CHAOS OF THE WEST

ENGAGED WITHOUT NOTICE

This caused fear in most of the ladies since they could be widowed easily.

All the Princesses were called upon to the King's court for the announcement of the engagement to the prince of Rocrest.All knew it had to the first princess who would be engaged. Adeline could not be bothered with whoever was getting engaged but of course she had to be present. Dressed up simply without any beautification unlike the other princess who dolled up, Adeline reached the entrance which led to the great parlour leading to the throne room or the Council's Court. As she entered she was astounded by the image that stood Infront of her. There he stood, his well cut shiny black hair falling gracefully. His heavy physique well cladded in his royal suit with his hand crossed behind him gazing upon the portraits of the kings. He had the same aura he possessed that night. He turned around upon the entering of the princess. His mask was off revealing his full face with the deep set of magenta eyes burning mildly. He smiled curtly causing the princess to freeze where she stood

"Hello princess, we meet again" his masculine voice broke out. "I'm..I'm ..I'm sorry for staring it's just that you feel familiar besides that night.." Adeline stuttered. "Is that so? Should I take this as you missed me?" He teased lightly. "You really are brazen to think such.. wait a minute.. Leon? Is that you?" Adeline looked keen at him then her eyes grew wide with surprised. "I thought you wouldn't notice".. Adeline hugged him tightly as she asked series of questions. Excitedly Adeline planted a kiss little away from his lips . "You really can't stand your love for me, can you?" Leon remarked. Just then General Mathis came entered. "Adeline control yourself before anyone else see you with him!" He cautioned. "Did you know of this grandfather?" Adeline asked. "Now is not the time to ask questions come along. Young man I expect better from you both. Come now the court is about to commence!"he called to Adeline.

Adeline took her seat next to Prince Richid just then the herald called out in a loud voice, "Prince Dileon Dè Tempesterol, the Seventh prince of Rocrest" He walked in gently with all the eyes in the room looking at him, some admiringly while others skeptically. He took a light bow at the King. "Welcome Prince Dileon. I see you are as strong as the last time I saw you." King Nero welcomed him. "Indeed your majesty and u see you continuously age in grace and strength." He responded. "You flatter me greatly." King Nero reacted. The air was heavy with animosity. The head council man interjected, "Rumors have it that Rocrest is in chaos as to who will ascend your father's throne. Which has caused the princes to fight amongst themselves. Where do you stand in all this?". This was meant to reel up questions and holes in his proposal of engagement. "Well yes indeed.. there was "chaos" as you will put it but I have it all settled which allows me to be here." Dileon responded calmly. " As to where I stand.. well I stand as the heir to the throne rivaled by none." Whispers and murmurs rushed through the council men.

CHAPTER 5: ENGAGED TO PRINCE DILEON 2

"He is truly good looking... He totally surpasses Veronic's taste." Richid affirmed. "Well that's too bad for her.." Adeline sounded jealous. General Mathis shushed them as the court continued to murmur. "What then are your intentions for coming to Ghany? I implore you to state your business!" King Nero asked quietening the whispers and murmurs. "I'm here to formally claim my betrothed as my wife and my queen! And to strengthen the alliance between Rocrest and Ghany" Dileon spoke authoritatively. "Betrothed? That's absurd for none amongst daughters is betrothed. If which daughter do you speak of? Indulge me, Prince..." King Nero mocked. " It is know that a blue rose given to a young lady by any royal of Rocrest on her debut signifies a bond and engagement, it is then required for the young man to serve under the lady if she be a royal for six months to solidify the engagement. As customs demand in Ghany. Surely your majesty will know of this.." Dileon teased with a mischievous smile. " I take it you want to teach me what the customs of my nation demand!" King Nero was beginning to loose his hospitality for this young arrogant prince. "I dare not my King...I only say so to inform that I have performed all that the laws of Ghany demand of me to my betrothed." Dileon spoke with triump clearly visible in his voice.

General Mathis whispered into Adeline's ears which to which she left her seat. The tension between the King and the young prince grew as the council members continued to murmur. "Tell me Prince Dileon,which of my daughters is betrothed to you and when did such a thing happen? Please do tell..." King Nero decided to cut short the tension. Loud gasps were heard from most in the throne room as all the attention was shifted to the young princess walking toward the centre. Veronic, Genevia and the queen stared at each other in utter shock of what was going on. Sensing the approach of his betrothed Prince Dileon continued, “On the night of the debut party of the youngest daughter of his majesty,I gave her a blue rose,the symbol of bond. Then served her highness as her personal knight for eight months... doubling the period of servitude." King Nero was dumbfounded turning to the General who gave him a tight nod of the head. He immediately turned pale remembering Adeline's debut ceremony and her personal knight whom the General had chosen. He felt angry and betrayal from both his daughter and father-in-law. A council man rose up with disdain at the revelation, "that is absurd and unheard of... Do you mean to tell that you served in the palace for four fortnights without the kings knowledge?".. "Surely the young prince must also know that he cannot serve the princess without the consent of a guardian of the royal family!" another councilman pointed out. Dileon gave him a cold stare which gave the man chills then smiled mischievously, "yes indeed! that is the more reason why I sought for the permission of General Mathis, the kings Father.." General Mathis affirmed shutting all objections.

CHAPTER 6:MINE

"I'm afraid to disappoint you young prince but the lady you sought for is betrothed to another man, Lord Fleischer Mistique Jerome of Newbrook Dukedom.." Queen Elizier said trying to dissuade the argument towards her daughter. "I am fully aware he has made know his interest that is the more reason why I formally asked for her hand in marriage" he spoke with sarcasm, "but to make it undoubtedly known to even the dumbest person I give the four border villages between Rocrest and Ghany. Thereby solidifying the alliance between the two kingdoms". This caused a stir among the council since most of these lands had been lost to Rocrest and also were very resourceful and could strengthen the economy of Ghany.

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Princess Veronic stomped into her mother's parlour angrily with her mother and sister following closely. "How is this possible? Adeline has really crossed the line this time around.... She's going too far mother.. do something..!" Veronic said. "You heard from the bastard himself. He chose her on the night of her debut... And didn't you see what that b***h herself held ... A blue rose.... " Queen Elizier stated. "Mother you possibly don't believe what they said.. I'm sure it's a framed up story. The wretch must have seduced him or something.. that whore..just like her mother did to father.." Geneva scoffed. "Don't worry dear I'll find a way of taking her out of the picture.. unlike her mother she is strongly immune to all my advances... But be rest assured Veronic, I'll help you get your prince back." Queen Elizier said obviously cooking something evil.

Soon after the session in the throne room the King called Prince Dileon into his office to talk 'business' leaving Adeline with Richid. Richid had grown fond of Adeline's knight but a prince!....that was too much for him to consume at once. He sat by Adeline obviously sad about being kept in the dark. "Richid!.." Adeline's voice came out jolting him from his reverie. "What's wrong? I called out your name... Is there a problem?" Adeline asked with a look of concern. Looking up to her intently Richid asked, "did you know he was a prince all along?".... "No, I didn't up until the session.Or right before I entered the throne room to be precise..." Adeline said. "That means he lies to everyone...except grandpa!" Prince Dileon soon emerged with a broad smile etched in his face.. Leon looked at Adeline then Richid.. "Your father, the King wants to see you." He said to Adeline. Adeline left both her brother and her betrothed staring daggers at each other. "Don't kill each other." She said as she retreated into the building.

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"You called for me Father..." Adeline said. She took a seat directly opposite the king as he stared at her beauty remembering his love, Lilly. An exact replica of her mother. He exhaled gently as he spoke with caution not to upset his daughter. Though he may have been distant he loved her so much than any thing imaginable and for her sake had to be distant so the queen would not try to harm her. "Adel" he called with love "you know I love you so much and I have sworn to protect from any harm that may come . This prince is one I'll not be sure to bet your life with. Are you sure and absolute in mind about him? I can have it annulled as soon a you say go.. Lord Fleischer is a good young fella and I can see he'll do whatever it takes to make you happy to and I can even ensure that.... Why don't you choose him rather that this arrogant prince?" "Father I know how much you love me and what you'll do for me..... Prince Dileon is the one I love.. I loved him when he was my personal knight...." Adeline replied. "Is there nothing I can do or say that will at least change your mind about that arrogant beast... I do not wish for you to be a target especially now that there's a royal civil war in Rocrest and also be in a polygamous marriage system like Rocrest has..." King Nero tried to convince. “Why are you showing so much concern all of a sudden when you never cared since?" Adeline fumed.