Chapter Five: Prince Zane

Everyone is dumbfounded. Nobody expected the twist that Ella planned. The king stood silently, and next to him, was Ella's father. Diane couldn't help feeling embarrassed in front of all those people who filled the courtyard, waiting to see the future crown prince and princess.

Ella's father arranged for her to go home.

"Your magesty." a knight kneels before him, "your son is outside, awaiting entry."

"Let him in."

"As you command."

In a few moments, the castle gates open. A big coach, made of pure mahogany with a black silk fabric embroidered with gold makes its way inside and stops where the king is standing.

The door is opened, and he steps out.

It's silent.

The prince, in a dark combat uniform, jet black hair, thick boots, built muscles, expressionless face. Exactly how most people imagined him.

He looks straight a head, his hands behind his back, as if his father wasn't infront of him.

"Father."

"Zane, welcome back."

"Thank you."

"Do you want a tour of the city," the king offers, "I can arrange for someone to..."

"No."

At this stage, the king just decides to go with it.

"I'm sorry, but you have to know that the wedding has been postponed until......until your future wife is found."

"Where is she?"

"She ran away."

He looks at his father, "That will delay my crowning won't it."

"Yes. Yes it will."

"Then get me another woman."

With that, he walks up the stairs to the castle.

People slowly disperse as Zane makes his way inside. The guards go back to their positions.

Later, the king has dinner with his new overseer and his dear son. The conversation is mostly dominated by the two.

The queen doesn't speak. Neither does her son. He finishes his food and leaves the table. But instead of going to his room, he walks towards the doors.

"Zane, where are you going." the king stands up. Zane stops walking and turns around.

"I'm going to the courtyard for my training."

"It's past sundown."

"What I do or do not do, and when is no longer your concern. Tell the commander I want him with four of his best knights at the courtyard in a few minutes."

********************

"You're back." the queen says to his son as they sit at the balcony, gazing over the whole city.

"Yes mother," the prince replies, "I've missed you."

"You've grown strong." she messes up his hair.

"But after all these years, you still carry that burden. Why don't you forgive your father?"

"Would it make you happy?"

"Yes. I would be very happy. knowing that my only son and my husband are getting along."

The prince laughs. "You see mother, this is why hating him isn't a crime. You actually care about him. For someone who not only went behind your back, but also ruined your son."

"I know."

"NO, mother. You don't know. He broke me. The worst part is, that I don't know how to heal myself. Why is he even planning my bloody wedding!" he stares at her.

"The girl..." he says, "The woman I was going to marry, did she run away because she found out?"

"No, no my son. She didn't know anything. She just didn't want to get married... I think."

"Don't think mother, thinking is not meant for women."

"Oh."

They both fall in silence.

"Out of curiosity," the prince starts, "describe her to me."

"what?"

"The girl. What did she look like..."

"The girl...well, she was actually very beautiful. The right size and height. A lovely golden bloom of hair and....let's say well proportioned. Although she really wasn't properly behaved. I mean, I've only met her once but I know she has quite an attitude and why for sake that look on your face."

He smirks.

"Oh it's nothing mother." he stands up. "You should get some sleep. It's nice that I'm back knowing that you're here."

"Aww, you're so perfect." she stands up and gives him a sweet hug. "Oh, I don't think I'll be here for a few days. I'll have to pick you another wife."

She takes a quick glance at her son, who hesitated at the mention of another woman.

"What are you thinking about?"

"Nothing."

He shuts the doors to his heart. Exactly what she always feared.

"Zane, do you want another woman?"

"Of course, why wouldn't I, if it keeps everything in track...tell the head servant that all my servants should be lads. Tell the commander we train at dawn, and tell my father to get the bloody hell out of my life."