The Blood Prince

010

I smile as Xavier draws the large curtain, flooding the room with early sunlight.

"Come, look."he says.

I sit up, getting out of the bed and walking over to the window.

He points out to towards the mountain.

"Do you see? It's your castle."he says.

I squint, seeing the tip of my father's castle peaking over the mountains.

"Oh my goodness."I say softly.

"Yeah. You can only see it early in the mornings."he says softly.

"And below, the village."

I look down, seeing the large village.

The streets were lines with colorful huts and houses. There were forests of fruit trees, and crops that stretched across the whole island.

The people were happy, and the shops were full, and thriving.

"Wow. I wish Evandor looked like this."I say softly.

"Doesn't it?"He says, walking away from the window.

I shake my head.

"My father likes to help the citizens. But he's given that job to my mother. My mother could care less for them. When i became queen, I was going to change all that."I say softly.

I hear him sigh.

"....Tatiana, I'm sor-"

He was cut off by a knight bursting into the room.

He immediately bows, but begins speaking frantically.

"Your majesty, there is a beast of unknown origin threatening the north end."

Xavier quickly walks over to the window once again, looking out.

"Prepare the royal guard. Have the archer's ready."he says, turning to me.

He cups my cheek, leaning down and pressing his forehead against mine with his eyes closed.

Then he immediately leaves the room, leaving me in utter shock.

"Wh? Wait Xavier wait!"I say, rushing after him.

"The queen stays in this hall."Xavier demands as he walks past the hall guards.

I try to follow, but the guards cross their spears to prevent me from doing so.

I gasp as I watch Xavier walk away.

"Move! By order of the Queen!"I demand.

"Apologies your grace but the kings word is law."One of the knights says.

I groan in frustration, running back towards the room and going to the window.

.....

Xavier walks out towards the castles north gate, there he sees a chief riding on the back of a strange creature.

Once the chief sees Xavier, he jumps down.

He walks to the gate, and so does Xavier accompanied with the royal guard.

They come face to face, only the iron gate between them.

The chief speaks first.

"Ua ou faalogo ua faapaleina oe. E faapena foi au."

Xavier nods.

"Congratulations. What can I do for you, your highness?"Xavier asks.

The chief squints at Xavier menacingly, but Xavier remains stone faced.

"I am kofi. Son of Chief Odam, and leader of the Kabi people. Your father's legacy discredits you in my kingdom."he says.

Xavier nods again.

"My father is dead, your highness. I share only my blood and face with him. He and I are not the same."Xavier says.

This makes Kofi stand straight.

"I see truth in your eyes. But your actions in the war give a different tala."

"I was forced into the war by my father."Xavier says.

"You slaughtered thousands."

Xavier's stone face breaks a bit, revealing a small glimpse of shame.

Suddenly kofi reaches his hand through the gate, touching the scars on Xavier's face and causing the royal guard to stand in defense.

"Aha did this to punish you for those crimes. But the shame in my queens eyes that you have. I feel that is punishment enough."

Xavier look back at the strange beast that had yet to look away from him.

The face of a lion, but the body of a larger animal. Mythical.

"I'd allow you inside your majesty, but I'll have to insist your beast stay outside the castle walls."Xavier says, stepping away.

Kofi chuckles.

"Shu will stay out here."

....

"Have you not heard of the curse that comes with these crystals?"The chief asks as he examines the late kings crown.

"I have. And I've heard."Xavier says, pouring himself a glass of wine.

"Ah, you've heard the voices of the fallen?"Kofi asks.

Xavier simply nods.

"But strangely, I only feel in control when I wear it."he says looking down.

"Yes, that's usually how it works. Your mother was a master of these crystals."

Xavier looks back.

"I know. She was teaching me about them. Aha stopped that."

"My apologies for your loss King Xavier. Aha was not meant to harm the queen."

Xavier nods.

"Shall we discuss a peace treaty? One that stops the war, and opens the trade."Xavier says.

"I like this idea."

...

I huff, folding my arms as I sit in the chair by the window.

I look out over the village and all the people bustling around. It truly saddened me that Evandor would never look like this.

I hear the door open, and I look back expecting to see Xavier.

Instead I see Nadia.

She does a small bow and then stands straight, smiling.

"Your Majesty, would you like to accompany me to the village?"she smiles.

"Xavier demanded I stay here."I say, annoyed.

"What my brother doesn't know won't hurt him. Come on."she smirks.

I smile a bit, then excitedly stand, running towards the wardrobe.

.....