RAJ

Prince Amon and Denaire walked the path towards the old crafting school. They were both silent, lost in their own thoughts.

Prince Amon, who was bringing his two wooden practice swords, felt a little awkward. He wanted to talk about something to Denaire but couldn't have the courage to do so. He was afraid that he might talk about something inappropriate or that he might hurt her feelings, remembering that he was such a prick to her before. And he really did not want to disturb Denaire, for she looked happy looking at all the surroundings.

Denaire, on the other hand, clutching a book on stone carving, looked around in her surroundings studiously. She looked and memorized every detail of every thing she saw so that she could create more realistic art pieces in the future. She didn't bother talking to the Prince who was following her, for she thought that lower classes should never speak to royals unless spoken to first.

And so, with these thoughts, they continued down the path, with nature as their companion.

***

"Woah!" Prince Amon exclaimed as they reached the old school. They were standing on the center, the buildings for each craft surrounding them. "Why didn't Mama tell me about this before?"

Denaire felt compelled to answer the Prince, but she felt it would be out of line, so she remained quiet.

Prince Amon, noticing Denaire's silence, rephrased the question to her. "Denaire, why did Mama tell you about this?"

Denaire was shocked for a bit but easily recovered. "Uh, it's a little embarrassing, Your Highness."

"Oh? Don't be shy. I promise I won't judge and I won't tell it to anyone."

Denaire was so conflicted that she thought running now would be the best option. 'But he is the Prince, he could do anything to me. Whatever, he goes.'

"Uh, Queen Iris saw me making something out of mud." she scratched her head before continuing. "And then she led me here, saying that if I was bored, I could come here and learn crafting. She said that this was a long-forgotten school of her grandfather's. And she wants to put this place to good use."

"You make things? That is so cool Denaire. Would you let me see your crafts?"

Denaire felt pride and shame all in one. She felt proud that someone recognizes her crafting, ashamed that the Prince may mock her mediocrity.

"Uh, okay." She led him to the pottery room. "Well, here you go. It's not much, but I put my best in it."

Prince Amon's eyes lit up. "Wow! Not much? Well this is all more than much!"

Prince Amon looked and squealed like a pig in every craft Denaire made. From her first dandelion, to a majestic dragon, and to the replica of Queen Iris herself.

"Wow, you even put this small mole behind my Mama's left ear. So detailed. If I didn't really no best, I would surely think my Mama is here too. This is so alike her. Wow Denaire! You are good!"

Denaire blushed, seemingly embarrassed for the compliment she rarely receives. "Thank you, Your Higness."

Prince Amon put his hand atop Denaire's shoulders. "What more can you do?"

"I'm starting to study stone carving right now, and if I could perfect it, I'd proceed to metal crafting, then woodworking."

"Metal crafting?" Prince Amon backed away and held his chin, as if thinking. "Does that include sword smithing?"

"Uh I guess so, Your Highness."

"Then, as the first to see all of this- the Queen hasn't see this yet, has she?"

"No, not yet."

"So, as the first one to see all this great works, Denaire, I want you to make my sword during my coronation as the Crown Prince."

"But Your Highness! I am not qualified to do that. And besides, you have your royal sword smith to do that."

"No can do," the Prince replied stubbornly. "I want you to make it."

"But, I'm still not good in metal crafting, I couldn't even create one stone statue!"

"Hmmm, all the more reason for you to learn more! My coronation would be on my 20th birthday so you have an ample amount of time."

"Well..." Denaire pondered the Prince's offer. "I could try but I can't really be sure that I could make one fine sword."

"It's okay, if it's from you, I'd gladly accept that." The Prince, realizing his words, looked away and pretended to study the Queen's replica while Denaire was a little confused of her feeling. She felt that her heart was going to burst and her cheeks became hot. She then decided to ignore that feeling and asked the Prince.

"Your Highness, shall we start our practices now?"

"Oh yeah. I almost forgot. I'll just be outside. You?"

"I'll be on the far left building Your Highness."

"Okay. Let's go and reach our goals!" And to that the Prince went outside.

Denaire heaved a sigh of relief. Surely, being with the royals makes her nervous. She was about to go out too when the Prince met her halfway.

"Oh Your Highness."

"Uh Denaire, have you named my Mama's replica?"

"Name? Is that necessary?"

"Of course it is! You have to name your master pieces. Just like my Papa's sword. The smith called it 'Aiden'. He was like a god of an ancient civilization. They say names give power to an object, you know."

"Oh, I never thought of that. Well, I suppose I could think of some names later."

"That's good to hear. Make my Mama's replica's name something beautiful, she likes being one."

Denaire laughed. "No problem. Queen Iris is indeed beautiful."

***

It was lunch time, and the Prince's stomach was growling in hunger.

"Oh, I can't continue doing this. I want to eat! Did Denaire bring food? Hmmm." And so he quickly went to the stone carving room.

"Denaire?" the Prince called out. The room was eerily quiet. He could only hear his own breathing.

"Denaire?" he called out again. It was when he finally reached the center of the room that he noticed something standing in there. His curiosity urged him to move forward and look at it closely.

As he stood a meter away, he could finally see what it is, a life-size statue of the King of the Jungle, a lion.

"Beautiful. So beautiful."

Maybe it was the sound of the Prince's awe-struck voice that led to Denaire's getting back to reality.

"Oh! Your Highness, I didn't notice you. Please forgive me."

"Did you make this?"

Denaire nodded in embarrassment.

"Wow! In that short of a time? You are amazing Denaire."

Denaire wasn't used to these compliments directed at her so she could only smile her thanks with cheeks flushed.

"So have you thought a name for this? Gods, I want this to be the guard in my room, so that no other royals could come in."

"Well, I thought of a name I read somewhere and it fits representing this lion. So, I think I'd call him Raj."

And Raj roared in acknowledgement of his name.