Chapter 35

Meanwhile...

The said Prince of Ashenmore just woke up to find himself in a very dark pit. The only light came from the hole above from which he fell into. He was terribly scared. The place smelled like damp soil and it was so cold he could feel it in his bones. To top it all, the poor Prince was hungry and his stomach was crying loudly. Suddenly, he heard someone scoff.

"You humans are so weak. You've slept for two whole days. Do you know that?"

Ron was frightened. The voice sounded sharp and crisp. "W-Who are you? Why can't I see you?"

The Prince heard the snapping of fingers and the dark pit became illuminated by pearls. Countless pearls were inside the walls of the pit, emitting a silvery glow. With the light, came the figure of the person that talked.

Ron was shocked to see a transparent looking man in white robes staring at him. The man looked quite young, like he was in his late twenties. His silver hair was gelled back and his eyes were violet, like the King's. But there was one more feature that had Ron staring with his mouth wide open. The man's ears were long and pointy. Just like the stories of the creatures Ron loved reading about. Just like the character in his favourite book.

An Elf!

The Prince didn't even know what to do or say.

The Elf tsked. "Why are you looking at me like that? Shut your mouth. You look like a moron"

But Ron was too excited to shut his mouth. Instead, he asked, "Are you really an Elf?"

"Of course" the Elf replied, looking quite proud. "Can't you tell by my pointy ears? I am an Elf. A royal Elf for that matter. You should know by my silver hair and violet eyes. Every Elf of royal blood has both. My name is Kayziel the sixth. Brother of King Fayziel the third. Now, what are you still doing on your butt? Bow before me"

Ron didn't hesitate. He was already sitting on the floor so he just went on his knees and bowed somewhat haphazardly. Now, why will the Prince of Ashenmore bow to a spirit like person who claims to be the brother of a late Elf King? Well, he was frightened to death! In fact, his body was trembling and his heart wouldn't stop pounding in fear. He fell into a pit and met an Elf spirit! There was no one to save him! Of course he would be scared.

But wait. Kayziel? King Fayziel? Why do these names sound so familiar? And those violet eyes, the silver hair...

The Elf was greatly satisfied. "You may rise" he commanded and Ron sat back again. "Tell me human, who are you and how did you get here?"

Ron, who was still pondering over the identity of this spirit Elf, gasped. He finally got it! The Royal Family!!! Zedekiel, Ludiciel, Mariel, Tariel, Sariel, Their names all sounded alike. He remembered that he had once read in a book that the Elfin Royal Family have a tradition of naming their children after dead members of the Royal Family so that they will always be remembered.

No wonder he is Kayziel the sixth. He should be the sixth person in all the generations to be called Kayziel. He then wondered, if Kayziel was the sixth Kayziel and King Fayziel was the third Fayziel, what number was Zedekiel and the rest? He would have to find out. He wanted to know everything about his future husband.

Kayziel was annoyed. He asked the puny human a question and the human was just staring at him in a daze. "I just asked you a question!" he shouted angrily. His voice boomed, making the whole pit shake.

Ron paled and quickly went on his knees. "Forgive me Your Highness! I-I was lost in your handsomeness!" Poor Ron panicked and could come up with nothing but that.

Kayziel was stunned. "My...handsomeness?"

The Prince nodded enthusiastically. "Your Highness, you are absolutely stunning. Your eyes shine like... like the stars! And your face...your face is so sharp and glowing like the sun! Your smile is so radiant it made my poor heart skip a beat. Your Highness, forgive me for staring at you and making you uncomfortable. I just couldn't help it"

The Elf; "..." 'When did I even smile?'

Prince Ron, whose head was bowed, was praying earnestly for this spirit to just disappear so that he could concentrate on getting out of the pit.

But the thing was, he wasn't lying at all. Kayziel really is handsome. He had that macho masculine look and sharp features of an Elfin warrior. It's just that he wasn't as handsome as Zedekiel. He couldn't even hold a candle to Zedekiel's looks. In fact, according to Ron, nobody could par with his beloved's handsomeness. His beloved was the most handsome in the world so there was no way he would have eyes for another. Let alone his spirit uncle.

"W-Well... uh, thank you" Kayziel said, feeling slightly awkward but he quickly composed himself. "Who are you?"

Ron cleared his throat and sat back. "My name is Ron Ashenmore. Son of King Cain and soon to be Crown Prince of Ashenmore" He was quite happy. Once the Elf spirit realised he's also a Prince, he would get the respect he deserves. Maybe he would even help him get out of the pit.

Kayziel eyes went dark. "Ashenmore?" he sneered.

The Prince suddenly remembered that Zedekiel hates his people and so would Kayziel. The look in Kayziel's eyes said; 'I want to kill someone' and Ron didn't want to die so he started to talk nonsense. "Actually, I am not his legitimate son. Granted, his blood runs in my veins but my mother is just a lowly servant who came from a faraway village. I don't even live in the castle and my relationship with him is not good at all"

Ron immediately cut all ties with his father to save his life. Elves are normally powerful and they could do magic. Who knows what a spirit Elf could do?

Kayziel was somewhat suspicious. He raised a brow. "So much information. Didn't you just call yourself the Crown Prince of Ashenmore? How can the Crown Prince be an illegitimate child?"

Ron began to panic. He quickly went on his knees. "Forgive me, your highness. I only like to boast that I am the Crown Prince but I am not. What will the true Crown Prince be doing in here anyway?"

The Elf spirit hummed. The human seemed to be right. What will the crown Prince do among his sworn enemies?

"Um, Your Highness, may I ask a question?" Ron asked.

"Go on"

"Why are you here? Why won't your spirit pass on as others do?"

The question seemed to hit a sore spot and the spirit slowly sunk to his knees, face looking so pale Ron could see through it. He suddenly felt very bad. This spirit will kill him for sure now. Why did he have to ask a question that would make him sad?

"My own nephew sealed my soul in here after the death of my brother and his first son" Kayziel said. His voice was low but Ron could hear the undelying sorrow and anguish. He could clearly see the pain of the Elf.