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"...what's the meaning of this father?" - Reign asked with a perplexed look.
Standing before him was an exceptionally beautiful girl with ink black hair that fell down to her waist, she had large crystal blue tear drop eyes with long lashes, cute button nose, smooth cheeks and jaw, with pointed ears that extended 4 inches through her hair. She stood just past 5ft tall and was wearing a simple white dress that stopped just below her knees, her skin was pale white and seemingly made of polished porcelain. Though the dress was loose fitting you can still make out the subtle curves of her body. Her arms and legs were soft and smooth, and her hands and feet were delicate and feminine.
" A Gift" - said King Legion with an aloof expression.
....
" Don't think I have not noticed your lack of focus this last year. Despite increasing the intensity and frequency of your training, I'm told your progress has only slightly improved compared to previous years." - King Legion said with a vaguely disappointed look on his face.
The King then picked up a small round red fruit from the plate in front of him popping it into his mouth before turning to face the young lady he was gifting to his son. Feeling satisfied with the gift, he turned his attention back to Reign.
"...a gift. Perhaps you can finally focus on your studies and make proper progress in your training with its company." - King Legion with a slight smirk
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" I don't understand father, she is to keep me company in what way?" - Reign asked, still confused.
His father King Legion had forbidden him from interactions with anyone other than his trainers and teachers. Ever since Reign could remember he has done nothing but study the theories of magic and trained his body in the use of weapons and martial arts.
In the past year he has been woken up by his maids earlier and earlier in the morning to begin his daily routine. His teachers have been fervently schooling him on complex magic theorems and application, while his trainers have increasingly drilled him in his physical training before throwing him into an arena with savage beasts, monsters, and crazed prisoners, with a simple instruction 'kill or be killed'.
Despite the increased intensity of his days Reign was having difficulty devoting himself completely to his usual routine. In the morning during his studies of magic he found himself often zoning out of focus with the lessons. In the afternoon during physical training he was unable to muster his motivation to make breakthroughs in his combat and martial arts. Unable to get through to him, his instructors voiced their concerns to his father King Legion.
" When forging a blade, one must temper it, lest it shatters. One day you will be King, part of that process is to grow strong. Stronger than all other men, such is the fate of Kings." - King Legion declared to his son with an aloof expression.
" Though I have forged you into a man worthy of being a King amongst men, I have failed to temper you properly. I will not have a brittle king as my successor, therefore I am giving you this... thing... to keep you company." continued The King with the same distant expression.
"Happy Birthday." King Legion finally announces to his son with faint amusement and a vague smirk.
It was Reign's 16th birthday today and he was having his annual breakfast with his father in the dining hall of the palace. The dining hall was a grand and spacious room, lined with bright magic crystals that illuminated the hall. The walls were painted white and gold which shined with a dazzling array of colors like diamonds refracting light. In the center of the hall was a 40ft long dining table covered in a royal purple table cloth, which shined with the same dazzling array of colors as the walls. On each end of the table was an obsidian chair.
King Legion sat at the head of the table with a plate of fruits in front of him and dessert cakes around it. Reign sat at the opposite end of the dining table with his area cleared, having declined dessert as he didn't care much for sweets. They had just finished breakfast when his father had the maids bring out the young girl who was to be his gift.
She seemed to be around Reigns age, if not maybe a few months younger. She stood off to the left of Reign, her hands cupped together, trembling slightly with anxiety. She wore a timid expression on her face the entire time as the two royals discussed her fate in front of her.
Reign turned his attention to her, closely examining her person slowly. 'What does he mean by company?' Reign thought. He has never interacted with anyone other than his Instructors. His personal maids never said a word to him unless they were conveying a message from his father or instructors. His interactions have all been in the capacity of education or training nothing more.
'Is she a new instructor? ...no, it cant be she's too young... and frail.' He pondered while he examined the girl before him. As he was scanning her face their eyes met, stunning crystal blue eyes peering back at him, piercing his soul. It was only for a very brief moment, but in that moment he felt lost in eternity.
~Boom~ a sudden powerful beat from his heart.
He quickly averted his eyes, unable to comprehend his body's reaction upon meeting her eyes. He then turned his attention back to his father.
'hmm...interesting' thought King Legion
"You are dismissed for the remainder of today, and excused from your lessons for tomorrow. Familiarize yourself with your new servant. You are free to roam the palace grounds as you please in the meantime"
King Legion then clapped his hands twice signaling the maids to clear the table and clean the dining hall before he stood up and walked out of the room to attend to other matters.
Reign stood up shortly after his father left and started walking towards the exit leading to his living quarters. On his birthdays his father would grant him the day to do as he wished, and he usually spent that time resting or sleeping in his room to recover from the brutal year long training routine he had to endure. This year was especially difficult on his still developing body, leaving him feeling greatly fatigued. He didn't want to waste a single moment of this time, so he hurriedly made his way to his bedroom, forgetting all about the young girl The King had given to him as a gift.
Seeing him getting up from his seat at the dining table and leaving, the young lady began panicking. Unsure of what to do or where to go she quickly decides to follow the young Prince.
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A few months before she was introduced to the Prince, The King had sent Healers and Alchemist to examine her physique to ensure she was clean and fit to serve the Prince. The King then came to visit her personally to ensure she was ready to serve the Prince. He informed her of her fate, she is to serve the Crown Prince and provide companionship. Failure would mean death, if the Prince rejected her companionship it would mean death, if she tried to escape it would mean death. She felt doomed, death was certain in her mind.
After being examined by The King a powerful curse was placed on her soul that prevented her from taking her own life, forever binding her to her duties to the Prince.
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She rushed to catch up to the Prince, who was quickly making his way to his living quarters. She had to almost jog just to keep up with his powerful strides. As she was trying to keep up with the Prince she couldn't help but examine his stature. Maybe she could learn something about him through his mannerism.
The Prince was a tall youth, standing a little more than 6ft. He wore a royal purple and blue dress robe that covered his entire body all the way up to his neck leaving only his head exposed. His hair appeared black but had shades of crimson, and when he passed by a window the light would cause his hair to flare with shades of red and deep crimson like tides of blood. It was shorter on the back and sides, and longer on top where it flared to the side like a river of fire. His face was like that of an angel, but for some reason looking upon it did not bring her any comfort, only the feeling of dread. His brows were sharp, his eyes were the color of Ox Blood and keen, his nose was proportionate to his face, his cheeks symmetrical, and his jaw was angular and defined. He looked like an angel who was cast down from the heavens.
Whatever this angel did to deserve such a fate, could not have been good, and now she had to serve his every need. Death seemed certain as she kept observing and trailing behind him.
They quickly made their way down the lavish hallway with sunlight streaming through tall windows.
Twenty minutes later and after several twist and turns the Prince stepped out into a large courtyard with the girl trailing behind him. The Prince was just about to full on sprint straight across the courtyard to reach the hallway leading to his living quarters when he finally heard a small voice behind him panting for air.
He turned around to find his "gift" red faced, and out of breath. Small beads of sweat glistened on her brow in the morning light.
'oh' he thought.
~~
A moment later after she seemed to have caught her breath, he turned back around and continued through the courtyard towards his living quarters, this time however he walked at a much slower pace trying to be mindful of his little follower.
The girl followed after the Prince but noticed the pace seemed to be much more reasonable. She no longer had to almost jog to keep up with him, instead it was a brisk walk. The pace was still tiring for her unconditioned body, but far less than the previous jog she had to endure through the Inner Palace.
Twenty five minutes later they reached the far end of the courtyard where they entered another lavish hallway. After ten minutes of walking straight down the hall they stepped out into a large expanse of open grassy land.
In the center of this open grassy area was a mansion, to the left was a pond that extended all around that side. To the right was a lush garden filled with blooming exotic flowers, herbs, fruits & vegetables. Throughout the grassy area all around the mansion were different varieties of trees, some of which bore fruit.
'finally, hhaaaa' Reign sighed internally, had he not have to slow his pace he would have long since drifted off into the sweet embrace of slumber.
Slightly out of breath and trying to regain her composure, the girl stood behind the prince and glanced around at the new scenery. She then noticed the Prince making his way to the mansion and promptly followed after him.
Just before they reached the mansion doors, it automatically opens and Six beautiful maids came out to greet the Prince, three on each side.
"Welcome Home Your Highness" the maids greeted in unison.