And In Your Eyes, I Saw Everything

Beauty In Red

-Xander's Point of View-

He walked away so quickly without much of a word. It left me in confusion. It left me wondering what was on the other prince's mind and if it had anything to do with me at all. I mean, he had told me to meet him here again tomorrow. 

He's forbidden though... Now that I really care. He's alluring, mysterious, and something about Vladmir is drawing me close to him. 

In reality, the thought scares me. Love is between a man and woman. It's the only way to produce offspring or an heir for that matter. Besides, the last two "homosexuals" that were found in the kingdom were jailed and later hung in front of an audience while rotten produce was thrown at them. I was eight when I was sent to watch it happen. I was a part of the law enforcement anyways, the kingdom relies on royalty to judge the damned and unfortunate.

I was snapped back into the real world when my knife nicked my finger. A drop of blood appeared and I sighed realizing that I had sharpened my stick town to a useless nub. 

Shaking my head, I began heading back towards the castle. Someone would notice that I was missing before long and I really did not need castle guards chasing my tail end. They were ruthless when they had to be and I really did not need that right about now. I'm just hoping that someone hasn't already noticed me missing. 

~~~

Thames sat by the fountain when I burst out of the trees. Mackenzie, his girlfriend and one of the village milkmaids, was sitting beside him and their eyes lit up when they saw me standing there, covered in stray twigs and leaves. 

"What happened?" Thames asked when I approached the couple.  They had been together for years now and I was hoping that they'd get married someday soon. It'd be nice to know that Thames ended up with someone that he dearly loves. 

"I had an interesting trip into the forest," I sighed and they stared at me, waiting for me to continue on. "I met someone in there. That certain someone just happened to be Prince Vladmir Rayne," I finished without batting much of an eyelash. 

Both of their eyes went wide with shock. The rumor had been throughout the kingdom that if you ever came across a Rayne, you were lucky to live. They were said to be cold-blooded killers and wouldn't think twice about slitting your throat. They were wrong though. Vladmir did act cocky, but he quickly changed when I had explained my situation to him... 

He was almost confused sounding. 

"What happened?" Mackenzie asked, almost sounding worried about what was going on. 

"He said that I was caught in a trap. He was arrogant, almost cocky. We talked for a few minutes and he just turned into someone lost. He looked confused. He turned away from me and told me to met me tomorrow, same place," I said softly and Thames stood up and walked over to me. 

My eyes stared at the ground and I jumped slightly when my friend placed a hand on my shoulder. 

"Don't tell me that you have plans to see him?" He asked softly and I looked up at him. 

"Remember years ago when the two lovers were hung in the square for being the same gender?" I asked, voice catching in my throat as I spoke and he watched me carefully before nodding his head slowly. 

"I was ten. I stood there with you while you cried to your parents not to do it. My mother was the one who comforted you when the queen and king told you to shush," he said and I looked him dead in the eyes as I remembered it clearly. 

"That's what I fear," I whispered. 

"What?" Mackenzie asked me, she held the same expression as Thames. 

"When I looked at Prince Vladmir, I knew that I wanted him to be close with me. I don't want anyone else. I was attracted to him because he looked better than any other princess I've laid eyes on," I said and they both backed away slowly staring at my eyes, searching my face for answers to their questions. 

"Xander... Please, please tell me that you're joking around with us. Please," Mackenzie said, taking my hand and giving it a squeeze. She cared for me like an older sister and I knew that she didn't want me to get hurt, no matter what. 

"I wish I could say I was, Kenz," I said and she frowned. 

"Don't let anyone, I mean anyone, find out. If you do, your parents will have you tried as a peasant. They'll send you straight to the gallows and cut you down by sunrise the next day," Thames said, his worrying tone holding me down. 

"I won't. What do you think I am? A fool? A child?" I said, snapping slightly. 

"We're just worried for you, Xander," Mackenzie said softly, picking at the stitching on her dress. She looked as if she was about to fall apart with worry. 

"I'll be find. I can watch out for myself," I said, pulling her into a hug and kissing her cheek gently. Thames pulled her into his arms as soon as I let her go. I hope this doesn't ruin any of our friendships any. 

We all stood in silence for a few minutes when Thames looked at me and said, "Also, while you were gone-" 

His voice was cut off by my mother's shout attracting my attention to her. 

"Xander, someone's here to meet you!" She yelled walking away from the setting sun, making it impossible to look at her or the person that she said was here to see me. 

She drew closer and that's when my eyes caught site of the damsel. Crimson red hair, pale freckled skin, leaf green eyes. She wore a long red dress with fishnet sleeves and held a single white rose, a peace offering. 

"Xander, meet the lovely Princess Scarlette Rose, your newest suitor."