Blood King

Chapter Nine

Chapter Nine

            Xavier paused in his swordplay with William when he saw Celina walking with two women, one who looked to be around the same age as his sister and a rather tall young woman.

            William then too paused and looked to where the Prince’s eyes were locked. “Your Majesty, is the Princess going out somewhere, should I send a guard to watch her?” only Xavier did not respond he only kept watching her; he tapped the Prince’s sword with that of his own. “You’re Majesty.”

            Xavier jerked slightly before facing him. “Yes William what is it?”

            “I asked if you would like me to send a few of our knights to keep an eye on your sister.”

            The Prince looked back to his sister who was getting smaller and smaller with the growing distance. “No it’s… fine.”

            William watched the Prince and with each passing moment he could tell that Xavier was almost itching to drop his sword and run to his sister’s side and join her. “Prince…” he said in a warning tone of voice. “Don’t do what I think you wish to do…”

             Xavier groaned and faced William. “But William for the past week I’ve barely been able to spend time with her, let alone talk with her like we normally do,” his body bent forwards, his hands gripping the hilt of his sword as he leaned on it. “It’s all formalities and organizing for the party and the ceremony, and I feel like if I don’t get at least one hug from my sister I am going to lose it. It’s not fair I tell you.”

            “Being Royalty is hard, but it will get even harder when you become King.”

            He groaned again as he lowered his head in silence, then after a second he raised his head and said. “Do you think we could hold off on the coronation for at least another month?”

            “No, you’re Majesty.”

            His head lowered once more. “Damn…”

            William smiled; he understood why the Prince had asked that question. “Your Majesty all you have to do is wait until the coronation is over and things die down, when that happens you’ll have more time to spend with your sister I promise.”

            He raised his head. “But what?”

            “But you will have to consider some of the marriage proposals as things begin to cool down, you will be King yes, but you will also have to be with a Queen when you rule as well.”

            Xavier glanced away, his eyes looking to where his sister had departed from; strands of his tide back hair blew lightly in the wind as he remained silent. “But I… I don’t want a Queen.”

            William said nothing he only waited for the Prince to continue.

            “I cannot see myself with a woman; I think for me it’s impossible, after everything that’s happened I just cannot see it. Even if everyone else around me can, and I don’t wish to push my sister into choosing a suitor, she’s too young.”

            “She won’t be a child forever.” William said softly.

            “Don’t you think I know that?” Xavier snapped, as he stood fully, his sword dropping to the ground with a heavy thud. “I know she’s growing up, I know she’s maturing into a beautiful woman, if anyone can see that more clearly it’s me. But it is how others see her that I do not approve of. I have seen grown men lust after her when she was only nine, staring at her with such disgusting eyes that could show every vial thing that he wanted to do to her while she remained only in a child’s body. Back then I wanted her to grow up fast so as not to become harmed, but now I want her to remain as she is for just a while longer. I’d do anything for that anything at all.”