Chapter 2

Lucien

I was summoned to my father's private study after my morning sword practice at the courtyard. There were rumors going on among my counterparts about the trade issues that had risen between our kingdom and that of King Causilas. I suppose that was why father called for me. I dreaded every passing moment.

"Prince! Lady Hilaron just sent you an invitation to have tea with her daughters. Should I reply?" my messenger Gustav shouted to me as he weaved his ways through the people. He was waving a cream envelope hysterically in his hands.

I rolled my eyes and snatched it from him. Hastily opening it, I skimmed through the letter. Another one of those invitations, hoping that they could just marry their daughters off to me to gain wealth and power. I am sick of them all. I despise them, yet ironically, I am one of them.

" Just decline the invitation for me would you? How many times must I tell you, decline all invitation for tea! You know how much I hate it." With that, I thrust the invitation back into Gustav hands and walked off to prepare for the meeting with my king.

My chamber was the place that I was headingforbefore I meet my father. It was the only place where I could really be myself instead of the high and mighty prince that everyone expects me to be.

" You should find yourself a queen soon. It's almost time." Queen Grace, my mother's words kept ringing in my ears. She and I had this private discussion out on the verandah on afternoon. There were more things to worry about. This could wait.

I long to lie upon my bed to have a rare nap before rushing off somewhere else again. Nowadays, father has been including me in all his council meetings and court sessions. As much as I enjoyed it, it was tiring and demanding.

I took a deep breath and changed into a fresh set of clothing, grabbed my royal coat off the rack swiftly and wore it as I walked down the halls to the study.

After adjusting my collar, I knocked on the sturdy wooden doors of the room.

"Come in." came my father's stern voice.

I walked in and saw the king seated on his armchair studying some documents seriously.

" You probably guessed my reasons for meeting you here." He was frowning at his papers and did not glance up.

" I did but I would still like to hear the details from the king himself. What I have heard during sword practice today was just baseless assumptions. Still, I presume you wanted to discuss the trade issues with me?" I replied closing the doors firmly behind me.

Father rubbed his forehead, and looked up.His grey eyes met mine. Whenever I stare into his eyes, it was as though I was looking at myself through a mirror. Queen Grace often commented on how similar we look. I inherited his eyes, nose and his rich dark hair.

" Lucien, you know that one day this kingdom will be yours and …"

How many times have I heard this speech about getting involved in current issues of the kingdom so that I would get use to being a king? Countless.

" Much due respect to you sir, I know my role as the crown prince and I would do my duties promptly as you wish. But if it's the trade agreement that you wanted to discuss with me, I suggest sir, that perhaps you should just come straight to the point." Somehow, that did not come out right. Father's going to blow his top.

" In fact, that was just what I was about to do. You've grown up son, into a fine talented lad. Since you're so keen on this, why don't you tell me about your view on this particular matter." Father replied rather calmly, which was strange considering the fact that he was quick-tempered.

"Well, I think that considering the years of good relationship and ties that we have with the Kingdom of Causilas, it should not be great problem for us to handle. Forgive me if I'm wrong sir; is it not true that they are as dependent on us as we are on them? I'm confident that we would be able to reach a negotiation. King Causilas would not want to ruin his trading relations with us. He would not stand to gain at all."

" Well, having said that, I think the more you should handle this issue. It's time we put you to the test. I'm going to hand you the documents giving detailed information on the trade agreement we have with the Kingdom of Causilas. But before you even start, a word of caution son. A single mistake could well lead to a war between both kingdoms. A wrong move and the years of relationship we have with the Kingdom of Causilas would be nothing but a distant memory. The fate of both kingdoms lies in your hands. Don't let me down."

Thereafter, father led me to his desk and took out a stack of folders from his drawers. I gulped upon seeing them. My hours of sleep have just been reduced drastically. How many candles I must burn to finish analyzing this towering stack of paper. As my father handed the folders to me, he smiled reassuringly.

Yet, I felt as if a thousand bricks were just piled upon my shoulders, I smiled weakly as my heart grew heavier.

After our meeting, I was dying to tell someone about my new duties. Finally! I have an excuse to go out of the castle. Some adventure that I have been longing for. It was then I spotted my unsuspecting messenger strinding across the courtyards.

" Gustav! You wouldn't have guessed what had happened!" I shouted out at him. He hesistated, then finally decided to approach me.

" Er, You've got one of those lectures about how to behave like a prince? You've found out that one of your horses fell sick and had to be sent away? Shucks... erm, anyway, I give up."

" My horses, what about my horses? Gustav, I demand you tell me this instance!"

" Well, you know, it's nothing really, Camelot had caught a virus and was sent to Kingdom Causilas to be treated there as curing him would be rather complicated. Nothing to worry about." He was smiling sheepishly at me and was about to escape. Not so fast Gustav.

" Gustav!" I hollered. "Pack my bags at once, and get ready my horse, I'm heading for Kingdom Causilas to get Camelot back AND settle some matters at the same time." Camelot was my favourite horse, and I meant favourite. How many races have we won together? I'm not going to let some witch doctor kill him! Besides, I have to visit Kingdom Causilas one day, why not now?

Please review.i know things are rather dull at the moment but more to come! REVIEW PLEASE!