The Wings of the Beautifully Fallen

Chapter 4: Reginald

Chapter 4: Reginald

The bustling noise of the camp echoed in my ears as I clambered out of the vibrant trees. The fear in that girl's eyes was something I had never seen before. It was more than just surprise or fear of a stranger, it was like she really felt threatened. Like she was nothing more than a wounded animal that felt trapped in a corner. It wasn't fair for her to feel like that and I should have known better than to terrify her.

When I realized someone was there, I should have walked away, slid past her notice and continued on my path. So why? Why was I such a fool as to just barge out of the forest?

But, still, even with that, there was something more with that fear. It was more than just being a stranger. Than coming out of the woods. But what was it?

"Ah, Reginald, there you are." Mother shouted from somewhere ahead and my gaze shot over to the source. A middle aged woman walked up to me, her arms spread for a hug as she stopped. "We were worried about you, I hope you did not go to far." She stated and hugged me, her arms squeezing me tightly before stepping back. "Now, do you remember what we talked about with Princess Illiana?"

"Of course he does!" A voice shouted behind us. "How could my brother not remember?"

"Samuel, I was not asking you." Mother sighed, her head shaking slightly in annoyance as she looked up at me. "Just try to make a good impression. If we are lucky, the two of you could be married by the end of the month. She patted my cheek slightly before walking away, humming a happy tune to herself.

"My question is, what if Princess Illiana drives you insane?" My younger brother demanded, his arms crossing in front of him. His dark brown eyes stared at Mother's retreating back, a look of discontent on his face.

"Then one of the other prince's will get the chance to get to know her and chose her for themselves." I shrugged and smiled softly. Since the two of us were only a few years a part, my brother Samuel and I had been very close growing up. However, since the announcement a few months ago about Princess Illiana, things have been a little more complicated.

If the two of us were married, then I would also have to make time for my wife, to make sure she was well taken care of. The issue that my brother had, even though he would never admit it, was that our days of stupid, reckless adventures were coming to an end. In a way, I guess neither of us were looking forward to it, but we knew that it had to come eventually.

"Maybe Prince Peter or Prince Ethan should get the first choice." My brother called, his voice carrying over to where the two men stood beside the carriage, helping their sisters inside. The two of them shook their heads and I nodded in understanding. Prince Peter of the North and Prince Ethan of the West were not the kind of men who wanted to settle. They were content being the bachelor princes for as long as they were able to. Prince Peter was the only one of the two who technically had to get married in the future as he was the heir to the throne.

"Sometimes I wonder if they will ever marry." King Neal of the North chuckled as he stood next to me, his head shaking slightly. His blond hair glinted in the right sun as his blue eyes turned to look at me "Especially my boy, he needs to."

"The day you get Prince Peter to marry will be the day you find a woman who enjoys traveling as much as he does." I told him and he nodded, his head shaking once more before shrugging.

"Well, with the others getting ready, I think it is almost time to go." King Neal stated, his hand colliding against mine as he walked forward. "It is a shame King Mitchel could not join us." He sighed slightly before walking away, up towards his horse and the others that were with us.

"Why could King Mitchel and his family not come, anyway?" Samuel questioned and I turned to glance over at him before sighing and shaking my head.

"If you were listening to Mother and Father before we left, then you would know that King Mitchel is undergoing a crisis back home."