One
Ten years later…
"When are you going to mahwee the counteth?"
At the innocent question of his lisping four-year old sister, Charmaine, Prince Jerric of Kyrria, who was about to spoon some food into his mouth, stopped in midway as if suddenly petrified. His cheeks flamed as he placed the uneaten morsel back to his plate. Turning to his right, he looked helplessly at his mother. The queen shook her head while her eyes laughed at his uneasiness.
"Charm, dear, your brother is too young to get married." Queen Ella explained gently, saving him from further humiliation. "And it's 'marry', sweetie. Not, 'mahwee.'"
Green eyes wide open, Charmaine bounced up and down on her seat gleefully. "Mahwee! Mahwee! Mahwee! Mahwee!"
Jerric wanted to groan. They were having lunch with a couple of important people, including the newly-appointed High Chancellor Simon and the topic his little sister had brought up was definitely not something he wanted to be discussed. Fortunately, Charmaine was already creating quite a ruckus with her uneaten peas that his mother had to remove the child from the table.
Her disappearance didn't make much of a difference anyway. Everyone's curiosity was already caught. From across his left, his Aunt Hattie leaned forward eagerly. "Yes, you must tell us of your latest conquest, Prince Jerrold."
He winced at the term she used, even if the mere mention of his real name was enough to make him do so. Prince Jerrold II of Kyrria. The second. Why couldn't he have been the first? He knew he was named after his grandfather. It was an honour, but his parents should have thought to alter it even slightly, as they did to his younger siblings. Elaine, who was two years younger than him, was the first to break the tradition of "Eleanors" in their line. The thirteen-year old twins were named Daryl and Darren after their grandmother, Queen Daria. As for Charmaine, it was fashioned after their father, King Char.
When he was younger, he pointed out this fact to his parents, who laughingly replied that he could choose what name he wanted to be called then, if not Jerrold. Jerric decided to remove the "old" in "Jerrold" since he reasoned out that he wasn't old anyway. Thus, the name "Jerric" had been born.
He didn't have the time to correct his aunt nor to retort at her statement though. No sooner had she finished speaking when High Chancellor Simon further pressed on. "Is this, by any chance, the young Countess Jacqueline Antonia Vivien we are talking about?"
"We are only friends, Your Excellency. Good friends." Jerric answered stiffly. He decided there was no point in mentioning that they were becoming more than for it would surely only cause gossip.
"Come now, surely, you must have some plans about your future. Someone on your mind to be queen, perhaps? You are already seventeen, am I not right?"
Jerric gave a slight nod so as not to appear rude. If in a different situation and to a different person, he wouldn't have replied otherwise.
Seated quietly at the head of the table, King Char noticed the growing tension in the atmosphere. "Perhaps, in the future." he commented. Smiling at the queen, who had just rejoined the group, he continued. "But as my wife said, Jerric is young. He still has more important things to accomplish, which marriage at this early stage in life would only hinder."
High Chancellor Simon had to agree. After that, the topic was switched to the prince's upcoming trip to Ayortha, where he would stay for about a year. It was tradition for future rulers to learn from each other's court. Since the princess of Ayortha had died in a riding accident many years ago, there would be no one coming to stay with the royal family of Kyrria in this generation.
Jerric's mind wandered off while the others talked. It suddenly sank in that he would be gone for a long time. Things might be different then. He felt a slight panic. He had to settle something before he left. If he didn't do it now, he may not get another chance to.
As soon as lunch was over, he went straight to an exquisite mansion a mile away from the castle. As he was too impatient to mount a horse, he ran all the way there. By the time he reached his destination, he was dishevelled and out of breath.
"Good afternoon! Is Jac—the countess at home?" he inquired to the butler at the door, chest heaving.
The old butler bowed. "Of course, Your Highness. She's in her room, taking a rest."
Jerric was crestfallen. He turned to leave. "Some other time then."
"Wait, sire! The countess gave me strict orders to let you in no matter what she is doing." An all-knowing smile crossed the butler's wrinkled features.
Jerric thanked him profusely and was ushered to the parlour while he announced his arrival to his mistress. A few minutes later, the countess emerged. As usual, the sight of her took his breath away. She was radiant and exquisitely beautiful. Perfect—with her golden hair glinting just so, her cheeks giving off a hint of roses and an aura that was warm and commanding at the same time.
"Jacqueline." he greeted.
"Why so formal today?" the countess joked. She sat beside him on the ornate couch. "Very well, Your Highness. To what pleasure do I owe this visit to?"
Jerric was about to speak when he stopped. What was he thinking? He couldn't just say it—just like that. He didn't know what her reaction would be. He'd be making a fool out of himself if it didn't turn out the way he hoped it would be. "Um, well… you see…" he began, clasping and unclasping his hands nervously.
Jacqueline laughed. "I know you get like this when you want to ask me a favour. It's okay. If I can do it, I will."
He felt himself loosen up a bit. "Actually, it's just that I'm leaving for Ayortha on the 5th. I'm going to be gone for a whole year."
Jacqueline nodded attentively. "Yes, I know. It's tradition." she sighed. "Oh well, guess I'll have to find other sources of amusement while you're gone. I'll miss our talks, though."
"And our walks." he added. "But I wanted to ask you if I can… write to you while I'm there?"
"Of course. That's what you're so nervous about?"
Here it goes. Jerric braced himself. "I also wanted to ask you… Do you think there would be a chance… " Cold sweat appeared on his forehead.
"Yes?"
"Can you… Can you wait for me?" There. It was out in the open. He was afraid to look at the expression on her face.
For the longest while, there was silence. Then, Jacqueline spoke. "I believe I can, Jerric." she murmured. He looked up to meet her shining eyes. "There, now. That wasn't so hard."
~
"The prince of Kyrria would be coming in two days." Eve mentioned innocently. "Do you know what it means?" From the tone in her voice, she was clearly hinting something.
Soleil realized what she was driving at but tried to appear as if she didn't know what she was talking about. She brought out the newly-washed sheets from the basket and spread it out onto the bed.
"It means more work." she stated flatly. "For all we know, this prince could be more finicky than all of the nobles combined."
Eve said nothing at first. She got the other end of the sheets and helped Soleil shake it twice. "Oh, princess. You could get out of this wretched life if you want to. You could marry and leave."
"And what? Leave you here to suffer the wrath of my stepmother?" She shook her head. Having made it known to the world that she was dead was bad enough, but making Ayortha suffer in the streets because of her greediness was worse. Queen Avila was as cruel and sadistic a ruler as anyone could ever be, and what's worse, everyone feared her.
If the Ayothaians only knew that she was alive, the rightful heiress to the throne, perhaps something could be done. But she was dead. Only a few servants in the castle knew about it and they were sworn to secrecy. To further ensure that no one would suspect, the queen told her to rub soil onto her skin everyday, so as to conceal her distinguishing whiteness and ordered her to change her Ayorthaian name. The servants found a suitable one for her. They called her "Soleil" which means "snow" in Elfian. Ariana was dead. She was Soleil.
"I heard the hunter's son has taken a liking to you." Eve was saying.
Soleil looked at her indecorously. "Orco? Of course he would. He's my best friend." She gave the sheets one final pat. "Eve, I know you all mean the best for me, but my decision is final. I plan never to marry."
"It's too early to say that." Eve said knowingly.
"Me? Fall in love with anyone, let alone, a prince? Ha!"
