13 Peacekeeper

It wasn't until Kayla Montejo was face to face with Prince Sebastiano that she realized she had been caught, eavesdropping on the princes as they discussed Eric's future. From it, Kayla could deduce that Eric was going to ask her to marry him, but she didn't hear anything else.

While it was true that she could easily turn Eric down for thousands of reasons, she just couldn't forget the words that came from him as he refused to give in to his brother's request. He couldn't be happy, sharing a bed with someone he didn't care about, he said. But what made him think he'd be any happier if he shared it with her? They weren't exactly lovers and she thought they never would be.

Prince Sebastiano slowly closed the door behind him, speechless and with eyes that didn't leave hers. Kayla half-expected him to tell Eric that he had caught her eavesdropping, but he didn't. Instead, he nodded at her and waved a hand to the direction of Kayla's room and they began to walk.

"I take it you heard us. There will be no use, pretending to not have said or heard things that we actually did," Prince Sebastiano began. His hands were behind him and they walked at a pace that made it seem like this would be a long conversation.

Kayla nodded and raised a chin, trying to cover up the fact that she was nervous. While it was true that she was speaking with a prince, they were not talking about a matter that involved her dignity and her future.

"As a matter of fact, Your Grace, yes, I did hear Eric say he was…" She stopped. It was one thing to hear it from Eric. It was another to hear herself say it.

"Go on," the prince urged, his head turned to her. When she didn't speak, he chuckled and faced the hallway ahead. "Eric is going to ask you to marry him tomorrow. At breakfast."

Kayla's heart rebelled against her chest. As they walked, she searched for a place to sit, but couldn't. The corridors were as empty as her mind was, and no matter how much she thought about her next arguments, she just couldn't find the right words. "You are against it," was all she could say.

She could see it in his eyes. The way he stopped and faced her, the way he regarded her and waited for her reaction, the way he raised a brow, as if to challenge her, it was clear.

"What I think of the matter is irrelevant. My brother will do as he pleased. It is who he is." Prince Sebastiano resumed his walk and Kayla followed.

"But you are thinking it. That I shouldn't marry him," Kayla insisted. She had no idea why, but her mind, her instincts told her to dig deeper, to seek to know more.

"I think you are not ready for the role you are bound to play should you agree," Prince Sebastiano said bluntly. There was no trace of emotion on his face, but Kayla could tell he meant what he said.

"What kind of role is it exactly?" It was Kayla who stopped this time. She didn't mean to, but she was irritated. They were not helping her by constantly mentioning she would have a role and not discuss it. If they really wanted to give her something to do to help their country move forward, and succeed on it, the least they could do was discuss it with her.

Prince Sebastiano looked around and let out a quiet sigh. Then he opened the door to what seemed like another boardroom and he led her inside.

The prince showed her a seat, but she refused, a bit uncomfortable. She didn't expect this to come from Prince Sebastiano; she was expecting Eric to tell her everything she needed to know. And yet, here she was, standing face to face with his older brother, wondering what the role was and how crucial it would be, given that they had to hide.

"You are to maintain peace in our kingdom once you marry Prince Eric," Prince Sebastiano began. He walked to the opposite side of the room, away from her, and looked outside the window with his hands behind him. "You are to ensure that as we open our doors to other countries, peace is preserved."

Kayla narrowed her eyes, confused. She then took a seat. "Isn't that the Queen's role?"

For a while, Prince Sebastiano stared at her, wondering perhaps where she had learned a vital piece of information. She swallowed hard, but didn't say anything. He nodded. "It is now. It will be yours."

"And you think I cannot do it?" Was that why he was against the marriage?

Prince Sebastiano turned her back from her. "I think anyone can do it, on the contrary. Maintain this kingdom's peace."

"So why me, right? Of all the women who could do it, why marry me?"

"Like I told Eric, I hold no personal grudge against you. I simply want to know if you are ready." Prince Sebastiano spoke so casually that Kayla could feel the truth to his words. She knew he would give the same speech, ask the questions and challenge any woman chosen by Eric.

The kingdom was known around the world as a peaceful country. No rumors of war, of conflicts. No news of rebellions and strikes. As it maintained its culture and traditions intact, it kept its people aligned. And any Khazkatian you'd meet would be respectful, law-abiding and loyal to the throne, religious and intelligent.

Its resources were conserved within its territories, but it bought the best that gold, silver and oil could from all over the globe. How it was able to deny the trade giants of the world of taking much from it, no one knows. Thus, making this decision to open its gates prone to mistakes and attacks.

"Is it not the duty of the palace to train me if I take on the role?"

It had occurred to Kayla, as much as it did to Prince Sebastian perhaps, that she did not mention her impending marriage to Eric. It was as important as the role she was bound to take, but with the way Prince Sebastiano was stimulating her right now, she was more interested in being a peacekeeper than a princess.

The prince nodded, walking towards her and towering over her as they stood face-to-face. "That is true. And may I ask, how ready are you to take on such a training?"

He was challenging her. It was obvious by his hazel eyes.

"What kind of training would you have me do?"

"All sorts. If you must know, Prince Eric will soon be the Commander of the King's Army. A fitting role since he had always been fascinated about the kingdom's military dealings. While you, my dear, are expected to hold everything at bay. Ensure that while your dear husband has the country's deadly weapons at his disposal, you are front and center, ensuring they will never be used."

Kayla felt a lump in her throat. Everything sounded so easy while it wasn't explained the way Prince Sebastiano did. Peacemaker or peacekeeper, it sounded so noble. But once imagined alongside Eric's role in the kingdom, it evoked intense emotions.

"So are you ready for it, Miss Kayla?" He took another step to her and another, until she was against the wall. "Will you ensure that as Khazkatia opens its doors to the world, it will remain to live in peace?"

"How exactly do you wish me to do that?" She had no idea how these people dealt with trade and partnerships. For all she knew, she could be agreeing to stop something that might be inevitable.

Prince Sebastiano smiled and stared at her lips for a moment. "Just smile and wave your hand at everyone who looks up at you. Make sure that all relations bear fruits, and that all parties in the throne's dealings are pleased." He walked to the door and held the knob. "And please make sure that my brother does not go crazy over his military power. That should be easy enough for you."

As soon as the prince had left, she knew – deep down in her very core – that, indeed, she wasn't ready.