Prince Charming

Chapter 2

A couple days passed and to my (and Miranda’s and my mother’s and the Castle staff’s) relief, my father stopped the balls for my brother. At first, I felt overjoyed; we would not have to waste time mingling with random girls vying to be my brother’s wife.

Then I became incredibly scared for my life that Father would turn to me instead of George. He paid much more attention to me nowadays. Just the day before, he gave me “the talk”, how he understood my non-existent curiosity of the opposite sex’s body, questioned if I preferred a knight’s touch, and started telling me his first time with Mother until I lied that I was late for fighting lessons with Johann.

I fear the day my father will begin my own girl hunt AKA balls. Sure, it would be nice if I had a ball just for me, but I didn’t want any of the girls here. There was only one girl I had in mind, but I’m pretty sure it’s a crush phase. I could never see myself living with a pink-haired girl for the rest of my life.

But my father did not stop the balls for no reason. The King of Asreila, a small neighboring kingdom, had arrived today to discuss some royalty business with him. The King of Asreila was a tough-looking man that towered over many people by at least a foot. He had vibrant red hair that scaled down to his bulky shoulders. Despite what appeared to be a mean demeanor in his eyes, he was actually quite jolly, almost like my father. The two of them go way back, probably before I was even born. According to Mother, they were war buddies, fought alongside each other when Asreila was threatened with a takeover. Obviously, as time passed by, they would only meet occasionally for serious business.

“Chess and jousting games,” My mother sighed apathetically as we ate breakfast. “They like to bet to see who wins the most matches; the loser must change a rule in their kingdom upon the other’s request. Your father isn’t really on a winning streak here. That’s why he decreed that all the young ladies would wear only belly-button-bearing outfits for a whole month.”

“And why everybody in Asreila had to dance for ten minutes every morning during May,” Miranda added as she was cleaning up the dirty dishes.

“Well that’s charming.” Clearly, my father and the King of Asreila take their job seriously. At least they haven’t cracked yet.

The King of Asreila invited me to a sparring match against his bodyguard. It was intended for George but he was no where nearby, probably having seven minutes in heaven with an unfortunate maiden. The Asreilan King, Father, Mother, and I walked to the field and met up with the bodyguard.

The bodyguard was tall man, nearly 7 feet much to my horror and dark eyes. We bowed to each other before taking our positions. Father motioned us to start and we ran straight at each other. At first, it was difficult. This guy isn’t the Asreilan King’s bodyguard for no reasons. He deflected all my attacks and I have a hard time standing still against his charges. But I managed better than I thought. I noticed the bodyguard’s weak spot, his ankles, immediately and threw the hilt of my blade directly at them. The bodyguard toppled to the ground like a falling tower. I pant heavily, noticing both king’s shocked expressions.

Quickly, the Asreilan King claps loudly. “Splendid! Simply amazing! James, I’ve heard tales of how strong your boy is, but I never expected him to defeat my bodyguard! Why, if he was born on my land, I would have the finest general Asreila has ever seen!”

I blush slightly at his comment. I see my father smiling proudly at me, and I can’t help but smile in return.

“Of course Cloud’s amazing; he gets it all from George!”

            My face fell for a split second, and I’m sure of that because Father and the Asreilan King don’t notice. I bit my lips, preventing myself to yelling at them that I learned nothing from George, nothing at all. The only thing I learned from George was what not to be. But I remain quiet. Quiet and polite. I defended George’s honor, even he himself didn't deserve it. Meanwhile, Father’s words continued to my heart, poisoning it deeper and deeper.