Swan of Snowy Trails (Book 2 of Swan Trilogy)

Prologue

The Four Seasons: Concerto for Violin in E Major, Op. 8, No. 1, RV269, Spring, I. Allegro by Antonio Vivaldi

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Prologue

Prince Tyler

The horizon gave off an illuminated glow of the sun, showering the garden with sunkiss and warmth of the solaris.

I watched the birds flutter above the hedge maze, the fountain of the angel holding a harp, and the garden of eden filled with life and colors.

This could have been the perfect place to settle a life, to settle a family, to watch from the balcony as the world unravel before you.

You can have everything in the world and yet there is always something missing in your life.

"How does it feel like to be a Prince of the Lionheart Palace?"

It sucks, iyan ang unang pumasok sa isip ko, I'm not a Prince without my Princess.

"It feels weird." Sagot ni Nick.

"Kabaligtaran ng inaasahan ko." Dagdag pa ni Claude.

"Mas lumawak pa lalo ang responsibilidad ko." Napabuntong-hininga si Austin.

"Mas madaming magagandang chicks dito. They're hot as fuck." Nakangising tugon ni Zach.

Nakatulala lang ako kay Counselor Socrates. Ang mga kapatid ko naman ay nagbibigay ng kani-kanilang reaksyon. Hindi ko alam kung ano ang maisasagot ko dahil kahit kailan sa buhay ko, hindi ko inaasahan na magiging prinsipe ako.

Nakatayo kami sa balcony ng palasyo kung saan nasisilayan namin ang buong kagandahan ng tanawin ng malawak na lupa ng palasyo. May suot kaming mga baroque royalty white suits with gold clover patterns.

"We don't want to become a Prince." Nag-aalinlangan na ngumiti si Daniel habang kinakamot ang likod ng kanyang ulo.

"I know what happened to your parents is a horrible tragedy, but you have responsibilities here as a Hanselion."

Counselor Socrates gave us a stern look. Hindi siya aatras hangga't sumunod kami sa utos niya. "You have to accept your destiny."

"This isn't what we're destined for!" Tutol ni Malcolm. "We were just a bunch of idiots fooling around and trying to survive the world and now we're..."

"Royalties." Pagtatapos ni Counselor Socrates sa kanyang mga salita.

"You could still do what you've been doing. You could still be you under this magnificent roofs." Inilahad niya ang kanyang kamay sa paligid namin. "The Aestheria people needs the rightful ruler of its kingdom. You're all the true sole heirs of the Lionheart Palace and no one could ever replace your throne but you."

"Wala kaming alam pagdating sa pagiging prinsipe ng bansang ito." Sabi ni Riley. "Hindi kami karapat-dapat maging prinsipe."

"Huwag kayo mag-alala. Tuturuan namin ang tungkulin at ethics ng pagiging prinsipe. May kasama kayo na mga prinsipe at prinsesa ng palasyo at matutulungan nila kayo sa mga panuntunan ng atin kultura, kasaysayan, at layunin."

Naglakad na si Counselor Socrates pabalik sa loob ng palasyo. Sinundan namin siya hanggang sa makarating kami ng Throne Halls.

Nakatayo kami sa likod ng velvet curtains habang inaanunsyo ng ibang counselors namin ang amin pangalan sa harap ng mga nakakasaksi na may mga suot na magagarang mga damit at hiyas.