Chapter 1

            "Hey, Roald, I really wish that I am you," said Neal while sitting down beside Kel in the mess hall one evening.

"I don't know what you are talking about," said Roald.

"There is no use in pretending. You have so many beautiful girls that hope to marry you. Don't tell me you don't know that happens right after Princess Shinko's…" When Neal mentioned the Yamani princess' name, Kel and Roald lowered their heads. Neal instantly realized his mistake. "Oh, I'm sorry, I didn't mean to…"

"That's all right, Neal," said Roald quietly. Neal shook his head. Princess Shinkokami, Roald's former betrothed, had died several months ago. No healer, including Neal's father, could heal her. No one knew the real cause of the sudden death of the healthy princess. However, many believed that it was sorcery that took Shinko's life away. Both the Yamanis and Tortallans were still grieving over the death of the young princess. Shinko was extremely popular in the Yamani Islands and Tortall. The Yamani emperor was angered by his niece's death, still, he wanted to make a marriage alliance with Tortall, but he couldn't find a suitable princess to do it. Many of his daughters and nieces were betrothed to other nobles. The rest were too young to be married. The news of Roald being un-betrothed again spread widely. Many ladies wanted to marry this handsome prince and be the future queen of the powerful Tortall. Many princesses wanted to come and visit Tortall. King Jonathan and Queen Thayet didn't object.

"Roald, I know you felt sorry for Shinko, but you have to marry eventually. And you have to marry for the good of the country. I am not totally strict on this matter. You can actually choose the princess you would like to marry…"

Roald sighed. Why he had to be a crown prince? Why? It was so hard… "Uh?" He finally realized that someone was speaking to him.

Kel shook her head. "I said, Neal is such a bad poet, judging from all those poetries he has written to my sisters."

"Hey, Kel, how do you know that?" asked Neal in mock astonishment.

"Meathead," muttered Kel. Roald smiled. Sometimes he thought Kel and Neal could really make a good couple.

Roald stuck his head out of the window. The cool wind was so refreshing. He looked up. The full moon was high in the cloudless sky. Shinko… Shinko… He couldn't help thinking of her. Her long, dark hair that whipped around in the gentle wind. Her clear, beautiful eyes that contained hints of intelligence. Her red lips that were so soft… Roald shook his head forcefully. He must forget her. He must go on with his life. He had to marry another woman soon. Certainly he's not going to remember Shinko again. Shinko…

Urgent knocks on his door brought him out of his thoughts. He walked to the door and opened it.

"Kally? What are you doing here?"

"Can't I be here? O' good brother of mine, " Roald laughed softly. "What do you want, sister dear?" Kally sighed. "Roald, as you know, the crown prince of Bardia is coming next week."

"Right. So?"

"So? How can you say that, Roald? You know well that I am nervous."

"Wow, my sister dear is nervous? How can that be?" asked Roald. Kally pinched him playfully.

"I am serious!"

"All right. Calm down. What really do you want to discuss with me?"

"Roald, I wonder… I wonder what you and… and Shinko said when you two first met? I am sorry to bring Shinko up again, but…" Roald sighed heavily. "Never mind, Kally. Umm… let me see… Well, actually we didn't talk much. We were both too shy to talk to each other. We did talk about the scenery in Tortall and the Yamani Islands. Hmm… I think that's all."

"Oh. I am still very nervous. Sometimes I have nightmares about the prince. I dreamed that he is ugly, stupid, and arrogant. I really hope that I can like him. Roald, can you come with me to greet the Bardians next week?" Kally asked with a hint of hope in her voice. Roald smiled. "I guess so."

"Roald, you are the sweetest brother in the whole realm." Kally planted a kiss on Roald's cheek and grinned. "I think I better leave now. Goodnight, Roald."

"Goodnight," Roald said as he watched Kally walked out of his room.