The sea prince.
"Prince Vinson of Merlin! The guard blew their trumpets, as a royal carriage rode into the palace compound.
It was the eve to the royal wedding and special guests were trooping in.
Vinson stepped out of the royal carriage, his jet black hair packed up in a bun. His warm sunny golden eyes, flashed at Helen who was standing beside Leah.
He was tall, masculine and had sharp jawlines. He had a clean shave, no single hair was on his face, making his handsome features more prominent.
"Welcome to Decreash, Prince Vinson." Leah took the first initiative. Her dark violet hair was let down, and her dark obsidian eyes was filled with desires.
"And you are? Vinson asked arching his brows.
"Princess Leah, the King's stepsister." Leah answered rather arrogantly.
Well, it's nice to meet you Leah." Vinson said before strolling past Leah and making his way to Helen.
Helen's black hair was braided in a fish tail, she was wearing a black coloured gown with golden embroidery. It had long sleeves, and a zip running from her chest up to her neck.
"Princess Helena." Vinson showed coursey by bowing, while he took her hand in his and kisses the back of her hand.
"Prince Vinson, you flatter me." Helena said retrieving her hand slowly after the latter straightened up.
"Your face is still the way I remembered it, as beautiful as the sunset itself." Vinson commented and Helena smirked, she didn't even blush!
"Beautiful comes and go Prince Vinson, if you want to remember me, remember me for something else." Helena said as she watched him slowly take her hand in his.
"Walk with me." He said and both of them made their way inside the palace.
"Just before she was out of sight, Helena turned around to gaze at Leah, she gave her a knowing smile before focusing her gaze in the oath ahead.
Leah clenched her fist, as her eyes became teary. She bit her lips before blinking her eyes, to drive away the tears.
She made her way to her chamber, it was lit up with candles and oil lamps. Some maids were attending to her bed, fixing up the beddings. While others got busy cleaning the dressing mirror and folding up her clothes.
"Leave…all of you." Leah's voice was breaking but she could still get a hold of herself.
They are stopped what they were doing and slowly took their leaves without hushing a word.
Just then her mother Johanna walked in…
"Leah, I have been looking everywhere for you, you missed supper…. Johanna paused when she saw tears trickling down Leah's face.
"I am not hungry…mother." The latter said wiping her tears. She walked up to her dressing mirror, on the dressing table was two candles placed at both sides, so she could see her reflection properly.
"Leah…are you alright? Johanna asked looking worried. She slightly raised her gown then took some steps forward.
Leah started taking of her rings and earrings, she slowed took out the pin holding her hair together.
*I did all these…dressed up for him, and he didn't even look at me for two minutes before turning to look at…", More tears stung her eyes she couldn't bring the words out.
"Leah I am your mother, you can tell me anything." Johanna said taking some steps forward.
"I want to be alone mother." Leah shrilled her voice firm, she started taking off her bangles..
"Leah, just speak to….
"Mother I said I want to be alone just leave! Leah screamed hitting both her palms on the dressing table as she talked.
The candles lit on the dressing table reflected in her dark obsidian eye balls.
Very well then." Johanna sighed swallowing the remaining words hanging in her throat. She turned to leave..
Mother! A teat dropped from Leah's eyes on the dressing table before she turned around and ran to where Johanna stood then hugged her.
Johanna was stunned, she embraced Leah with one hand then using the other hand she began to strokd Leah's hair, while whispering in her ears.
"It's okay my darling, everything is going to be alright." She coed stroking Leah's thick violet hair.
"No mother….", Leah sniffed.
"Nothing is alright." She cried on Johanna's shoulders.
Johanna led her to the king sized bed, and made her seat before seating next to her.
"Tell me all about it, I am all ears." Johanna said calmly her dark eyes etched on her daughter's face.
"It's Prince Vinson mother.. ." Leah had stopped crying, initially her head rested on Johanna's chest but she slowly straightened up.
"What about him? Johanna questioned scrutinizing every inch of Leah's being with her sinister gaze
"He wouldn't even look at me. Helena has him wrapped around her little fingers." Leah sounded so frustrated, she hits her fist on the soft bed.
She swiftly rises to her feet leaving her mother's side.
"I got all dressed up for him, took my precious time to look pretty, but….he didn't even know who I was, he asked; "And you are? Leah quoted the exact words of Vinson to her mother, while throwing her hands in the air.
"You should have seen the smug on Helena's face, so vengeful." Leah said before taking her seat on one of the armchair in her chamber.
Johanna sighed before slowly rising to her feet.
"Come with me Leah." She said making her way to the terrace in Leah's chamber. The night sky was dark but embellished with countless stars.
The red curtains swayed from the night breeze, and the oil lamp places beside a wall in the terrace illuminated the areas.
Leah slowly rises up to her feet and followes her mother. They got to the end of the wall of the terrace, where they could see the whole palace from up there.
"Look at the sky's very carefully Leah and tell me what you see." Johanna said nonchalantly, her gaze already fixed above.
"Mother how does this solve anything….
"Just do it Leah, trust me." Johanna whispered curtly, not breaking her gaze away from the sky above.
Leah gave her mother a fleeting glare before languishly tilting her head to gaze at the clouds above.
"I see the clouds mother….and the stars." Leah answered genuinely.
"Take a closer look Leah, there is something you are missing." Johanna smiled faintly, her purple hair glistening under the reflection of the oil lamp in the terrace.
Leah squinted her eyes but couldn't see any other things except for the things she had named.
"I don't see anything mother." Leah said before shifting her gaze to Johanna
That's what I wanted to hear." Johanna said before turning to face Leah.
"To this people, we are nothing. We are like paupets to them, like dirt that can be casted off." Johanna said her eyes becoming darker and her voice lower and ominous.
"Crying is never an option Leah. I know what I went through just to get into this harem, and to be named second queen. Your father didn't love me, but he had no choice.
love
That is exactly what you have to do, you keep fighting till your enemies have no choice but to accept what you want them to! Johanna said firmly.
"Mother, you have told me to try and stay out of trouble. I should look pretty and try to ensnare any prince that come my way, then I would be able to leave this nightmare we call a palace." Leah said with searching eyes.
"Do you love prince Vinson? Johanna asked with a knowing smirk.
"I don't know about love mother, but I know I want him, I desire him….to be mine." Leah said her gaze looking distant.
Then don't let anybody get in your way, fight with every last drop of your blood…Johanna said gazing at her daughter.
"Mother, what happened to be hidden and acting invisible? Leak questioned brightening up.
"To hell with acting invisible! You are my daughter, you deserve as much as Helena gets, everything in equal shares! Johanna clenched her jaws as she talked.
"I didn't train you to be weak, your brother is already my biggest disappointment. Going round, fucking whores, maidservants….he disgusts me." Johanna said then took Leah's hands in hers.
"Mother you don't know how long I have waited for this very moment. For you to see that keeping quiet is never a solution." Leah said blinking her lashes.
"Don't you ever cry for any man again. They do not deserve it. I want you to fight for what is yours, show your enemies what it's like to play with fire, and watch them burn!
.......
Ragaleon walked along the long hallway lit up with fire sticks attached to the walls. His long red regalia cloak trailing after him as he walked.
He made a turn in another section lit up with candle stands attached to the wall, the hallway was quiet only the sound of his shoe clicking the floor could be head.
He had his hands crossed behind his back as his black hair swayed from side making his way to his chamber.
Just as he was about to step into his room his sight caught a chest box lying close to the walls. He took a step backward and tilted his head to the direction of the chest box.
He looked around to see if there was anyone nearby who might have dropped the box there, but he found no one.
Suddenly a guard popped out from another section of the corridor, the guard was armed with a sword.
"Your majesty? The guard looked stunned as he quickly composed himself and bowed.
"Rise." Ragaleon said and the guard slowly straightened up.
"That chest box, so you know who it belongs to? Ragaleon questioned shifting his gaze to the chest box.
"I believe it was brought in by some royal guards as for who it belongs to, I have no idea, your majesty." The guard said and Ragaleon turned around facing the direction of his chamber….
Bring the chest box into my chamber." He said then walked into his chamber, the guard did as he said in obligation.
The two guards standing in front of Ragaleon's chamber were not allowed to move from their position, unless Ragaleon commanded them to.
The chest box was dragged into Ragaleon's chamber, Ragaleon was already seated on a arm chair in his chamber. His chamber was collosal having different sections parted with a white curtains that can be seen through.
The section of the room Ragaleon was seated on was the one closet to the window facing the terrace. He helped himself to some wine…
"Open it." He nonchalantly said to the guard then sipped from the wine in the silver cup, the bottom of the cup was silver while the upnwas made with black glass, very aesthetic.
The guard opened the box and peered inside before shifting his gaze to the king…
"What's in it? Ragaleon asked drumming his lean fingers light on the arm of the chair he was seated.
"Nothing desirable to the eyes, your majesty." The guard said taking out some dirty looking dolls out, the dolls were made out of cotton, and the hair of the dolls were made of wool.
The guard also took out a blue gown folded neatly in the box, it seemed to belong to a matured lady. There was a silver hairpin on top of the blue gown.
"Is that all? Ragaleon suddenly lost interest and rised to his feet.
"No, your majesty." The guard quickly answered then took out a paper rolled up then tied with a black thread.
"Open it." Ragaleon said refilling the silver cup in his hands.
"Your Majesty, I cannot read." The guard said genuinely. Ragaleon understood, and the guard pases it to him, he walked up to the side of the room well lit up with candle stands.
Taking out the the thread, he rolled open the paper, and scanned it for a while and then suddenly his countenance changed.
He creased his brows, then slowly dropped the silver cup which still had wine in it.
He clenched his fist, the betrayal looming all over his face, then turning to the direction of the guard he said.
"Summon Lady Berth to my chamber , now!