A Collection of Short Stories

From A Distance

(This is a collaboration with my dear friend and Wattpad author, Lea101102

It has been 3 long, hard years, since Aethen has flourished. Aethen was a city on an isolated island somewhere in the Delos Ocean. The city was bathed in sunlight that seeped through the tall mountains beyond where the sun peeped its glowing face. It was the morning of Themis 14 Julius, 7 in the morning. The market was bustling with people, rushing for the newest items, fresh from the harvest pick. Ships parked themselves on the port, with workers heaving the items from other lands.

In the center of the vast city was a palace with high spires reaching the sky, towering the city of its sheer height. The gold plated tiles reflected the light, shining it in a otherworldly glow of yellow. A girl with wavy black red dip-dyed hair and caramel skin stood on a balcony above the bustling streets, looking at the city. Her violet eyes gave out a silvery glow from the sun spotlight.

" Gwen! Your Majesty is here! "

Gwen turned around, her cream dress with sparkly gems that hung on her sleeves. Her maid was waiting for her.

" Tell him, I'll be down in a minute, " Gwen said.

" Yes, Your Highness, " her maid answered and curtsied before running out of the room.

Gwen sighed and left herself in her thoughts.

She had been under a spell, for almost 3 years. She could still see the purple smoky vines that slithered up her arms. A spell that couldn't be undone, a spell so complicated that none of the magic doctors in the city could heal her. She had fallen in love with someone for 3 years without anyone noticing it, not even her parents.

Someone who was an enemy of her city.

Quite dashing too, in battle and formal.

Kendrick, Prince of Alecale.

He had a body that was muscular built, with hazel brown eyes that always hid a cold feeling behind his mask. His blonde hair shone under the sun, illuminating his pale face. In Gwen's eyes, he was the dashing prince that would save her from this depressing city and keep her in another place where they wouldn't be disturbed.

Gwen began to daydream about it when a voice behind her said, " Why are you keeping our guest sitting there too long? "

Gwen jumped, startled. Her father was standing at the doorway looking at her with impatient eyes.

" Sorry, Father, " Gwen mumbled and rushed past her father into the lobby. She could feel her father's gaze following her footsteps. Gwen rushed into the lobby where she saw Benedict looking at the painting that she drawn for her mother. It portrait a woman standing in the garden, holding a bunch of roses of the brightest red. It reminded Gwen of her mother when she was young.

Benedict turned and she saw her reflection in his jade green eyes. His jet-black hair was messy and his chocolate skin warmed her skin.

" I was looking for your father, " Benedict said, " to confirm the date of marriage. I heard from him, it's tomorrow. "

" Tomorrow?!? But --- " Gwen blurted, the words coming out of her mouth.

" But what? " Benedict asked, his eyes narrowed with suspicion.

" Nothing. " Gwen snapped. She tossed her hair over her shoulder and walked towards the sofa. She sat down, its plush covers making her comfortable as she stared at the chandelier hung up on the ceiling.

Gwen was shocked by the sudden event. Tomorrow was her wedding with Benedict. How would she go to the other city to see Kendrick?

" Gwen, are you ok? " Benedict asked.