Alex paced back and forth in the middle of the garden trying to comprehend what he had just heard from his mother. His mind kept going in circles and then he suddenly paused and looked up to the sky, the air was cool but the atmosphere felt heavy.
" How am I going to handle all of this".
He felt a tap to his back, turned and saw his sister looking at him with a worried look on her face with his sister Lira.
" What is wrong Alex ? You seem disturbed".
" Nothing really, an just trying to figure out something".
" Are you sure ? It seems like something big is disturbing you" . She sounded very disbelieving of what he was saying.
He crossed his arm, put on the straightest face ever and said a firm " yes".
" If you say so". She turned and walked towards the stables with two guards walking silently behind her. He never got used to walking around with guards and preferred to walk alone when he was around the palace.
When she was at a distance and sighed in relief. His sister was not easy to deceive and beneath that angelic face of hers was a very resilient woman. He never openly admitted but sometimes she scared him. He wanted to tell her about what was bothering him but he had already promised his mother not to tell a soul about what she told him.
He decided that he has gotten enough air for the day and left to speak to his mother to help prepare him for the meeting set to hold in the evening.
As he walked down the hallway he heard some of the maids whispering about a certain visitor to the palace and immediately they saw him, they stopped talking and froze. The looked like they had been caught stealing. He stopped, stared at them for a while and continued walking. He turned and watched them as they scurried away not watching their steps until one stepped on the the others dress and the both fell on their faces. He chuckled and walked away. As he approached his mother's office a line of people stood in front. Some for condolences and others to lay their complaint. The guard at the door announced his arrival.
" The prince is here to see you, my queen"
He stepped in and was greeted by the people there to see her. He took a seat next to her and listened to her handle each case with precision and accept each condolence with true sincerity in her eyes. When the hall was empty and every one had left. His mother turned to him.
" Alex, there is something else you need to know. Uhm..." She shifted in her seat uncomfortably, stood up and walked to the window. " As you know, you were born on the day that your father won the war. According to tradition, a diviner is to be called to inquire about you and your future. It was due to the revelation of the diviner that I and your father sent you overseas at five to grow up with my sister for fifteen years. That was the hardest thing I have ever done and when you came back three years ago, my heart has never felt more joyous. If we did not let you go then, according to the diviner, you have been dead by now".
" There is no need for all this mom, I never doubted you and Dad's reason for sending me to Aunt's place".
" No, there is one other important detail that you need to know, you were also bethroted to someone".
" What!" He stood up from his chair so fast that the chair fell over. " I am what!"
" I know that you are shocked but you see, the girl was your grandmother's best friend's daughter and the diviner stated that she was to be your wife".
" This is wrong, I refuse to be forced into such a marriage".
She walked up to him placed her hand on his shoulder " Son, at first I also was not party to this but I realized that this is your destiny". He was furious, his chest hurt from the anger he felt. He started to walk away.
" I need some air". It sounded more like a growl than actual words.
" She is here in the palace and you would be meeting her soon. She is a nice and beautiful soul, you would like her". He turned his head side ways with a huge frown on his face.
" I will not be meeting with anyone" and with that he left with his feet stomping the ground.
The queen stood her shoulders hunched and almost to tears. She knew what she had to do.
In the shadows stood a figure watching with great amusement. He chuckled softly and said to himself " Time is ticking".