Jenner's POV
"Thanks for bringing me here today Jenner." Esmeralda looked at me with joy gleaming through her beautiful eyes.
"No problem. It was my pleasure. Will you come back tomorrow?"
"Why not?" She replied with a smile, and with that we made our separate ways.
I walked back through the kingdom taking in the environment. The cobblestone streets winding everywhere. The small cottage-like houses were warm and welcoming. I knew almost everyone who lived here from the old baker to the tailor. The streets were suprisingly... quiet. Not many were out and about and then I realized why. The king's men were the only few people out. I felt my shoulder be tugged. I turned to see the chief guard looking at me with intense eyes.
"Come with me young prince."
"Prince? What? I'm not a prince. I'm just a normal guy... I don't know what you're talking about!"
"Don't worry. The king will explain it all."
"King, he is here." The guard holding me finally let go. I shook the feeling of his grasp off of me and looked at the king. He looked young, but way older than me. He had a look of nobility and pride with him. He looked at me warmly like he knew me. I couldn't help but be filled with anger. I didn't understand. I had no place here. I am just a simple guy living in this stupid kingdom.
"What do you want from me?" I growled at him.
"Well... Jenner. That's not how to speak to a king. Especially if that king is your uncle." He smiled warmly. I froze in shock.
"No... You can't 'be my uncle. There's no way we are related. Mom never had any brothers..."
"She didn't... but your father did. He was my brother. He was king. He died when your mother was pregnant with you. She didn't want the throne. She wouldn't take it. I stepped up to take the throne until you turned 18. Well that day has come, you have been 18 for about 3 months now. The only thing left for you to do is go on your quest. Then you will be king."
"I don't want to be king! I want to go out and see the world!" I shouted with passion. His smile turned into a scowl and his warm eyes grew cold.
"I'm sorry, but you have no say in this. Your rise as king is inevitable. You will go on this quest. You will save Princess Lynette. Then you will come back here and get married. You will be king. You have no choice." I felt my eyes widen with shock.
"What? Well then how am I supposed to find this princess anyways? This is impossible!"
"You will be given a map. You will do this. You have until tomorrow to leave. Guards! Take him away."
"You can't! I won't! This is unreasonable! I will never!"
"You will. Good luck nephew." And with that I was thrown out.
"The nerve of that man! He is not taking you away from me! You are not leaving me! I don't care what he wants! I will go up there and settle this myself!"
"Mom... I have to. I am leaving tomorrow morning." Her eyes were glistening with fear and tears.
"No you are not! You can't le-" She yelled as she broke down with tears. I ran over to her and hugged her tightly in my arms as she shook sobbing.
"Mom... I've always wanted to go out and see the world... Now is my chance! I can go explore the world, and I'll be back before you know it. Thank you. For everything you have ever given me. You are the best mother anyone could ever ask for." She looked up at me proud but sad.
"If you want to... you may... and I wish you luck and love from the bottom of my heart."
The next morning I made my way to the kingdom as early as possible. The chief of guards stood outside the castle gates. He handed me my map and I left without a word spoken. I made my way to the only place I wanted to be. The meadow.
I looked at the glistening lake sparkling from the sun. The plush grass swayed from the small breeze. The trees danced in the wind. I was ready...
"Jenner!" I turned my head towards the voice.
"Esmeralda? You came..." Her face glowed and her smile went from ear to ear. She saw my seriousness and her face dropped.
"What's wrong?"
"I'm leaving. I'm going on a big quest to save some princess. I only have a map to help me. And oh yeah! I just found out... I'm a prince." She looked at me quizzically.
"You're kidding me... right?" I didn't answer. "Jenner... You are kidding right?"
"Esmeralda... I wish I was..." She looked shocked. We sat in silence for a few minutes niether of us looking at one another.
"I want to come!" I snapped my head towards her.
"Esmeralda. You can't give up your life to come with me to save some dumb princess!"
"I don't care. I'm coming. All my life I've wanted to leave! Go on an adventure! Well now's my chance! All I have to do is... just take off... and..."
"Fly," We said simultaneously like before. I stared at her determined expression in awe.
"I can't let you-"
"I am. And its final. I don't care what you say. You can't change my mind. So! Where to?"
"I don't want you to get hurt! Esmeralda. Stop being unreasonable." Worry filled my voice. I was not going to let her get thrown into my horrible predicament.
"I'm not going to get hurt!"
"Well how do I know that?" She waited a moment to answer as a smile erupted on her face.
"I guess you'll just have to trust me."
