Not Just Another Prince (BxB)

Chapter 1

Algereth was a proud kingdom, and its people were known for their loyalty and their kindness to others.  Algereth was open to tourists from neighbouring lands, but only those personally invited could get into the royal circle.

The royal circle was at the centre of Algereth, housing the castle and the homes of the nobles. There was a wall of murals that separated the circle from the other villages, and a beautiful patch of flowers grew in the fields surrounding the wall.

Most of the people who went near the wall went to the trading village of Triton, prided for its many merchants and shops lining the streets. Triton was usually busy, but on Saturdays the streets were filled with customers from all over the kingdom participating in market day, a day of shopping.

It was on this particular day that a message was sent from inside the royal walls.

In the royal family, Meridian, the queen, and her husband Jacob both succumbed to illness in older age. In the past years, their only son took over the throne. As their wills decreed, Prince Corian would be named king on his 18th birthday, which was approaching quickly.

Unknown to the commoners and nobles, Jacob had given one last parting message to his beloved son. As his final wish, he wanted Corian to find a bride, someone to love and support him so that he could rule Algereth with all of his being.

After the mourning of his parents, Corian set out to find a way to marry before his birthday. After almost two years, with his birthday only a few weeks away, he had decided on a plan. He called Escabon, his scribe and childhood tutor, to write a message that was to be delivered to every inhabitant of Algereth.

Let it be known,
To all inhabitants of Algereth, you are invited to attend a celebration within the castle come next Sunday.
The Prince Corian is looking for a bride to sit with him on the throne come his birthday.
Any and all are welcome to attend, and food will be provided.

When the message was first delivered, the inhabitants of Triton clamoured about in an excited frenzy of moving bodies. With only a week to prepare, there was so much to be done.

The chance of having a child in the royal family made every parent hurry to tell their children. All who were of age began making preparations to impress the prince, who was known to be the most handsome man in all of the land.

Everyone was excited, and the news soon spread throughout the kingdom and to every neighbouring village. A group of young girls pranced through the streets of their village, giggling and gossiping about the amazing news.

"I can't believe this! This is our chance, who wouldn't want to marry the prince?"

The brunette swooned back into the girl behind her, the group laughing but still seeing her point. The upcoming party would be an event to remember, and none of them would dare miss it.

  A bit behind the an old dirt path led through the woods, dark trees blocking out the light despite the lack of clouds. The path continued to the village of Parkwood, a colder village that was home of the more adventurous male population.

In Algereth, the boys were sent off to be knights, or guards, and if they knew the future queen they could have a chance to join the Royal Knights, a highly honoured position. Being a guard with the favor of the Queen was even more prestigious.

As all families pushed their children to make a good impression, the date of the celebration was fast approaching, and the castle gates remained closed as the castle was prepared for the party. The Prince encouraged the excitement, but his true plans remained hidden. It was almost time, and no one could be more excited than he.