The Princess Prize

*Andrew*

** Andrew **

Alexius Basileus is talking to me? Why is he so interested in talking to me? And what does he want with the royal family? I've got all these questions racing in my mind as his dark brown eyes seem to burn holes into my skin.

"So...um...King Basileus?" I ask.

"You can call me Alexius. I would prefer if people did not know I was a King as of yet," he said matter-of-factly.

"What would you like to drink?" I asked as nonchalantly as I could muster.

"I'll take a glass of Makers on the rocks." he said cooly as he studied me. I could tell that he is watching my every reaction as if he is trying to read me. Why he is so interested in me I have no idea.

I turned to the bartender. "Hey Larry, can I get a Makers on the rocks and Rum and Coke." Larry nodded his head at me and quickly poured our drinks.

"There ya are Drew. Great to see you man! We need to catch up, it's been way too long!" He said with a big smile on his face. "You surprise Ava yet?" Out of the corner of my eye I saw King Basileus grip his glass just a little tighter. Other than that his poker face was on point.

"I saw her just a few minutes ago," I started answering him but decided to see what reaction I got out of the king with my next words. "What happened to her man? She grew up in all the right ways. I mean she already had the personality but now, anyone would be a fool not to drop at her feet."

The King's poker face continued to astonish me, but I didn't miss the extra flare in his nostrils or the fact that he was purposely controlling his breathing as if not to lose his temper. So now I know WHY the King is here, but is it because of his own volition or is there more at play?

I heard Larry laugh and slap his hand on the counter. "Yeah good luck with that Drew. You and every Tom, d**k and Harry are all willing to gravel at her feet. But you know what speaks volumes?" he asked.

"What's that?"

Larry looked me straight in the eyes and his face got deathly serious. "The best part is, she doesn't even know it. She is still the same Avalyn that refused any of us call her Princess. She is still that little girl who sees everyone as if they are equal and will do whatever she can to make the people around her happy. I'm glad to see you Drew, and we really do need to catch up, however I will give you one warning before you get back to your night." He motioned me to come closer so that he could speak lower. I moved my head in until I was only inches from his face. "Avalyn is the most loved person in this kingdom, and for that reason EVERYONE watches out for her. If you decide to cross that friendship line, be sure that you mean it. Because if you break her heart, there will be plenty of people out there including myself who would break your jaw." Larry stood up and slapped me on the back. "Have a good night Drew!" he said with a plastered on smile and then he turned to help his next customer.

When I turned to look at the King his eyes were narrowed and he looked to be in thought. "Charming guy." I broke the silence between us. "Shall we?" I asked as I motioned towards one of the small tables and chairs in the bar area. The King followed and took a seat facing out towards the ballroom floor. I sat down across from him and sipped on my Rum & Coke. "So King Basileus, oh I'm sorry, Alexius, what is it that you truly want? I know it isn't information about this kingdom when you have your own Kingdom to worry about." I asked.

He sat back in his chair and took a sip of his drink. "You are very nosy about my business. Is there a reason why you are so worried?" He asked me while he yawned as if I was boring him.

I shook my head no. "Just curious. I've never seen your face around here before. In fact I've never even heard about you ever visiting our kingdom before." I answered as I took a look around the ballroom at all the guests. Avalyn's blue dress caught my eye right away as I'm sure it had everyone else tonight as well. She seemed to be in an arguement with her mother. King Basileus followed my line of sight and watched the interaction alongside me.

"What is the deal with those two? That is the Queen with the Princess is it not?" the King asked. His eyes now back on me awaiting a response. I nodded my head yes.

"Yes that is the Queen with Princess Avalyn. They do not get along very well, never have."

He contemplated my words. "Why do they not get along? Is there something that has happened between them?"

I shook my head no. "There is nothing that occurred between them per say. They have never really gotten along. It seems they are two very different people. If I didn't know any better I would say the Princess could never be the daughter of the Queen.They are simply just too different from one another in every aspect."

This peaked the King's interest. He leaned forward with his eyes intent on me. "How so? How are they different from one another?"

It was easy to answer his question as it was the truth known by all. "Avalyn is the sunlight while Queen Tabitha is the darkness. Avalyn is everything pure while the Queen is everything vile. One is north while the other is south. A Princess loved by all and a Queen despised by the like. Now tell me..." I said quietly as I leaned in closer towards the King, "why do you have such an interest in the Princess? Because that is what this is, is it not?"

A sly smile spread across the King's face. He ran his hand through his jet black hair. "That is none of your concern at the moment." He got up from his seat and gulped the rest of his drink in one go. "Now if you will excuse me, I have some business to attend to." And with that the conversation was over and the King went on his way to mingle about the ballroom.

What an odd man. I have more questions now then I did when I first met him. What does he want with Avalyn and why does he care about this Kingdom. From what I have heard about King Alexius, he keeps to his own kingdom, believes he is a gift from the gods, and rules with an iron fist. He became King young and it is rumored that he may have had something to do with his parents deaths. Whatever he wants with this Kingdom and Avalyn, I must figure it out and keep her safe.