Chapter 14.
823 Words
Something was in the castle. Something otherworldly.
Something that called to him.
Rowan Athalar couldn't sleep. He wandered the castle at night, searching for the thing that kept him awake, but he really couldn't place his finger on it.
He really couldn't.
"Can't sleep?"
He asked as he walked towards the Balcony and he met Prince Caspian already there.
The young prince nodded.
"I'd say from the looks of it you can't sleep either."
He said as he looked at the dark lord. Rowan was in his night robes, which was the deepest of velvet silk that looked great on him. His midnight black hair was ruffled slightly but that didn't take anything away from his cruelly handsome face.
Even though he was years older than the prince, the two of them looked like two brothers at most.
"Yes. I find myself tossing and turning. Perhaps it's because we had such a long night."
He said but he knew that wasn't the reason why.
He had left the celebrations earlier, excusing himself because he had to rest.
And from what he heard it had ended shortly after that because the King was tired.
And once Prince Caspian and the Queen retired for bed, everyone else left.
Still, it was a long night and there had been a lot of drinking and dancing.
Rowan didn't expect Caspian to be awake.
"Is there anything on your mind Prince?"
He asked and Caspian shrugged.
"I just... This whole Queenstrial, I find it hard."
Rowan sighed.
"Do you have someone in mind already?"
He asked and Caspian chuckled.
"Someone in mind?! I barely know many of them girls and in the next few moons I'm expected to pick a Queen."
"The next Queen of Castamere is based on my decision!"
"It's not as bad as you think it is."
Rowan started.
"Really, it's not. All you have to do is pick who you like."
"And break the hearts of the rest?"
Caspian asked and Rowan shrugged.
Well, yes.
That was how it worked, but he wasn't about to foul the young Prince's mood any more than it was already.
"These girls have been trained for years. They know what to expect. They know they all can't win and I'm sure many of them know they don't stand a chance."
"They're not as fragile as you think."
Rowan added as he breathed in the breezy chilly air.
Prince Caspian nodded.
"I guess you're right..."
"Yes, so instead of worrying, why don't you just go have a good night's rest and wake up the next morning and have some fun with the girls."
"I'm sure you have favourites by now."
Rowan winked and the young prince quickly looked away.
"Ahhh! I see. Who are they?"
"Well... you know Elizabeth and I have been friends since we were kids, but honestly I cannot imagine myself marrying her. At least not yet."
Rowan shrugged.
"You'd be surprised. She might grow on you. Who else?"
"Then there's Monica from House Yemen..."
Monica was the curvy redhead everyone in the castle would not stop talking about and he perfectly understood why. She was vivacious and bold with the beauty to match.
He could see why the Prince would become easily infatuated with her, she was wild and inviting.
"Oh I've heard of her. I think she's a great choice by the way."
He said truthfully.
Monica would make a bold and strong queen. She might break some rules along the way and discard traditions but Rowan believed that was exactly what Castamere needed to grow.
"You think so?"
Caspian asked with surprise and Rowan nodded.
"Yes. She seems smart. she's beautiful and strong, perfect queen material if you ask me. Anyone else?"
There was a short pause before the Prince answered.
"That new girl... The one from House Whitby... Strange, I can't stop thinking about her."
"She's fascinating..."
Hmm
Larissa of House Whitby. The King had later called him privately to his quarters and asked him to watch Lord Earn of House Whitby closely.
And the same also extended to his daughter.
Rowan couldn't deny it, she was captivating, her eyes... Her hair, her pale skin.
He didn't get a chance to see her very well but he knew she was breathtakingly beautiful. But he doubted the King would support a union between the two of them.
"You danced with her didn't you? Hoe was she?"
Rowan asked and Prince Caspian shocked.
"She was very polite. She had the brightest gold eyes I've ever seen. Strange eyes. They seemed to glow in the night."
"Did you say glow?"
Rowan asked incredulously and Caspian nodded.
"Yes. I'm serious."
"That's odd."
Rowan muttered as he turned back.
"I'm afraid I have to go. I need my rest."
Caspian nodded.
"I understand. I should probably head to bed too."
Together they both walked in the hallway till they parted ways and we to their respective rooms.
- Writer
