A Tale Forgotten In Time ♕ One Direction [incomplete]

Chapter 2

Chapter 2

Prince Zayn's POV

I walked purposely through the corridors of the castle, escorted by my two Knights of highest rank, Harry —my second in command— and Louis— my third in command.

Once we reached the double set of doors of the Main Hall —where court cases and any other Royal matters were held— one of the guards keeping watch saluted me and my Knights before pushing the doors open for us and announcing our arrival to the King's court.

I took a leveled breath before leaving the comfort of my friends' presence. With face and chin held high, I strode with confidence that I didn't feel, across the room and took a seat beside my father, the King of Astadia.

I stole a glance at him, his dark golden skin —a tone similar to mine— contrasted with every other in the room. His stance was impassive, I could bet my life on his wanting to finish this matter as briskly as possible even if he served fair justice or not. It took all of my force of will to not roll my eyes and appear discontent.

Instead I took in the audience at the hearing, many were town folk and hard working people that contributed to the great standard of living in the Kingdom. At the far left of the Hall, stood my three Knights: Harry, Louis and Niall.

Niall was our newest member, he joined only a few days ago, but he showed a lot of promise and I knew with a little bit more training, he would be capable of great things.

We were low on Knights thanks to the random attacks we have been receiving on the outer skirts of town. We have lost many great soldiers in the past six months. My father announced a tournament would be held the following month; the winner would have the honor of becoming a part of the Royal Knights.

"Let the hearing begin. Can the accused and prosecutor step forth?" my father's words brought all the soft spoken conversation in the room to an abrupt halt. Everyone's attention was on the King.

It took only mere seconds for two individuals to walk to the cleared center of the Main Hall. The prosecutor was Henry Ewing, the town's best blacksmith. He was wearing all black clothing garments while his face showed only irritation.

A few feet away stood the accused. This person's identity was a mystery to me; the individual was wearing a green hooded silk cape and was facing the marble floor beneath us. 

"May the accused reveal himself to the court?" I asked in a clear steady voice. I saw my father nod in approval from my peripheral vision. 

For a moment nothing happened and I thought I would have to repeat myself but then the stranger pushed his hood back revealing long straight night-black hair. The accused lifted her gaze to meet mine and spoke in a mild yet strong voice, "Why must your highness assume that the accused is a man?"

To say I was out of words would be a tragic understatement. So obvious was my surprise and so prolonged my silence that my father had to take over.

"Man or not, Sir Henry has asked for a court hearing attributed to a fault that you committed. Sir Henry, what charges are you placing on this young woman..." my father hesitated, "what is you name miss?" he asked.

The young woman couldn't have been more than eighteen, maybe twenty at the most; it was hard to tell with her delicate and exotic features. When she answered my father's questions, her gaze was fixed on me, "Luna. Luna Catmael your highness". 

"Luna as in the Latin word for our moon?" the question left my lips before I even realized I was going to ask it. The whole room grew silent.

Did that even come out of my mouth? During a court hearing? My father was going to be very displeased!

Even though pure astonishment was the shared emotion all around the Main Hall, it was honest delight what I saw in Luna's small smile.

"Precisely, sire. I was named after the moon in our sky. My father found it fitting because of the silver color of my eyes" and it wasn't after she said it that I noticed her striking platinum colored orbs. I could only stare. 

It was my father's voice that broke the spell of her gaze on mine, "Luna then. Sir Henry, you may proceed to tell the court lady Luna's faults".

It was then that I noticed Sir Henry's expression. He was looking at Luna with discomfort and confusion. Something told me I wasn't the only that had presumed Luna to be a man.

"No real crime has been committed, your highness" the words sliced through the uncomfortable silence. The female voice that uttered the previous statement was a lot more familiar. I sighed and closed my eyes.

My father made a sound of hidden irritation, "Lady Estefania, would you like to explain the reasoning behind your declaration?"

I forced my eyes open just in time to watch our family's ward step forward in her fancy white gown.

Estefania was the princess of the fallen Kingdom of Nydith. Her father, the King of Nydith had been my father's best friend, so when a horrible war broke against their neighboring Kingdom of Chawyr, her father sent her to us for protection. Estefania's father died in battle and my father took Estefania under his wing. He loved her as if she were his own daughter.

Estefania stood beside Luna, her golden yellow hair falling in waves, framing her pale face. Her deep set of blue eyes sparkled with a humorous secret that she would likely never tell. 

"Of course your highness, I will explain. Luna is my new lady in waiting. My first order was for her to fetch me a good reliable sword and her obedient self did as I asked of her" I frowned at Estefania's explanation. She was up to something. She always was. 

My father, probably hoping there was a good reason for Estefania ordering her maid for a sword, asks the purpose.

"To learn the art of swordsmanship of course! I think it is time for me to step to a new challenge. Just because I am a lady it does not mean I have no use for a sword. One never knows when the enemy can strike, my father's death is proof of that. I would rather not be unprepared and defenseless if one day I have to face an enemy in battle".

Her words made the room break in murmurs and soft spoke conversation. My father shook his head. This was going nowhere and he knew it. The fact made a sliver of satisfaction to go through me. 

"Sir Henry, I apologize for the inconvenience. I can assure you that Lady Estefania meant no ill by her actions and it seems neither did her maid, Luna. I will see to it personally that you are rewarded for your troubles" and that was my father's verdict. 

The whole room started clearing and even Estefania and her maid left the Main Hall. 

My father breathed heavily, "Zayn, talk to her if you will. My patience is not up for the sword conversation once again".

"As you wish, father" I bowed respectfully before going off to follow the King's orders.

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A/N: I hope you like the story even though it is still boring and uneventful :) -Liz