Kingdom of Light

Chapter 1

I was older now, five years later and I was turning 18 in less than a month. I was taller, my hair was longer, fuller and I had finally grown into my lanky arms and legs. With these physical changes also came the men, I had experience, and though rumors circulated, I still maintained a sliver of the innocence I once had. Yes, there were plenty of rumors circulating through the palace walls and even beyond. But I was not the only one with conquests, I had heard many stories about Jax. About the trouble he got himself into, although those dwindled out as he matured and were replaced with his adventures of a sort with women. He was apparently very popular at his school, after all he was the Crown Prince. I bet there were girls falling for him left and right, dreaming of a day when he would ask for their hand. I could practically hear them sighing, "Me the future Queen of Ladecia!" I had no right to judge him or them in that matter, after all I was once one of those girls and I once liked to entertain the idea that he, maybe even for a short time, had fallen for me too. Not only was I to turn 18 in a month or so, Jax was returning in less than a month, maybe even this week. I can't deny I was even a tad bit excited about his return. My childhood best friend. I should be ecstatic but I felt a tad betrayed. I had written him letters every day for a year. I finally accepted the fact he wouldn't write back. I knew he had probably forgotten me, I was just the Palace Witch's daughter, his childhood best friend, how hard would that be. Well I certainly haven't forgotten him unfortunately. No matter how many boys I kissed or courted, no matter how much I drank or danced or practiced, I couldn't forget about him. I tried to tell myself that he wasnt worth my time, that he had broken my heart and ignored me. I found ways to at least distract myself.

"Despirina? Helloooo?" Vi giggled, my new best friend, kind, smart, sweet, and as of right now, very drunk. I had to deal with this often. From a young age I had been given sips of wine and drank it at important dinners, I had a tolerance for it. But for Viola this was all new and exciting to her, and she had a very low tolerance unfortunately. It served as an escape for both of us from the busy and often boring palace. So often we found ourselves in the wine cellar. We often went into the city to taverns and restaurants or to the market on Mondays but we were both very busy, me with training and Vi with helping the cook.

"I'm listening." I replied.
"So then he asked if he could take me to that tavern near the Grimes territory, you know the one where you got kicked out for brawling." she snickered.

"He tried to grab me!" I defended.

"Well anyways I said I would rather kiss a corpse and walk off!" She cackled. I couldn't help but laugh along, it was contagious. Sure I had the titles and the riches but she had a manner of carrying herself that made me envy her often, she sashayed around flirting here and there, and not to mention her looks, she was gorgeous, her dark skin, long black hair contrasted and curves contrasted against my features.

"So, you know who is coming home soon." She said.

I scoffed, turning my head so she couldn't read my facial expressions, another thing she had mastered, "What does that have to do with anything, it's simple, he ignored me so now I will ignore him."

"It might not have been on purpose, you know he could have been busy."

"For five years? And no, he had plenty of time for all of the girls he... did things with." I gulped, still I couldn't bring myself to say it outloud.

"I know, hey maybe he will have an explanation. At least try to talk to him even just to get closure." She suggested swirling her glass. At least we had both sobered up a bit. Dinner was soon anyway.

"Well I should get ready for dinner."

"And I should get that dinner ready." She grinned.

"Don't drink too much more, I really don't want vomit in my food again." I said slipping out the door before she could protest. I sneaked out of the kitchen and walked as casually as I could to my room. When I got there I slipped a white gown with blue embroidering and pinned my hair up. It was only a casual dinner and so I didn't primp too much. My stomach growled as I made my way down the staircase to the dining room. Laughter floated up the stairs, my mothers, the Queen and the King, three friends years later still as happy and close as 25 years ago. I walked in and sat down as the laughter quieted down.