Hearts So Stained

Awakening

On a wide cushioned bed a man with pale flawless skin and silvery blond hair lay with his eyes closed. The queen who had similar colored hair sat by him and held his hand in hers while weeping excessively. She had almost lost her son and the grief had taken the best of her. She didn't want to part away from him even for a moment.

As she tended to her only son, Azorius, THe King talked to the Imperial Physician. “Is everything alright? How is the Prince doing? Did any harm come to him?”

The Old physician who had been responsible for keeping an eye on the Crown Prince’s condition stood calmly as the King questioned. “Your Majesty the King. I know this might sound a bit odd but the Prince’s condition has drastically improved.” His voice was joyous when he reported.

Azorius’s eyes slightly widened with surprise. “You know if this is a bluff I might sentence your whole tribe to death.” HE warned him to not play with his emotions.

“I dare not Your Majesty.” He instantly got on his knees and begged. “ I checked on him and I can tell that he has recovered greatly. His body temperature has come to normal and it's as if he would wake up at any moment now.” His hands trembled while he gave his report.

“Hmm…” Azorius saw that he was telling the truth.

“MY KiNG!” Called out the queen when Azoriosu was about to speak to the imperial Physician again. Her words were wrapped with disbelief and when Azorius looked at her she had already gone mute due to the shock she had received.

“What happened My Queen?” He asked. But it was someone else who answered.

“Mother?” The voice was way too low. Almost a mumble.

Azorius looked at his wife who simply nodded and a tear dropped out of her eye. He paused for a moment and then took a deep breath. After a very long time he felt like every cell of his body had received air and after a very long time, his lungs had been filled. HE did not lose his cool and slowly approached the bedside where the queen was sitting and said.

“Welcome back my son.” He said calmly.

The queen who was much free to express herself kiss hed Dastan’s forehead and sun in joy.

Dastan’s expression at the sudden out pore of emotions was perplexed. To him, it hadn't been a quick shut-eye but to them, it had been two long years.

Dastan sat up in the bed, It took him a lot of effort as his muscles hadn’t been moving for a long time.

“What happened to me?” HE asked in a mumble and a frown formed between his brows.

The royal physician stepped in and explained the situation to him, The words he uttered made no sense to him and he sat there dumbfoundedly. “YOu are telling me that I was asleep for two years? because I was under some sort of curse? And I miraculously woke up one day? What is he talking about Your Majesty?” HE asked with utter confusion and looked at Azorious who was so immersed in the joy of his son’s return that he simply nodded at him. “It is true,” HE said. “But it's all fine now that you are finally awake.”

Crown Prince Dastan Coral was told every bit of the information about his curse and his awakening but a very big detail had been skipped that being “WHo woke him up?’

The Kingdom rejoiced at his awakening. The people who considered Noori to be a bad omen for their country started to believe that she might not be that bad as she broke the curse that nobody could, but that didn't mean that they were happy with her marriage with Dastan. All of them wanted her to return to her own country so that they could be at peace again.

“Your Majesty, No matter how we look at it, The Prince woke up after the arrival of the princess… especially after the fire. What do you think that means?” Said a witty-looking Count named Bruice MAque, He was known for his sharp tongue at the royal meetings.

“Are you referring to this as a sign for us to take the alliance a step farther?” Asked another count who usually had a few words to offer at the meetings. His name was Solta Gram.

“What I mean by that is, What if the Princess came prepared. What if it's a way to make us fall into her trap?” HE said in a suspicious tone.

“I object Your Majesty!” Farris who had been listening to the bickering of those low lives couldn't help but retaliate. HE stood up with a stiff expression almost ready to rip open Bruice’s mouth.

Azorious gave him a weird look but before she could say anything Bruice replied to Farris. “Your Majesty the Duke, Don't; you think you are siding with the enemies a bit too much?” HE had heard about his intrusion at the audience hall.

Farris didn't even pay him any heed and continued to talk to Azorious. “Your Majesty, If we keep on looking at their every step with suspension, The alliance that had been formed between the countries will dissolve in the ugliest way possible.” His concern was genuine but all the members looked at him with suspension. Farris had always had a different view from the rest of the people.

Azorious nodded and spoke. “I think you are right, But we still haven't found out the exact reason behind the fire and what led to the awakening of the prince. Also, the princess is now part of the royal family! Anybody who dares to look at her with suspension will be going after the royal family!” With his stern voice, he warned Bruice.

Farris thanked Azorius for understanding and took back his seat, and once again the members were quite agitated as the king had once again favored the duke.