Heed My Warnings And Survive

Chapter Twenty

Prince Theo

We stayed at the castle for quite a while, living there, and becoming a regular thing, we no longer got stares from pacing servants, or odd looks from Melle. Although we did still all stay in one bed chamber, which Melle still looked on with a disapproving eye, but setting that aside she was a lovely person. There were some rules though, and expectations, like letting people dress, and bath us, which I flatly refused to let happen, and I didn’t want to stay in the castle for free, so I made garments for The Queen, and Prince, which they greatly appreciated. However the worst part about this was the marriage of Theo, and Kiara would be very dvantageous for the two kingdoms, and despite her explaining the situation to him, he still tried to persuade her, by wooing her, which infuriated me, amused Finley greatly, and made it so Kiara didn’t want to go anywhere alone, which most times wasn’t bad, but once in a while I wanted some time to myself, and on those days Theo would pounce, sometimes even when I was there, so I had to appoint Finley as her guard on those days, but like I said, most days the three of us were together anyway, so this was a minor inconvenience, that we could deal with, and would someday laugh about.

We were walking in the garden one day when Finley excused himself to practice sword fighting, and unfortunately as we rounded the corner, arm in arm, we ran into none other than the prince himself.

“Your Highness,” He said with a dramatic bow. Kiara sighed.

“Good afternoon Prince Theo,” she said, with a miniscule curtsey. Theo grabbed her hand, pulling her forward, away from me, and kissed it. I wanted to punch him, but I held off for obvious reasons.

“Come along Kiara, you know it will benefit both our kingdoms,” He said pleadingly. Kiara raised her eyebrow.

“I’m sorry, but Theo you must understand I am in love with someone, and unfortunately it’s not you, therefore I couldn’t possibly marry you,” Kiara explained for the hundredth time.

“But couldn’t I convince you to love me? I’m not horrible.” Kiara chuckled.

“No you are not horrible, and I do not think I could be convinced, I am sorry if I had the power to help your kingdom I would, but I’m afraid Draven might poison you.” I held in a laugh.

“Kiara please,”

“Theo please, I don’t, and can not think of you that way. Have you ever been in love?” Theo’s face turned red.

“Yes,” he mumbled.

“Are you still?”

“Yes,”

“Why then are you so insistent?”

“Because our kingdom is failing, and I can’t bear the thought of after losing my father, my mother will have to lose the home she shared with him.” Kiara’s face softened. She turned to me.

“Would you excuse us?” She asked. I was caught a little off guard, but I nodded, and went to seek out Finley.

I entered the sword arena, and saw Finley sparring with one of the soldiers. I took a seat on a bench, and observed the fight.

“He’s incredible,” a servant sitting next to me said in aw, gesturing towards Finley.

“Do you know anything about swordplay?” I asked. He looked surprised at my question.

“A bit, but definitely not enough to go up against him,” the boy said.

“He’d teach you some you know.” the boy looked awestruck,

“You mean you know him?” I chuckled, and nodded.

“Indeed. I’ve known him all my life,”

“Incredible. You think he’d really teach me?” I nodded again.

“Once he’s done with his sparring match, I’ll introduce you.” The boy could barely sit still for the rest of the match.

Finley finished the match quickly, and went to sit on one of the benches. I walked to him, the boy following close behind me.

“Hey Draven. Where’s your fair princess?” he said teasingly. I laughed sarcastically.

“Talking to the prince,” I said. He gave me a fake worried look. I rolled my eyes. “That’s beside the point. This young man wants you to teach him some swordplay,” I said. Gesturing to the servant boy. Finley looked at him.

“You look like a spry young man. What’s your name,” He asked.

“Vye. I’ve been studying swordplay since I was young, but I’ve never had the chance to spar with anyone.”

“Vye what are you doing here? You’re gonna get yourself into trouble again,” One of the soldiers said, approaching us quickly. Vye looked at the soldier.

“Only if I’m not sparring, and since you won’t spar with me I’ve asked someone else,” He said harshly.

“Indeed. I’m going to spar with him,” Finely put in. the soldier looked at him.

“Please sir, don’t feel pressured by my brother. He can be pushy,”

“I don’t feel pressured by him. I’d like to see what he can do.” Vye stuck his tongue out at his brother. I chuckled.

“Well I suppose I’ll leave you to it then,” I said, turning, and leaving the arena.

The next few hours passed sluggishly, until I decided to find Kiara once more. To my surprise she was still in the garden with prince Theo.

“May I join you?” I asked, approaching them. Kiara looked to me, and nodded. She then turned back to Theo.

“So why won’t you marry her?” She asked him.

“Because, our marriage wouldn’t benefit the kingdom at all,” He said.

“But you love her. Yes?” Theo nodded.

“Then what’s stopping you?” she asked.

“I told you. It wouldn’t benefit the kingdom.” Kiara sighed.

“Don’t you just wanna be happy?” Theo was the one to sigh this time.

“Of course, but in order for me to be happy, my mother has to be as well,”

“Have you told her about Melle?” Theo shook his head. “Why don’t you try?”

“Kiara I haven’t even told Melle,”

“Told me what highness?” Melle said, seeming to appear out of thin air. Theo jumped.

“Nothing Melle,” He said, turning scarlet, and not facing her. Kiara whispered something into his ear, and turned to me.

“Let us give them some privacy,” She said, taking my arm, and leading me away.

“So he’s in love with Melle?” I said, once we were far enough away. Kiara nodded.

“And I’ve told him to tell her,” She said. I chuckled.

“That’s one way to get out of a betrothal,” I said. She smiled at me.

“Out of one, until I get into another,” She said, giving me a look and I chuckled.

“Perhapes, but you’ll have to be patient,” I told her. She chuckled.

“I know, I only wish you didn’t have someone trying to kill you,” She said. I laughed.

“As do I, my love.” My cheeks flushed when I said those words, but not in a bad way. We stayed in the garden till sunset, when the brisk air baid us return inside.

The next few days passed by quickly, we had once again begun to settle, we were getting used to the castle, and the servants, and the soft beds. We even began to sleep in separate bed chambers, which Melle appreciated greatly. We stayed only three weeks, but it felt like an eternity. But alas all good things end, and our stay did when I had a dream. That I thought to mean if we stayed any longer Zander would be killed. And how I would regret this interpretation. We left with full supplies and bellies.