The Runaway Princess

Chapter 14

"Morning your majesty," came the quiet of Fila as the sun reached the sky. It was custom in Aregium to wake up early and go to sleep earlier, a custom that wasn't shared by the other countries I saw when with the crew. I groaned and rolled over, not wanting to get back with this tradicion. "You must get up, today your brother and fiancée are arriving."

That brang me up quickly, causing my eyes to black out for a moment. I had no clue they were going to arrive so soon, but I guess I shouldn't be surprised, seeing that my father said the wedding would be soon. I just wasn't expecting to have to meet him this early, and have to see my brother again too.

My brother and I had a complicated relationship. We had lots of fun when we were younger, but then he became corrupted. He started mocking my mistakes, making me feel weak in things I had felt strong in. Right before he left for the military full time, he had started making comments to my father about getting rid of me with marriage, and though my father had dismissed it at the time, it seemed the idea had stuck.

My father hadn't mentioned yesterday that my brother had gone to get Zephyr, but I supposed he would have found it funny for me to find out last minute.

I got out of bed and Fila and Lismo got me ready and chatted about gossip as if I wasn't not there. I felt a little disappointed about that, but it allowed me to get caught up with the latest drama. Also I learned that my fiancé was coming with my brother and his father, though the girls were speculating why.

"You would think with the boy being an adult he wouldn't bring his father unless the father was who arranged it." Fila said. Lismo caught my eye.

"Yeah, well soon we'll be back in the kitchen after the princess is gone." She said harshly, glaring at me. They fell silent and the rest of my preparations were done in silence.

On my way out of my room I spotted my outfit in a mirror. I was guessing the girls went the innocent route for my outfit, placing me in a crime and white dress without sleeves but with a high halter neckline. My hair was up in a twist with pieces framing my face.

Myself and the guards made our way back to the throne room and I stumbled into one of them as I tried to go to the dining hall.

"We must greet the visitors," One of the guards snapped at me as they ushered me in the right direction. We entered the room the same way as yesterday and my father was in the same position as before. We didn't speak to each other as I walked in and walked to the smaller throne that was brought in beside my father and sat.

As I waited to meet my fiancé, I couldn't help to think of the rumors I'd heard of him. Apparently his home was the place that people tried to stay away from and he was known for hunting in the jungle and for having multiple wives in the last few years, with all of them dying mysteriously. I found myself tensing up, with my knuckles white from tension with my grip on the armholes of my chair. My only hope was that when I met him it would dissuade the rumors so that even if I couldn't escape, it wouldn't be a terrible life.

"Welcome, Lord Zephyr Soulier!" Called one of the guards at the doors. They slowly creaked open and I caught sight of Zephyr for the first time.

For a moment I was horrified as the first person who walked through the doors looked my father's age before I realized that the figure behind him was Zephyr.

Zephyr had rich brown skin and short cropped black hair. He was around my height and was wearing loose blue pants and a fitted black blazer with a white button top underneath. He had light blue eyes that looked like they were glowing and an easy smile. He certainly looked nice enough though I couldn't say the same for his father. He also had a tiny monkey on his shoulder, with beige colored fun and dark glowing eyes. They weren't uncommon as pets, but what surprised me was that there is no leash keeping him to Zephyr.