ℓє ρяιи¢є, ℓα ρяιи¢єѕѕє єт ѕαυνєυя

[ValiantPickle]

The Prince's coat of arms waved in the breeze. His entourage followed him in a very organized manner. The prince, Lanz, sat upon his own Rouncy wearing the royal clothes that befitted a man of his status. Meanwhile his squire and page rode behind him. His blond hair was short and well groomed. His eyes were pale and mystical looking. His kind face was a betrayal to his true nature. He was riding to meet the woman who was to be his wife. He had never met her but that didn't matter. She was to serve and obey him. She was to come when she was called and satisfy his desires. As the Prince apprached the gate it was lowered and he sauntered in. He slid off his horse and passed it to his page who took it to the stables. He swept his hand through his hair and started his way to the grand hall to meet the king.

He left his knights behind. They were his personal guard and numbered about thirty. They each wore the surcoat in the same design as their prince, but each bore thier own coat of arms on thier shield. Among them was knight who was a little younger than the prince that led them. His knighting ceremony had happened only two years ago, He was the oldest and only son of his father, who was a relatively famous knight. He had alot to live up to. As the knight got into the courtyard, he doffed his helmet. His articulated plate armor left alot to be desired when it came to ventilation. His own riding horse Diasy was a chestnut colored beauty. His Charger (war horse) was a huge black and muscular thing named Lightning. The knights name was Miles. He looked much different than the prince. His dark hair was longer and messy from the helmet. His eyes were uniqe. Miles' eyes were different colors one was blur and the other green. Where he grew up it was considered bad luck, so he'd learned to just accept what people think of him. He waited among the gaggle of knights so he could learn where to store his horse, and where he would sleep.

 

[baby]

They had been engaged since she was twelve. Yet, they had never seen each other for even once. It was just a political marriage and she didn't really understand why she had to marry him. But she loved him. She had seen many pictures of him as his father, the King of her neighbor country, had sent to her in exchange for her pictures. The last picture describe a heartthrob with a face could make women swoon. Even though it was just a picture, the first time she looked at it, those eyes made her heart stop a beat.

Years had passed, the little Princess Anita had grown up into a lovely young woman with long curly ginger hair and big brown eyes. And, she still had all her dreams about a prince charming and a true love kiss.

She had fallen in love with him, before she even knew what love was.

Especially now she was so lonely as her mother had just passed away couple months ago. The Queen was a beautiful woman, as beautiful as her daughter, was charming, gentle and sweet. Perhaps too sweet and gentle that she couldn't stop the King from bringing other women to his bed. Anita hated her father, hated him since she was young as she knew he was the one made her mother cry. She had never talked to him more than three sentences. And he didn't care either. A reason for the King to spend time with as much women as he could, was to produce an heir, a Prince. Daughters were useless to him, girls were useless to him, he needed a son. And only now that he found he could put his daughter into some good use, marry her to a man she had never met, in exchange for money and army.

The young Princess had been counting day by day, waiting for the love of her life, waiting for him to get her away from her father. She was more than happy to know their wedding wouldn't be postpone any longer. In fact, her fiance was on his way to her homeland to meet her; and bring her back with him. And the big day finally arrived. She was standing in the big hall of her castle, in her most beautiful dress casually peering out of the door each time she heard horse steps...

 

[ValiantPickle]

The prince walked up to the large doors of the front gate as the stewards opened them for him to enter. Into the grand hall he walked, his royal blue cloak flailing in the breeze. He looked around at the patrons as they looked back at him in turn. He extended his arm and with a flourish he bowed. He stayed there a few moments before standing up straight and looking to the other side of the hall. The king, and father of his intended looked back. The prince adjusted the sword at his side, walking toward the king. In all the years that he and this woman had been engaged, he had never met the king or his daughter.

The Prince stopped in front of the throne, his pale eyes gave a strong gaze toward the father. With a dramatic flourish Lanz pulled out his sword. He went down on one knee.
"Your Majesty."

On the inside the Prince's feelings were much different. There ought to be fanfare, the royal subjects should be lined up and bowing to him. This filthy hall was barely even a hall at all, it certainly wasn't grand. No wonder this weakling of a king needed to marry off his daughter.What was asking without money after all?

Also Lanz hadn't looked around for the one he was supposed to marry. Honestly he didn't care. Back home he could have any woman he wanted. His good looks an false compassion got all the ladies, peasant or noblewoman. (Not that Lanz would ever bed with a disgusting peasant.)

Outside Miles had his horses taken to the stables. His squire was helping him doff his Armor. The padded leather underneath was probably what caused the mass amount of heat. It unbreathable fabric was flexable though.

 

[baby]

The King smiled "Finally" he said. "I've heard so much about you and can't wait to meet my soon to be son." perhaps it was almost disgraceful for a King to greet the future husband of his daughter this way. But it wouldn't hurt to ingratiate this young man a little, he would be the buoy for this drowning country. "I'm sure my daughter also is very eager to see you." he continued, pointing to the Princess was standing near by.

She startled a little as she was busy observing the prince. He was going to be her husband. And he was so handsome... That hair, those eyes...Her heart stopped its usual rhythm when her eyes made a contact with his charming eyes. She blushed, lowering her gaze "This is a great honor for me to finally meet you in person" she said with a soft voice.

 

[ValiantPickle]

On the inside Lanz cringed, but on the outside he kept on his mask of confidence and friendliness. This king... to be the son-in-law of this king was a thought worse than never being able to bed another woman. The prince rose to his feet, putting away his sword and taking his first steps toward his bride-to-be. It could not be denied that she was beautiful, young as she was. As he got closer he spoke, his voice soft and smooth.
"Likewise, I have been waiting for this day... princess."
Lanz took the princess' hand gently, bending forward and kissing it. Lanz was already getting impatient. This act was getting old. He had to keep it up around both his own father and all his royal subjects. Only when he was alone could he be himself. If he was to marry this woman, the time he spent alone would be very limited. Of course, he could treat her like any other woman...

 

[baby]

His steady look on her make her heart jump around in her chest. And that poor fragile heart of hers exploded when he slowly stepped toward her. As he kissed her hand softy and smiled with her sweetly, she melted. The princess in fact was shivering with all those emotion. He was so gentle, tender, so perfect.

And of course her father would notice that. He was her father after all. Or maybe every body would notice how the young princess's face flushed with the shade of red rose and how she couldn't keep her eyes away from her fiance...

"The preparation for our ceremony is still in progress" the king spoke up "Everything would be ready within threes days. In the mean time, perhaps you two loverbirds would enjoy spending time together?"

Anita blushed again, taking her quivering hand back and smile with the man in front of her "Would you like to join me for some tea?"

 

[ValiantPickle]

Lanz smiled sweetly at the girl. Oh, how easy this would be. Her fragile heart was was so ripe for plucking. Her simple feelings blinded her to what the Prince's eye truly said. Lanz lowered and let go of her hand. He lowered his head and said.
"That would be lovely."
The prince took a step back and put his hand behind his back, waiting for the princess to lead him to the place they would spend their time.

Outside Miles removed a harp from his personal belongings. When a person was considered unlucky, he spent alot of time alone. When you spent alot of time alone you pick up skills. Miles' skill in this case was playing the lute. It was a rather simple instrument. Miles plucked the strings inn a simple melody in the courtyard. His armor had been completely removed and packed away. He still wore his sword hwever. His clothes were expensive, but not extravagant. His body was well toned, which was pretty much expected of a knight. He was still treated as a young man, which he was, being 22. The prince got alot more attention, and was not treated as such. The prince was 24, did those two years make any difference? Ah well, Miles was relatively happy. He didn't have anything to complain about. As such, he kept plucking the strings on the harp.

 

[baby]

She gave him another smile. Outside the hall was the garden. A big white marble fountain was stood in the center, and the garden was blossoming with roses. It looked heavenly. And she was with an angel, who was staring her with tender eyes and warm smile. She slowly walked outside, waiting for him to follow her. The sun was setting. Bright blue sky was changing to reddish. Green grasses were blown by cold breeze… It was because of beautiful surrounding or evening sunlight shone upon his silky hair made him even more handsome. Anita's heart was trembling seeing the sunlit prince walking next to her…

They reached a bench and a round table, where she sat down. Giving a sign for the maids that had been following them all the time to go and bring back the tea. "This is a calm place, one of my favorite places here. I love to come here for tea and then a stroll. Maybe favorite of all is...sitting by the fountain." she told him with another smile, breaking the silence between them so he wouldn't hear the rapid beating of her heart. It made her nervous just sitting next to him.

 

[ValiantPickle]

The Prince Lanz smiled and followed after her. His mind was completely in the wrong place. He watched the princess behind swaying as she walked in front of him. Yes... yess she was very good. He could get some pleasure out of this. But how soon? They were to be wed when they returned home.
Lanz emerged outside, admiring the beauty of the sky. It was so vibrant, and this young girl in front of him was so... tentalizing. Her curly hair bounced as they walked. It pleased him to see the girl so full of life.

When they reached the bench, Lanz took a seat next to his betrothed. He sat gently, glancing at the maids as they left. As Lanz got comfortable, she spoke. Her voice was nice, and her eyes were sensitive looking. "This place, is very lovely. But the scenery could not compare to the beauty that sits beside me." He said, laying on his charm. He gave a smile that could light up a room. "I'm so glad you will marry me, my love. You've made me so happy."
His outside was once again sugar coating his rotten core. Tonight, yes, tonight he would have this girl.

 

[baby]

A heavy blush filled her face. "Thanks...you're so kind" she answered without looking at him. Smiling gently to the maid who had finally come back, she waited as her cup was poured. "I'm happy that our marriage would bring about a new era of peace." That was her father's idea. It was for her people and she had no choice. Yet, even if she had another choice, she wouldn't change. He was more than she could imagine, was wonderful. She sipped idly at her tea. Looking around at the garden and smiling. This place always put her at ease. Her hair was framing her face softly, her eyes were half closed and glowed in the sunset light, her face was flushed thinking about the man next to her. "I heard that we are to join our respective kingdoms together through our union..."She didn't know why she said that, she was taught that women weren't allowed to talk about politic. Probably she was just trying to distract herself from her nervousness.

"I don't know much about it though." she smiled at him "What are you planning to do with your time here? I guess it would take at least a week before we could start our journey..."

 

[ValiantPickle]

'A week?' Lanz though as he tok a small sip of tea. That was quite a long time. Perhaps he should hold off tonight, and only do it when she had no choice but to come back with him! Of course, she had no choice in the matter anyway. She had been his since the moment their parents decided it. She didn't want to upset her poor old father did she?
"I believe that is the plan, yes." Lanz said, when she commented on the union of their kingdoms.
As for his time here, what was he going to do? This meagre kingdom was a poor excuse, as they must have little in the way of entertainment. Perhaps he could organize a hunt. He could impress the king alot if he killed a bear or something. Or he might try the direct approach and just spend his time walking about the castle. But where was the fun in that?
"As of now, I have no plans. I simply wish to get my knights comfortable and learn where we may all sleep. After that, my plans shall come to me."

 

[baby]

"Oh, I'm sure my father will take good care of your entourage." she replied. After all, the old man certainly had to try and please this Prince. Leaving his knights frozen or starved wouldn't be the best idea. "And I believe we have prepared a comfortable guess room for your visit. A servant would escort you later..." she paused for a moment "...or would you prefer to rest now? I mean...it was a long strip and properly you're tired." she lowered her eyes, feeling stupid for only realized that fact now. It should have been the first thing she asked him, and yet, she had asked him to join her little tea party!

"No plan at all?" the young Princess asked with a surprised smile. "What do you usually do in your leisure time?" she continued, feeling a bit more at ease around him. And that was a good side, wasn't it? "I find myself enjoy reading books, or spending time in a calm place, just like this."