An alleyway filled with filth, homeless people. A carriage passed through the muddy road, splashing the pothole mud on one of the beggars sleeping by the streets. In fury, the beggar yelled at the carriage.
"You bloody arse! Watch where you are going!" The beggar yelled.
Hearing the yelling, the carriage stopped, and a woman dressed in a dark maroon gown walked out. Her face remained covered with a hood. Slowly walking up to the beggar who cursed and crouched to his level.
The beggar took one glance at her face and squirmed in fear. Trying to crawl away from her.
"Do you know if richness and power don't work, then fear surely does." The woman spoke, stepping closer to him.
She looked back at her footmen as she walked back into her carriage. The footmen nodded to her and walked past the beggar and in front slit his throat, leaving him to die.
The hustling people came to a halt as the beggar screamed one last time before his life left his body. The crowd gasped seeing the cruelty yet no one dared to question it. Everyone soon withdrew their eyes from the beggar's corpse and went back to their work as if nothing happened.
The footmen returned as the carriage slowly started to move. The woman inside the carriage finally took off the hood, revealing her half-burnt face. A pair of piercing blue eyes and a lock of golden curls. Even with the burnt mark, her beauty was unmatched.
Her hair was shinier than gold, hypnotizing blue eyes and fairest of fair skin, and her lips redder than a rose.
***
'A man who can't have the courage to show his love is just a coward.'
Xavier exhaled remembering the words she spoke. She was nowhere wrong. She was right. He was always a coward. If not for her death, he would have not talked to her.
He looked at Agatha's asleep face, snuggling into his embrace. Funny how she got and slept on the other side, her back facing him, yet there she was snuggling into his warm.
"I promise to never be a coward again." Xavier placed a kiss on her forehead and lay down beside her.
Next morning…
Agatha was first to wake up from her slumber, and found herself in his embrace, hugging him tight. The room was still dark, it seemed it was just dawn.
Agatha tried to pull away, but Xavier instinctively grabbed her and pulled her back into his embrace while groaning in his sleep.
Agatha was sceptical about him being asleep. No one in deep sleep would feel her pulling away. She squinted her eyes, watching his face. But it was just peaceful like a baby. She gave up trying to find out whether he was asleep or awake. Soon the sleep took her again.
***
A corridor with high ceilings held up by enormous pillars. With walls decorated with exquisite paintings. Red curtains draped around the pillars with statuses of people on each side. A red carpet lay on the floor.
With a brisk step, a blonde man walked through the hallway. In a red tailcoat and black trousers and boots. His chest was covered with different medals. His chin was high in the air, his piercing blue eyes sent chills down one's spine.
The daunting Grand Duke of Westfield. As dashing as he was with blonde hair and blue eyes, the Grand Duke was infamous for a few things. First, being the half-brother to the King. Next, he was captain of the royal guards. And third, him being the biggest rake in Acarvia. Some state that his rakish behaviour was a gift of his father yet it doesn't stop the ladies trying to win his heart. Unfortunately, none had gained success at that. The question of who will be the Grand Duchess remains a mystery.
Arthur walked past the hall, straight to the room at the end of the corridor. Without knocking he barged in. An old man, prolly in his fifties, sat behind the table. Hearing the door open, he peeked up from his work. As soon he noticed that it was none other than he raised a brow.
"Grand Duke of Westfield, what honour did I have for you to barge into my office like this?" He asked, getting up from his chair.
"I apologize for my rudeness. However, I have a serious problem in my hand. I wish to marry the Princess of Ember Moon, Minister Adolphus." Arthur declared with a straight face.
Adolphus' face turned pale as a ghost in sheer horror and disbelief. "Blasphemy! Do you realize what you are talking about?" Adolphus yelled, coming back to his senses.
"I know. That's why I brought this matter directly to you. In my brother's absence, you are the highest authority here." Arthur continued, taking a step closer towards Adolphus.
Adolphus went quiet, he walked across the room to one of the shelves where expensive alcohol was decorated. He picked up one of the bottles, pouring himself a drink and gulping it in one go and then pouring another.
He finally looked at Arthur again, "You might know already, after your father's deed, marriage between kingdoms has become tedious. With your reputation, it's impossible. " Adolphus pointed out, taking small sips of his drink in between.
"Oh, now you are known to be a problem solver. Find a way. I am serious when I say I wish to marry her." Arthur scoffed, sitting down on the chair.
"There is only one way." Adolphus exhaled, rubbing his temple. He sat down across from him.
Arthur suddenly turned excited, facing him with excitement glimmering in his eyes. "Tell me! I would do anything for her."
Adolphus faces him with a doubtful look, before giving in to Arthur's urges, "Court her."
"That's the only way for you to marry her. Win her heart. Let her ask you for marriage." Adolphus continued.
Arthur rolled his eyes, snorting, "As if her uncle would let me be anywhere near her. You know how protective Edgar is for his niece."
"I will take care of Edgar. Stay in his place till the end of this month. If by then the princess wishes to marry you I will take care of the official matter. If not, you will give up on such thoughts." Adolphus warned.