Two Worlds

Chapter One

The view from the pane-less window of the tiny room he called home was always breathtaking, but tonight, the setting sun cast a myriad of oranges, pinks and purples upon the castle grounds, the colors dancing upon the high turrets as the day turned to evening. Crowds still lingered in the courtyard below; music and laughter reverberating off of the high walls as the people celebrated on the eve of the anniversary of the princess's birth. Tomorrow would mark the eighteenth year of her life, bringing her into adulthood and presenting her as the future queen.

Wines and ales were abundantly flowing between the gatherers because of which extra guards had been posted to ensure the rowdy celebration did not get out of hand. No one would step out of line tonight, he was sure. Tomorrow is when the real festivities would begin. They were not only marking the milestone in the young royal's life, but by law she would have to choose a husband.

Noblemen from all corners of the kingdom and beyond were flocking to the palace, each with the desire to claim the princess as his. They were treating her like she was a prize and as if a duel to the death would be the very thing that would win her heart and her title.

He'd watched as carriage after carriage pulled up at the gate, each more extravagant that the last. They spared a few fleeting words to each other in passing before being shuttled off to their quarters in the west wing. Each man was more pompous than the last, speaking their own opinion of the "competition" under his breath as they parted. This was backstabbing at its finest and he had a bird's eye view. He couldn't help but enjoy it just a little.

Shifting his gaze to the left, he was able to count the number of horseflesh that had been added to his care. Over a dozen more at this early hour of the night, he cringed at the thought of the others that would be added in the middle of the night. He was the Stable Master and he was only one man, but every young bureaucrat would insist that his horses be taken care of first and then give a list of ludicrous instructions that he "must abide by" for his task to be done properly. He would bet a month's pay that most of them wouldn't know the difference between the saddle and the bridle if it wasn't pointed out for them.

On top of their ridiculous demands, the gray Palomino mare he'd been training for the last six months still needed to be washed and groomed before sun-up. She would be presented to Her Highness at first light. That meant only a few hours sleep before he would need to get back to his duties. He sighed as he leaned against the cool brick of the windowsill. He had a long day ahead of him and he would be lucky if his eyes would stay awake for tomorrow night's ball.

With a yawn, he let his gaze shift to the right. He had the most spectacular view of the west wing of the castle, but more importantly, the princess's private balcony. Her long flowing mane billowed in the breeze drifting off of the sea, creating a golden halo that shimmered in the mesh of colors created by the almost set sun.

He had a habit of watching her while up on her perch. Up there, it was the only place she was allowed to be herself and not be guarded by the politics of royalty. She would let her hair down and enjoy the feeling of the wind flowing through it only because it wasn't expected of her. She was supposed to show propriety and decorum in public, but aside from her unknown audience, she was alone.

No woman should be so sad on the eve of her birthday, especially when your father commanded a fleet of ships to grant you your greatest wishes, but her face was solemn and her eyes drooped with despair. The pressures her father was putting upon her were obviously becoming too much. She looked like she wanted to run, to escape the only life she'd ever known.

The world outside these walls was frightening. He knew from experience. He'd fought in the Great War at the tender age of fifteen, seeing far too many gruesome things than any young man should have. He'd needed to prove himself, though and it was the only way.

During the heat of battle, he'd received an injury that would have left him incapacitated if not tended to. A kind black man and his wife had taken in others injured and had given him a temporary home while he healed. He'd almost forgotten the kindness of others, having not been around them often.

Both had worked for the royal family, but when the war started and spies were rumored to be floating around, they were told to flee until they were summoned again. Two months passed before he was able to return to battle and another two whole years went by before it was over. When he'd left, he'd made a promise to return to them, to show them that he was still alive.

Tears were shed and numerous hugs were passed between the couple when they saw him at their door again. He was surprised to find the house a great deal fuller when he returned. Tanya, their first child had been brought into the world in his absence and the toddler in her mother's arms had been instantly smitten with him at first sight.

It was the first time he'd had a family in so long that he'd never thought coming home to anyone would feel so good. Their hugs were true and heartfelt and the way they looked at him truly made him feel like he was home and it was where he was supposed to be as long as they were right there beside him.

The familial bliss had only lasted for a month before a carriage had appeared at their front door to return them back to the palace. They'd been summoned to come, yet they couldn't leave their adopted son alone.

"Come with us," D had suggested, knowing that so many servants had enlisted in the war and wouldn't be returning.

"Yes, there will be a place for you," Donna added with the same amount of solemn certainty. But, even with her certainty, she couldn't help but wonder how many of those lost had they considered friends. She'd said a silent prayer up to Heaven for them that night as they all traveled to the place they could forever call home.

He'd faced bloodthirsty foes and evil of the worst kinds, but his heart had never thundered as hard as it did the morning when the King had approached him and bid him a warm welcome. Stunned was far too simple a word to explain what he was feeling at that moment, but it was the only one he could think of. D and Donna had told him how kind and considerate their king was but when his hand was shook in welcome, Jack had just fallen into shock. He knew on that day, that this would be his home and he would always be welcome.

"It's a beautiful night," said the familiar voice from his doorway. He turned to see D closing the heavy-wooden door behind him and walk into the light of the lantern hanging in the corner of the room. "Tomorrow is sure to be a beautiful day, as well. It will certainly be perfect for the ball tomorrow night." He smiled kindly at the young man whom he still considered to be his charge as he took a seat upon the bed. The straw mattress crinkled and crackled underneath his weight. "Don't you think, Jack?

Rolling his eyes, Jack moved away from the window. "We both know you didn't come all the way up here to talk about the weather, D." He leaned against the cool brick of the wall and casually propped his foot up to look more reserved than he actually felt. The ball had finally arrived; he just hoped his plans would not be foiled and he would at least be given the chance to dance with the fair princess. "Why did you really come up here?"

It certainly hadn't hurt to try, D mused as his shoulders shook with silent laughter. When that boy set his mind to something, there was no changing it. "I came to see if you would reconsider and forget this ludicrous plan you've concocted." He saw Jack immediately try to rebuke him, but he held up a hand to silence him so he could finish. "I'm only asking if you're sure you want to do this. I won't be able to pick up the pieces if it backfires."

"I never expected you to," the younger man said coolly as he ran a hand through his dark brown hair. "Every eligible young man was invited, D. Haven't you ever heard of the phrase "nothing ventured, nothing gained"? Well, I want to take that chance. If I fail, I'll be the content, glorified stable boy that I am. What harm would it do?"

Dimitrius waited for Jack's speech to finally end before he added his two cents in. It was a noble speech, but of could the boy was forgetting one simple thing. "First off, every eligible young nobleman was invited, Jackson." He'd added the full given name to get his point across. He was the Stable Master, the last time he checked, that didn't really shout "nobleman". "How do you even expect to get in the door?"

Smiling his sly crooked smile, Jack lightly shrugged his shoulders in a not-so-innocent gesture. "It's already taken care of, thanks to Donna."

Feeling his head beginning to ache, D pinched the bridge of his nose. "Oh good grief," he muttered under his breath. Bracing himself, he raised his head and stared at Jack with distress clear on his face. "I'm almost afraid to ask."

"Then don't. No matter what you say, I'm going to go through with it." His statement was final and though he spoke with no anger, D couldn't argue because he knew it wouldn't help. If he failed… well, he would make sure he wouldn't.

Nodding, the now father of two stood up from the bed, the straw crinkling and crackling again as it was relieved of his weight. He exhaled heavily as his brown eyes looked into Jack's. "Very well, I just had to give it a shot." He shrugged his shoulders. What else could he do but give in? "What about the mare?"

"She'll be ready." He accepted D's friendly pat on the back and watched as he turned to leave. "Hey, D," he waited for him to turn back around as he paused, "Do you really believe my plan is so bad?" The older man only shrugged as an answer. "Then why did you agree to go along with it in the first place?"

Smiling, D's reply was simple, "Because Donna likes to think there still might be hope for you yet."