Crowned Prince | hendery

12: Maha'ali

Maha'ali stood at the center of the continent.

It is the oldest kingdom of the continent, some say that all other kingdoms have been based on the governing institutions of Maha'ali. It came as no surprise that they were also the first and only kingdom to have an institution built for learning. The academy has long been their foundation on peace, all kingdoms sent their noble men capable of spending resources to the academy. No one dared to break their alma mater.

Yet Taeha was afraid that there was another war going on inside a carriage that carried the same name as that of the kingdom that attacked Maha'ali. It was a large carriage able to fit much more than the one they rode in on their way here, but the near lack of distance between Hendery and herself only proves the point that this was nothing like their own carriage.

Hendery's leg was bouncing and it was obvious that he was in absolute panic. "Have you any mind of your family's intent to attack on the kingdom of Maha'ali." They've barely gotten out of the town when he faced Illia to ask this question.

Illia sighs, tightening his jaw before looking at the prince straight in his eyes. "I have long gone without a word with that family of mine." He quickly glanced towards the princess. "To me they have been engulfed by death."

"Do not dwell on such conversation any further." Guanxi intervenes in the growing tension between them.

"Have I not made it clear that I am on the side of this kingdom?"

Taeha slowly turned to look at Illia. He was sitting across from Hendery, as the prince was obviously distraught at the moment. The carriage was much larger than the two person carriage they shared, but was a lot smaller than what four adults should share. If there was no sudden need to return to the imperial castle, they would've gone back with the same carriage that they rode, but with their horses tired and the limited amount of horses in the count's estate, they had no choice but to share.

Taeha, feeling the tension in the prince's body, reaches out to soothe his upper arm. She shouldn't have expected a kind gesture from the obviously worrying prince, because the moment her hand was set up by his arm he glared at her. She almost retrieted her hand the second their eyes met but was stopped once his opposite hand reached out to grab hers.

Hendery for a second, saw the tension he was causing as if a bear was floating inside the already too tight of a carriage. The princess's face only seemed to help him, as if she pulled her straight out of the gut. For that, he was thankful.

He was still a prince. He still needs to keep his head in the right place.

"As I have asked a multitude of times," Hendery slowly turned to look at the count and watched as he changed his expression from that of anger to one that appeared curious, "I shall be needing your help."

"For the kingdom of Hwei and the safety of its people and my family." Illia puts one hand over his chest and bows with however much he can bow.

The hand over his chest and a bow towards a royalty signifies absolute loyalty to the imperial family, especially when done in front of such a high sitting member such as the first in line to the throne. Everyone in Hwei knows the consequence of disobeying after pledging loyalty, one that even the crowned prince finds inhumane– several generations of torture.

Hendery and Taeha rode off from the capital at the rise of the sun and arrived when the sun shone gold and orange. Their travel took much longer than their stay in the estate of the count. Thus, it came as no surprise when the princess's head began to fall back and forth as the prince and count discussed their plans once they arrived in the capital.

"Her highness must be exhausted." Guanxi couldn't help but pity the princess.

Hendery turns his head for the first time since Illia proclaimed his loyalty to the prince. Then he glances towards the two whose eyes were also on her, most especially the count's. "She must be." He reaches out to grab her head and lean it on his shoulder. With his other hand, he strokes a strand of hair away from her face before turning back towards the count.

Yet he was greeted with eyes that stared at him, two pairs of eyes that were staring at him. "Is there a problem?"

Illia takes a deep breath in before biting down on his lips. "Your highness," he pauses and obviously glances over at the princess, "I suggest that you take a rest, the journey must have been arduous."

"There is no need."

The count shakes his head. "I'm afraid that we would wake the princess if we proceed."

Guanxi's head immediately goes down as he hears of his reason. It wasn't like she never knew, it was rather awkward to deal with as neither the count or the countess ever properly finished their relationship.

"The princess is a light sleeper, your highness."

Illia should have never commented on something that Hendery does not know of. As the prince's ears perk at the comment and his head goes into that same chaos as it was in earlier. It felt near buzzing, almost as if it wanted to block him out. "I would rather," Hendery talks through gritted teeth, "that you," he faced Taeha's head and leans his mouth closer to her head, "not speak of the princess all too familiarly."

Though he knows all too well that he, between the three of them present, knew of her the most. He does not like to admit it but on the day that they have spent a part right in between the announcement of their engagement and the move to Hwei, he asked Julian to tell him what he knew of the princess and what word has been spreading around about her. He knew of their romance, one that he has found out, was of common knowledge a few years ago. He knew just how much the count meant to the princess and that he remains the biggest reason for her failed engagements.

He knew that all because he was curious about his betrothed. It was all curiosity.