The Royal Decision (Book 1 of The Royal Series)

Chapter 8

Author's note: I would like to say thank you to Dommy2055 who had added this story into his reading list and said that he liked this story. Thank you Dominique!!!

The Princess before Me

Daniel’s POV

Truthfully, I had heard that Kingdom Vanias was famous for its nature beauty but I never expected something like this. The Wilhem forest was filled with the sound of birds chirping. The sunlight penetrated the heavy trees. Sound of water flowing freely created a refreshing melody. I halted my horse, Knight and looked at the small lake below the waterfall. Small fishes were swimming in the crystal water as if they were dancing, catching attention from the nature. Gentle wind blew and the leaves whispered in answer. Small flowers swayed in the presence of the wind. It looked like the whole view in front of me came from a famous painter. However, the sparkling water was more than that. The fragrance of the flowers, trees and nature would never rival paintings. Painters would look down in shame. This very scene before me showed the power of Persephone, the goddess of spring herself.

“Luke, why don’t you seem to be astonished by the view before you?”

He looked like I had taken him off guard, “… It’s nothing … I had heard about the rumors in this Kingdom and had expected as much.” He offered me a smile hinted with … hesitation.

I tried to make eye contact with him but he broke it… That was strange…

We rode silently afterwards but he just kept getting more distant. First, his eyes were clouded by pain and it grew to longing. Those eyes were looking at this forest as if they had known this place perhaps it was filled with happy memories. Those longing look on his face as if telling the forest that he was back. The smile that lightened his face was hinting that he loved this place. I decided that it would be better to let him venture more in this place then maybe he would open up his past to me.

“Luke, I would like you to search for the king first and come back to me. Tell me how many soldiers he had brought.”

“I shall do so, my lord.” He said and left.

I was riding in silence when I heard the sound of two girls behind the tree nearby. That sound was very familiar and I could guess whose voice was it. Her voice had died down when I got off from Knight. I moved closer to the tree and let my presence known. She looked so ethereal but not like before. When she wore dress, she looked like an angle but now she looked like a warrior. She was like…ah yes, the Goddess of War and Wisdom, Athena.

Her tense body relaxed itself when she saw me and her jingling sweet voice recognized me. I knew that there was another presence beside her but I could not care less. Her voice over whelmed me. Right there and then, I promised myself something that I would only do when my senses left me.

“I will protect her with my life!”

Aurelia’s POV

The tension in my body left me when I saw him. I was happy to be able to see him again but I was also troubled. My heartbeat turned a notch higher and increased its frequency. I feared that my heart would burst any time soon. His hair was a bit messed up but those eyes were as clear as ever. I felt that I was captured by those mysterious eyes, boring into my very own.

Ehem!

I was startled when I heard Ana cleared her throat and I blushed when I realized what I had been doing. Ana looked at me disapprovingly but also with a knowing look. My eyes could not help but to trail from Ana to him. That tall and strong figure was a very tempting shelter. I wanted to lean closer to his chest and let him protect me from everything. I felt a pang on my chest when I remember that I did not know his name. How could I like or love someone I hardly knew?