My Angel from the Star

CHAPTER 2

TAVIAN’S P.O.V

I woke up in my chamber, the sunlight streaming through the window almost blinding me. As my eyes adjusted to the light, I heard the sound of Nadia's hurried footsteps running to alert the others that I was awake.

What was wrong? Why was everyone so frantic?

I removed the wet napkin from my forehead and stood up. Immediately, Carlos and several maids entered my room, their faces a mixture of shock and relief. I couldn’t understand why my getting out of bed was such a huge surprise.

"Your Majesty, you should lie down," Carlos said, rushing towards me.

I nudged him off. "I feel good," I replied, still wondering what all the fuss was about.

"I should inform Their Majesties that you’re awake," he said, turning to leave.

"Wait," I called out. "I don’t see the need to inform Their Majesties about me waking up."

Carlos looked at me, concern etched on his face. "Well, Your Majesty, they've been—infact, we've all been—worried sick because you’ve been asleep for three days straight."

Three days? I thought, my eyes widening in disbelief.

Their royal highnesses had been informed about my recovery, or so everyone tagged it. The maids brought me my dinner, and as they served it, a flurry of questions filled my mind. After they were done and had left, I called in Collin.

"Nadia told me you were the one that found me," I said, my voice piercing through the quiet room.

"Yes, Your Highness. I followed you that evening. Nadia had rushed to inform me you had left quite angrily into the night," he said, his head bowed. "I’m sorry, Your Highness."

I was angry he had followed me. Did he think I couldn’t make good decisions on my own? But despite my initial anger, a part of me felt grateful. If he hadn’t followed, I would probably have been missing for three days, left to the elements or worse.There was an eerie silence, and then I motioned with my hand to show I had forgiven him for his actions.

"I probably know better than going to scenes of lightning," I said, carrying my spoon to eat.

"I'm sorry, Your Highness, but I do not understand this proverb you speak of," Collin said, his confusion evident.

"I was referring to the lightning from the incident," I clarified, noticing his puzzled expression.

"You followed me, but it seems you didn’t pay much attention, did you?" I asked, a hint of frustration in my voice.

"Your Highness, I trained to be a better warrior. I remember every detail, but nothing concerning lightning. And a lightning strike is one big detail I couldn’t forget, Your Highness," he said earnestly.

I paused, lowering my spoon, and studied his face. There was no sign of deceit. "Collin, when you found me, did you see any unusual marks or traces around me? Anything that seemed out of place?" I asked, my curiosity piqued.

"No, Your Highness," he replied. "When I found you, you were unconscious on the ground. There were no burn marks or any signs of a lightning strike. It was as if you simply collapsed."

I frowned, the mystery deepening. "I distinctly remember a bolt of lightning striking near me. The ground was covered in glittering sand, and when I touched it, I felt a surge of electricity before blacking out."

Collin shook his head. "I saw no such sand, Your Highness. Just you, lying there, unresponsive. I brought you back to the palace immediately."

I sighed, leaning back in my chair. " You did well to bring me back."

He bowed slightly. "I am glad you are safe, Your Highness."

As he left the room, I stared at my dinner, lost in thought. The strange lightning, the glittering sand, and my lost three days weighed heavily on my mind.

It had been a week since that peculiar accident, yet the lingering reminders persisted in the form of persistent headaches. Determined to distract myself from the unsettling incident, I turned my attention to a more mundane task: choosing a bride.

This season seemed fraught with a series of unfortunate events for me. The mere thought of marriage filled me with dread; I had always envisioned a life without the responsibilities of a family. Nevertheless, it seemed I would have to find a way to reconcile that dream with the expectations thrust upon me.

Her Royal Highness, the Queen, had dispatched letters to prosperous kingdoms, announcing the readiness of the princes of Eldrador to seek brides. Our kingdom had to be at the peak of its splendor; the town buzzed with preparations, and anticipation for the grand ball, where we would select our brides, permeated every conversation.

In the confines of my chambers, surrounded by a sea of fabrics presented by maids, I found myself utterly disinterested. The choice of textiles held little significance to me; my mind lingered on the absence of a sword in my hand for days.

My reverie was interrupted by the arrival of Princess Jandra, my sister and closest confidante. With a book in hand, she observed my weary countenance before settling herself comfortably, without bothering with formalities.

"You look as if life has been drained from you, brother," she remarked, her gaze shifting from her book to me. I managed a faint grin at her observation, grateful for her company amidst the monotony.

"The battlefield, where blood is shed and heads roll, seems to infuse you with more vigor than the finest fabrics in the kingdom," she teased, casting a knowing glance at Collin, who stood by my side.

"Indeed," I replied with a grin, acknowledging the truth in her jest. "And why aren't you occupied with selecting your attire?" I countered, gesturing towards the array of fabrics before us.

"Well, you're not the only one who dreads such frivolous activities," she confessed, eliciting a shared laugh between us. "Why not abandon this tedious task and join me for a ride instead?" she suggested.

"I cannot shirk my duties, regardless of how I feel. That is what defines responsibility," I responded, a sense of duty overriding my desire for escapism.

"Brother, you must choose a bride as lovely as yourself," she urged after the brief silence, her eyes alight with anticipation.

"And how am I to discern the loveliest bride?" I mused, entertaining her notion.

" one with shared interests, much like ourselves," she proposed with a knowing smile.

"i couldn’t agree better," I acquiesced with a smirk, returning my attention to the maid presenting yet another fabric for inspection..