Chapter 2

(Desmond POV)

I walked over to the door and saw one of the maids going into a curtsey, "Prince Desmond, dinner will be served soon. I can escort you to the dinning room." "Thank you" I smiled as she stood up. I hadn't been in this castle since we had worked on our projects for the Enchanted Science Fair. No, no Desmond no nostalgia. Focus on your job you are here to help James not fantasize over what could have happened with Amber. I tried to take my mind off the past but I was surrounded by tapestries picturing all of the great adventures that these three had went on. That is when it hit me, I had yet to see Sofia. I knew she graduated from Everrealm Academy after two years as she was only an advisor but, I hadn't heard from her in so long. I wonder what was going on? I let these thoughts drift there towards my friends Sofia it was the only thing keeping me from thinking about her.

We arrived at the dinning hall much too soon for my like and Amber and I were the only ones there. The King and Queen hadn't arrived yet nor had James. I bowed toward Amber and then took my seat looking at a spot on the wall as we waited for the others to arrive. "How are you liking things Des?" Amber tried to start a conversation. I continued to look at the wall, "Everything is great Princess Amber." I could hear her let out a sigh, "Des are you ok? Did I do something to make you mad? If so I'm sorry," Why was she apologizing and still talking. "No I am not mad at you and I am fine," It came out harsher then I wanted and I could see Amber recoil in her seat. I closed my eyes and cursed at myself for making her feel bad, I cleared my throat, "But Thank you." I added. It alleviated some of the tension between the two of us.

But, before either of us could speak James came bursting into the room, "Ahh, nothing like sleeping in your own bed after a long journey. Sorry to keep you two waiting." Amber quickly put on a smile and faced her brother, "Don't be silly we weren't waiting long." It only felt like an eternity. King Roland and Queen Miranda soon joined us and I was able to fade into the background of their family dinner.

Despite myself I kept stealing glances at Amber when I knew she wasn't looking at me. She had somehow managed to become more beautiful in our years apart. She had grown up and developed some curves but that wasn't my focus. For me it had always been about her smile. It had grown more brilliant and warm since I last saw her. James and her were laughing as they playfully fought with one another as siblings. King Rolland and Queen Miranda shared knowing glances and shook their heads smiling at the two's antics. I was happy to be a fly on the wall of this family moment. King Rolland then tapped his fork to his glass, "A toast, Welcome home James and Welcome to the castle Prince Desmond." I felt their eyes on me now as I held up my glass. I looked at the King, "Thank you, your kingdom is a most gracious host." We all clinked glasses. Queen Miranda then turned to me, "How long will you be staying with us Prince Desmond?" I felt myself choke on the water I was sipping but managed to gain control before I created a scene. I looked over at her, "I will be out of your hair after a year Queen Miranda." "What?" Amber said.

(Amber POV)

I was relieved to know that Desmond wasn't mad at me but, why wasn't he talking to me. I know he was closer friends to James and Sofia when we were kids but, I thought that we would at least be able to have a civil conversation while we waited for the others. Does he just not like me? Were we never friends?

I swallowed the lump in my throat as James walked in and quickly put on a smile. I could not think about Desmond anymore. I hadn't seen my brother in almost a year and today he came home. That was cause for celebration and I planned on enjoying it... or at least believably pretending I was enjoying it. James began joking around and I playfully fought along. I really had missed him and it felt good to know that James would be around for a while now... Him and Desmond. The though creeped into my mind and I couldn't help but smile. I then saw Dad starting a toast and I raised my glass and reached out for Desmond's. He was tapping on everyone's glass and I tried to make eye contact but no luck.

We all sat back down and I took a sip of my water. "How long will you be staying with us Prince Desmond?" Mom asked. I could see Des was not expecting any question tonight and I held in a laugh as he cutely got flustered. What is going on with me? He doesn't like me and I had to remember that. "I will be out of your hair after a year Queen Miranda," He said. My heart sank as "What?" escaped my lips. I cleared my throat and composed myself, "I meant what do you mean? I thought that you were James' official alchemist?" Great save I thought as I inwardly eye rolled at myself. James nodded, "He is, but we only need to be in the same kingdom for a year. After that Dez gets to roam as he pleases and will send me what I need. In a real emergency I can call upon him and he will come but, we don't need to be together all the time." My heart sank to my stomach. "Well we look forward to this year," Dad chimed in.

We went back to the how dinner was before but the thought kept nagging at me he would be gone in a year. I thought about this as I left the dinning room. I needed to clear my head and star gazing had never failed me before. I went up into the observatory and began gazing through the telescope. The calming consistency of the night sky always had a way of cheering me up. I looked upon my star and smiled. It was one of my proudest achievements, it wasn't given to me at birth, it wasn't expected of me to know how to find it, and it was a permanent reminder in the sky that I was more than just some spoiled, rich princess.

People don't think I know what others say about me and my lavish lifestyle, that is why so many others preferred Sofia and her more mild mannered ways growing up. It hurt more as a kid but, in a way I expect it now. I am not trying to take anything away from Sofia or blame her, she deserves every bit of praise she receives but she left to be a Protector and I stayed. I thought that would mean something to people but it didn't seem to change anything. I continued looking up at the night sky. "I thought I might find you up here," I turned and saw James. "What are you doing up here?" "You were supposed to help me unpack. When I didn't find you in your room I took a wild guess as to where you were." He said coming closer, "What can I say the twin intuition is strong in me." I laughed and pushed his arm. "Amber are you ok?" "Yeah," I smiled, "I'm fine. Just thinking." He nodded and wrapped his arms around me, "You don't need to tell me what is wrong but please wipe that fake smile off your face and give in to the powers of the twin hug." I couldn't help but laugh, "You are such a dork." I muttered tightening my grip around him. "That is Sir Dork to you, I just graduated" He said.

(Desmond POV)

Amber looked sad after I announced I was leaving in a year. Why? I wondered as I laid in bed. I stared at the ceiling. No I can't fall into this trap again. The pitfalls of my mind are deep when it comes to Amber and it took me this long to climb out the first time. I can't handle another time. "She is going to marry some rich handsome prince, who doesn't deserve her and live happily ever after as the Queen of Enchancia." I had to verbally remind myself. I heard a knock on the door, "Prince Desmond a letter has arrived from your parents" someone announced. I took the letter, "Thank you" I added before closing the door. What did they want? The last time I heard from them they were telling me how I was ruining my life and how I would never amount to anything. I usually burned all their letter but something was compelling me to open this one:

Dear Prince Desmond,

It is mother. We are under siege as the peasants have revolted. Your useless training might serve us well and we demand that you and your knight friend come here and protect the crown. It is the least you could do you pitiful excuse for a son. We will expect your arrival soon and we don't care what you have to do but get them to stop within a week. We are having another ball and this will really put a damper on things.

Sincerely,

Queen Lola

I smirked at the letter. Finally the people in my kingdom deserved better than my parents. They didn't care about anyone but themselves and really only had me to secure their rule from Uncle Sebastian who died a few years back. My parents were not good rulers and were a very large reason why I was so shy and insecure as a kid. Heck I still am insecure and shy but it used to be a lot worse. They wanted me to be more like other princes and go out and do sports, or hunt or whatever and I was more interested in my books. They threw lavish party after lavish party, wasting away the tax payers money leaving them with little to nothing at all. I knew that my parents were too selfish to ever leave the crown to me. They will wear it until they die. I hope that my people get what they deserve because they do deserve more than this.

I couldn't stay in the room any longer and decided to go up to the observatory. As I rode the elevator I saw that Amber and James were there and were in the middle of a moment. I'm glad they have each other. I left them alone and went into the library. That is where nerds like me belonged after all. I chose a random book from one of the shelves and began to read until my eyes drooped close as I waited for morning.