Author's Note:

I'm so lazy, I was going to update my stories in the order they were updated last time. Anarchy was first, but I can't get motivated for it, it'll probably be my last update :s

Here's another protagonist, only a few more chapters before I get onto a stable timeline, (not flicking years ahead.)

Enjoy :)

Chapter 3:

|| Encounter||

526 Common Era

xxx

Emelle strode through the long hallway, marvelling at the artwork that lined this particular corridor.

The work was simple, oil paintings of the world outside the castle, rolling hillsides, farmland and fresh meadows lined with flowers.

She traced the outline of a tree, admiring the delicate brush strokes.

"How unusual." A voice commented.

"There is beauty in simplicity." She said softly, turning to see who had spoken.

Her eyes widened and she roughly executed a curtsy. She dared to raise her eyes slightly and observe the speaker.

He was adorned in light linen, with black breeches that matched his coal black hair. His blue eyes twinkled with amusement.

Emelle knew she was in the presence of the Crown Prince Matthew, because she had seen him on many occasions. He was devilishly handsome and sought after by many of her fellow noblewomen, but never had she spoken to him alone. From what she knew of his father she didn't like, but the Prince had yet to do anything for her to judge him on.

"Enough of that." Matthew ordered. She quickly obeyed with as much grace as she could muster.

"Emelle Aylwin, right?" He asked curiously, casting a glance in her direction.

"Yes, highness."

"Call me Matt."

He turned away from her, striding to a far window and glancing out.

Free from his gaze, Emelle watched him suspiciously; wondering had motivated him to come to this less popular part of the castle.

"Would you mind if we had a normal conversation?" He asked suddenly, turning to face her with a small smile on his lips.

She frowned. "Whatever you want... Matt." The name rolled off her tongue, she quite preferred it to his royal title.

"The daughter of the Corps Commandant?"

Emelle tilted her head to the side. "Yes. His youngest."

His eyes bore over her, taking in her delicate dress and well brushed hair. His hand wandered to his chin and rested there as he examined her. It wasn't a predatory look, she'd begun to receive some of those from some of the knights, but his lack of subtly bothered her.

She wanted to tilt her head defiantly, but she knew better than to try and go head to head with the Prince.

"I was expecting someone more... adventurous." The Prince said after a long pause.

Bristling inwardly, Emelle drew herself up and said calmly, "I'm sorry that I don't meet your expectations."

"Mhm, me too." He replied, giving her an apologetic smile before turning away.

Emelle wasn't good with her temper. It had only been her obsession with practising in the woods that kept her in line so she could finish her studies.

The Prince's attitude irked her.

"Well, I thought all you noblemen preferred women without any knowledgeable talents." She called out, her fists clenching to her sides.

He stopped, spinning on his heels to give her a curious glance. There was a spark in his eyes that made her want to turn around and leave.

"Excuse me?"

She stood straight, forcing her hands to relax and curl into each other at her front.

"I said," she took a deep breath, "that I didn't know you wanted a woman with intelligence."

The Prince began walking towards her, each step making her quake inside.

He stopped before her, his height surpassing her own. She suddenly felt very small.

Without warning, he opened his mouth and laughed. Stunned for a few moments, her surprise quickly turned into anger.

'He's laughing at me!' She thought.

It took him a while to calm down, while Emelle contemplated making a run for it.

"Sorry, sorry!" He said in between gasping for air. "No one's spoken to me like that for ages, especially not a woman!" He laughed again and for once, Emelle couldn't see the Prince but simply a boy who found it funny that she could speak her mind.

"Well, if you're done, I will be leaving." She said stiffly.

As she turned, his hand caught her arm.

"No, wait, please. I'm sorry it's just, I haven't laughed like that for a while." Wiping stray tears from his eyes, the Prince carefully extended his hand and offered it to her.

She eyed it warily, then, cautiously, she met his gaze and extended her own and took it.

Instead of shaking her hand, he bent and kissed the back gracefully and then offered her a grin.

Resisting the urge to roll her eyes, Emelle withdrew her hand as soon as he released it and stepped back, allowing a distance between them.

Trying to break the silence, Emelle asked, "Why haven't you laughed like that for a while?"

Matthew turned his head and his dark hair fell across his face, half shadowing his expression.

"Being the Prince is quite restricting." He told her quietly.

Emelle snorted, quickly raising a hand to her mouth to cover her smile.

"What?" He demanded, noticing her slip up.

Forcing herself to behave normally, she uncovered her face and said clearly, "Whatever your restrictions, Matt, I'm sure they're nothing compared to mine."

"Really?" He crossed his arms, blue eyes pooling with emotion. "I'm followed by guards constantly, I can't go anywhere outside this castle without at least six coming after me. I know you can wander wherever you want, as long as it doesn't affect your classes."

Emelle shifted uncomfortably. "Yes, but now I'm close to finishing my studies, I won't have anything do except wander. It will be terribly boring." She retorted smartly.

"I only have a few friends; most just want to be close to me so they can increase their social status."

She couldn't reply to that because everyone knew that was the truth.

"And like my forefathers I'm required to go to Battleschool. I love training to be a knight, but no one will practise fairly. They lose deliberately, only my friend Roland fights properly. I know I'm not the most talented with the sword, but I can't possibly get better when I'm not being challenged." Matt's voice turned bitter and he scuffled his feet against the floor.

Emelle blinked, wondering how to respond.

He saved her the bother, straightening and giving himself a small shake as if he realised what he had been saying.

"Sorry, I didn't mean to say all that." His voice sounded normal again, even giving her a slight smile.

Knowing she wasn't made to handle deep and meaningful situations, Emelle simply shrugged and smiled in reply, hoping it was enough to show she didn't mind.

"So, why are you here?"

The Prince grinned, a mischievous spark glittering in his eyes.

"I said I was followed by guards, so I escaped them. I'm quite good at it now." He said proudly.

"You don't look like your hiding." She commented dryly.

"Well, this is so close to the servant's quarters that it's the last place they'd expect me."

Emelle glanced out the nearby window, wondering how much time had passed.

Expecting her to try and leave, Matt cleared his throat and asked, "So what studies do you undertake?"

She turned to him and raised an eyebrow. She thought he knew the type of things noblewoman studied.

"Needlework, hosting skills, manners, usual lady-like qualities."

His eyes widened in surprise. "They aren't studies." He exclaimed.

Biting her bottom lip, Emelle simply shrugged. "It's what I have to learn."

"Well do you like them?"

She pulled a face, glancing sourly at the floor. "No, I dislike them all. I'd rather take weapons class, or logic or philosophy; even geography so I could learn our own Kingdom."

"Oh, well why don't you?"

Emelle suddenly understood why she had disliked the monarchs and their heir from the beginning. The Prince was too naive.

"Because, I'm a girl."

He could sense the hostility in her tone as she spoke.

"So?"

"So? Don't you get it? It means I can't study anything that boys can." She growled.

"Do you do well in your classes at the moment?"

Emelle stepped back, resisting the urge to yell at the Prince.

"Why does that have anything to do with it?" Seeing his serious expression, she deflated. "I suppose so." She admitted.

"Then I'm sure you can take up other subjects to study as long as you keep at your studies now." He said diplomatically.

Em exhaled loudly and gave him a hard stare.

"How do you suppose I take up those new subjects?" She asked.

"I can get you into them; I am the Prince you know."

Frowning, she studied him suspiciously.

"Why?"

Matt smiled and drew a hand back through his hair. "Well, you're quite witty. It's a waste to see you doing things like needlework." Sheepishly, he shrugged in her direction. "And, like I said, nobody has made me laugh that hard for a while."

He seemed so sincere that Emelle almost felt numb at his proposition.

She could study all the subjects she wanted, although probably not weaponry, but logic or law! She wanted to squeal with excitement.

"On one condition." The Prince said, waking her from her thoughts.

She was reminded of her meeting with Jarryd; she wondered what his condition would be.

"If I help you further your education, you have to promise to continue having discussions like this with me."

Emelle giggled, making him thoroughly confused.

"What now?"

"No, it's just I thought your deal would be something else." She quietened quickly, realising she had yet to accept the offer.

She extended her hand. "Done deal."

Thankfully, he simply took it and shook hands with her, leaving out the kiss this time.

"Emelle Aylwin, I shall see you around." Matt said, bowing ever so slightly before striding away.

She managed a short curtsey as he left.

One on her own again, Emelle shook with anticipation.

What luck!

This was the first real step towards heir planning and she couldn't wait to see where it would take her.

A/N:

Hmm rough ending to that chapter, but I was hitting the 1900 word limit there.

Anyway I didn't write it in, but Em's not flattered with flirting simply because she likes a person who can challenge her mind. As nice as Matt seems, he has yet to have done that, hence her aversion to his courtesy.

Thanks for all the alerts and favourite adds guys :)

- Love Mae.