CHAPTER FIVE.
King Arsenio got madder by the day, it's been four days and Erika was yet to be found, even after they searched the entire kingdom. Apparently, after the night when Erika was abducted, it was suspected that the guards who escorted her to the garden had something to do with her disappearance since they were also nowhere to be found, and the only person Arsenio could think of that would find a reason to kidnap his daughter was Queen Anaya, and so he did the immediate next thing that came to his mind.
"War!" King Arsenio said in the council meeting with the ministers.
"They're asking for war and that's what they will get!"
The general commander of the Jadovian soldiers was summoned and was ordered to prepare his men for the upcoming war against Ragaounia, the man bowed and left immediately.
King Arsenio sat in his throne looking as menacing as ever.
"You have crossed the line Anaya. If it's war you want, it's war you'll get."
_
It was finally the friendship and food fair in Homes Village, it was when everyone came together with different special delicacies from their homes to share, the elders of the town organized the fair to strengthen the relationship amongst the people.
Zayn and Joselu arrived as it was about to start looking as handsome as usual. The boys engaged in conversations with other people, until Zayn caught a glimpse of long red hair and he immediately disappeared from the group.
Xantheia walked beside her handmaiden who looked more excited than she did, she was just moving her eyes around the whole place partly wanting to get this all over with and partly looking for Zayn.
After what seemed like forever, she felt a hand on her shoulder and she turned around, the man she was discreetly looking for was finally here. Xantheia almost pursed her lips.
"Greetings. Lovely evening isn't it?" Zayn said with a smile while Xantheia only replied with a short nod.
Zayn took her in from head to toe, the smile on his face getting bigger than the second.
"You look ravishing." He complimented and she almost smiled. She was dressed in a long sleeves V neck top and a skirt made with a bear's skin that stopped inches above her knees with leather boots that hugged her legs, then she finished up the look with a small dagger strapped around a waist and her usual cloak.
Xantheia only cleared her throat and returned the compliment.
"So can we get out of here?" Zayn asked, already stretching out his hand for her to take it.
"Where to?" She asked as though she felt unsafe and he sensed it.
"Don't worry, there's nothing to be scared about. I just know a very good view."
Xantheia looked at her handmaiden who had been quiet the whole time, she assured her she would be back before long and left with Zayn. From where he stood, Joselu could only shake his head as he saw them leave. Zayn led Xantheia along the forest path, she felt a bit scared that she tightened her hold on Zayn's hand. However, it was not so dark since the moon was bright enough to light up the surrounding.
They finally came to a cliff that overlooked a beautiful scenery, Xantheia was clinging to Zayn's arm but as soon as she saw the view, she let go of him and looked in awe.
The sight was magnificent. By the left at a distance was a waterfall with clear water glistening under the moonlight, the water below was equally a sight to behold. There were more lands ahead and hills covered in rich green grass, and the moonlight just added to the beauty of the scenery, not to speak of the dark sky covered with numerous bright stars.
Xantheia involuntarily moved forward as though she wanted to touch the scenery in front of her, forgetting there was a cliff until Zayn gave a warning.
"Look out, you don't want to fall do you?" He also moved forward, ready to catch her if by chance she didn't listen.
The two stayed quiet for a while, Xantheia looking at the waterfall and Zayn a few feet behind her, watching how the wind carried her long hair gracefully.
"You're a princess, don't you?"
Xantheia was compelled to turn sharply to him out of shock.
"N..no."
"You're lying." Zayn took a few steps closer to her while she stood stiffly.
"You're the princess of Ragaounia if I'm not to be mistaken." He stood towering over her with a small smile on his face and she stood looking up to his moonlit eyes, utterly dumbstruck.
"How…how do you know?" She finally found her voice.
"I was able to connect the dots. I've seen your portrait once so when I saw you in the bushes that day, I was wondering where I had seen you because you looked familiar. And when you talked about a handmaiden, I was certain you were the one."
Xantheia stayed speechless for a few seconds, trying to gather her thoughts together.
"But this village knows nothing about either of the two main Kingdoms."
"Yes they don't." Zayn answered.
"So how did you find out?"
Zayn swallowed as he looked away from her face and found interest in her boots.
"I haven't always been here." He sounded a bit stern remembering his family.
"What do you mean?"
"I'm.." Zayn looked back into her eyes, trying to anticipate her reaction.
"I'm a Jadovian."
Immediately Zayn said that, Xantheia instinctively stepped back, her hand going to her dagger.
"You're an enemy." She muttered loud enough for him to hear.
"You were sent weren't you? That's why you're trying to get so close to me."
"No wait, let me explain." He tried to hold her hand but she moved away from him, a bit too far and before she knew it, her foot slipped off the edge of the cliff.
Xantheia screamed in fright, different emotions swirled in her head and she thought this was going to be her end. This is what Zayn wanted right? Well, fuck you Zayn!
Before she could think of anything else, she felt strong arms grab her and pull her away from the cliff. Her eyes were shut the whole time and when she opened them, she found Zayn on the ground as they both lay on the ground, his arms still wrapped tightly around her.
"You have to be careful. Do you want to die?" He was scolding her for being so careless and fear was evident in his eyes. Xantheia could see it, she couldn't believe he just saved her. She had literally seen her life flash before her eyes.
She instantly felt grateful.
He's a freaking Jadovian!!
Xantheia's look of gratitude instantly vanished and she felt endangered.
"Get away from me!" She tried to struggle out of his hold but to no avail.
"Just listen to me." But Xantheia paid deaf ears and tried to get her hand to the dagger on her waist.
"I was once a prince of Jadovia but I was disowned by my father." Xantheia froze by what she heard, they were just quiet. Staring at each other and saying nothing.
Until Xantheia finally broke the silence.
"Are you Zayna's son?" Her question shocked Zayn to the core.
"You know my mother?"
"I'll tell you everything, just let go of me first." When Zayn was sure Xantheia wouldn't hurt him, he let go of her and they both sat on the grass. Xantheia was quiet for a moment as she analyzed everything she was going to say before opening her mouth to speak.
"Your mother, was my mother's best friend. They were both very dear to each other and always saw themselves as sisters. The two decided to plan a way to make a peace treaty between the two Kingdoms to avoid anymore conflict. As my mother had just succeeded as Queen that time, she didn't know much about the depth of the rivalry between Jadovia and Ragaounia and she thought she could end it.
Your mother took it upon herself to make your father fall in love with her so it would be easy convincing him about the peace treaty. Arsenio is a very stubborn man and it felt logical that his wife could be the one to make him change his mind.
And then the whole plan failed when your mother was spotted with one of her spies trying to get information to my mother.
But it was all vain, my mother told me Zayna was brutally slaughtered and sent in a sack to the palace as a warning from Arsenio."
Xantheia paused, the feeling her mother had felt when the sack had arrived, her mother cried out her eyes that day. She still remembered, she was only 14, young and curious.
"I know the rest of the story." It was obvious Zayn did not want to talk about the death of his mother.
"Come with me to my Kingdom, my mother would want to meet you."