𝓽𝓱𝓮 𝓬𝓻𝓸𝔀𝓷 𝓲𝓷 𝓽𝓱𝓮 𝓼𝓽𝓪𝓻𝓼

1

Kalen – chapter 1

She swirled around the ballroom in grace like a dancer on stage. Every move was perfect and filled with grace. Kendra Dustmore was the heart and soul of the Esmond lands. Being the king's daughter, she had been trained in court and always acted like a leader. She was wearing a lavish red dress that complimented her amber coloured eyes. Her velvety hair was styled half up – half down. Secured by hundreds of pins was a beautiful braid tying it all together. Her beauty was unexplainable. Standing by the king's side I started down at her. Thousands of men asked her for a dance. Sometimes she brushed them of and sometimes she accepted their invitation. She had to, or else it would look odd. The king screamed at her last season when she said no to a great noble by the name Sir Caldor. He had heard her cry that night as he was passing by her chambers. He wanted to stop that night and ask her if he was ok. But if the king found out he would have tossed me in the dungeons for the rest of my life.

I was raised by the king himself, like half a son. I was orphaned when I turned 9, I saw my parents die in front of me. And since that day I vowed I would take their revenge. But I never found out who the killers were or where they were from. Still this day my heart ached for them and for their warmth. Every night in my dreams I hear my mother scream and my dad cry. I wish I could see them again, even for a single second. It would warm my heart, make me smile once more. The king raised me to be tough and so I was. Mostly on the outside. But I couldn't tell anyone. I had to hide my pain and seize my dreams. And so, I did. But I couldn't hide my liking towards Kendra, she was like me. She hated living, hated her past. A year ago, there was a rumour that the King Alexander abused his daughter. But since then, he hanged anyone who mentioned the rumour again. I still believe the rumours are true. I was their standing by the king's side when he screamed at her many times. Sometimes for little mistakes but he made a big deal out of everything. It was in his nature. I may have gotten used to the screaming, but Kendra didn't, she wept and wept. Sobbed every night. She was good at hiding her emotions though. She blanked them out in public. Acted happy and joyful. But I was one of the few men who new her secret.

I must have been staring at her to deeply now because the king sneered at me while asking "what do you find so amusing about my daughter, Kalen?" I immediately paused and faltered my gaze to the king. "I'm just insuring all the royals are well protected, your highness." I assured the king with a quick lie, and he looked away back at the crowed. He took a sip from his goblet and then spoke again, "very well" I looked back at Kendra at her hair swaying as she danced with a merchant, she had a bored look on her face. And then her eyes met the king's and completely darkened. She looked away and then looked at me and smiled warmly as I returned her kind gesture. I quickly realised the king's gaze was on me, so I looked away at a group of men laughing by the fountain. And kept my eyes fixed on them for the rest of the night, sometimes flashing a quick look towards Kendra swaying around the dance floor, looking sleepy.