The Second Day of the Month of Palefrost
The Royal Palace
A servant walked into Prince Cecil's chambers, a small scroll in his hand.
Spotting the prince standing by his window, he cleared his throat before he spoke, "Prince Cecil, I bring you word from the Royal Economist."
The prince glanced at the servant once before annoyance crossed his face, "What is it? Hurry through the message. I don't have time."
"Of course," The servant read through the words of the Royal Economist expecting a meal with the prince to discuss a few necessary matters with him.
Prince Cecil waved him away, "I already ate with him yesterday. What a bore that meal was. I am expecting Lady Everglower today."
There was a glint in his eye; an expression of lust that made the servant uncomfortable, "Leave here and ready the banquet hall. Inform the Chef that I expect a top-tier lunch for my fiancée."
"Yes, sir."
The Second Day of the Month of Palefrost
The Mansion of the Everglowers
Aldith Everglower was well-known in the circles of nobility for her striking beauty.
She could quickly render several men incapable of speech when she so much as looked at them.
From the symmetric setting of the features of her face to her gorgeously sculpted body, she was every man's wish.
It helped matters that her father was an incredibly wealthy business man and Aldith chose from the finest to dress herself.
Losing her mother at a young age, Aldith Everglower had been sad and alone for several years.
Being his only daughter, her father had not remarried and devoted himself to pampering his child and raising her, meeting her every want and wish without a moment's delay.
It wasn't long before Aldith had recognized a striking change as she grew up.
She blossomed into the most beautiful woman in the kingdom and was the center of much attention.
The attention fed her lonely heart before it fed her ego.
Ruining a married woman's life made her feel powerful. Her heart had solidified and her pride had inflated.
Her father did not stop her and this led her to look for powerful men or men of money to marry.
Setting her sights on one of the two Eldest princes, she had been drawn to the mysterious aura of the attractive Elliot but had wanted to marry Augustus instead.
Augustus was quite popular with the ladies of the kingdom but most stayed away as he had an entire burden of ruling the kingdom in the future.
Each woman dreamed of being noticed by the charming heir to the throne.
Although Aldith knew she could outshine the other ladies, her mind was strongly attached to winning Elliot Whitecrest.
He seemed like a challenge.
It was rare to see him at parties for too long. He was always quiet, quick to the point and never stopped to look at her as the other men did.
Her power did not fully claim him and it ate at her and fuelled her desire to make him fall for her head over heels.
A few weeks into trying to win his interest, Aldith had slowly changed her perspective.
Visiting the balls and the extravagant feasts at the Palace slowly influenced her.
Her interest in wooing men for short periods of time waned.
She wanted, instead, to marry into a position of power; a position that granted her access to the comfortable life of a royal.
Aldith Everglower began to set her mind on marrying one of the princes; one of the princes that wasn't Cecil.
The Second Day of the Month of Palefrost
The Royal Palace
Prince Augustus made his way down the large, elegant stairs quickly.
"I will return by lunch. Have Elliot take over my duties for the time being. I have informed the queen. Anything else before I leave?"
The servant hurried behind him to keep up, "Prince Cecil had invited Lady Everglower to a meal, sir. She is expected to arrive in a few minutes."
Augustus bit his lip to keep from the angry retort at his lips.
He breathed in as he made his way to the large doors, "I see. I hope you will make sure they don't cross paths with Prince Elliot. It's a few days to their wedding. It is expected that they would like to see much of each other. So… in love, as they seem."
He wanted to keep the sarcasm out of his voice but failed.
The wedding date planned for Elliot Whitecrest and Aldith Everglower was being taken by the bride and the groom's younger brother.
How they would explain this scandal to the people who knew of Elliot's engagement was beyond him. Augustus also found, difficult to explain to himself, the stupidity that coursed through Cecil's veins.
Sighing, he nodded to the servant to send him away before stepping out of the Palace's front doors.
He had a maiden to visit that morning and he was hoping for an answer that would soothe one of his worries away.
The Second Day of the Month of Palefrost
The Royal Gardens
"Xyla."
Xyla turned to the familiar voice of her childhood friend.
"Ellio… hello."
She paused awkwardly as she watched him approach her.
Prince Elliot was tall, with broad shoulders and an unreadable face. At first glance, his eyes were intense and could make you flinch at their scrutiny but with more time spent in his company, you would see the gentleness in them when he looked at you.
The prince sighed as he took a seat next to her, letting his posture slump forward as he rested his toned hands on his knees.
"I have things I want to talk to you about… I apologize for avoiding you for so long, I-"
Xyla interrupted her friend in calm, soothing tone, "Ellio… anyone would understand in your situation. I want to help now by listening. So you can finally make sense of everything. Let me support you a little."
There was a silence in the air when Elliot continued to stare at the ground.
His eyes slowly looked up to search hers, a gentle smile on his sad lips, "Thanks, Xyla. I can always count on you."