Royal Disaster

Chapter 7: Ethandun's Heir

Emrose

We decided to rest under a big oak tree before finding our way home. The wind was as cold as ice tonight. I suddenly missed the comfort of my bed and regret ever going to the woods this morning. I would have never found Alas, never have taken him to my house and made my family upset, never would have ruined my chance of going to town.

"Why did you suddenly ask me to leave?" Alas asked while staring at the sky, breaking the silence.

"Uh.. I think it's  better if we don't talk about that. It was the reason why we're out here in the cold afterall." I tried to force a smile despite my almost freezing lips.

"You are absolutely right. That is why I think I deserve an explanation for all of this." He started to face me now. "It's the least you could give me after being the cause of my injured arm and for sending me out here in the cold." The sarcasm in his tone kind of pissed me off and made me guilty at the same time.

"I..uh." I stuttered, should I even open up to this stranger? I looked at his eyes and there was my answer.

"I heard my brother and mother talking about not pushing through with the plan to leave the village." I said

"And? that made you upset because?" He probed.

"Because all I ever wanted was to have a normal life." I finally said it.

He didn't say anything, he just waited for me to continue. So I did.

"I once told you I grew up here with my family. I wasn't sugar-coating anything. They are literally the only people I know in this world. We were brought by our parents to town once, I was 7. I remembered how I was ecstatic at the sight of townsfolk. I didn't want to leave and I cried all the way home. All this time, I've always felt that my brother and I have been hidden most of our lives." I said, looking down. 

"Elchard and I. We were inseparable as kids. He's five years my senior, but he always saw me as an equal. He did everything to protect me from anything, but never from myself. He allowed me to make mistakes and let me solve it on my own. He is practically a second father to me." I continued, still not looking up. "When Elchard was sent away, I was devastated but mostly jealous. I felt like a part of me was ripped away, but at the same time, I thought If working day and night meant I could be where the people were, I would gladly trade places with him."

"So when Elchard came back a day ago saying he was already a merchant and that he would take us away from here, I was very happy." I smiled, remembering that day, when he came to tell us the news. "But then today happened, and I overheard them talking with mother that he's taking it back. He no longer wants to take us to town." My heart sank once again. To prevent myself from crying, I finally turned to look at him.

"I'm sorry to hear about that. And I apologize for being the reason of it all." His face was gentle as he spoke. "If you don't mind me asking, did you know why he called off his plan?"

"From their tone of voice, they were afraid you would take me away from my family. And if you wouldn't, someone else in town will." I sighed as I recalled their talk with mother, it was quite impossible. Their imaginations have clearly gone wild.

"You know what I find interesting? Your family being so overprotective of you." He said, "I mean, you are of age right? How old are you?"

"I just turned eighteen last month. How about you?" I asked back.

"Let's not talk about me. I'm intrigued by your family." 

"And I, thesame. I don't know anymore." I said. I was not lying, I truly don't know anymore.

He seemed to notice I was in a trance that he didn't ask any further questions. But as soon as I snapped out of my own thoughts, I turned to look at him.

"Hey, what about you? I know nothing about you. Except for what you told us earlier about the marriage you were running away from." 

"Oh yes.. I forgot I shared that little information with your entire family." He smirked.

"Well? Out with it then." I nudged his left arm.

"Well.. it's a pretty long story." He hesitated, but does he really believe I won't squeeze out information from him? After he just had a ton of mine? No way.

"Don't worry, I can keep up.." I assured him. He stayed quiet for a few more minutes, giving me a chance to stare at him. This man had dirty blonde curls which incredibly looked good on him. His face rugged and fall nothing short of masculinity. Perfectly green round eyes and pointed nose. One thing that stood out when you look at him is his eyebrow. He had a tiny scar on it, like something sliced it open. And when I look at him, I remember Elchard in so many ways. They had similar face features, except my brother had brown hair.

"Well to start off, my father's the king and he wants me to marry the french princess adela." He shifted to my side so he could talk to me better, but before he could even speak another word, I raised my palm.

"Wait, wait. Your father is the king? You mean the king of Ethandun?" I might have heard him wrong. He might have this exaggerated and meant that his father was this king of flocks or something.

"Yes, you are correct." He seemed to have been embarrassed by my question. I saw no pride from him when he admitted.

"So you mean to say, you are the prince of Ethandun?" Still in shock.