Chapter Ten- The Second-born Prince
Kirsty took refuge under the blossom tree that stood alone in the courtyard of the Seeing Pool. The last few hours had raced through her mind. Her ears ringed from the screaming and arguing of the feast, and her mind raced through the conversation the King had with her.
She couldn't wait to go home, she secretly had hated the last week, the wedding was boring and the politics was painful. Oh, how she missed the simple days of looking for fun day flags, gemstones, magical stationary and magical slime.
"You're here too."
Kirsty gasped and turned. It was the second-born prince, she jumped up gave a deep bow.
"Sorry Prince Second-Born," Kirsty whispered. "I didn't see you there."
"It's okay," said the second-born Prince glumly. "I suppose you're here to clear you're head of that disastrous dinner."
Kirsty nodded sadly; the second-born prince sighed with dismay. He looked miserably down at the Seeing Pool. Kirsty observed his features, he looked so different from the other Royals. His wings glistened like crystal in the dying sunlight, he was very handsome. If he wasn't married, Kirsty would have definitely had made a move. Even if it was a sin.
"May I join you?" The Second-born prince asked.
"Yes, you may." Kirsty said, they both sat. For a minute they gazed at the seeing pool in silence. Then Kirsty looked at the prince, on closer inspection of the prince's face she saw that he was unnaturally pale and his eyes were bloodshot red with sleepless nights.
"Are you okay you okay. Your highness doesn't look so well."
The prince swung his head around wildly and looked at her, his eyes widened with fear, as if he had been caught in the middle of a lie. He turned away.
"Oh, sorry if I intruded Second-Born prince." Kirsty gasped. "I just thought-"
"No, its fine. It's just…"." The prince uttered. "Kirsty can I ask you something? Have you ever made a decision that is the right thing, but when you do that sad thing all you can think is 'well my life is over' right?"
Kirsty was speechless.
"I shared a bed with my wife last night. It was supposed to be that way. All royal heirs need to marry, have kids to continue a bloodline. My father always said that's how the world works and that it should make me happy. But I'm not really," The prince said. "But I can't help think…"
"Think what?" Kirsty asked.
"So Kate the Wedding fairy is my mother's sister daughter… is that weird?" Second-Born prince asked. "Isn't that a little bit incest?"
Kirsty didn't really know what to say, so she shrugged.
"The King has asked me to stay in the kingdom as the goblin situation unfolds. Apparently, we are symbols of hope…whatever that means." Kirsty sighed. "I don't want to stay. But maybe Rachel is right. I'm being selfish, I am more needed here than anywhere else."
"You sort of right about that," the second prince chuckled. "But I don't think you realise that it's my father and mother who needs you more than everyone in this kingdom put together."
"What do you mean?" Kirsty said.
"Nothing," The prince muttered.
"No, tell me the truth." Kirsty urged. "You're the first person I've had a real conversation with since I arrived. Please."
The prince sat up and looked around, he scanned the garden carefully then finally whispered out of the corner of his mouth, "Not here. I've already said too much. Perhaps later, it's getting late."
He leaned in closer, Kirsty blushed as she felt his breath on her cheek, he added softly. "I will meet you here tomorrow morning."
He rose up and walked away without another word. Kirsty sat there speechless. She looked around for what the prince had been looking at. From a distance she could have sworn she saw a flash of silver.
