The Alchemist's Prince

Chapter 1: A Punishment Worse Than Death

A thunderous boom echoed throughout the throne room as the ornate doors flew open in front of me. I clenched my rope bound wrists to prevent the rest of my body from flinching. I would not show fear or desperation. I wished for a short trial and for my punishment to be doled out accordingly, if I let it reach that point. All I had to do is face his royal pain-in-my-rear-end and untie the restricting ropes.

As I walked towards the throne, I held my head high, hoping to display confidence among the narrow-minded subjects. If I were out in the villages I would not be so judgmental; for they did not choose the life they lived, it was forced upon them. But as for these knights and pages, they took their oaths, promised their loyalty, and chose their path, and for that, I had no sympathy.

The stone floor felt cool underneath my bare feet. It wasn't the same as the stone in the forest, didn't have the same soothing feeling. This was more dark and ridged, formed by force rather than naturally. It reminded me I was in foreign territory and that each of my movements were being watched and analyzed. My behavior would determine life or death.

I hadn't realized I stopped until the sharp sting of the guards' swords pierced my back. I avoided the prince's face until I shortened the distance between us. When I looked him in the eyes, I wanted him to see that my crimes were something I was proud of, and if he gave me the chance, I would show him no mercy. However, when I finally looked up at him, I didn't immediately make eye contact; I did the exact opposite.

He had jet black hair resting stiffly atop his head, and it was cut short, unlike most of the men in the village. Dwelling on one's appearance was a luxury only the nobles could afford; therefore, many of us settled for what nature handed to us. Of course there was also the obnoxious ring of gold among the dark hairs, with gems adorning it. The Prince was way overdressed with jewels embedded into almost every article of clothing, so much money wasted on one man. I was lucky that he was talking to one of his servants, otherwise I would've been chastised for staring at the prince. This also gave me time to build up the courage to carry through with my plan, and my escape.

Once the hushed chatter ceased between the prince and his servant, I raised my head with a scowl painted upon it. I glared as my eyes met his. However, I was immediately taken aback by his unusual golden eyes. I had heard of this abnormality before, but I never realized how prominently they stood out upon his face. They contrasted his dark hair and sun tanned skin, but, the beauty of his facial features diminished due to the fierceness of his gaze.

His eyes fixated on mine, boring themselves into my soul, daring me to defy him. I had already caused enough trouble in his kingdom to earn me a life sentence in jail, if I was lucky. Criminals were punished severely in the Kingdom of Euraidd, and everyone knew why. Prince Leo. He didn't just gain the throne for his charming leadership skills and charismatic personality; he gained it because of the power he held deeply within him. One look from him was enough to send his victim into excruciating pain, and if my trial turned to the worst, I would be stuck in endless torture with the prince, experiencing much worse than his death glare.

I prayed to the gods I wouldn't have to meet his insurmountable measure of power.

"Well, well, well what do we have here?" sneered Prince Leo.

One of my guards relinquished his post behind me and knelt before the prince to speak,

"My lord, she is with the alchemists. We found her trying to sell their elixirs in the marketplace,"

If I wasn't punished by the prince, I was sure to be punished by my master. Our clan didn't treat apprentices lightly when we became careless with our duties. Reason number one why I was in charge of rescuing myself, because no one was coming to save me. I screwed up; I became lazy; and I got myself caught.