Chapter 3
1659 Words
(Zeus POV)
"Your back." a familiar voice came from behind me. I turned and looked at my best friend staring at me with a raised eyebrow.
"Hello, Darren."
"You came late."
"I was held up."
"Held up with?"
"Things."
"Things?"
"Yes, things."
"Why are you smiling like a creep when you say things." he asked, scrunching his face.
"I am not smiling like a creep." I rolled my eyes at his exaggerated expression. "I will tell you later, so now, if you will excuse me, I should get ready. I am going to be late."
Darren stared at me for a few seconds before sighing.
"Alright. But this conversation is not over."
Once he stepped out of the room, I waved my hand, making the door shut close. I then snapped my hands walking to the mirror.
In a second, my hair changed its color from black to dirty blond curly hair. My eyes changed from the dull light brown eyes to my usual sharp hazel ones.
I looked in my mirror, running my hands through my messy hair.
Today I met my mate. Today I met my mate and she was sitting alone in a dark alley crying.
My hands formed into a fist remembering the wounds she bore. She was bruised badly and she looked so weak! She wore a highly designed dress, so she was surely a noble. But then why is she like this!
I couldn’t help but get it out of my mind. When I bathed, put on my dress, and even combed my hair, I could only see her face. Her cries still filled my ears and I felt my heart clench in pain.
"Damn it!" I slammed my hand on the table.
I took deep breaths trying to calm myself. I am excited about seeing her tomorrow, but a part of me was frightened. What if she doesn't come as promised?
Someone knocked on the door, bringing me back from my thoughts.
"Yes, I am coming."
I took one glance at the mirror before walking out of the room.
"Let's go. We are late." Darren said as I nodded my head. It's now 8 am. Usually, when I go out at night, I come back by 4 in the morning and go for my training at 5, but today I only reached home by 6. I couldn’t just leave my mate there alone.
The two of us stopped in front of the huge golden double door. I looked at the two guards who bowed to me. They then knocked twice on the door notifying me of my arrival.
"Let's get this over with."
Darren nodded and took his designated position behind me.
"Attention! Crown Prince Zeus Aillard Drystan and his protector Darren Saits are now entering the throne room!" The page announced as the door opened.
I raised my head high and my face turned into a void expression. As I walked into the room, everyone bowed their heads in respect.
"Greetings to the crown prince." the people bowed as I walked past them.
"You called me, Father?" I asked as Darren and I bowed our heads to my father.
"I was notified that you didn't attend today's training."
"Yes, father. I couldn’t attend the training today. I will compensate with late training in the evening."
Father didn't ask me the reason, even though he wanted to. He knew I snuck out today and he hated it. No matter how many times he forbids me, I will go. In the end, he left the topic. Now he couldn’t risk asking me in front of the council, so he bit his tongue.
"There is no need for that. Lady Serene is coming to visit and you will be her guide. She will arrive in the evening."
I clicked my tongue after hearing that. My day just got 10 times worse.
Lady Serene, the daughter of the richest Lord in this kingdom, was chosen as my fiancé when we were children. She is elegant and poised and may I add how boring it is around her? Ever since she was chosen as my fiancé, she has been given an education fit to be a queen.
"Keep her company. She is looking forward to seeing our Eldara flowers bloom like always and your mother wants you to take her there." He said as I nodded my head.
"Of course, father. I will take her."
I wanted to shout and ask him why I needed to do it. It's already irritating that she takes a big unnecessary privilege to see the Eldara flowers bloom. She had no right to see them bloom!
Eldara flowers are special magical flowers that can only be found in the palace. They are considered as the flowers of our ancestors, sacred and very divine. They bloom once a year and during that time, the flower emits energy which is considered as a blessing to the royal family.
Something an outsider is not entitled to see. But I can never say no to my father's orders, especially in front of his councils.
"Also, I have given some duties for you to Sir Darren. There is a disturbance on the east side of Lord Resnold's province. The dark creatures are attacking the crops. There was a report of a woman being hurt as well. Try to finish this within a day and report back to me."
I couldn’t help but grin hearing that.
A perfect excuse to not see that woman.
"Of course, Father."
His eyes went to Darren, who bowed his head.
"Make sure he does not do reckless things and get hurt."
I internally sighed at my father's orders.
Darren was not only my best friend. He is what is called my protector. Every chosen ruler of the kingdom has the power to choose someone known as a protector. Marking a protector means mutual consent and understanding. It is said to be a great burden to the person who is marked.
When a protector is marked, the mark decides the value. If the urge to protect the marker is high and sincere, then the mark will be engraved into the soul forever, but if the person doesn't have the desire, the mark dissolves.
For me, I only have one protector and that is my best friend Darren, who I chose to be my vizier.
"I will protect him with my life, your majesty."
"Then I will be off to my mission." I announced. I looked at Darren as he gave me a quick nod.
Both of us bowed to my father before walking out of the chamber.
"At least we can go on a mission." Darren signed as I shrugged.
"We are prolonging this mission until late at night." I said as Darren chuckled.
"Don't you want to meet your childhood sweetheart?"
I glared at my best friend, who looked away while trying her best not to laugh.
"That's the last thing I want to do."
Besides, I have a mate now. I should find ways to break this engagement.
Bringing her with me to the palace is the worst idea. She looked so weak and broken and bringing her here would be her limit.
For now, I will hide my identity. When the time is right I will reveal it. But right now the main concern is the fact that she is hurt.
I need to know why she was in such a pathetic situation.
I had met her in the eastern province alley, so she must be from one of the noble families in that locality.
I ground my teeth, once again seeing the image of her hopeless expression.
"Darren." I called, as he turned his attention towards me.
"Yes?"
"I want you to do me a favor."
"What is it?" I looked at Darren as he stared back at me with curiosity.
"I want you to investigate someone."
"Of course. Who is it?"
"Alexia."
"Alexia?"
"Yes, Alexia."
"Ok. Can I know her last name?"
"I… "I paused, my eyes widening as I realized how stupid I was."s**t! I can't believe I forgot to ask her that!"
"Then can you tell me her place? Or her family name? Anything?"
"I… I only know her name is Alexia. That and the fact that she is my mate."
Darren stopped in his tracks. His eyes widened in shock and he kept opening and closing his mouth, unable to speak anything.
He looked at me as if I was completely crazy.
"You met your mate?!"
"Hush! Don’t spread the news, dammit!"
He looked around, his eyes roaming over the guards before sighing and taking a step closer to me.
"You met your mate and you didn’t tell me!"
"I told you now."
"s**t, man! This is big news. Why didn’t you ask her full name or where she is from?"
"It was not an apt situation."
We reached my office and I walked in with Darren behind me.
"Why?" he looked at me with frustration as I sat on my chair.
"I can't say that. At least not now."
Even though Darren has always been by my side, I didn't feel like I wanted to tell him how I met her. At least not now.
He didn’t argue anything, just stared at me for a few seconds.
"Fine. Let me see what I can do. But what are you going to do about her? It won't be easy to convince your parents or the council to accept her. They have already arranged a person for you. Your mate will face worse things." Darren looked at me with a serious expression.
"I don't know... But I will wait till I ascend to the throne. I will have absolute power. I will be able to protect her."
"I wish you luck and happiness, my prince. I also promise that I will be by your side no matter what. As your protector, I promise you."
- Writer
