"Let down the ropes!" Ephesus hushed in the dark and his men let down the ropes from one of the back windows of the palace.
One by one, the men roll down the ropes and landed behind the Kingdom high fence, with the skills applied.
There are four youths going with Ephesus. His friends that grew with him and they're of the same age group.
"Where are we going again?" One of them, Miles asks.
"Azariah. I want to see nearby towns before I head to the farther lands" Ephesus replies as he draws the ropes and it fell on the high fence. He pulls it again and it falls in front of them.
"Why can't you just get a bride from here?" He asks again and the three other boys glares at him.
"I don't want to"
"Why?"
"Stop asking me questions, I just don't want to" Ephesus hushed and led the way off to Azariah.
The three young men stares at Miles.
"Happy with your answer now?" Colonel, the brown haired one among them, asked.
Miles pouted as they followed Ephesus, closely behind.
The five men set out into the dark valley that is between Azel and Azariah. The heart of Ephesus pounding as if people threw mocking glares at him.
They all pulled their hoodies over their heads as they all walked into the dark, going to Azariah.
"What does she mean by going out at night?" I ask Shihab as we walk in the garden, at night.
"You have to set up a specific date that you will go out of the Kingdom or Castle and whoever you meet becomes yours. You may not see him that day but sometime soon, you will"
Really? So my man will come if I do that?
"Shihab, I need you to help me plan something to get my father and siblings distracted. You know how protective they get sometimes" I say with an annoyed tone.
Shihab smile at me and then say; "I will your highness"
I blush at this, feeling his gaze on me and feeling high already. I just want to grab his face and enforce my feelings through a kiss with him.
I just feel the urge to make him mine right now!
"Diane... " he calls me
"Yes" I answer with a very stern face and strong tone.
"I wanted to know if you will be able to attend my wedding. I am getting married in three days time"
I feel my heart become hard towards him now at the mention of that word "Marriage".
I hold my head high and breathe in with a fake smile coming upon my face.
"That is good to hear. Congratulations, Shihab. I wish you a prosperous life" I say and with a sudden fling of my robe, I turn and leave.
I feel his gaze on me but I don't care. It's clear that he don't even want to have anything to do with me now. It is very clear.
"I wonder why I never thought of that" I whisper as I get into the Castle.
If I want to leave, it will be tommorow night. Even my father can't stop me now.
"And thank you, Shihab. For making me to find my husband soon before someone like you leave my life" I say staring at the long mirror in front of me.
The man I shall meet will be someone I always torture. If he's the type that don't have patience, I will make him patient by force. So many ladies that are maids will approach him, I will make sure they are a bit seductive.
I smile at the thought of this.
"Got it all planned out"
Shihab makes his way to the throne room where the King and all his children except for Diane, are seated and discussing the matter of the hand in marriage of their dear sister and daughter.
"Did you tell her Shihab?" Andrew ask immediately he caught sight of Shihab.
"Yes your majesty... "
"What was her response?" Roy ask and Shihab stare down at the floor, angry with himself for telling her that information.
"She... She didn't like it. With the way she walked pass me... " he started and stare up at the people on the thrones.
"Like I didn't exist"
The King appears happy and excited with the news being brought to him, but seeing the expression on Shihab's face... He made a little deal with him.
"Shihab, that's a nice job you have done. But it seems like you really like my daughter"
Roy, Xelilah and Andrew's eyes widened. Have their father really changed his mind?
"But you can't have her. That's the final say. So I will introduce you to some ladies in the Kingdom and have your court with them, then in the next three days, you both get married and live happily ever after"
Thaddeus and the rest glared terribly at their father. Even to his blood there's this type of stinginess that's spreading through him.
"Yes... Your Majesty" His reply came a bit slowly and sadly, but the King didn't want to notice it and so dismissed him from the throne room.
"There... Now, we can bring Alexus into the life of Diane. Roy, make the arrangements will you? All the four princes have to feel welcome tomorrow or the next" The King orders and Roy nods in respect.
"Diane have to marry soon. It is her that your mother asked us to keep an eye on very well. You know how she use to act ever since she was a little girl. All innocent, but daring"
"And she always fights with me" Xelilah says and they all laugh out heartily.
"Diane will... Have to marry someone soon and I know that man is coming"
Meanwhile, a maid who Diane sent to monitor the King's and her siblings every movement heard this and quickly strode off to the room of Diane.
"Your highness. It's all a plan work! Sir Shihab don't have any marriage arrangements or anything. But he will still marry in the next three days. Four Princes will be here within tomorrow and the next your highness... " she quickly concluded.
Diane faced the window and smiled harshly.
"Call Vilva, Maris, and Esther to join us on this journey"
"Yes your highness" The maid bowed deeply and exited the room.
"I'll show them who will marry those four"