Little King

Rae

(Btw This chapter is kinda short...sry...I'm trying to make some long and some short.)

Winter is finally here. It's been two weeks since I talked to that healer, Ashelyn. I still don't know why she ran away. It felt good to talk to someone who wasn't concerned about my safety, or pestering me about kingly duties. Growing up it was just me, Emi, and Maxe. I never got to know any other kids. Father kept us happy, and mother loved us so much, and everything was okay, even if my life was different. Even if everything I've been taught was on how to lead, those days when I was just following father were the best. 

It was Emi's idea. She decided to postpone her birthday party and have a winter theme. She's always been the most social, and a Winter ball was the perfect way to show that everything would be alright. She begged and pleaded me, even though I would've let her do whatever she wanted. The moment I said yes her eyes lit up and she smiled so brightly. She's already begun planning. The ball is set for a week from tomorrow. She wants everything to be perfect, a reminder that we remain strong and royal, even with the loss of father. In fact, my coronation is set for May, and even though it's several months away, my stomach still churns when I think about it. 

"Prince Rae? Are you ready?" I turn to meet Commander Sokis' eyes, spilling water on my shirt. I curse under my breath before faking a smile. 

"Yes, t-thank you." I mumble, giving her a nod. I stand there, and she does to. 

"Your highness, I think you'll find your sword quite useful in our drills." She says, gesturing towards the sword leaning against the table beside me. I flush. 

"O-of course, I'm sorry." I stammer, fumbling with the sword before tightening my grip on the handle, already slick with sweat, and following Sokis out of the tent. Mikah, that guard from earlier stands of to the side, looking noble even with a cast. Sokis leads me into a circle of guards, all armored and armed with swords. There's one other guard in the circle, Lupa. Her bright blue eyes meet mine. 

"Your highness." She says with a dip of her head. Her wight is balanced evenly and she clutches a sword. Her knees are bent a little, and she looks ready to lunge at me any second. I grip the sword in my hand, running my fingers along the grooves in the handle. "Ready?" Lupa asks, smiling slightly. Sokis steps aside, joining the guards watching curiously in the sidelines. "Uhm, yes." I mumble, locking eyes with her. She smirks and attacks, slamming her shoulder into my stomach. I fall backwards and her sword presses against my jugular before I can blink. "Again, your highness?" She asks and I push off the ground and our swords clash. My blade almost misses her left arm but slices her elbow and she curses, pain glistening in her eyes. She tries to stab my stomach but I jump back and she stumbles forward. She's a good fighter, but I've been holding a sword since I was five, and neither of us slows. Her once pinned up hair dangles in her eyes and she clenches her teeth, spitting blood onto the dirt floor of the training arena. Sweat drips from my hair and tunic sleeves are torn. I'm about to attack her again when Sokis steps between us. 

"That's enough, Lupa, your highness, let someone else have a turn." She tells us, then she looks at me. "Prince Rae, you better get cleaned up, Princess Emi will have your skin if you show up sweaty to dinner." I nod, wiping blood from a small cut on my forehead. It's been a while since I've fought this hard. I was never allowed to train with the older kids. I only had Maxe, and he always went easy on me. Lupa catches my gaze and gives me a light smile, and I smile back. I make my way back to the armory tent, leaning against a table and wiping my sword with a cloth. Then I toss it onto a rack and attempt to pull my armor over my head. It's so much cooler once I get out of the armor, and I kick off my muddy boots and put back on my formal ones. I make my way through the castle doors, two guards posted above me and two beside me. I make my way to my room and change into clean clothes. I dry my hair with a towel then run a comb through it. Once I look presentable I sit at my desk and look over some papers. I stop when I notice a letter, which must have been added to the pile when I was gone. The letter opens easily and I take out a note. I un-fold it and look it over, noticing a royal-looking stamp at the bottom. 

             Prince Rae, heir to the throne of Ravenwood kingdom,                                                                           My deepest apologies about King Sawyer. He was a fine ruler and he will be missed. I have written to inform you I will be traveling through Ravenwood for business. I was wondering if I would be allowed to stay in Ravenwood castle for a short period of time during the trip. I understand your father scheduled a meeting to talk about strategies, and assuming that meeting will still take place, I will arrive in seven days. Please, give me your response then.                                                        My sincerest condolences,                                                                                                                                                                           King Talon, ruler of Silver star castle

I read the letter twice, running my finger over his royal stamp. I completely forgot about father's meeting. King Talon could be a dangerous enemy, so letting him spend a few nights might be smart. I'll have to ask my advisors. 

"Rae?" I jump at Emi's voice, turning towards my door. Today she wears a red dress with darker red lace. The dress has a long skirt that seems to flow from her waist to the floor, and her hair cascades off her shoulders down her chest. "Are you okay? I just came to tell you we're having a staff dinner tonight." She murmurs, stepping closer. I smile.

"I'm fine, just looking at papers. You know me, work, work, work." I chuckle sheepishly. She frowns.

"Okay, well, dinner is at sundown." She tells me, and I nod. 

"Thanks, I'll see you there." I say, and she leaves reluctantly. There's no way she can know about King Talon, she hates him. Something about him being an unfair ruler that abuses his power. I see him as a formidable enemy. She sees him as unjust. After I've stuffed the letter into a drawer I make my way through the hallways to the royal dining room. Since it's a staff dining night any maid, servant, guard, advisor, and cook is invited to dine with the royals. The halls are crowded with people dressed in the best they own, and I spot Maxe in the crowd, taller than almost everyone here. His gaze finds mine and he weaves around people to meet me outside the dining room. We walk in together, many of the seats filled. 

At the head of the table there's either chairs, for the royal family, head advisors, and if any are open, the healers. I sit down in my chair, but everyone gives me a curious look. I flush, standing and quickly sitting down in father's old chair. Maxe and Emi are to my left, Minnoe and Tannir beyond them. All the way to my right sits Quill, an advisor,  and I see Azi and Kopa making their way for the empty chairs. Then I see Ashelyn. Her hair is let down, falling down her back and nearly reaching her knees. She's wearing a dress, a pale green with a rippling skirt and short sleeves. She catches up with Azi and Kopa, taking the only seat left, the one beside mine. She gives me a small glance, a soft smile making her eyes shine. I return the small grin, then turn to face the crowd of eyes staring at me. I clear my throat. 

"They can't eat 'till you tell them to." Maxe whispers to me, leaning over in his chair. I flush, standing to address the crowd.

"You may eat." No sooner than I say the words does the dining room erupt with talking. People giggle and laugh with the people beside them, drowning out my thoughts. I sit back down, thanking a cook as they place a platter before me. There are mashed potatoes, pork chops, and soup. I get a sick feeling in my stomach. This is Father's favorite. Something inside me still thinks he's alive. there's a tiny part of me that won't let go. I place my hand sin my lap and sigh. Doing so, I brush the bottom of the table and a tiny slip of paper tumbles down from the underside of the table onto my lap. I stare at it curiously. It sat between my chair and Maxe's, and when I carefully flip it over to read it I gasp as I recognize Father's handwriting. I read it carefully, trying not to choke on my surprise and eagerness. 

                                                  Midnight, tonight. You know where.                                                                                                         If all goes as planned, the kingdom will be safe by sunrise.