CHAOS OF THE WEST

A JEALOUS PRINCE

"We waited for you but you were no where to be found. General Mathis had men search for you but they returned without any news. Only to find you in your bed tucked in and fast asleep at midnight. You really had us worried this time!" Christy scolded her. “I'm sorry for causing this much trouble. Please forgive me" Adeline pleaded. “ We sure hope it doesn't happen again. Prince Dileon of Rocrest came looking for you a while ago and will probably be in the parlour with the General and the young prince ” Eulia said gently.

Prince Dileon caressed Faerie affectionately as he talked to the General. "Prince Dileon will you teach me sword fight?" Prince Richid said eagerly waiting for an answer. Surprised, General Mathis turned to look at him with a disappointed look. Richid stuttered under the General's gaze. "Well Grandpa has been teaching me a lot with the sword but I learnt Rocrest has the best sword skills in the whole western continent. And I have also heard that you are the best swordsman in your Kingdom.... Right?" Richid continued. “Richid! The prince is burdened enough and besides you have the best sword skill here in our kingdom why bother for more skills?" General Mathis chided softly. “Well I would be honored to teach you young prince if only your mentor will allow it." Dileon answered. General Mathis arched his brows hoping Dileon would support him. Sweet mild vanilla filled the parlour causing all the men to look in the doorway where the sweet scent came from. Adeline stood in the doorway with a look of satisfaction on her face seeing how all the attention was focused on her. She approached them graciously not moving her eyes from Dileon's locking gaze. “Where were you last night? You got us all worried!” Richid fumed walking up to her. He gathered her in his arms affectionately. For the first time Dileon felt a flicker of anger at Richid for touching his woman.

After chatting lightly over a brunch, the couple set out to take a stroll in the garden, conversing lovely as the walked on. The maids admired at the closeness while giggling and oogling at the prince's charm.Adeline stoped in her tracks looking up ahead, “Fleis!” she said, surprised. Adeline paced up to hug him with warmth and joy for having seen him in ages. Dileon looked on with calmness as his eyes met with Fleis', the darkness within him rumbled with rage as he suppressed it down. Fleischer released Adeline from the embrace then walked to Dileon, he stretched out his hand in acknowledgement of his defeat. Dileon took his outstretched hand in his passing on the dark aura. “Lord Fleischer, I trust you have been well.... I have heard much about you but haven't had the pleasure of meeting you.."Dileon spoke first with hostility. “I couldn't put it anyway better your highness. I have longed to see my rival who beat me to the race. Indeed you need no compliment for your win. ” Fleis maintained his humor trying to hide his hostility. Sensing the hostility between the two Adeline interrupted, "Ladies, ladies please if you don't mind let's find shade and chat more over tea." Adeline pulled Fleis by the arm leaving Dileon standing alone. Surprised and filled with jealousy, Dileon followed seething with anger. Adeline took the seat next to Fleis leaving Dileon to take the opposite one. The two talked amiably as Dileon stared daggers behind his cup of jasmine tea. “Prince Dileon, I heard of the recent civil wars in Rocrest, how is it there?" Fleis asked suddenly. Dileon winced slightly at the question before answering, “Well, peace has been restored all that's left to do is bring their crown princess along their crown prince.” “Crown Princess? Crown Prince? I thought due to the war between the brothers a crown prince hasn't been chosen yet!" Fleischer indulged. " Well Rocrest has grown restless due to the struggles but I have gone to settle everything and now a crown prince has been chosen." Dileon smirked victoriously. “ I'm sorry you highness but by 'settle everything' do you mean 'kill' everyone in line of succession?" Fleischer quarried further. "Do you really want to know? Well since we are on the subject let's dive deeper. For peace to be retained blood must be spilt.... There's no great victory without sacrifice... " Prince Dileon smiled deviously looking at Fleischer who had blenched. Adeline frown at Prince Dileon for frightening her friend. Lord Fleischer regained his composure and tried to cover it with a question,“ wow! That's gruesome to hear... Please do pardon me this last time but have we met before? You look quite familiar.. ”. “Not that I know of! ” Dileon relaxed in his seat holding the cup in hand. “oohh! Fleis, how is the Lady Mistique,I heard she had taken ill. Forgive me for not taking time to visit her." Adeline inquired. “She..... She is fine... with the Original in the heavens" Fleis said with sadness. “O.... I'm so sorry Fleis, I didn't mean to hurt you.." Adeline apologized.

“Have no worries my princess besides she help me come to a realization of my true purpose. I have decided to forfeit the Dukedom of Eeringdel to my brothers" Fleischer announced. All gasped in horror and surprise at the sudden announcement. “Why will you do such a thing? What is wrong with you Fleischer?" Adeline questioned. "I do hope whatever drove you to such a conclusion is worth the effort because that is a great sacrifice made." Dileon added. Fleischer smiled wryly dry,"It is for a good and much worthy cause. I have taken up arms as a knight and assigned to you my princess for as long as I live." Adeline gasped. "WHAT!! NO! you can't take such a decision without careful thought. Have you taught about your family and yourself? Fleis, listen this is not a worthy cause. You can't do this you are my best friend though I have know you over a short period this is certainly outrageous!" .

Adeline flared up begging Fleischer to retract his decision. " Princess Adeline, please allow me to do this that I have set for myself. It will be of great help to you and me. I will protect you with my life and all that is within me" Fleischer continued. "Please let me stay by your side as your personal guard and knight. You don't have to love me just allow me this favor and let's still remain the friends we are. Please!". Adeline looked in his determination-filled eyes and tears begun to sting her eyes. She embraced him with warmth leaving Dileon seething with more anger and jealousy. He hissed his fury out openly. “ Fleis, I don't want you to be tied down with me and I'm afraid you might suffer more for all I can give you is friendship" Adeline said with concern. “I know princess Adeline but that is what I choose. My heart is all yours and I know it won't be returned the same way. Allow me to stay by your side at least to derive comfort in being your personal knight and guard." Fleischer pleaded. Completely ignored Prince Dileon left fuming with anger as he left the hut.

Realizing Dileon's absence Adeline sought to go after him but stopped when Fleischer offered to find him. Fleis found Dileon training with his assistant in a duel. Taking up arms he soon replaced the assistant against Dileon. “I see you are not tired with my woman's attention now you want mine too" Dileon said as their swords met. “Forgive me Prince Dileon if I offended you in anyway. I just had to come into terms with reality" Fleischer grunted. “Well it seems your dull mind is failing to grasp the situation at hand. You wish to be my rival, to share my woman with me. I hate to break the news you are not up to the task" filled with rage sparks began to seethe out of him creating a strong force which took Fleischer out throwing him against a sword rack. Fleischer grunted in pain filled with hazzy thoughts. He looked up at Dileon who's eyes were glowing like fiery embers. “What are you?.. uhh... I don't wish to compete against you my Lord, I only wish to protect the princess." Fleischer struggled to rise from his position but fell. Pain shot through his body. Damien, Prince Dileon's assistant rushed towards Fleischer helping him up. Damien looked at the prince with a pained expression.

Soon rumors began to spread of how the prince had trashed the Princess' personal knight. General Mathis came in early to see Adeline with regards to the rumors being spread. It's been over a week since the fight and Adeline hasn't seen prince Dileon since which caused her to worry.