An Empty Podium

Prince Ivruss stared at the sky silently. He was impervious to the noise around him. The fates had been cruel to him since he was young. why would they suddenly decided to bless him? Unless they wanted him to suffer some more. He had long ago stopped caring about offending them. His mother had revealed the secret of his birth before she died. Come what may, his father had challenged the fates and he would be paying the price.

When a man and woman tried to challenge what the fates had decreed then their biggest punishment would given to the child that they had together.. As a result of this, even though he had been adored by his people as a child and feared and respected as he grew up into a strong warrior leader, he alone knew the truth of his curse.

General Jen Ting's golden eyes shines with hope and happiness for his friend. But seeing the gloomy look on his face, made Jen Ting, worry. Looking around, he noticed the people around them had long gone while the prisoner had been taken back. The welcome of a consort for the Prince needed to be grand and everyone needed to prepare gifts accordingly.

Dropping the honorifics, he covered the distance between a Prince and a Subject, placing his hand on the Prince's shoulders. "Shouldn't you be happy? Now that your mate is here, you will be able to eat again and feel your emotions again. You should be glad.."

Prince Ivruss had a grim smile on his face and he turned to look at his friend and say bitterly, "The Fates have blessed me? Have you forgotten the Queen, Jin Teng? Do you think the queen and the King have not noticed the announcement? What do you think she will do?"

But Jin Teng shook his head. He refused to look for the bad before the good arrived. He shook his friend and said, "Wu Long! Come on and prepare for your bride's arrival! We don't know if she is going to be from here or from some other planet! We have to make her feel welcome in this cold palace!"

Prince Ivruss nodded to pacify his friend and stop him from nagging, "Fine! Fine. I will go and prepare the wedding gifts. I don't have any idea what to give my own consort.."

Jin Teng pushed his friend towards the inner castle and said, " I am sure whatever you bring for your mate, she will receive it with joy! Now go and prepare.."

While Prince Wu Long went inside the castle, the workers of the castle had already erected a long Podium and thousands of chairs for guests. The food and drinks had been laid out on the table ready to be served. The ministers and higher officials would soon be here for the feast. All the women were already dressing up to the nines. It was better to be dressed well if they were chosen by the Fates to be the Consort to Prince Ivruss.

General Jen Ting was grinning from ear to ear as he directed the people to place the decorations accordingly. By the time the day turned around, the official had all arrived and the common folk had also assembled in the courtyard. Prince Ivruss was their protector and benefactor. How could they not come to congratulate him?

Inside the castle in the Prince's private rooms, the atmosphere was directly opposite of the outside. Everyone wanted to welcome his bride but he was surrounded by worries. This was the worst time for him to find a bride. He had been gathering his resources slowly over the years and was finally ready to lead his people to rebellion.

If a mate was to be found at this time, it would reveal in him having a big weakness exposed to the Queen. And knowing the Queen, she would definitely not refrain from exploiting such a weakness.

Sighing, he slowly pulled out the small chest from under his bed and pulled out a dagger. The hilt of the dagger was shaped in the head of a dragon and encrusted with blue jewels while the sharp blade glittered off the lights in the room.

Picking it up, he wrapped it in a velvet cloth and placed it on his bed. This would be his gift for his bride. He, sincerely hoped that his bride was a warrior who would be able to stand against the Queen or it would mean the ruining of his people.

As the time for the mate's arrival inched closer the celebrative mood peaked in the courtyard. Several dancers in red leather stood on small discs dancing gracefully and entertaining the people as music and chatter rolled around.

Unexpectedly, instead of wearing the ceremonial Green of their planet, Prince Ivruss arrived in black clothing.. However no one dared to comment on this and as the music of flutes started to play again, the crowd slowly settled down, waiting for the Princess Consort to arrive..

But the music continued to play and the stars in the sky continued to burn while the podium remained empty. The people around started to whisper and mutter as the music faded away and yet there was no sign of the mate. Soon, there was a burst of stars indicating that the ceremony was complete.. What had happened. Those officials who were loyal to the queen, smiled joyfully at this. The Fates had made a joke of Prince Ivruss.

The Prince dreamed of overthrowing the Queen? He could not even find his mate. It would be so much fun to report this evening's happenings to the Queen. Everyone turned to face the Prince to see his expression of loss and shame, but his seat was empty. Had the Prince really not waited for his bride's arrival?