9 I accept your proposal

Francis spent the whole day worrying about his mother and the feelings that he was developing for the stranger. And the kiss they shared didn't help at all since it only made him think about the man even more. He went above and beyond to see to it that his mother got the best treatment but nothing worked.

The sunset in the kingdom of Arimelari marking the beginning of a new day for the subjects of the moonlight kingdom. Francis got up from his bed and got dressed in the nicest outfit that he owned. He took his time walking to the palace since he didn't have the money to rent a horse. He was very nervous about seeing that man again but he had to get his mother treated. He had this weird feeling in his heart that if he sorts out the man's help then everything will be fine.

He walked past fancy houses that are owned by the rich people of Arimelari. He knew that he was nearing the palace and that made him even more anxious. He kept his head down and walked forward, he felt so out of place in the palace and wanted nothing more than to return home but thinking of his mother gave him the courage to proceed forward and go to the palace. He arrived at the palace and stared in awe at the huge castle. It was looking very beautiful that he commended the architects who build it.

He walked to the gate of the palace and met the palace guards guarding the entrance. He was stopped by one of them and asked what he came to do in the palace.

"I came to see someone," he said in a soft nervous voice.

"Who are you here to see?" asked the same guard.

"A man, I don't know his name but he told me that if I needed him that I can find him here," he replied feeling stupid about not even knowing the man's name.

"What is your name?"

"Francis."

"Okay wait here, I will send word into the walls of the palace for anyone who might know you. If there is someone inside who knows you they will come for you and if not then they won't," he said and walked back to his post. He called over a young boy and whispered something in his ear before the boy ran into the gate of the palace.

Francis waited patiently at the gate of the palace. The cart and chariots went in and out of the palace passing him by as he waited. He crossed his fingers and prayed that the man would come for him. He had no idea what he would do if the man doesn't show up, his mother was getting worse.

For two whole hours, he waited at the gate but didn't feel down. He had hope that the night wouldn't end without meeting the man. The guards looked at him with pity but they couldn't let him in or the queen would punish them.

*****

Alexander had spent the first few hours of the night with his mother, she took her time to bamboozled him with a lot of questions concerning the man that he liked. How his mother had found out about the man surprised him but he didn't tell her anything. He felt like Francis won't be alone if he shared anything about him with other people. He didn't even dare to utter his name when he was alone in the room.

He walked to the training field and took his sword to practice fencing. Since he met Francis he had always been waiting for him to come to him and today was worse. He longed for Francis more than he has ever done before. He brought his hand to his lips and traced his lips recalling the kiss they shared in the forest.

"What are you thinking about my prince?" asked his right-hand man Sir Malcolm.

"Nothing much, I was just thinking about Olivia. That woman drives my mother crazy that my mother looks for new brides for me every day."

"True, your palace is getting more and more princesses every day and it has turned into a harem. I don't know how you handle so many women sire," he expressed.

"That is because I don't handle all of them, Olivia does. She is responsible for all of them.

They started to train together with their swords and fought. Alexander defeated all of his opponents one by one and then instructed them to attack him together. All the soldiers in the field attacked him but he managed to defeat all of them in no time.

"You have gotten better."

"Practise makes perfect Malcolm. I just practice a lot," he said and kept his sword back.

"But you seemed lost in your thoughts today. On normal days it takes you an hour to win but today you took two. What are you thinking about?" he asked and Alexander just smiled at him. He wanted to share his happiness with Malcolm his confidant but his heart would not allow him.

"There is a Francis by the gate looking for a certain man," they heard a young boy sing repeatedly while running past them. Alexander's heart skipped a beat when he heard the message. He got on his feet and ran out of the palace towards the gate. When he ran all the soldiers in the training court thought that there was a problem and followed him out.

The people in the courtyard made way for the running warrior and let them pass. Alexander ran as fast as his legs could to reach the gate. The guards opened the gate immediately he arrived, his eyes wandered through the streets trying to find Francis. He saw him leaning on the gate with his eyes closed and smiled. He was so happy to see the boy that had driven him out of his mind standing right in front of his eyes.

He strolled to him and stopped next to Francis. "Are you dreaming about me?" he whispered in his ear. Francis opened his eyes, he looked at Alexander with determination.

"I accept your proposal."