Kira and Jared

✍I'm sorry, Kira

'Jordan?'
Are my eyes playing tricks on me? No, it can't be.

I was brought out of my train of thoughts when I heard clapping and cheers.

There was an even louder noise when the Verthonian soldiers marched into the grand hall, family members of each of them ran to hug them. It was an emotional moment.

After thirty minutes of happy and sad noises from the crowd. They went silent again bringing their attention back to the two powerful men standing before them.

Jared was a lot taller than King Grayson, that must mean he is taller than Edrin. He wore a black leather vest over a white plain shirt with leather trousers and boots. His brown hair was dishevelled and there was a scar on the left side of his face that seemed to have been from the cut of a sharp sword.
That was when I remembered all those numerous scars I saw on him.

King Grayson continued his speech,
"For those of you from other Kingdoms, who are children or who have been living under a rock, This man is my son, 'Jared the terror' like he is called by many".

Loud cheers were made by the soldiers for their leader. When they finished, the King continued.

"Five years ago when the Dharik rebels terrorised our people, attacking the natives of the villages close to the border, they killed the men, raped the women and took the children as slaves as we all know. Even our bravest warriors were afraid of them. Their leader, 'Vethruk the terror' was a fearful man, like fire, he destroyed everything he touched, Feared by all who knew him. But my son here volunteered to lead the fight against the rebels. When he got to their camp, he challenged Vethruk to one on one combat and won. It was the Dharik tradition that whosoever defeated their leader would take on his title. That is how he became 'Jared the terror'. He arrested every member of the Dharik and those who refused to pledge allegiance were executed.  That was the end of the rebels."

A thunderous round of applause could be heard as the King embraced his son.

"Father, you embarrass me each time you tell this story, I wouldn't have done it without my loyal and trusted men. I am just glad that I can serve my country in the little way I can, and I promise to do more if the need arises in the future".

Another round of cheers and applause that was almost deafening grew from the spectators.

"My son, I have a confession to make, this party is not just to welcome you, I was hoping you would get to mingle with some of the young ladies around, maybe we can hear wedding bells next month".

I saw some girls in the corner including Edrin's mistresses practically swallowing him whole with their eyes and smiling at him while fixing their provocatively worn dresses, how desperate. I rolled my eyes at that.

"Thank you for the thought father but I do not want to get married".

"But why?".
His father asked, shock evident in his voice.

"I will always choose my duty to protect my country over any woman"...
when he said these words, his eyes found their way to mine. There were many emotions that I could not read but I saw the sadness in his eyes and then, just like that, his expression went stoic again.

Why did Jordan lie to me, is his name even Jordan. It's Jared apparently, and not just any Jared, the King's other son! Oh God is this some kind of test? I will have to talk to him.

I was standing with my husband as some nobles were coming to exchange greetings and talk about things I had no interest in. My eyes were fixed on him, Looking more handsome than I remember, he tried not to look in my direction but I could see from the corner of my eye that he stared only when I looked away. I just wish we could get some alone time so I can ask him all the questions I needed answers to, hopefully, he'll give me an answer this time.