Chapter 17
1029 Words
My heart started to beat faster. Now, that I had time to think things through. I just can't really say that I am from Canada, a place found in quite a very different world from this realm and telling them about it will just complicate things.
Now, that I have a chance to protect her might as well give her the good impression I was aiming for awhile back.
She did mention back there that she thought I was a novice adventurer which for the record is true but I don't want her thinking I'm really as lame as I seem to be. I have been putting myself into shame the past moments and I need to redeem myself and come back as if I'm some type of a real warrior.
I could be a king! No, that would be too extreme and unrealistic. Oh, how about a prince? That'd be more reasonable. Or I could be a knight! What about both? Or like I'm a prince who knows how to fight. Yeah, that's gonna be it but from where?? That's the big question. Oh, I know!
"The truth is I'm from Codor Kingdom. I'm a prince there and I'm known for engaging myself into real combats for our people. Basically, like a prince who's like a knight." I declared with a bit of confidence. But they might know I'm lying because I'm really a bad liar.
I read about this kingdom of Codor on some book I was reading back in Tynewt the first time I work for Varan and it really got my interest for some reason. It was a very interesting kingdom that I just read and read all about it. Now, I know almost all about the place that it's the perfect cover up for my pretty white lie.
"Oh really now? How come I've never heard of you." Scarlet asked. I felt a sweat slowly drip on the side of my face.
"Uhm, well...I...I actually consider myself as a rebellious prince and I often doesn't conform to my parent's rules. You wouldn't see me often in my own kingdom or even hear my name because my parents, the king and the queen has grew ashamed of me for the past years. They like my brother better and they'll probably make him king already!" I said throwing my hands carelessly in the air. Then I let out a sigh.
I actually made up a story spontaneously and I didn't stutter a bit. That's something new. But guilt is slowly creeping over me and I can't help but be on edge. All I'm trying to think now is that this is just a white lie to cover up my awkward self and that's not that bad, I guess.
"You seem to have some issues there." Tucky suddenly said.
"I mean, who doesn't have one, right?" I replied to him.
"Alright, but why are you on a quest to Draco? Is this like for just some fun or something? The adventuring thing?" Scarlet asked.
"The truth is, I'm trying to live an ordinary life, something that the ordinary people have. It's much better, really than just sitting in the castle, with the servants always at your feet and the king and queen always pressuring me to go find someone to marry so that I could rule the kingdom or they'd find someone I could marry in the future and set me up with her. For pete's sake, I was just ten when they started doing that! I mean, what if I don't want to do that? What if I wanted to do something else with my life? It's like they placed me in a box that restricts me from doing anything I genuinely want. That's why I decided to defy everything they asked me to do."
"I get what you're feeling, but you didn't have to run away. I mean, you're fortunate to have both your parents alive with you." Scarlet replied.
"It's barely living if they're just there to constantly pressure and build high expectations from you. They haven't even shown any love for me. I had only a book as a company on my birthdays each year." I sullenly said. I feel like I can totally relate to this prince I just made up in my head. I never had a birthday with even just a cake or even just my mother celebrating with me. She always forgets because she's so focused on pressuring me into things. I never once felt like she was my mother.
"I'm sorry to hear that, Finley. I can't say I know what you feel because I don't. I just know that it sucks and no child should ever go through something like that." Scarlet stated with concern.
"Oh for sure, no kid should ever. That brings a different type of pain that hits very differently. I'm sorry, Finley." Tucky sympathized.
I guess it was believable. They seem to believe what I just said and that's a good sign although guilt still lurks in the corner.
I mean, all the things I said is partially true to experience except that I'm not a prince.
"It's alright, I got used to it eventually and now I've been training so that I could fight stronger. I want to show them that I am capable of other greater things that I actually want. That's what I want. I want to fight for the people's honor. I want to save lives and not just marry someone to keep the king's bloodline. I don't want that kind of power. I want genuine connections with people especially to the girl that I'll marry."
"You can still do that when you become king. I mean they're not far off from what you really want." Scarlet stated.
"You don't know them. They chained me up into this little minion that they've constructed to accord to all their desires and commands. It's not as simple as "they wanted me to marry and be king." It's way more than that."
Maybe this ain't gonna be that hard. I can just channel my own inner battle into this man I've created.
- Writer
