just as soon as he was going to take a bite, a knock came upon his door. He groaned as he put his fork down. “Who is it?” he answered, irritated.The door creaked open and a servant called out of the dark. “Prince Benjamin?”“I thought I made it clear that I wanted to be left alone for a few hours,” Benjamin replied as he scratched his forehead.“My apologies, Your Highness, but
“Grandpa Ben?” my brows knitted together as I called out.“What are you doing here? Where did you come from?” I asked as he approached us.Grandpa Ben stopped right before us. He immediately glared at Gonzalo. But Gonzalo didn’t back down. He stared right back at Grandpa Ben.Grandpa Ben then cleared his throat and returned to me. “Go ahead. Bring Laura back. However, I want for the both of you to return safely. If I don’t see you with her, I will never forgive you even in death.”“Have you no regards to his life?!” Gonzalo protested, making us turn to him. “For the sake of getting your daughter back, you’re willing to put the prince at risk?! Don’t you mortals ever think of anything but yourselves?!”“And what about you Immortals? Don’t you do the same?” Grandpa Ben snapped. “I may look like a weak, old man. But I’m well-versed with stories of your kind. I never imagined that the myths of gods and goddesses being selfish were actually true. But you,” he pointed a finger at Gonzalo, “
The moon shone high in the sky as I looked out my bedroom window.The whole room was pitch black, dark as the night sky above. And only the powerful moonlight was able to illuminate my room.Well, at least a portion of it.I was incredibly frustrated with everything that I never bothered to light my torches as night fell.After I returned from James’ study, I remained in my room and did absolutely nothing. I simply sat by the window and drank tea without any signs of stopping. I also requested for an early dinner, an attempt to avoid James during dinner time.I just wanted to be left alone.I just wanted some space.‘I just want progress. Was that too much to ask for?’ my mind shouted, helpless as no one could hear it. And no one bothered to listen or even ask me.Then, a knock on my door echoed throughout the room. But I didn’t answer. I already rejected persistent knockings as I remained in my quarters. Even though someone from the other end called for my name, I never made my prese
Bethilda’s mouth hung in disbelief.“Your Highness, my heart's already breaking for the sacrifice that I am to make. Against my own beliefs and wishes, I am giving you my men to aid your cause. Just because I want them to have some time to prepare, that doesn’t mean I am on the other side of this debacle,” Bethilda protested.She added, “Your impatience will put their lives at risk. And that’s a risk that I will never be willing to take.”I pressed my lips together as my nose flared after a deep sigh. Truth be told, I gave my full respect to Bethilda as she put her servants before anything. However, I couldn’t wait again for a longer time. We already wasted too much time here and we never made any sort of progress in terms of the rescue mission.I cared for Bethilda’s household the same as I did for my own. But we couldn’t afford to wait another week before we could proceed. We didn’t even have the slightest clue on what could be happening within Benjamin’s territory.The mere thought
Bethilda’s eyes widened whilst James immediately turned to my direction.This was the fastest solution that I could think of. James already exhausted all of his efforts for this debacle. I had to do something, even if he didn’t like it.Bethilda looked to James for a moment before she returned to me. “Whatever the reason is for this sudden request of aid, I am afraid that it will do you more harm than good,” she answered. She added, “My soldiers aren’t fully trained for combat. I only trained them to protect and to distract enemies. And besides, I don’t think that His Majesty is in favour of this decision of yours, Your Highness.”“James has already given his all for our cause. We don’t know who to turn to and we are running out of time,” I answered. James’ stare never left but I paid no mind. I had no time to argue with him.Bethilda asked, “Have you reached out to other kingdoms? I know that you are attempting to rescue a friend. If that is the case, shouldn’t it be advised to ask t
“I already sent some of the guards to gather more troops back home.“We don’t know how many men Benjamin has to protect him,” James replied. “As much as possible, I don’t want to spill too much blood, especially within their territory. I don’t want this debacle to cause a scandal. And I also don’t want to destroy our alliance with them. At the same time, we can’t waste the lives of more men, both on his side and ours.”For James to still honour our alliance with Eastern Sun, even after what Benjamin did, was frustrating.Benjamin betrayed me. Trust and loyalty were values that I held in high regard. But Benjamin disregarded that, all because he didn’t get what he wanted.For that action alone, the friendship between our kingdoms was also destroyed. How could we possibly trust a traitor? Even if that person was our ally, it already destroyed their credibility as someone we trusted deeply.However, I understood why James was still worried about the alliance. Eastern Sun wasn’t simply a
Marcus chuckled as he shrugged.He looked down to his feet and replied, “My loyalty to the duchess is more than just of a servant, Your Highness. And even though that was the case for me,” Marcus returned to me, “I never overstepped nor did I ever use my emotions to my advantage. I respected her as my mistress. The person who gave me a home and a new life. Nothing more, nothing less.”Marcus’ response rendered me speechless.Who would’ve thought that a servant would develop strong feelings towards their mistress?Perhaps because of Bethilda’s care towards Marcus, his gratitude slowly turned into something else. Unfortunately, in this world - or in any other world in that retrospect - a relationship between a servant and their master would never be acceptable.I could only feel the ache on Marcus’ behalf as I once felt the same for Laura. That feeling that we wished we were born within the same kind of beings, just so nothing would be able to stand in the way of what we felt for each o
“Thank you for accompanying me all the way here.“For now,” I turned to the two guards behind me, “I would like to have a moment alone.”After I woke up from my nap, I decided to take a quick stroll around the castle grounds. Luckily, the guards told me that Bethilda had a small garden. So, I asked them to show me its location.The two guards shared glances with each other, worried and unsure. One of them replied, “But Your Highness, His Majesty specifically said that should you ask for our company, we are not to leave you alone. Especially when you are outside the castle.”I chuckled. “There is nothing to be scared of, gentlemen. With the location of the duchess’ residence, it’s a bit impossible for enemies to attack from within these walls,” I explained. “At the same time, I don't think that these walls are penetrable from all fronts.”The guards looked at each other again, still uncertain of what to do.I sighed, which made them turn to me. “I assure you, I can manage on my own. I
“And how long have you been in service within the duchess’ household?” I asked the maid in front of me.An hour had already passed and I was still only halfway through the inspection. I had to be very careful when I asked certain questions. At the same time, I had to discern personalities behind prim and proper facades.I couldn’t rush the process even if I wanted to. I didn’t know who could possibly have dark motives against Bethilda so I had to proceed with caution. I didn’t want to be the cause of her death, all because I chose the wrong people to serve her.“I have been serving the duchess for seven years,” the maid replied.“Ah, that would mean that you are fairly new within the household,” I said as I wrote the information down. “In your few years of service, how familiar are you with everything?”Her response was interrupted when my doors suddenly opened. We turned our heads and watched as James entered my room. Immediately, we stood and gave our greetings.“Did I interrupt any