CHAOS OF THE WEST

HE HAS HIDDEN INTENTIONS 1

"I didn't know you were this desperate. Besides why are you bent on getting me married to her when she barely knows of my existence?" He raised his eyebrows st his mother. "Watch your words. I am only fighting for your future and the future of Atlantia. To strengthen your future kingdom and maybe even an empire" she said with a hint of anger in her voice.

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*TWO WEEKS LATER*

A summon came from the king demanding to see both Adeline and Dileon. Rumors of the prince of Jenetia visiting was fast spreading into every nook and cranny of the Mafte palace. The king's summon was impromptu causing both Adeline and Dileon to stare at each other. Walking with their hands intertwined towards the kings throne room, they spotted the queen and her daughters. "Hello prince Dileon, how have you been?" Veronic curtsied with her eyes lowered ignoring Adeline. The queen noticed the interlocking hands and immediately grew with suspicion."Prince Dileon, I thought you were in your quarters with the General. I didn't expect to see you come with Adeline and in this state..."said Queen Elizier gesturing at the locked hands. "Well I was with my future wife and queen when the kings summon came..... And we are doing great Princess Veronic. Thanks for asking. Shall we head in?" Dileon tugged on their locked hands walking inside not letting her go.

Walking into the room the first thing that caught their eyes was the tall lanky man dressed in a royal suit like that of a prince standing before the king. His silver blond hair tied in a low bun. A smile of recognition from the king made him turn around revealing his beautiful face. He had most of Adeline's look with a slight resemblance to Dileon. At close range on would think both Adeline and Dileon were related to this young man. His sapphire blues eyes radiated with joy upon seeing Adeline but quickly contorted when he realized the locked fingers and the one who had his hands interlocked. His sapphire eyes stared straight at Dileon who had half his face masked with his deep magenta eyes staring back. Both stood staring with deep intensity reciprocating the ill feelings. "Adeline, meet your cousin, Prince Jamech DeLord Dé Reil, the prince of Jenetia. Your mother spoke of him once but I never thought I'd ever see him. Come my child, meet him" the king beckoned. Adeline walked closer breaking the the link with Dileon while he stood returning the dagger stares.

'A cousin? what the f**k!' Adeline cussed under her breath causing Dileon to grin with a deadly look which made Prince Jamech look puzzled for a sec. "Prince Dileon come now don't just be there we have a lot to talk about concerning your engagement" the king called to Dileon. The queen and her daughters had been standing rooted at the entrance. The beauty alone caused the two princesses to be excited as they squealed. The king had informed them of the crown prince of Jenetia's visit and the possible prospect of marriage with any of the two princesses. Leaving Adeline alone with Prince Jamech who seemed to enjoy the kings act of giving a little privacy. The two spoke for almost the whole period they were left alone catching up on the past.

CHAPTER 11: A DUEL...

Adeline returned later in the day exhausted from all the chitty chats with her cousin with smiles and ecstasy having heard of her Aunt who was equally ecstatic to meet her. Adeline spoke of their encounter for almost all the time since her arrival. Prince Jamech was accommodated in the palace since he was a royal guest. Prince Jamech had more encounter with Adeline during his stay. On one occasion he found Adeline watching Dileon in practice which caused a sense of jealousy and deep envy with the admiration Adeline held in her eyes for Dileon. Making an attempt to disgrace Dileon at swordfight, he challenged prince Dileon which he accepted without hesitation. Damien shot Dileon a glance filled with plea to hold back a little on Jamech. Jamech noticed the quick glance and wondered what it meant. Taking a stance, each prince was set to begin. The other guards in training stopped and rushed over to see the two princes fight.

Soon the training area was packed with both guards and servants. Prince Jamech made the first move charging forward with his light foot skill. Both possessed strong magic but couldn't reveal it easily hence used as little as possible within their moves to prevent it from being detected. Jamech swung his sword swiftly at a pace which seemed impossible to dodge. Whatever defense one possessed couldn't avoid the strike. Leon deflected the sword with ease. He turned slightly causing the sword to s***h the air with a swoosh sound. Jamech's attempt seemed to be futile as Dileon dodged all his attacks.

Both possessed equal prowess in swordsmanship making it difficult to determine who had the upper hand in the fight. The princes clashed, they are swords a blur of steel. Prince Jamech, fast and agile, darted in and out , his blade a viper striking. Prince Dileon, swift and steady,met each blow with a counterattack his sword a heavy hammer. The air cracked with the tension of their duel, the clanging of steel echoing through the training grounds. Sweat beaded on their brows, their breaths ragged yet their eyes filled with animosity and determination.

With each parry and thrust the stakes grew higher as the onlookers began to place bets on who would win. Of course most had been places on Dileon since he was known to be more fierce in battle. The queen and her daughter had joined the spectators along with General Mathis and prince Richid. The fight fight had gone on for half an hour with each side not ready to yield. The odds turned in Dileon's favour with a sudden swift and sly move which caused Jamech to loosen his grip on his sword. Dileon hit it out of his hand flying through the air then implanted itself vertically Infront of Adeline.

Everyone gasped with the sudden outcome looking at Adeline who had an emotionless face. Dileon winked at her causing her to blush. Jamech was on his knees with a sword to his throat. The sword drew a drop of blood from his kneck. He yielded with a gentle nod, applause run through the audience as the dispersed. The princesses, bloated with anger, walked away eyeing Adeline with contempt. Soon there was less people gathered around leaving only Dileon and Jamech. The tension between the two didn't seem to lessen rather had increased. "You really are up to your reputation. I had underestimated you sensing your weak magic." Jamech spoke first. "You are not bad yourself. I expected you to be bad or even horrible given the state of Jenetia" Dileon said with his words laced with more meaning.

Jamech sensing the venom of the words replied, "well Jenetia isn't as prosperous as Rocrest but we are at peace and more united. We will survive the harsh conditions". " I learnt there are large mountains of jenetite rocks buried with them. Does that mean most men are miners?" Dileon probed further. "What is a jenetite rock?" Richid's voice cut through. The two hadn't noticed his presence for a while now. "Jenetite? Well it's a very precious ornamental rock. It's possess many rich attributes making it very useful. Glassy green in layers of structure" Jamech explained. "And indeed you are right prince Dileon, most of my people are miners with the rest engaged I'm trading, farming and others things"