1 I : The Prophecy

It was a beautiful summer, one of the brightest in Asfalís Kingdom. After a decade a girl child was born. Festivals spread all over the Kingdom. That summer, a boy was also born in the neighboring Kingdom Ierós. But unfortunately the happiness didn't last long. It felt like as if a really cold and vengeful winter took over Asfalís and Ierós.

*Present time, early 50s*

"How much time left to reach Ierós?" she asked.

"The road is covered with snow Princess, we will need double the time to reach Ierós," replied the cart driver.

"We have reached Ierós!" announced the cart driver after two hours of journey.

It is Christmas Eve, the Princess of Asfalís Kingdom and her best friend are traveling to the land of pearls and brave sons, Ierós. As she steps her right foot out of the carriage, a hand of royalty and bravery approaches for help.

"Allow me, Princess Izel Aegeus," he politely says.

"Call me Izel, you must be Prince Evan Bennett," she says after half-bowing to him. Her light peachy skin is covered with an emerald green velvet gown, Izel always liked dark colors. A golden necklace with emerald stones, a tiara and a half-transparent golden veil known as 'The Princess's Charm' complementing her beautiful brown curls. She is equally graceful and intelligent.

"That's me," a warm reply came from the Prince wearing a dark black suit and a robe up to knee-length. Charm and bravery as if ran in his veins. His jawline and sea-green eyes are peaceful to look at. Tall, handsome, sleek blonde and perfect!

"This is my friend Ms.Xandria Elpis," she said looking at the girl next to her, "We are here for pearls. I am hoping to surprise my great-grandma for her birthday," she added. Xandria is her best memory from childhood, a girl in an off-white gown, mostly a daydreamer. She is the daughter of the prime minister of the kingdom, Xavier Elpis.

"Come, I'll show you the glass house, it's where I like to keep the precious pearls." The glass house is basically a huge living room totally made of glass with glass shelves and cabinets holding pearls. It's inside the castle of Ierós.

"I've heard that you've got the best collection of pearls," she said.

"Guilty, Izel," he says still holding her delicate hands.

His dark brown eyes looking into Izel's grey eyes. Hearing her name in such a charming tone forced her rose lips to part apart and end up in a smile. And for the first time Evan sees such a radiant beauty like her blushing with her cheeks cherry red. This little fairytale gets interrupted with Rigel De'Cour, Evan's right hand and best friend.

"Welcome to Ierós Princess Aegeus and Miss?" he ends as if he wants to know her name.

"Xandria Elpis," Xandria replies.

"He is Rigel De'Cour, my crime partner," Evan says.

"Nice to meet you Rigel," Izel greets.

"Nice to meet you too," Rigel greets back.

"Have a seat, please. If you allow I'll show you the pearls," Evan says.

"Please, do show," Izel says after sitting down on one of the couches at the very centre.

"If you don't mind can I show Xandria our Kingdom?" asks Rigel.

"Yes, please," Izel says as she looks at her best friend, "My friend doesn't have a fetish for jewelry like me."

After both of them are gone Evan Bennett shows some of his best pearls.

"What would you like to take?" he asked having only one long glass table coming between them.

"A necklace will do for Ms.Mihapi, my great-grandma," she replies keeping her hands on the table.

"What do you think about this?" he shows her a beautiful masterpiece.

"Perfect will be the right word, Evan," she smiles again, "Can you show a locket or something for my friend?"

"Sure," he takes out a locket from the cabinet behind, "This will look good on her."

"I like it too."

"And what would you take?" he asks.

"What will you suggest?" Evan feels like challenged and keeps a box covered in velvet cloth from the top-most drawer of the glass cabinet on the table. He opens the box and the first thing Izel sees is a ring with seven pearls on it. She expands her right hand to him as a gesture of wanting him to put the ring on. He quickly asseses it, puts the ring on her right hand's fourth finger.

"What are your thoughts on this, Izel?" he asks.

Hearing her name she smiles again, "It's precious. As if I'm getting the essence of bravery and beauty from it."

"It's looking perfect on your hand."

"Fine, then pack the necklace and locket for me."

"What about the ring?" he asks anxiously.

"I think the ring looks better on my hand rather than packed up in a box, what say, Evan?" she smirks. Evan smiles as well. After packing, Evan and Izel walk up to the front gate. There they meet with Rigel and Xandria cheerfully laughing in the garden.

"Xandria! We need to go, great-grandma must be waiting for us," Izel says.

"Coming!" replies Xandria.

They are both escorted to their carriage by Evan and Rigel. They bid them goodbye.

"Come again, Izel," Evan kisses on her hand.

"Of course, Evan," she smiles.

*Back to the castle, Asfalís*

"GGma look! I've got a present for your birthday!" screams Izel.

"Ohh dear, why did you take such pain to go all the way to Ierós to give me a present? Although I really appreciate your effort pumpkin," Ms.Mihapi kisses on Izel's forehead.

"Anything for you GGma," Izel says keeping her head on Ms.Mihapi's lap, "Do you like it?" Izel shows her the necklace.

"It's beautiful just like you!" she exclaims, "After your parent's demise you are the one who takes care of me, you're such a kind soul Izel."

Izel's parents died just a year later she was born. Izel takes care of the kingdom because she is of eligible age now. People say that the royal family was cursed. Some say they were murdered. Some also say they had a normal death, but no one knows the truth. The royal family has Izel and Ms.Mihapi. The locals still wonder how only these two people are still alive while the others are dead.

"No GGma, you are the one who took care of me and the Kingdom after their death. I will do anything to see a smile on your face," says Izel, "Okay now I'll leave you to rest."

Izel takes Xandria to one of the towers of the castle. It is almost sunset, and Izel loves to watch both sunrise and sunset.

"The sun looks so beautiful when it rises and drowns," Izel says.

"Yes but I like the stars more Izel," Xandria says.

"Which star do you like the most?"

"The brightest one, Rigel," she almost whispers the last word.

"What did you say, I couldn't hear you properly."

"The brightest one," Xandria stammers, " What do you like the most Izel?"

"The young warrior," she confidently said.

"The? Who is that?"

"You will know eventually," both of them laugh.

*Inside the castle, Ierós*

"Soo you like her right?" Rigel asks.

"I guess so. Okay now I'm getting late it's Ms.Melissa's birthday, remember?"

"Oh yes, gift her something."

"I will but first I'll meet her."

*Knock knock*

"May I come in Melissa?" Evan asks.

"Come in boy I was waiting for you. My birthday is incomplete without you," Melissa replies.

"Happy birthday! How's your knee?"

"It's not good son, I'm growing old you see," she sighs.

"Don't worry, I'll arrange the best treatment for you. You are my sole family and I can't lose you."

It can be a coincidence or something but Evan's parents were murdered on the same night Izel's parents died. He lives with his great-grandma Ms.Melissa. Hence, Ierós Kingdom is ruled by Evan after his great-grandma.

"Oh no son, I'll never leave you," she assures him.

"I beg your pardon Ms.Melissa, Asterion Mantis has came to visit you," Sharon says. She is Ms.Melissa's favorite servant.

Asterion Mantis is the fortune teller of the royal family. He was the one who first predicted the murder of the King and Queen.

"I'm coming," said Melissa, "escort me to the entrance room son." Evan takes her to the living room.

"To what do I owe this pleasure Asterion?" Melissa asks.

"I wanted to give you a gift on your birthday Miss, but I'm afraid that I have to give a prediction, a rough one," Asterion sighs in guilt.

"What is it Asterion?" Melissa asks.

"Evan dear can you please come here?" Asterion calls him, "Just touch this ball of fate. I wasn't feeling right about the royal family so I rushed here to clear my doubts."

The ball of fate is something Asterion is fond of. He believes that if someone touches it, the glass ball can itself reveal his or her fate. Only the Mantis family has the right over that glass ball. Evan touches it and Asterion's face turns pale.

"Perhaps, my fear was correct," Asterion sighs, "It's a prophecy miss, it goes,

'All the sorrows of the winter will return back as joy but the present will again refresh the wound. Revenge will be taken for revenge itself. The flower of love will be torn apart. Hearts will be broken to join again.' "