Ruins And Royalty

The Prince of Palisade

In all my days have I never seen such beauty, such elegance as an angelic figure stood before me with the finest silk hair and captivating emerald eyes. Was this him? I thought to myself. Was this the sickly boy my father spoke about? The blonde’s eyes met with my dark hazel gaze and he pulled a gentle grin of appreciation, but I did not return a smile as I stood just staring at him instead.

“How can we ever repay you, Maxium?” A smooth matured voice stated, “If it was not for the Kingdom of Palisade, my youngest son would have never seen his 12th Birthday this year.”

“Or be able to celebrate any other.” The woman beside the man added with gratitude, laying a hand tenderly on her son’s head. He peered up at her with joy filled in his eyes for her and she gave him a loving smile before speaking again. “My son.” She addressed, gesturing with her hand to my parents, “These are the royals who saved your life; they sent their finest scholars and best doctors to aid you. They searched far and wide, high and low for medicinal plants and herbs until they finally found a yellow flower that only grows on top of a mountain in the east of Yarrow.”

The young Prince looked at his mother quizzical as if he did not understand what she was saying, or maybe he did not believe her. The boy agape his mouth ready with a response, but his mother spoke again instead.

“We are more than grateful and will forever be in your debt.”

“No, please Evangeline it is our greatest pleasure to have been able to offer a helping hand to our neighbouring Kingdom.” My mother implied with a glowing smile stretched across her face and with grace I have never seen before.

“You are too kind, Mazarine.” The Queen of Yarrow stated with light beaming out of her,

“Yarrow will always welcome you and your family, Maxium.” The King of Yarrow added delightfully with the same radiance as his wife.

“And Palisade will always welcome yours, Osran…” My father replied greatly. I could not help, but stare at the unfamiliar behaviour portrayed by my parents. The calmness, the elegance and the light-heartedness of it all, a picture painted to portray a family mirrored to these of the Windanes. A perfect illusion mastered by the King and Queen of Palisade. I was at an age where I have already caught on to the trickery conducted by my parents already familiarized by the tactics used. They did not pull a lavish smile in every social occasion, no, they were smarter than that. The King and Queen of Palisade observed; studied the faces, body langues and behaviour of those who they confronted. Judging, calculation and conjuring for the perfect use of manipulation.

“I would like to introduce you to my only son and daughter.” My mother vocalized proudly diverting the attention over to me and my sister that stood at the opposite end of my father, “This is Prince Mykhailo Wren.” Her eyes changed when they met with mine and for a moment I saw her for who she really was; a devious woman who always gets her way. Queen Mazarine laid a strong hand on my back and steered me closer to the view of the Windane royals. I stood with my chest out and head high basking in the attention and the fixated gazes from the family before me.

“And this is Princess Hyathene Wren.” My father voiced, presenting her as well.

“You were blessed with beautiful children!” Queen Evangeline exclaimed elevated, “Bright vermilion red hair just like your mother.” She added peering at both me and Hyathene.

“A very mature face for a 15 year old boy.” Her husband added in response, looking at me and then to my father to scouting the resemblance. My mother and father smirked with pride, relishing in the compliments, as did my sister and I.

“I have brought our youngest son here with us today, but of course you already know him.” The King of Yarrow stated to my parents, “However, I don’t believe our children have met…”

My eyes darted towards the blonde as I impatiently waited for them to announce his name. He noticed my gaze, but I did not evade my eyes. Instead I watched him like a lion would while stalking its prey and like a crow I would take this shiny new object, a trinket for me to keep.

“Prince Zander Windane.”

I submerged my hand in the water by a nearby river as I watched the blood thinned, running down the stream endlessly. I could not feel the pain of the cold wetness pressed against my open wounds made by the shattered pieces of glass imbedded in my skin. I pulled them out forcefully one by one with my jaw clenched; grinding my teeth as I repeatedly played the scene I witnessed at the temple moments before.

How dare he! Prince Aaron would surely pay for what he has done! The stench of unwatered wine lingered in the air irritating my nose, but subsided after a while. I pulled my hand from the river shaking of the water and remaining blood, but I could not shudder the thought that filled my head. The raven-haired Prince elevated with the ethereal touch of tender hands, embracing a body that rightfully belonged to me. There was about a million ways a Prince could die, but cutting off the wings of a nightingale would be a condign fall. A punishment well suited as I would watch triumphantly the Prince of Emperos get what he deserves. 

Hatred grew as I made my way up the stairs back to my assigned sleeping quarters, stomping my feet with each step I took. I claimed Zander as mine the day I met him and the Prince never strayed, I have made sure of it. He has never gazed at another until now and that infuriated me. I could see the distraction in his eyes the moment I arrived with my family in Emperos; the glimpses he stole and the way his body shifted when Prince Aaron was near. It sickened me to my core as the Young Prince of Yarrow has never looked at me the way he looked at the Prince of Emperos. 

“It is late, where were you?” A voice announced as I entered the bedroom, slamming the door behind me.

“Nowhere.” I scoffed, half hiding my injured hand behind my back. Devilish yellow serpent eyes glared at me in suspense and she started to make her way towards me.

“I see through you, Brother.” The redhead woman stated, stroking the watcher’s eye amulet around her neck, “But spare the Nightingale, I have plans for him.” She continued calm and collected.

“You are giving him too much information, Hyathene, soon he will know-”

“Calm down, Mykhailo.” My sister scolded, “He is under the impression that I am the only one in our family involved. I made him believe that you, Mother and Father are too barbaric for this sort of thing.” The Princess of Palisade corrected with a sigh. She strolled around the foot of the bed before gently sitting down slowly searching the room with her striking gaze.

“Now, the reason why I am here was to inform you that I have given Prince Torin Windane of Yarrow another task…” Princess Hyathene claimed serene and with confidence, now bringing her eyes to meet with mine.

I moved closer, listening intently, taking a seat on a chaise chair situated adjacent from the bed. I leaned it giving my sister a devious smile as I spoke, “I am listening…”

Mother was instructed by the Council to collect human hearts for the next stage of the ritual…” Princess Hyathene began to explain with excitement rising in the tone of voice, “Of course this is a tedious task for me so I instructed Prince Torin to do it instead with the intent to see just how loyal he is to the Wren’s of Palisade…”

“Good, Sister. Let us see just how far the fool will go.” I replied in demented laughter with a low burning flame from the lanterns adding to the clandestine ambiance and the moment we shared conducting sinister scheme. Princes Hyathene then evaded her eyes and fixed them on my injured hand. Of course the woman already knew what happened, given that she could do so using the enchantment of the amulet she had in her position.

“So tell me, Brother, what are you going to do regarding your angelic Prince Zander.”