Blood King

Chapter Twenty

Chapter Twenty

            Cain watched as he saw Princess Celina dance around the lavish gardens with the two younger Princesses of Sader as the eldest sat along the stone of the fountain playing a musical instrument. His father Minister Kayle had practically ordered him to go and talk to the Princess, as in trying to get her to fall for him. Once was during the party of her brother the King’s coronation but there were so many surrounding her of both noble and common alike that he couldn’t even approach her even if he wanted too.

            Celina was dresses in the way that many of the royalty of Sader women dressed in a blue and gold fabric that seemed if someone tugged in the wrong area would come completely undone. Yet the Princess didn’t seem to care in the least as she danced around with the other Princesses and even the Halfling handmaiden.

            She’d make a wondrous Queen. He thought with a slight smile but it soon fled as another thought came to mind. But I’d be no good for her, no matter what Father may think. He doesn’t know, and even still I doubt her brother would agree no matter how nice I behave in front of him.

            Cain was not the first man to try and gain Celina’s heart only to have their chances shattered by Xavier who always did meticulous work in the so-called suitor’s background. If the Crown Prince found anything he did not like, which was probably everything, then that man would be gone without a second chance.

            It wasn’t rejection from the Princess that Cain was bothered by, no rejection was something he could deal with, it was angering the King that he clearly wanted to avoid. But his parents didn’t even seem to realize, just because Cain was roughly the same age as the new King did not mean that he would be accepted by Xavier or even for Celina for that matter.

            I don’t want to do this… he thought as he ran his hand though his light brown hair. But with a reluctant sigh he knew that he had too, if he didn’t he’d be beaten by his mother or worse. But with reluctance he took a step forward only to find himself backing up three when the two Royal Prince’s came running over wondering what was going on.

            “Sisters what in the world are all of you doing?” Narhari asked looking very confused.

            Nikhita grabbed him by the ear and yanked him to her. “You would have known if you didn’t sneak off to go and play games with Prince Radu you missed seeing our father give the King and Princess our gifts.”

            “Ow, ow, ow, ow, ow!” Narhari whined. “That hurts elder sister please let go of my ear!”

            Chapala pointed at him and laughed while Ratnali looked at him with disappointment with her arms folded across her chest. “It serves you right Nar; you know how elder sister feels when one of us skips out on something important.”

            “But I wasn’t the only royal who didn’t show! Radu’s family didn’t ether.”

            Radu held his hands up in surrender. “I actually wanted to go, but since the incident with Uncle and what he tried to do to King Xavier my Father thought it would be best to leave them alone.” Besides he didn’t bring any gifts that would be seen as good fortune for the two. Though Radu did have something he brought personally for Celina, he even checked with Xavier, when the new King was alone, if it would be good enough for her. Xavier told him that she would like it even if it was nothing more than a living plant.