He has not been breathing since dawn.''
King Kaida rose from his seat at the sound of the witch word, but King Thrain remained seated, a look of uncertain relive washing his face.
''You won't be able to search for him then.'' He spoke.
''We'll dispatch our guardians to different regions to search for the prince, your Majesty.'' The male spoke.
King Thrain nodded to their words, indicating their time to leave.
They exited the palace before King Kaida made up his mind
The heir is dead. Can you explain that.''
''Oh, stay calm, my friend,'' King Thrain shrugs. ''We'll confirm that when we see him.''
''You're implying that the witch might be telling lies?''
''Oh, she doesn't tell lies,'' King Thrain slowly rose. ''But he doesn't tell truth either.''
He began walking away, leaving King Kaida to follow.
''My daughter is nowhere yet seen.''
King Thrain spoke. ''She belongs to us now. We have dispatched guards to search for her.''
>> >> >> >>
Princess Lyra gazed out the window of the small hut. It was morning, the third day since she had been separated from her family on her way to her designed life. She had pondered on her thought relentlessly, wondering why she had sneaked out of the carriage during the storm.
Is it just the thought that she felt suffocated by the role she will play from now on, or that the enchanting gaze of the forest pulled her in, or something else?
As she gazed out, she couldn't help but smile, watching the children playing around in a carefree manner, the life she wasn't given the privilege to have as a princess and the promised wife of Prince Kaelin.
She grabbed a twig and snapped it in anger.
'Take a step, a second! Cough into your elbow! Bow with your fingers on your chest. Wear a glove! Practice the customs! Urgh! So much for a moron who got himself killed.'
The hut was warm with the morning sun, not comfortable for her, but enough. The scuffling sound of the door behind drew her attention. She turns around, her gaze settling on Yukai, smiling and approaching her.
''How are you, princess?''
She stepped away from the window, her expression solemn.
''I want to go out..there.''
Yukai gazes outside the window.
''Go then.''
''I....'' She hesitated, unsure of what to say.
''You what?''
''Never mind that.'' She spoke, then suddenly grabbed her gown to increase the free steps for the elderly woman. ''Where is Prince Kaelin. Is he really dead? What will happen to me now?''
''Calm princess.'' Yukai smiles, turning her attention to the door.
She paid her attention, and recognition was clear; his voice.
''Huh?''
She steps closer to the door, pushes it open slowly, and steps out.
Her expression changing from curiosity to shock, she stepped closer, lifting her gown as she moved.
''My Lord!''
Her voice drew the attention of the prince and the lady he clung to. As he saw her, his smile slowly faded, replaced with a perplexed expression. His green orbs lingered on her, and he hopped down the lady's back.
''You're al....alright.'' Princess Lyra stuttered; she moved closer to him, but as soon as she did, he stepped back.
Miana laughed.
''Kaelin, are you afraid of your betrothed?''
Princess Lyra turned her gaze to the lady who seemed absurdly informal with the prince.
''She....she is kae...my betrothed, Miana?'' He muttered. ''What's that?''
''Your wife to be, Kaelin, she cringed down to his height, patting his head. You're going to marry her and rule this kingdom someday.''
He pouted. ''Can I not marry you instead?''
Embarrassment washed over the young princess in waves, but Miana just brushed it off in laughter.
''You can't marry me. I'll be too old,''
''But...''
''And I am a commoner,'' she added.
''It doesn't matter!''
''I love someone else.''
He went silent at her last words and then snorted right after.
''You can't love anyone more than Kaelin.''
A warm smile seemed to spread over the older lady's face, but then, Princess Lyra noticed something; she moved forward in haste, her voice rising in shock and a hint of fear.
''You shaved his hair!!''
Prince Kaelin cowered backward again, a look of shock displaying on his face from her burst.
''Kaelin, mother made breakfast. You're hungry?'' Miana asked, ignoring the Princess's words.
He nodded, earning a smile from her.
''Go on now.'' She urge.
He went around carefully avoiding his betrothed before picking a race inside.
Miana turned to the young princess and bowed.
''I believe we haven't met before, Princess Lyra,'' Miana spoke. ''I'm Miana, I once served the prince.''
''That is not enough reason to shave his hair, because he is here! What if the royal families find out? Are you going to keep him here until his hair grows back!!''
Miana chuckled softly.
''Prince Kaelin is an exception. Calm down, princess Lyra.''
The Princess couldn't help but feel insecure
''Are you going to keep us here?''
''Let's change that clothing of yours first. Surely, it must be uncomfortable, right?''
** ** ** **
Princess Lyra put her hand over her shoulders as Miana brushed her hair softly. She had changed out of her royal clothes into more casual wear.
As she slipped into the earth color gown, she winced at the coarse fabric. It was so different from the soft silks and velvets she was accustomed to. The cotton felt rough against her skin, like a gentle scrape.
She felt like she was wearing a costume, one that didn't quite fit. The fabric seemed to chafe and bind her at every turn, a constant reminder that she was out of her element.
''It's not that bad, your Highness.'' Miana broke her shield of thought. She moved uncomfortably and turned around to face the lady.
''You need something?''
''The way he speaks to you. It is different from the way he speaks to me, she said. ''Why is that?''
''You mean.....''
''He talks about himself like someone else.''
Miana chuckles softly.
He always talks about himself like someone else, even before I became his maiden. That is just how he is. I heard it was an ancient tongue he picked up,''
''And with you, he changed?''
''He did....but just with me and sometimes his father. King Gemma usually yells at him, saying that it's unbefitting for a king to talk like that. He began changing it, so he stutters sometimes,''
Princess Lyra didn't find the story amusing at all.
''What are you going to do about his hair!! You should know that what you did his a grave crime punishable by death.''
A grimace of fear washed the maiden's face, one second and it was gone.
''He....he'll be fine. Like I said, he's an exception....''
Her word was cut off by the ringing sound of a bell. It echoes far and wide in rhythms. She sprang up, her hand gripping tight on the princess's hand.
''What's happening?''
''Come, come.'' Miana led her past the back door. She gazed around as they ran and she couldn't help the sense of panic as she saw parents tucking their children inside, adults running for their dear life.
They arrived at a cottage in the high ground woods away from the small town. It was awfully silent, like a ghost town in a minute.
Miana pushed the Princess into the small hut, but got held back as she turned to leave.
''What's going on?''
''Forest bandits,'' Miana replied. ''We should be fine as long as.....''
''Miana!!''
She was drawn to the approaching sound of her mother's voice. Yukai approaches them in a rush.
''Mother?''
''We found out too late this time. They got a child already.''
Miana eye widen.
''You're saying.....''
The elderly woman nodded. ''They caught him.''
TBC...