The morning was bright with the rays of sun sticking through the window panes. Prince Angelus awakened from slumber.
He let out a deep sigh. His mother's visit set shadows to his desires. The queen wishes he marries for the crown. However, Prince Angelus refused to let fear rule him and his life choices.
Chances were that the king, the royal council, and the subjects of Sevigoria won't accept his preferences. They won't crown a king who fancies men instead of women.
Prince Angelus refused to let that stop him from conquering the world. His mind was set on attaining his love and his throne. And the world be damned for trying to stop him from accessing his birthright.
"I will have it all, " his smirked stretched across his face. His face darkened as he stared into the distance.
He pushed the comforters aside and rose from his bed. He rang the bed next to his bed. The doors to his room were pushed open, and his servants walked into the room. They stepped in with his clothes for the day, his breakfast, and a newsletter of the happenings of the kingdom.
"Faber, was my letter delivered? "
His male servant stepped forward with news. He reached into his pocket and drew out a small note. Faber handed Prince Angelus the note.
Prince Angelus took the note. He took a moment of breath before reading it. 'Stop, please. '
His lips curved up into a sweet smile. His day lit up at the sight of his beloved's beautiful calligraphy. He set the note on his bedside table and raised his hand in the air.
The servants approached him, they helped him out of his night wear and helped him to his bathing house. Faber and Jesper, his favourite, close helpers, aided in cleaning him up.
Prince Angelus played with the warm water. His mind races with thoughts of how to tame Gael Vondrak. He wasn't of the habit of letting go of his prey once he's set his eyes on it.
His sights were set on Gael, the prince of wealth in Sevigoria. Prince Angelus knew that Gael was his only hope, a chance of having some control over his life and an alliance that would help him claim his throne.
His cage was invisible, but he felt it strongly. The shackles that came with the title of being the crown prince of Sevigoria. The eldest son of the queen and the least favourite child of the king.
Prince Angelus finished his bath and got dressed. He rested on his bed. His mother had him locked up in his room. Angelus refused to grant Davon an opportunity to break his bones and stayed put.
The queen's servant arrived outside his door with lady Saskia Anders. She had orders from the queen to escort Saskia to the prince and get the two to dine together for breakfast.
She was to see to it that Prince Angelus accompanies lady Saskia and they converse about their future together. The queen insisted on their alliance.
"On orders of the queen, I seek an audience with prince Angelus, " she informed Captain Devon.
"What are the orders? " Davon asked.
"The queen wishes an introduction between lady Saskia and Prince Angelus. All arrangements have been made for them to eat out by the garden," she notified.
"You may go inside Estella. The prince has finished his bath," Davon gave permission.
He waved his hands at the guards, they pushed the door open, and Estella walked inside.
She caught a glimpse of Prince Angelus lying lazily on his bed, with Faber fanning him and Jesper feeding him his favourite grapes. Aila, his female servant, played music for him from the other end of the room.
Prince Angelus gave her attention, his eyebrows knitted together in worry. Seeing his mother's servant sent shivers down his spine. He could only imagine what bad news she brought with her.
Estella had his mother's dark clouds hovering over her head. Prince Angelus felt a slight headache. He massaged his forehead to wade it off.
"Your highness, " Estella bowed her head and curtsied before the prince. "I'm here on orders of the queen, " she let out.
"What does that cruel woman want of me now? " he asked her.
"Lady Saskia waits your company outside. She is here for your... "
"I told the queen, my mother, that I won't meet her. Leave and send that brat away on your way out, " Prince Angelus shooed her off.
"The queen asked me to pass on a message in case you refuse to dine with Lady Saskia, " Estella declared openly.
"Let it out. "
"Refuse her orders, and she'll send a marriage proposal to Lord Vondrak. To have your sister, princess Rose, and his son, Gael Vondrak to marry at the earliest, " Estella delivered the queen's message word for word.
Prince Angelus rose from his bed in anger. His eyes grew razor-sharp and icy cold. He glared daggers at Estella as though to incinerate her the next second.
He knew his mother to be cruel and able to stoop to any level to get her way. However, he failed to imagine she'd go as far as to threaten to marry the man he loves to his sister.
Prince Angelus felt air growing thin in his lungs. He stood on his bed with a dark look on his face. Faber, Jesper, and Aila retreated back from him.
Estella shivered. Come sweat, forming on her hairline. She didn't know what the big deal was about the marriage alliance the Queen proposed. However, she understood that she stepped on the prince's toes by telling him about it.
"Your hig... Your highness, " Estella felt her voice shake and composed herself immediately. She served the queen, the sovereign of Sevigoria and the most feared woman in the court.
The queen would have her tongue if she learned, and she stammered in someone else's presence. No matter who it is that sends shudders down her spine, she isn't allowed to bring shame to the queen by showing her fear.
"How do I proceed? " she inquired.
Prince Angelus composed himself and hid his displeasure behind a sweet smile. His eyes softened as he descended from his bed.
"I'll be more than happy to entertain Lady Saskia, " he let out. Faber, Jesper, and Aila shook their heads. They knew the look on his face, and it didn't mean well for anyone.
"This way, " Estella stepped out of the way and ushered him to lead the way out.
Prince Angelus ran his hand over his hair. He took slow, steady steps towards the door. His mind racing putting pieces together on how to take advantage of the situation and get out of the palace.
Outside his room, Captain Davon cast his eyes over lady Saskia. He felt sorry for the innocent girl. Her fate was being tied to the craziest man alive. Davon let out a silent prayer for Saskia in his heart.
Lady Saskia shifted her weight from one foot to another. Nervous about meeting the prince, all the rumours she heard of the crown prince had her heart thundering in her chest.
In his twenty-four years, the crown prince has been sighted in public three times. People say he looks like a troll and acts like a beast, and that is why the royal family never lets him out.
When the queen came to her house and proposed an alliance of marriage. Her parents didn't dare refuse for the benefits the alliance would award them. She had her dissent about the proposal, but she didn't dare raise them.
She is a girl, and only through marriage does she get a say in her own life and some control over her fate. Until she is married, her father will decide on everything for her. So helplessly, she agreed to meet the prince for tea.
"So what is Prince Angelus like?" Saskia initiated a conversation with him.
"Trust me, you'll live a much happier life if you never find out, " Dovan let out sincerely.
"But I'm supposed to meet him for tea to talk about our upcoming engagement, " she lowered her head to the ground in worry.
Dovan wondered how much the Queen told the girl about Prince Angelus. He thought the queen should've at least informed her that innocent gets slaughtered in the palace for lunch every single day. Especially around Prince Angelus.
"I think you'll make a fine princess, a good queen one day, " Davon told her what he knew she wanted to hear.
Lady Saskia's eyes lit up at his words. She felt assured to stand next to Prince Angelus.
"What does he look like? Is it true that he is.... "
"He is what? " Prince Angelus stepped out of his room. Lady Saskia's jaw dropped, and the prince's charms and good looks caught her off-guard, nearly blinding her. "Ugly?" He raised a question.
Lady Saskia shook her head to refute the claim. The rumours had it all wrong. The prince was far from hideous. His looks charmed her heart at first sight.
"I'm Prince Angelus, it's a pleasure to meet you, Lady Saskia, " the prince extended a hand to Lady Saskia.
"The pleasure is all mine, " Lady Saskia uttered shyly.