Chapter 3

Here he was, the future king, walking in proudly, with a smirk that showed his excitement. Unlike everyone who dressed in ceremonial outfits, his was an intricate armor of bronze with gold chasing that glittered under the sun's light seeping in through the large windows. His face, ginger hair, and armor, were stained with dust and blood. The proud prince Veha III.

"Your future king is here" he said daunty but smiling. Some lords cheered, lifting their cups to him, and then the ladies began their whispers in hush tunes, giving him ogling eyes.

Two fellow knights walked in behind him, Sir Thiles and Sir Rowry, both in black and gold armor. They were also stained with mud and blood, looking exhausted as prince Veha. A relief it was for the princess to see them return for she had feared they would not survive the fight against the large group of bandits who raided the city last night.

The prince called out for beer, staggering a little to the royal table. A serving boy rushed to him with a filled goblet and the prince yanked it from his hand, and drank instantly.

Refreshed, the knightly prince, proceeded to his seat, bowing first before king Raides.

"Are you alright princess?" Ross asked, realising she was still staring at prince Veha.

She looked at him, and offered a forced smile. "Thank you for the dance my lord" she said instead, feeling she had danced enough, and then turned away to leave the dance floor.

Ross called after her, pulling her back into his arms. The strength of his pull brought her chest slamming into his, and their faces a kissing distance close. For a moment Viera felt captivated, almost getting aroused by this man. The lord was dreadfully handsome, no denial in that, but she refused to feel anything for this man.

A man who couldn't resist anything that moved in skirt, gathering lovers and whores at his castle, with a quest for more. If it wasn't for his wealth and influence across the continent, she saw no other reason why her father would choose him to wed his only daughter.

"The dance is not yet over" the lord smirked.

"I do not wish to continue" Viera resisted his gaze, but Ross still held her in his arm. "I believe you do not desire to hold the princess against her will" she questioned with a threatening look.

The lord gave a slight nod in agreement, gently releasing her from his soft grip. "My apologies, princess" He said, but she ignored him, and strolled away.

She walked up to Sir Rowry standing at a corner with a goblet. He had a few ladies around him, but he seemed unfazed to their flirtatious act. He wasn't a knight of nobel blood, but no aristocratic lady cared, for a knight as Sir Rowry was worthy to wed any nobel lady in the realm, having the highest ranking any knight could get, 'A knight's lord'.

"You have quite the number of admirers" Viera said smiling. The knight bowed with a knee down, and the ladies gave their courtsey. "Leave us" she told and they obeyed without a fuss.

She traced his forehead with her fingers, noticing the cut above his right brow. "You're wounded."

"It's not too serious, princess" Rowry assured, his voice, deep and gentle. "I've had wounds much worse"

"I'm sure you have" The princess smiled and then a young bard began playing his lute, singing tales of her uncle's glorious fights. The boy was twenty, but with the face of a ten year old. Garth was his name.

Viera looked away from the singer, distasteful. It wasn't the boy who provoked her, but his song, which she knew were mostly lies. Veha may be a knight, but he had never fought in any real wars, only ever battling bandits and rebellious groups. The prince was a man too self centered and aggravating, and no one liked him, least of all, the princess. The lords only wore pretentious smiles around him, and the ladies only wish to be his second wife to advance their social standings.

And here the bard was, singing praises for the man, with every one cheering hypocritically.

"I wish he could just choke on his tongue" Viera exclaimed unintentional, irritated as the bard went on.

"I could have it cut out right now if the princess commands"

A smile escaped her lips. Rowry knew his ways with words, and she couldn't help think that he meant it.

"The princess would rather you keep your head Sir Rowry" she said almost joking, knowing if he did as he said, the king would have his head. The twenty year old bard was her father's favorite, and she couldn't blame the king, the bard's voice was a sweet melody, and no bard praises men like he did.

Turning back to the bard, she caught Lord Ross flirting with a blonde haired serving lady at a partially enclosed corner. It shouldn't bother her, but it did. The man had no regard for their betrothal, already at his wits to bed a fresh lady, a servant, an insult to her position.

A few ladies stared her way gossiping, and she left the hall hastily, feeling her anger swell inside her. Rowry followed in a heartbeat, joining her at the hallway. "Is something wrong princess?" he asked.

"I just need some minute away from that hall" she told seething. "Tell me Sir Rowry, have you ever been in love?" she asked calm, as they walked together.

"I have, princess, before joining the knight's call" he replied almost smiling.

"What happened?"

The knight looked at her speechless. He turned away from her, staring first into the distance. "Like all pirates, she chose the sea instead" he said, and offered a faint smile, wanting to say no more.

They stopped shortly at the large opened balcony overlooking the castle's main courtyard. The noon was still fresh, and the wind soothing. The voices from the grand hall could still be heard from where they stood, and prince Veha's laughter could be heard the loudest.

"I wonder what it's like" her eyes gazed down at the servants watering the flowers of the courtyard. "I've read it's beautiful when you fall in love, sadly I fear I might never truly know"

"Lord Ross is quite the charmer, I'm sure you'll learn to love him in time, princess"

She looked at him as if to bark at his statement, but she said nothing and turned back to stare at the servants for a quick peak.

"I will never love that man" she said with utmost certainty, turning away from the balcony, and making her way back to the grand hall.

She met Garth still singing. His song had fourty verses, but she returned when he was only at the twenty seventh. It felt like a hundred verses to the princess, as she eagerly waited for the song to be over, drinking her way through the last five verses that seemed the longest.

Soon it was over, and the princess was glad. Prince Odis had been seated besides her, but she hadn't notice his presence until he called upon a serving boy to refill his cup. Just like she and her father, he had silver hair as well, which he kept short. The man was often quite, but dangerous, a tyrant just like lauryn, but a more sophisticated and charming one. He turned to Viera as though he could sense her eyes on him, but she was quick to look away.

"Do you wish to discuss anything?"

"Excuse me?" Viera asked confused.

"You've had your eyes on me for a minute now" Odis said, looking down at the red wine being poured into his cup.

"I have nothing to say to you, Uncle" she responded almost rudely, taking down a sip of her wine.

He raised his cup to her "Very well then, keep your eyes to yourself unless otherwise, I would not want to believe you're falling in love with your uncle" he said, smirking and went back to staring at the guests. She had wanted throwing her wine to his face, were she to choose between her uncles, she'll prefer Veha. gods, Odis was insufferable.

The seventh meal course came in, as the main entertainment trooped into the hall. Juggling dancers, and pyromacers flowed to the dance floor as the dishes were being served— Boiled crabs draped in delightful western spice, roasted turkey, sweetened in peach sauce, and brown pies, with more ale and wine filled their tables as the previous dishes were being taken away.

The dancers performed their acts, juggling with swords, as the pyromacers conjured up animals and beasts from flames.

Veha cheered, flooding his belly with more wine. "My lady" he yelled, noticing his wife's plate had not been touched. "Is the meal not to your liking?"

"I'm saving the appetite my love, there are more courses to be served" lady Irene smiled posh.

"You would want to taste the crabs, it's delicious I tell you" he told her, slowly beginning to cough.

He swallowed in more wine, and kept on eating, until the sudden cough became more profound. Attempting to sooth it, he began patting his chest hard.

"Are you alright uncle?" Viera asked.

"Do I look alright?" he asked as it seemed to get worse. He hurriedly drank the wine yet again, but it did nothing to ease the cough. His face slowly turned pale, with blood rushing down his nose, and then releasing the goblet from his hand, his fingers clawed around his neck.

"Good lord, he's choking" Viera told worried, as everyone turned instantly to the prince.

Veha rose from his seat, as blood began splashing out with every cough.

"I...can't... breath" he squealed with all effort, loosing his balance and falling to his back.

Irene went on her knees beside him, confused and scared for her husband. Veha's eyes met Viera's, and it made her shiver. He was dying, and she could only stand in shock, staring frozen at the man.

Everyone stood up worried, slowly approaching their table. Viera turned around and made a hasty walk to the door. Her heart pounded, her fingers trembled, she feared for her uncle's life but she could not bare to watch.

Nearing the door she heard Irene's scream, and came to an abrupt stop. Prince Veha was dead.