Yours Truly

Chapter 7 part i

The Prince hurried gracefully down the stairs to the great dining hall. He could hear many voices echoing with occasional laughs resonating in the corridors. As he entered, he saw many men sitting on the majestic dining table. Matthew blinked as his demeanour turned impassive once again.

"Ah Matthew! Just in time my boy!" Dante's voice resounded in the great hall. Everyone turned towards the prince.

Silence.

Without making things look awkward, Matthew bowed as a sign of greeting.

"Is it really Matthew?"

"He is all grown up!"

"Oh my! What a fine young man."

Donovan laughed, gesturing Matthew to sit next to him which the prince obediently did so, smiling courteously at the other men seated there.

They all were kings of different nations gathered together for the monthly counsels.

Allies to be exact.

He spotted Joseph sitting across the table and smirked. Joseph rolled his eyes at him before the breakfast was served on the table by handsome butlers in white suits.

"Where is Princess Jenavive, Dante?"

'Jenavive, oh. '

"Oh, she is an early bird. She wakes up before the sun does." Celio replied smiling. "She sets off for training soon after breakfast."

"Horse riding?"

Celio laughed and shook his head "Archery and fencing."

The man who asked the question looked awestruck.

So was Matthew.

"She is my strong girl." Celio smiled continuing his breakfast while the other man did the same.

Matthew tried to imagine what she might look like.

Hmm... Strong?

'Yeah, she probably looks like a Viking.' His conscience sat on the empty chair besides him, sipping his tea gracefully.

Matthew looked at him with a deadpan expression and let his thoughts wander a little more. The girl he met yesterday appeared in his mind.

'No that's not possible.'

'Her name wasn't Jenavive. What was it again... Paulina?'

'Patricia, you doofus.' His conscience rolled his eyes at him.

"So Matthew any plans for today?" Celio asked Matthew which caused the Prince's train of thoughts to halt.

"Hm? Haven't decided yet. Maybe a stroll around Cyrail?"

Celio grinned "I see."

Matthew smiled at him before finishing his breakfast.

xxxx

The Prince set off for another little adventure in the country of Cyrail, heading towards the fields rather than the busy streets of this interesting place.

So tranquil.

He could see fields of corns and sunflowers flirting with the breeze while the warm sunlight kissed his pale skin.

Peaceful.

Well everything seemed peaceful until an arrow swished past him, hitting on the bull's eye on the target hanging on the tree.

Oh.

He looked in the opposite direction to see where the arrow came from. A maiden with brown hair stood almost twenty meters away with a blindfold covering her eyes, while a mischievous grin graced her delicate features.

Patricia?

She put another arrow on her bow and this time aimed it towards Matthew which caused his eyes to widen slightly in fear.

"Halt! You are going to end up killing someone."

The Princess chuckled, "I knew someone was there, didn't know the prince was out on a stroll again."

She took off her blindfold only to see a tall and handsome young man standing at a distance, wearing a black shirt that complimented his muscular frame.

He looked like a fallen angel.

"So.." She kept away her arrow and bow and walked towards the prince "What brings you here?"

"Peace, which doesn't go well with your hyperactive presence." Matthew rolled his eyes which caused Jenavive to chuckle.

"You could have asked Ronald to call me so I could be your guide. It would be a shame if the prince lost his way."

"I did not lose my way."

"You did."

"Did not."

"Really? do you know where you are going?"

"Uh..."

Now it was Jenavive's turn to roll her eyes "Beyond these fields is another territory. Trespassers are not allowed."

"Oh."

"Yes 'oh'." She mimicked his expression childishly.

"You just ruined my practise." The Princess feigned her sadness.

"It's rare to see a young practising archery." The Prince remarked, genuinely amused. "Ladies are supposed to be of all grace and poise."

"Grace and poise can also be judged by archery." She pointed her target and smiled.

"Fair point made." The prince muttered before an awkward silence seized them both.

"So Mr. Reynard, did you hear about the carnival of Cyrail?" Her melodious voice broke the looming silence.

Matthew shook his head.

"Then you have known nothing about Cyrail!" Jenavive stated enthusiastically.

"What is it about?" The Prince asked, amused by her happy spirit.

"Oh you'll see! Come on." She held the Prince's hand and pulled him after her.

He felt a certain electricity pass through him when she touched him hand. A spark that he never felt before. He could have told her to keep her hand away but he didn't have the heart to.

Her aura dazzled him and for a moment, he forgot about Ophelia.

Just for a moment though.