Falling Apart

"Well... you don't need to know how you feel about your return to the Empire. Focus on wash yourself and resting. After all, later there will be a big banquet to celebrate your return to the Empire."

Archie continued to look out the window.

Finally they reached the wing of the royal bedchambers.

"Well… see you later," Archie said.

Ian nodded and turned left where the royal escort's quarters were located.

Archie turned to the opposite side where the stairs were located. He went upstairs and reached a hallway where there were numerous doors, went to one of them and stopped in front of it. He took the doorknob, sighed and finally opened the door. He opened the door and looked around.

The furniture was luxurious and covered with fine gold. In the center was a monumental four-poster bed, half open by curtains. The top of the bed was decorated with four bouquets of white ostrich feathers, a luxury item reserved only for royalty.

On the bed was a clothes prepared. There were a pair of braies and a linen shirt. One green tunic and one short red one, and a velvet cloak edged with gold.

He looked to his left and saw that bath water had been prepared.

Suddenly someone knocked the door.

"Your Imperial Highness! It's me Bentley."

"Come in!"

The door opened and a boy in his twenties went in.

"Your Imperial Highness," the boy bowed, "I had been ordained to serve Your Highness now that you have returned."

"Lift your head..."

The boy lifted his head as Archie had ordered.

Archie grinned, "I'm glad you are fine… you grew up well over the last two years."

"I humbly thank you your imperial highness" the boy bowed.

"Fine. Come close," Archie walked over to the bed and sat up.

The boy got close and knelt down.

Archie sighed and placed his feet on the boys lap. The boy removed the first boot and then the second.

He stood there for a while, Archie was away and he hadnt even noticed that the boy had already removed his shoes.

"Your Imperial Highness..." the boy stared at him.

Archie snapped back to reality, "Ah! You've already taken off my boots," he looked down at his feet.

"Yes sir," the boy nodded.

Archie got up and opened his arms. The boy got close to him and helped him remove his clothes. When the clothes were finally removed, Archie walked over to the water basin and went inside it.

Bentley finished arranging the clothes Archie was wearing, went towards the bathtub and helped Archie wash himself.

"So Bentley... Do you have a girlfriend?"

"No, my lord... I'm still too young to have one..." the boy washed Archie's feet.

"I see…" Archie was looking out the window.

After 30 minutes Archie washed himself, Bentley helped Archie to wear his underwear, that was the pair of braies and the linen shirt. Then Bentley left to let Archie take rest.

Archie sat down on the bed and sighed, looked at the clothes set aside for the bed then he dropped himself onto the bed.

----------------------------------

Ian came to the foot of Archie's bedchamber door and knocked it.

"Archie, it's me Ian." Ian waited a few seconds and then knocked the door again, but there was no answer.

"I'm coming in..."

Ian walked in and closed the door. He looked around and saw Archie sleeping. He went to the foot of the bed and woke Archie.

"Archie...wake up..." Ian shook Archie's body.

"Hmmm…" Archie turned away.

"Wake up... The feast will begin..." Ian continued to shake his body.

Finally Archie woke up and looked around.

"Ian…" Archie looked at him.

Ian got away, "Get up and get dressed. The feast will begin."

Archie woke up and passed his hand by the face.

"Lost time..." Archie stood up.

"Let is... get dressed!" Ian started to grab Archie's clothes from the bed.

Archie moved away from the bed and Ian helped him dress.

"Where is Bentley?"

"Bentley cannot enter your quarters without your permission, have you forgotten? The two years you were out of the Empire made you forget protocol and etiquette…” Ian helped him to wear the second tunic.

Archie grabbed the robe from the bed and tied it around his neck.

Ian got away and looked him up and down.

"You look very handsome."

"Thank you…" Archie sat up in bed.

Ian got close to him and handed him a pair of brown boots.

Archie pulled on his boots, tied them, and stood up.

He smoothed his clothes with his hands, "Shall we go?" he looked at Ian.

Ian nodded.

Finally they left Archie's bedchamber, went downstairs and headed towards the Great Hall.

Finally they arrived at the room, walked through the door and stopped at the entrance.

"I announce the entrance of Your Imperial Highness Archie Seaford and his escort Ian Morris!" announced the herald.

Finally Archie and Ian reached the royal banquet table.

Both bowed.

"Your Imperial Majesty, forgive us for our lateness to the banquet," Archie said.

"Son... have a seat," the emperor pointed out a chair.

Archie nodded, pulled out a chair and sat down.

"Ian… have a seat," the emperor pointed out a chair beside Archie.

Ian nodded, pulled out his chair and sat down.

"Music!" the emperor clapped his hands.

Suddenly some oriental dancers came in and started to dance.

In the great Hall there was only the imperial family, the escort of the emperor's first son, Ian, the empress's attendants, the musicians, the dancers and some servants.

On the Emperor's left side was Arnold Seanford, Archie's stepbrother, and on the right side Archie, future owner of the throne, and beside him, his companion, Ian Morris.

In front of them were the dancers dancing.

On the left side, there was a table where the Empress and her attendants were, was the table reserved for the maidens.

Suddenly servants were bringing basins of water for each person present at the banquet, to wash their hands.

"So my son, did you manage to take rest?" asked Daniel Seanford, Archie's father.

Archie washed his hands, "That is what took me so long."

"Then I think you rested well," Daniel wiped his hands.

"I think so father."

"Tell me... these two years what have you been doing?" Daniel raised his wineglass for it to be poured.

"Nothing special father, I visited a lot the allied kingdoms."

"That's very good. It helps to strengthen relationships with the other kingdoms. And the maidens?"

Archie grinned, "I don't know what is father talking about," he was taking a piece of bread to his mouth.

"Well, anyway. I believe Ian told you, for a while you're going to stop playing with the damsels of the neighboring kingdoms."

"Ian did not tell me any of this," Archie looked at Ian.

Ian looked away.

"I thought about that too. It was good, otherwise you would not have got back to the Empire."

Archie chuckled slightly, "What's this all about anyway?" He took a spoonful of soup to his mouth.

"You are going to have to get married in three months…" Daniel brought his glass of wine to his mouth.

"I'm not going to lie that it's a surprise to me, I'm not going to say I'm opposed, after all it had been already decided everything," Archie brought a glass of water to the the mouth.

Ian frowned in amazement.

"You will marry the Princess of Greavaria."

Archie suddenly left the water glass fall on the floor.

Everyone looked at the royal table.

"Forgive me father, I do not think I heard perfectly..." Archie looked at Daniel.

"Before the war was over, the King of Greavaria and I decided to make peace, and for that it would be necessary for you and his daughter to marry..."

Abruptly Archie got up from the table, "HOW CAN THE FATHER ACCEPT SOMETHING LIKE THIS? THEY WERE THE PEOPLE WHO KILLED MY MOTHER! HOW DOES FATHER WANT ME TO MARRY THAT MURDERER DAUGHTER? I WON'T MARRY THE DAUGHTER OF THE KING OF GREAVARIA," Archie tossed his napkin on the table and started walking.

"Archie..." Daniel called him.

Archie ignored him and continued walking.

Ian stood up and bowed, "Your Imperial Majesty! Please allow me to be absent to talk to Archie."

"Permission granted," said Daniel.

Ian nodded, "Excuse me," he started walking.

He walked out of the great hall and saw Archie striding toward the royal quarters.

"Archie…" Ian walked quickly behind Archie.

Archie quickly went  upstairs, walked to his bedchamber, and entered. He went to the window and sat down.

"I'm coming in," Ian entered Archie's bedchamber, "Archie..."

Archie turned back and looked at him, "Why did not you tell me? Why did not you tell me I have an arranged marriage to the killer is daughter?"

Ian looked away, "Sorry Archie..." Ian tried to get closer.

Archie stopped him with his hand, "Stop right there."

Ian sighed, "Fine Archie. I did not tell you because I knew you were going to look like this."

 "Whatever..." Archie looked back at the window, "how does he want me to marry the enemy is daughter...how? They killed my mother... I suffered a lot from it... "

"There is no other way to make peace, if you do not marry the princess... Look Archie, this marriage is just a diplomatic treaty. Later you can marry whoever you want..."

"Hmm…" Archie looked at him.

"What is it?"

 Archie came down from the window, "I know what I'm going to do…" he flashed a scary smile.

"That face... You are up to something... Do not tell me you're going to run away..." said Ian all terrified.

"Far from it..." Archie started pacing, "I'm going to marry the princess of Greavaria..."

Ian frowned, "Will not you object?"

"As much as I object will my father listen to me?"

Ian shook his head.

"I'm going to marry her... But I'm going to break her up, I'm going to make her love me and I'm going to hurt her..."

"Archie... You were never like this..."

"Whatever Ian… whatever…"

"She is not to blame for her father is choices... Worse... I doubt she wants to marry you too."

Archie sat down on the bed, "There is no woman who does not want to marry Archie Seaford. There's no woman who does not fall for my charms... I'm going to finish her," he stood up, "I will apologize to my father."

Ian frowned.

Archie got out of the bedchamber, "Are you coming?" he was leaving.

Ian left the bedchamber and went with Archie back to the great hall.

The door has been opened. Archie walked to the royal table and bowed.

"I'm sorry father. I acted out of emotions, but after talking to Ian I realized I was wrong and how important this marriage is to the Empire."

"Apology accepted. Sit down."

"Thank you father," Archie pulled out a chair and sat down.

Ian bowed and sat down.

Archie went back to serve food.

"I understand your feeling for the people of Greavaria, but we have no alternative."

"I understand father..."

"I sent a messenger to the Kingdom of Greavaria, tomorrow you are going on a courtesy visit to the Kingdom."

"Yes father," Archie looked at Ian.

-------------------------------------------------------

The carriage door opened, "Your highness princess Dylan..." said Theodore from the foot of the door.

Dylan and Lizha were sleeping.

"Your highness..." Theodore entered the carriage.

He walked towards Dylan and tried to touch him, "Your high---"

Dylan woke up and took his arm.

"I--- I apologize, your highness..."

"Theodore!"  Dylan let go of his arm, "I'm sorry..."

"I apologize for touching your highness," he bowed.

"Fine... Why did you wake me up?"  Dylan looked around.

"We have arrived in the realm of Greavaria your highness."

Dylan frowned and looked around. He saw a totally beautiful white castle.

He got up and got out of the carriage still looking around, the castle was surrounded by water. The water glistened with the reflection of the moon and stars.

How beautiful, he thought.

In front of the gate were two Knights.

"Dylan..."

Dylan turned back and saw Lizha step out of the carriage.

"Have we already we arrived?"  Lizha ran her hands over the eyes.

"Yes..." Dylan answered her.

Lizha looked around, totally fascinated.

Lizha ran up to Dylan "We've reached Greavaria," she hugged him.

Dylan hugged back.

Suddenly a lady came out of the castle.

She was Caucasian, of middle age, her hair was black and it was tied back. She wore a long black dress that covered her entire body. Behind her came two girls in their twenties. Both wore plain woolen dresses.

The woman bowed, "Welcome to Greavaria your highness. I am Leila, the steward of the castle."

"Please lift your head."

The woman raised her head, "Your majesty is waiting for you," she cracked a smile.

"Thank you."

"Please follow me," the woman started to walk.

Dylan and Lizha went after her.

The gate was opened and they moved on.

Dylan looked around. They passed through a corridor, the sides of the walls were Knights in service.

They moved on and arrived at the great hall.

On the walls were long red curtains, a little above some medieval artifacts such as weapons and armor.

In front of them was a noble man.

"I announce the entry of Her Highness Dylan Montgomery, Princess of Greavaria and her companion," the herald made the announcement.

Dylan, Lizha and Leila bowed.

"Come close Dylan."

Dylan lifted his head and got close as thean ordered.

The man were Caucasian, blond and had a well-shaven beard.  He wore a red robe with thin gold strips, a black tunic, could be seen that he was wearing a linen shirt inside, he was also wearing black trousers and a pair of black boots. And he had a crown on his head.

The man stared at Dylan.

"You really did grow up beautiful and graceful. Just like your mother," he cracked a smile.

"Thank you father," Dylan bowed.

"I think the journey was long and tiring. I wanted you to rest, but the celebratory feast is almost done. So go wash up and have the feast."

"Yes father," Dylan said.

Daniel held up a hand signaling the entrance of the great hall.

Dylan nodded and left with Lizha and Leila.

"Allow me to show me your quarters," said Leila.

"Please," Dylan said.

Leila went ahead.

"Uff...I felt butterflies in my stomach when we walked into that room," Lizha said in a whisper.

"It's called the throne room... But I believe it's also the great hall..." said Dylan.

"I thought you did not take real etiquette lessons seriously."

"I knew that one day I would return to the kingdom, so I always took classes seriously."

Leila went upstairs, they arrived in a corridor full of doors.

"Your highness, this is the bedchamber reserved for you," she pointed to a door.

Dylan nodded.

"That is the room reserved for your companion," Leila pointed to the room next door.

Suddenly two girls appeared.

"They are Dorothy and Hannah," Leila pointed out to the two girls, "Dorothy will be your Highness's servant and Hannah will be your highness' companion's servant."

"Her name is Lizha," Dylan said.

"I apologize. I did not ask for the name earlier, I did not mean to be rude," Leila bowed with the hand on her chest.

"Apology accepted, but I do noy need any servants. Lizha will serve me, but leave Hannah in Lizha is care."

"Your wish in an order," Leila bowed, "your baths are prepared, if you need anything you can talk to Dorothy or Hannah. If it is something they can not do, they will call me."

Dylan nodded.

"Excuse me," Leila bowed.

Dylan nodded and Leila left.

"Hannah, I'm going to prepare her highness's bath, wait," Lizha cracked a smile.

"Yes Lady Dylan," the girl bowed.

Dylan and Lizha entered the room. They looked around.

In the left was a wooden bathtub, a fireplace in the middle and in front of it three chairs, on the opposite side was a four-posted bed. On the right side of the bed was a garderobe.

"Wow... is my bedchamber like this too?"

Dylan sat on the bed, "You will see when you go there," Dylan looked at the bed and saw an outfit on it, "I'll finally be able to reveal my true identity."