CHAPTER THREE

The weather had thankfully cooled down at least ten degrees for the tournament on Tuesday. The game area for normal tournaments was full. The Royal Four was introduced into the game area, peasants and middle-class citizens cheering for them, throwing flowers down, throwing rice. There were drummers and fiddle-players playing on the sides of the road, maids dancing and men clapping and singing. The Prince and Princess were announced after them, and the cheers and applause were just as loud. After them came nobles and courtiers, then more peasants followed them to the stands.

Lady Caroline was seated left to the queen herself and she was receiving almost as much attention as the King and Queen. Right to the Royal Four sat Prince Zan and Princess Vilandra, with their small selection of nobles and courtiers. Rath was next to Vilandra, Lady Hailey next to him. Duke Canlier sat on one side of Prince Zan, Lady Ava on the other. Lady Jennifer, Duchess Beatrice, Sir Kivar and Knight Perseus were also seated in the top box. The tournament was spanned over three days. The first day was jousting with lances, the second with swords on horseback and the third day, men sword-fought on foot.

The announcer introduced at least twenty men, announcing names, parentage and blood lineage. They all rode up in front of the stands in which Lady Caroline and the other high-born nobles sat and lined up. Lady Caroline smiled and when she waved her handkerchief, the jousting began.

An hour earlier, Rath and Ava had met and paced around the courtyard and garden again. "I trust you," Rath had told Ava. She seemed surprised, but didn't blush. He told her that Vilandra liked her, too, and both of them agreed that Lady Jennifer was not fit for the position of queen. Ava thought that this was all odd, she had only been in Persan for a month, maybe more, but she was talking with a highly esteemed soldier of the Antarian army about becoming queen. It seemed so surreal, she didn't even know if Prince Zan liked her, no matter what Prince Larek said. She was an eighteen year old girl from Sielta, this couldn't really be happening, could it?

But, despite how quickly these events had unfolded during the first week, things slowed down very much. Rath was called to the army, not for war, but for re-training and also a promotion. Ava went somewhere with Vilandra weekly and was eventually accepted at court, although she had a strong feeling not a lot of nobles liked her. She was invited to parties and dinners, but few guests made the effort to talk to her except for Lady Hailey and a few of the knights. She turned down a few of the invitations because she didn't feel like dealing with people even more, and Vilandra had told her that had offended some people. Then the princess told her she should always show up, but never had to stay for long. As weeks went on, some people warmed up to Ava and sometimes she got in a few funny stories and a small circle of friends.

Lady Jennifer was making less and less appearances at social events, but was at the palace a lot. Ava and Rath wrote a few letters to each other. Ava saw Prince Zan a few times at parties and the more time she spent with him, the more time she wanted to spend with him. He didn't make an effort, though; he didn't wish to court her. They only saw each other at parties or dinners. The Royal Four was handling things wonderfully. Scientists and scholars were constantly making new discoveries. The economy was going steady, not up or down.

Ava was taking a calligraphy lesson in the study when she heard a carriage drive up. She took a glance out of her window and then there sounded trumpet fanfare. She couldn't quite see the carriage, but saw the royal banner blowing. She stood up, her eyebrows furrowing. She looked down at her desk and put the feather back in her inkwell. She stood by the door for a moment as she heard the front door open. There was an announcement, calling Beatrice. Perhaps it was Vilandra. Ava bit her lip. But Vilandra would have told her when she had seen Ava the day before yesterday. Vilandra usually had her schedule planned out for the next two weeks.

She leaned towards the door, trying to listen for voices. Suddenly, the door opened. Beatrice grinned at Ava and pushed the girl into the room. She shut the door behind her. "What's going on?" Ava asked.

"Girl," Beatrice put her hands on Ava's shoulders. "The prince wishes to have a sit-in with you today."

Ava's eyes widened. "What?" she repeated. Her eyes widened and she stared at Beatrice. Her aunt wouldn't joke so, would she?

"Will you receive him?" Beatrice asked, smiling widely.

Ava paused, thinking hard. This was happening. This was really happening. A small smile crept unto her face and she nodded. Beatrice nodded, her face glowing. She hooked her arm around Ava's and the two of them walked out of the study, through a corridor and into the sitting room, in which Prince Zan stood. He turned and smiled at her. Ava smiled back at him, her heart starting to beat harder. "Lady Ava," he bowed a little.

"Your highness," Ava said, managing a curtsey.

"I'll go get some sandwiches," Beatrice said. She left the room and Ava smiled at Zan. He looked as handsome as ever. His dark hair looked a little messier than usual, his skin tan and dark. His royal clothes looked wonderful on him, his sword at his side.

Zan motioned towards the couch. "Please, sit," he said.

"Oh, yes," Ava said. She took a seat in one of the armchairs. Zan sat next to her, adjusting his clothes. She was having a sit-in with the prince.

He was having a sit-in with Lady Ava. He had wanted to do this for a while, but knew about the rumors spreading about her, that she was an enchanter and used magic. He didn't believe it, but if he had gone too early, then the rumors would have gotten worse. Since they had died down a little bit since three months had passed, Zan couldn't hold it back anymore. He loved spending time with her. She was a good noble and had good manners, but when she did loosen up a little bit at parties and events, she made him laugh and was so vibrant and alive. He loved being around her.

He started off with usual sit-in manner, despite the fact that she was not a usual girl. She was different, he could tell. "Tell me about your family, Lady Ava," Zan said, sitting back and smiling at her.

Ava smiled. "My family?" she repeated. "All right. Well, my parents are the Sieltans Terrence and Lilly Pier. They have a manor deep in the woods; a very spacious land, guarded very well." She blushed a little bit. "My mother takes much pride in the Pier family. She practically grew up with my father; their families were good friends. She was always telling me about the Pier women and how esteemed and loved they were, not to mention beautiful. My father just wanted me not to embarrass myself."

Zan smiled. "Like that day on the lake?" he asked.

Ava laughed, blushing. Her blonde curls bounced around her head and Zan's smile widened. "Oh, lord, please don't remind me," Ava said, covering her face with one of her hands. "That was so embarrassing and if my father knew about it, he'd kill me."

"If you hadn't been there that day, Larek and I never would have seen you," Zan replied.

There was a flicker of smile on Ava's face. "Yes," she said. "I must say, it was worth it. I was invited to the masquerade party, and I met you that night."

Zan smiled at her. "See, embarrassment isn't that bad," he said matter-of-factly.

Beatrice re-entered the room, a maid with a tray of sandwiches behind her. She smiled at the two of them and the maid walked around, offering sandwiches. She blushed bright red when the prince nodded to her and Ava giggled through a mouthful of turkey and bread. Zan smiled at her. "How's Vilandra?" Beatrice asked Zan.

"She's good," Zan said. "Today, she's courting with Sir Kivar."

"He's a nice gentleman," Beatrice said, nodding. "Has he been accepted at court?"

"Yes, my parents like him," Zan said. He looked at Ava. "You've met Kivar, yes?"

"Oh, yes," Ava said, nodding and smiling. "I do think this is the first time Vilandra is with him without me."

"Yes, she has to have her girl support," Zan smiled.

"Why don't you tell me about your family?" Ava asked.

Zan laughed a little bit. "My family," he said. "My family. My parents are the king and queen. I was born in the palace, born a prince. Vilandra's two years older than me. We used to fight all the time, but then we became teenagers, and we became a lot closer. My mom is constantly fussing over us, constantly fussing over dad and Thalia and John. Thalia and John are my family, too. They took care of Vilandra and I when my parents were away on public affairs, they taught us how to keep ourselves under control, instead of running through the palace like banshees." He shook his head, smiling. "I think I've said too much."

"No, you haven't," Ava said, shaking her head. Today, she was wearing a purple and silver dress. She looked wonderful, she always did. She was so pretty and fragile-looking. "It's amusing."

Zan smiled at her. Her eyes danced and she looked away from him. "So, what do you usually do?" he asked. "I mean, a normal day in the life of Lady Ava. What's it like?"

"Well, I wake up, I get dressed, I eat breakfast, I receive mail. . ." Ava trailed off. "I take lessons, I sometimes go out to lunch, I come home and spend my time outside, do some more lessons, have another meal, listen to some music. . ." She shrugged a little bit. "What about you? A normal day in the life of a prince. What's that like?"

Zan chuckled. "I wake up, I get dress, I eat breakfast, I receive mail," he told her. He paused. "I go to classes; long, grueling ones about economy and foreign policy. I usually go out, with my parents or with other nobles or with my sister. I come back, have more classes, with books and sciences and maths. I have another meal, I might go out again. Nothing horribly exciting."

"I wouldn't mind being royalty," Ava said lightly. "Being waited on, having wonderful dresses, marvelous food." She smiled at Zan brightly, but her smile faded a little bit. "But, honestly, if I was royalty, I would certainly like all the luxuries, but. . ."

"But what?" Zan asked.

"Think of all that power," Ava stated. "Think of everything you could do for the poor and the poorly educated and the crime rate and the slower societies. You could protect people, and help them. People in Persan get so absorbed in their social lives and the latest dress from Madame Faust, when there's so much more important things to worry about. Like children who are ten years old and don't know how to read yet; or the civil war on Deyler." She paused, then her face turned red. "I'm sorry, your highness. I've gone on and on, I've just made a complete fool of myself. Lord, you must think I'm telling you how to-" she blushed brighter. "I am so sorry."

Zan laughed. "Don't worry about it," he said. "It means a lot to me that you're not shallow, and you have bigger things on your mind." Ava got redder. He chuckled. "I'm sorry, I've embarrassed you."

"No, no, you haven't," Ava said, touching her face. "I did a fine job myself, trust me." The two of them laughed a little bit.

There was a moment of silence, and Beatrice seemed tense. "Do you know how to play the piano?" Zan asked.

Ava looked up and followed his eyes over to the grand piano in the corner. "Yes," she said. She smiled at Zan. "Would you like me to play for you?"

"I'd love that," Zan said.

The two of them got up and walked over to the piano bench. Beatrice remained on the couch nibbling on sandwiches. "Could you turn the pages for me?" Ava asked.

"Sure," Zan said. "I'm not very musically inclined, just to warn you."

"It's all right, I'll tell you when. You only turn it once, anyway," Ava replied. Zan nodded, smiling. "All right." She put her hands on the piano keys and started playing a tune. It started out slow, then got faster. After three pages, Ava ended on a melodious note.

Zan started clapping. "Wonderful," he said, smiling.

Ava laughed. "I messed up a few times," she said.

"I didn't notice," Zan said. Well, he noticed the first time because she swore, then blushed. "How long have you been playing?"

"Six years," Ava said. "I should have it memorized, but I don't."

"It sounded great," Zan said. He played with a few of the keys.

"Do you want me to teach you a few notes?" Ava asked, a smile coming unto her face.

"Oh, I don't know," Zan said, shaking his head.

Ava scooted over and patted the seat next to her on the bench. "Sit down," she said. Zan hesitated. "Come on, your highness, what harm will it do to you?"

"I'll only embarrass myself," Zan said.

"Well, then maybe we'll be even," Ava grinned.

Zan paused, then sat down. Ava positioned his hands on the keys, leaning towards him so he could smell that scent of wildflowers. She taught him notes, and the two of them laughed together. She was unlike most girls and nobles. Maybe it was because she was raised in Sielta, or maybe it was just who she was. She was more forward, more alive, more fun. When she laughed and threw her head back and her curls bounced around her face and her cheeks flushed, Zan would say she was one of the most beautiful women on Antar.

Zan looked at his pocket watch. "Oh, damn, I've really spent too long here," he said, taking his fingers off of the piano and stood up. Ava looked up at him, standing up. "I've had a wonderful time, Lady Ava. But, I'm going to be late for a dinner if I don't leave soon."

"Oh, of course," Ava said. "I'm glad we got to know each other."

Beatrice walked over to the two of them. "Your highness, we are both so honored to have you in our company," she said. "I hope you enjoyed your stay."

"I did," Zan said, keeping his eyes on Ava. "I did very much."

Ava smiled at him. "On Saturday night, ladies, there's a party, at the palace," Zan said. "You and your household are invited."

"Oh, wonderful," Beatrice said, clapping her hands.

"It's a charity event, for the orphanages in Persan," Zan said.

A smile came unto Ava's face. "We'll be sure to come," Beatrice said. "And donate some money for those children."

"Perhaps, after the party, I will return," Zan said. He swallowed. "For another sitting."

Ava looked shocked for a moment. "Perhaps," she said quietly. She extended her hand. Zan grasped her fingers and kissed her knuckles, wishing his lips could be on her cheek or her lips instead. "Thank you, your highness,"

"Thank you," he said, then took his leave. In the carriage, his cheeks ached from his smile.

"I've had a wonderful sitting today," Vilandra told Kivar truthfully. She had finally accepted his offer, and it had proved to be worth her time. The two of them had talked much about the court and nobles; and had a wonderful time laughing and socializing and gossiping.

"It isn't over yet," Kivar replied.

"Yes, I know," Vilandra said.

There was a moment of silence. "Has your brother found favor yet?" Kivar asked.

"He has his eyes on Lady Ava," Vilandra stated, keeping back the facts of the sitting the two of them had today.

"She's quite a different one," Kivar said. "Do you believe she can be queen?"

"There's no possibility of Lady Ava being queen yet," Vilandra replied. "My brother is indecisive about women. He's clever, though, he knows what a queen must be and what she must not be."

"Strong, beautiful, smart, cunning," Kivar said. "Like you."

"Many people say I take after my mother," Vilandra said. There were a few servants in the room, blind, deaf and mute ones. She had taken extra precaution, because she had the feeling that Kivar would bring up the subject again. . .the subject of the throne.

"Sir Nicholai and Lady Jennifer are courting secretly," Kivar said. "Unofficially, Nicholai tells me. She is in love with him, and would do anything for him."

"Is that what Nicholai says?" Vilandra asked. She knew how much Sir Nicholai liked to spread rumors about women and their undying allegiance to him.

Kivar nodded. "Lady Jennifer as well," he said. "She told me the other day. . .that she thought you should be queen, not her nor Lady Ava nor Lady Hailey."

Vilandra pursed her lips, but did not say anything. "This throne belongs to you," Kivar said, his hand reaching over. "I only want to see that you have what you deserve."

He scooted over towards her. The two of them were sitting on a couch. Kivar leaned in, his eyes darting over her face. "You are so beautiful," he said in a breathless voice.

Their lips met. She felt sparks spread through her blood as their mouths embraced each other, tongues reaching out to touch each other. She let her eyelids fluttered shut as Kivar deepened the kiss. Vilandra pulled away and looked Kivar in the eyes. "Sir Kivar. . ." she trailed off. "I do think this sitting is over. I'm going to be late to a dinner."

At the party on Saturday night, most of the nobles and courtiers were at the palace. The Royal Four made speeches about orphan children and Soldier Rath had returned to Persan for a few days. After a few more speeches, the children were invited into the palace to dance and eat and mingle with nobles and royalty.

Ava was laughing as Rath spoke to two twin brothers, telling them animated stories about the army and fighting. They looked up at him with bright red hair and big blue eyes, mouths hanging open. Rath clapped his hands and the two of them jumped. Ava laughed harder, putting one hand over her mouth and the other on her stomach. She looked up and Zan stood next to her. She gasped a little bit, smiling at him. "Hello," she said.

"Enjoying yourself?" Zan asked.

"Yes," Ava nodded. She waved over to Rath and the two boys.

"That's Rath for you," Zan replied. "Do you want to dance?"

"Yes," Ava said. "Rath, Zan and I are going to dance." Rath nodded to her, then continued telling the boys about a vicious planet called Earth. Ava took Zan's hand and took him unto the dance floor. Zan smiled at her and she realized that she had called him by his first name, but she didn't mind and it didn't seem like he did, either.

The two of them started stepping and spinning and humming and laughing. A boy walked over to the two of them and looked at Ava. "May I dance with you?" he asked.

Ava laughed, nodding. "Of course!" she exclaimed. She grinned at Zan. She started dancing with him, laughing. She said to him, "You do realize that you just stole the prince's dance partner?"

The boy just shrugged, then did a two step. Ava laughed. "You're a wonderful dancer," she said.

"Thanks, my mum taught me," the boy said. "My name's Har, by the way."

"I'm Lady Ava," Ava replied.

"Nice to meet you," Har said, nodding politely to her. He looked around the dance floor. "Look, this was a great dance, but I've got to go."

"We just started dancing!" Ava said.

"I know, I know, but –" Har paused. He grabbed Ava's hand and pointed across the room to a girl with brown curly hair in the corner. "I'm going to marry her. But I have to learn her name first." He smiled at Ava and ran off, waving good-bye to her. Ava laughed, waving back to him.

Zan walked back over to Ava. "Can I have my dancing partner back?" he asked. The two of them stated dancing again, with children and nobles and soldiers laughing around them. "When you laugh. . .it's beautiful. And I love watching you." He twirled Ava around and she looked at him, her eyes moist. "Do you want to go outside? It's getting a little hot."

"Yeah, sure," Ava said breathlessly.

The two of them walked out of the palace into the courtyard. "This is wonderful," Ava said. "All those kids, in the palace, meeting royalty. . ."

"It was my mother's idea," Zan replied.

"She's brilliant," Ava stated. "Brilliant, amazing. . ."

"I know," Zan said.

They walked along, then stopped to sit down on a bench. "What you said inside, just now. . ." Ava trailed off. "About. . .when I laugh. . ."

"Everything's beautiful when you laugh," Zan said. "The skies get brighter and everything seems easier and you look perfect."

Ava gazed at Zan for a moment. "I'm not perfect," she said.

"You don't have to be," Zan said quietly. A breeze blew past them, unsettling Ava's hair a little bit, that was already unsettled from dancing so much.

"I could be," Ava said. "For you."

"You could be perfect?" Zan asked.

Ava nodded. "If you. . .wanted me to be," she said.

"Well. . .so far, I haven't seen any flaws," Zan replied.

"I don't blush too much?" Ava asked, smiling.

"No," Zan said. Ava reached up and tucked a lock of hair behind her ear. It was blown out again by the wind. Zan reached his hand up, touching her cheek, touching her soft hair, tucking it behind her small ear again. Ava felt her breathing hitch. "Sorry."

"Don't be," Ava said.

"You look perfect," Zan said quietly.

"Even when I blush?" Ava asked. She felt like time was suspended, like everything was moving in slow motion, like everything all hung in the balance with this one moment.

"Yes," Zan whispered.

Ava leaned in and whispered in his ear. "To me, you're perfect," she said, setting her hand on his shoulder. Zan touched her cheek again. The two of then slowly leaned in, their faces getting closer. Their lips met and the two of them slowly started to kiss. Ava touched his neck as his hand went into her hair. The kiss deepened and Ava closed her eyes tightly, savoring the moment, capturing it in her mind, wanting to remember it forever. Zan put his other hand on the other side of her face, kissing her more passionately as images flashed against the darkness of her eyelids.

The two of them pulled away slowly, breathless. There was a moment of silence. Zan kissed Ava's forehead, then whispered to her, "I'm not perfect."

Awww. The next chapter takes place seven months later, and things speed up after a huge event that happens.