Julius & Juliana

CHAPTER 4

The mad widow gave birth to a pretty baby girl whom she gave a name all by herself. As soon as she was delivered of the child, her illness was gone. She became hundred percent normal and shed tears of joy as if she has gotten her lost family back. "What a beautiful baby. At last, joy has come back to me" she said smiling at the baby girl who was kicking playfully and smiling back at her mother. She called the child a name after her grand mother who had a lovely and melodious voice with blue eyeballs. The baby's name was Juliana, which meant 'youthful' and that was the name of her grand mother who used to sing to her every night before she slept as a child. Baby Juliana had blue eyeballs just like her great grand mother. She made a beautiful little dress, fitting for a princess and a fancy little crown for her little princess.

Duncan was equally happy that at least even if it seems like the witch's prophesy of him getting to have a child through a mad woman came to pass, nobody was ever going to suspect him of being responsible for the baby. And moreover, the once mad woman has now been cured of her illness and all could see that she's now normal. His only regret was that it was a daughter and not a son, exactly as the witch had prophesied. He totally forgot the other things the sorceress had said was also going to happen. He made a decision that the mother of the baby would be his fourth wife and the baby would be taken as his own child. The guards didn't know why the king did this. In fact, they were shocked that the witch's prophesy has, in a way, come to pass but they didn't suspect him of impregnating the widow at all.

Juliana the princess grew up very fast to become a very beautiful and adorable girl. She shone like the sun and glowed like jewelry. She had a very smooth and melodious voice and she looked charming. The king's three wives were all driven away as they had become a liability to the king. The once mad widow became his one and only wife.

Juliana turned 18 and was very mature with an elegant figure. Her father loved her so much as she came to be the only child of her parents. He wouldn't allow a single housefly to touch her skin, she was that priceless to him. Duncan made up his mind that in future, when the time comes for her to get married, only a prince or the son of a wealthy man would have her hand in marriage.

Juliana had two female friends, Stella and Sanderling who she followed to a musical hall to practise music every evenings. Not too long she started releasing her albums which reached every nook and corner of the country. Thousands of music fans enjoyed playing her songs and listening to her albums.

Soon, her album reached the palace of another king from a different kingdom in Scotland. The king had an only son who was a good artist. He could draw a live person on cardboard. He was very handsome and in his early twenties. When he listened to Juliana's songs in her album and saw how beautiful she was, he began to admire her. He decided to meet her in person and watch her perform live. He discussed his intentions with his friend who told him that he knew about Juliana's father. "I have a friend who once served her father as a guard" said Paul, Julius's friend. "My friend told me that he committed a little offense that didn't deserve cruel punishment but instead of forgiving him, Juliana's father ordered the other guards, his colleagues to execute him. In the long run, his colleagues felt sorry for him as they knew his offense was not worth a death penalty and they let him go but warned him never to be seen near the palace again. That was how he escaped being killed by Juliana's father" paul concluded. " So you have to be careful. If you want to approach her, go as a prince and make her see you as a rich and handsome guy" Paul added. Julius was startled at what he heard but he shrugged it off and said "I want her to love me for who I am and not for what I am. I will approach her as a peasant and not as a prince. If her father is looking for wealth and not minding good qualities, I don't think she would have the same mindset" Julius concluded. "All right, do whatever you wish but always remember my warnings and advice" said Paul.

Julius set off the following day to the musical hall which was quite far from his father's palace. He got the description from one of the albums that he bought. He arrived at the place and before he got anywhere near the hall, he had already started hearing the melodious and vocal voice of Juliana. "This is amazing, her voice is so melodious. I really can't wait to meet her." He entered inside the hall and immediately his eyes fell on her, he stood still staring dumbfoundedly at her astonishing beauty. All through the show, he was more carried away by her stunning beauty than with her performance.

After the show, she thanked everyone for coming and left for her father's palace accompanied by guards. Julius saw her and immediately tried to approach her but he was scared and shy at the same time that her guards might not agree to let him talk to her privately, as their job was to ensure her security. He however summoned up courage and attempted to try his luck but he was to slow to make that decision as the princess got in her car and was driven away. He tried to trace her with his horse to know her residence but his mission was unsuccessful.