Prince Zidane of Gibraltar is no stranger to the Armadonians, especially to Princess Mizhka and Prince Merick. Some eight years ago, Prince Zidane lived in the castle of Armadonia. He is the son of King Ulrich, the closest friend of King Silas and a long-standing ally. When revolution broke out in Gibraltar, King Ulrich sent Prince Zidane, his youngest son, to Armadonia for his safety. Basically, Prince Zidane grew up with Prince Merick and Princess Mizhka. The twins were never fond of Prince Zidane because he was an ostentatious and conceited kid.
Prince Merick considers Prince Zidane as his greatest rival because they always clash in almost everything. But since Prince Zidane was older, he was a bit bigger and naturally stronger than him. Prince Zidane would always beat Prince Merick in any sports, including sword fighting, which is the highest form of sports for men.
But what irated Prince Merick the most was the fact that he felt like his father was more doting to Prince Zidane than him. It was as if Prince Zidane was his real son. That's why Prince Merick has sworn to himself that he would be a better prince than him.
Princess Mizhka and Prince Merick are still dumbfounded with the arrival of Prince Zidane.
Meanwhile, Ethan will catch a glimpse at Prince Zidane's chief knight, a gorgeous and fine-looking man. The chief knight has caught him looking. Ethan suddenly draws his eyes away.
"My King, my forgiveness for being behind time," Prince Zidane says to the King as he reaches the throne. "On our way here, we encountered a group of bandits and have to fight them."
"Ah! That is not a problem. We are glad that you have arrived safely," King Silas replies.
King Silas hugs Prince Zidane in a fatherly manner. Prince Merick can't bear the scene and looks away with contempt.
Prince Zidane looks at Princess Mizhka and speaks, "Princess Mizhka, you have grown to be a beautiful young lady. You surely would make a suitable wife.
"You wish!" Princess Mizhka exclaims. "I will never marry you."
"You have no other choice, my daughter, for it has already been agreed on. In three days, your wedding will take place," the king announces.
Princess Mizhka bursts into tears and talks to the queen, "Mother, don't let him do this!"
"I am sorry my daughter, but there's nothing I can do. I may be a queen, but no one can bend the king's words," Queen Arida tells Princess Mizhka.
Prince Merick stands up for his sister. "Father, this is a mistake! We can't force Princess Mizhka to marry someone she doesn't love."
"Gibraltar is a powerful ally, Merick! This wedding will be strengthen the bond between the two kingdoms."
"But father…"
"Enough, Merick!" King Silas angrily shouts. "The wedding shall take place with or without your consent."
King Silas looks at Merick and draws his face closer to him, "I am so disappointed in you."
King Silas then addresses the crowd, "tonight we are going to celebrate, the engagement of Princess Mizhka, and Prince Zidane. Drink, eat, and be merry!"
The crowd continue with the celebration. Princess Mizhka sadly storms out of the royal hall. Prince Zidane smirks at the already furious Prince Merick.
"It's nice to see you too, old friend," Prince Zidane sarcastically tells Prince Merick before going to the crowd to socialize.
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Princess Mizhka goes to her room, takes off her dress and throws all her jewellery then lies down on her bed weeping. The door swings open and Queen Arida enters the room. She goes straight to her daughter to give comfort.
"Mizhka, don't weep my princess," Queen Arida gently tells her as she strokes her hair.
Princess Mizhka tearfully replies, "I can't marry someone I don't love, mother!"
"As much as I want to convince the king to stop the wedding, there's nothing I can do," the Queen says still trying to hold on her tears.
"Why does it have to be this way? Why do we have to live like a captive, following the king's order and throw away our own freedom."
Princess Mizhka continues crying.
Queen Arida holds her hands and tells her, "do you remember when you were still a child, whenever you are sad or scared, I'll always sing you a lullaby?"
The queen starts singing.
My child, rest you heart that has grown weary
Through the night I'll guide you so don't worry
If this song doesn't make you warm, my dear
My love will be your light and fire, don't you fear
Wipe your tears little one, and close those eyes
Dream of all the stars you can catch in the skies
And if this song doesn't comfort you, I'm here
I will make those blues and monsters disappear
As the queen hums a few more lines, the princess have fallen peacefully to sleep in her lap. The queen watches her as she slumbers.
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The moon is shining brightly that night. Ethan makes his way to the stream to clean himself. He starts undressing and goes to the water.
Ethan takes a long dip under. It relaxes him. After a minute or so, he rises up from the water. To his surprise, another man is taking a dip in the water!
"Oh, I'm sorry, have I startled you?" the man asks. It's the chief knight of Prince Zidane.
"Not at all, I was just surprised for I thought I was all alone," Ethan says.
"I'm about to leave actually, I have been here for an hour already," the man says.
The man leaves the water, exposing his naked body. Ethan awkwardly looks away from the man.
While putting his clothes on, the man speaks, "Sir Ulrich's the name by the way, I'm Prince Zidane's chief knight."
"Pleasure to meet you sir Ulrich. I'm Sir Ethan, chief knight of Prince Merick."
"Pleasure to meet you too. This is probably not the last time we'll see each other."
Ulrich has already dressed up, "you can look now, I'm all dressed up!"
"N-no, I mean, it-it didn't bother me to see you n-naked," Ethan replies shakily.
Ulrich smiles.
"See you again some other time, sir," Ulrich says flirtatiously before leaving.
Ethan is able to breathe comfortably to see Ulrich leaves.
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That night, Leilah is walking around the castle. She passes by the Great Hall. She hears voices inside. She peeks inside to see it. She sees King Silas, Aztec, Prince Zidane, and some of his men inside. She listens to what they are talking about.
"There's nothing to worry about Zidane, the wedding will happen, I'll make sure of that," King Silas says.
"I couldn't care less about the wedding my King, but what I am more interested is what you promised me that I'll be inheriting your throne," Prince Zidane replies.
"Of course! As I have promised you, you'll be next to the throne!"
Leilah is shocked with what she has heard that she created a slight noise. Everyone in the room notices it. The king commands Aztec to search the area. Leilah runs as quick as she can in order not to be caught. Aztec on the other hands searches towards the direction that Leilah is going to.
As Leilah tries to escape, he bumps into Prince Merick who instantly notices that she is fleeing.
"Who are you running from?" Prince Merick asks.
"Prince Merick, there's something you have to know. But for now, you have to save me," Leilah says.
Prince Merick quickly hides Leilah in a pillar, and pretends that he's all alone as Aztec arrives.
Aztec asks Prince Merick, "Your highness, do you happen to see someone come here?"
"I have been alone here for quite some time now. Who exactly are you looking for, sir?" he replies.
Aztec looks around. He is about to approach the pillar where Leilah is hiding. Prince Merick is getting nervous. He is trying to think what to do.
"Sir Aztec, I think I saw something running there!" Prince Merick shouts and points towards a different direction.
"Thank you, Prince Merick!"
Aztec runs towards the direction that Prince Merick pointed. As soon as Aztec leaves, Prince Merick pulls Leilah from the pillar and runs.
Prince Merick brings Leilah in his bedroom. Leilah feels a bit awkward being inside the Prince Merick's room.
"Now speak what you wish to tell me," Prince Merick orders Leilah.
"My prince, I heard King Silas and that prince from Gibraltar," Leilah starts. "He wants him to be the next king of Armadonia. That's the reason that King Silas wants Mizhka to marry him."
Prince Merick is shocked with what he Leilah have spoken. His world seems to crumble. How could his own father do this to him? How could he not make his own son the next king of Armadonia?
Prince Merick picks himself up. He knows he needs to do something in order to stop this lunacy.
"Leilah, I have to stop this. I have to save my sister, and this kingdom as well," Prince Merick tells.
"I'm willing to help you, Prince Merick, because I owe you my life," Leilah responds.
"I have a plan."
END OF CHAPTER 3