Chapter 2 is in! I did'nt get the amount of reviews i was hoping for, but the fact that you actually bothered was encouraging enough. Now i hope you'll keep reviewing so i can keep writing.A writer writes fueled by feedbacks from readers, ya' know. Anyway, here is the CHARACTER GUIDE for this here chapter :--
Speedy as Sir/King Stefan the Archer a.k.aKing of East Titania, B.Bee as Bellathe Princess's Lady in Waiting, Terra as Tanya the Princess's Lady in Waiting.
Enjoy.
Looking back all those years, it seemed almost impossible to forget the tremendous uproar that occurred right in the middle of Gotham Fortress. There were simply too many candidates. Even when the lords decided to narrow it down to the ones that were offered by the Four Kings, there were still quite a number of maiden eligible for the King. Everyone seemed to back up their own choice of maidens. It was said that The Four Kings had a little misunderstanding over the proper maiden for their beloved friend and king. I find it oddly ironic since they themselves weren't married but still they wish to marry off their own local maiden to someone else. Would it not be easier if they in place marry their own candidate? Surely it'll save a lot of hassle and everyone can have a wedding as promised. Although not for the right groom.
Lady Raven was said to keep her silence and fully intend to let her brother settle it all on his own. 'He allowed them to marry him off. Now he must endure it. I care not what becomes of him.' Those were her very words, according to her ladies in waiting. King Richard who loves teasing his sister since childhood could only sit in his large chair and listen to the endless debates from the old and withered Counts and Lords to the young and hot headed knights. After three long months of tongue lashing and a number of tantrums from the debaters, the King finally lost his patience and practically chased all of them out of the council chamber, lords, kings and knights alike. I would have laugh at the very thought of the King running around the castle swinging his sword in a tantrum had it not been for the decision that was made later that night.
The ones that managed to calm the infuriated sixteen year old King told others what happened after the outburst. The council chamber was practically empty by the time the King finally calmed down, except for his sister, the Four Kings and the elders. Young as they may be, the Four Kings had their father's calm judgment and managed to get the King to listen to one more proposal. One of them stood bravely in front of the King and spoke of a maiden with hair of precious ruby and eyes so bright and brilliant that it shone. A voice of an angel with a complexion to match and a specialty that sets her apart from all the other maiden in the land. The maiden is hidden in the southern Titania, and like a vein of diamond underground, she awaits to be discovered by a someone worthy of her, and who could that person possibly be if not the King? The King sat motionless for a good ten minutes after his friend spoke and asked for his sister's opinion. Having received nothing negative from his sister, the King sent out a messenger at once to the southern land for the maiden's hand in marriage. The speaker, I later learned, was none other than my dear friend King Arthur and the maiden he spoke of was not my sister, but me.
The days passed peacefully enough in the southern land after Arthur left. I spent most of my time riding instead of sewing while my sister spent more and more of her time fantasizing of being Richard's Queen. Now that she was sure of becoming Queen, my sister was much more decent to me. She did not set traps for my tongue and she even braided my hair once in a while. But I was too naïve back then to notice that the peace we were enjoying was nothing more than peace before storm. A peace that gives out false feelings of content and happiness. On the day that completely changed everything, I had the most enjoyable outing with my sister, one that for once, did not involve her talking of her future husband. We went back to the castle together and dressed for dinner in her room. I can still remember her gently putting one of her hair ornaments into my braided hair.
Dinner was normal that night with the promise of storm. I wasn't sure, but I felt that something was amiss. More than once, my sister and I would catch each other's eyes and silently agree that something was to happen that night. Sure enough, the grand oak door to our banquet room opened and in come a boy no older than fifteen in the King's messenger uniform. Her kneeled down and muttered his apologies for interrupting our dinner. 'Forgive me, my lord Edmund. But I carry important message from my master the Grand King Richard himself.' I looked sideways towards Flamelle and I can clearly see her excitement written on every inch of her face. 'You are forgiven. Now tell us of your message and you shall have your rest.' was Edmund's kind reply. The child messenger took out a scroll and cleared his throat to read aloud. Everyone held their breath as he began reading.
'After three months of difficult choosing and debating, I Richard, Grand King of Titania has decided to ask a maiden under the care of Sir Edmund for her hand in marriage. With this message, I formally ask Princess Kori'an of Tamaran to be my Queen.' Then room had turned eerie quiet and all eyes were on me. I gripped my chair to hold myself from trembling and trying not to look pale as death. My blessed aunt Morgan was the one to break the cold silence. 'Are you certain, my dear boy? Surely you meant Princess Kori'an's sister, Princess Flamelle?' The boy's eyes widen in wonder and shook his head slowly. 'No milady. The scroll clearly states that the King wishes for Princess Kori'an's hand in marriage. Not her sister.' I looked over to Flamelle and to my dismay, her face was as pale as I was and her eyes were dangerously moist and angry. She rose with such force that everyone stared. I followed her, not having even the faintest idea what to do. We entered her sleeping chamber and I closed the door behind me. No sooner had I turn around to face her, I felt a stinging pain across my cheek. She struck me.
'You insolent little fool! How dare you! How could you! You have been planning this have you not? You seduced that fool Arthur into proposing you to the King, didn't you? I cannot believe it! My own sister!' she gave a cry of pure anguish and wept with her head buried in her hands.'Oh! How can this be!It wasI he should choose! I! Thebeautiful Princess Flamelle! I! Whose hand in marrige are fought over by every man in this kingdom! Howcould he choose a-a-' my sister fell onto her bed and mumbled unitelligently.My hand reached out to my bruising cheek. I was too shocked to defend myself. All I could do was wept along with her, for the damnation that was bestowed upon me. The door flew right open and Morgan walked in. She took a swift look at Flamelle and in seconds, she was already putting adamp towel on her head and laying her down while she cried her eyes out. Morgan, I regret to say, did not even look at me. All she ever did was soothed my sister and completely ignore me. I left shortly after, having no wish to stay in a room that obviously radiated with hatred for my being. I was fourteen and already betrothed to the most powerful man in all of Titania.
My sister and I did not talk for months after that night. As much as Morgan hated me, she still did her duty as my guardian and prepared the gifts for my wedding. Messengers came and went for the past few months, bringing news of the preparation in Gotham and the occasional wedding gift from the King. The best so far was a pair of diamond earrings, in contribution to Arthur's description of me. While Morgan ignored me and Flamelle completely refuse to look at me, the only person that seemed to truly care was my uncle Edmund. On a particular lovely day, he summoned me to his studies, having brought a gift for me.
'Ahh, Kori. It has been a while since I actually seen you properly.' I smiled and he took my hands in his big warm ones. 'I have gifts for you, my dear child.' I sighed lightly but loud enough for him to hear. 'Forgive me my lord, it's not that I do not appreciate your effort to comfort me. But the gift of precious stones from the king is enough to last me a lifetime.' Edmund chuckled merrily and shook my hands gently. 'But my dear Kori. The gifts I brought you are no ordinary gift. It is the gift of service. And with the right time and effort, it will be the gift of friendship.' I raised a quizzical eyebrow and him. He tilted his head to the balcony and I followed him with my eyes. I understood his meaning immediately. Standing on the balcony, was two pretty maiden, and from the look of their faces and figure, they must be the same age as I am. 'Kori, I would like you to meet your own ladies in waiting. Bella and Tanya.'
Bella and Tanya bowed to courtesy and smiled prettily. Bella must be from thewest for her skin was dark and her eyes were brown and warm. It reminded me a lot of Arthur. Tanya on the other hand, was fair skinned, blond and had beautiful cobalt blue eyes. They became my best friends over the years.
After months and months of preparation, we were finally ready to welcome the King's knights. They were to escort me all the way to Gotham for the wedding. I was too nervous to sleep and finally gave up during day break. I got out of my bed, put on my simple grey dress and crept out of the castle, not wanting to wake Bella and Tanya. They would be furious with me if they found out I snuck out on the day the King's party arrive.
Once outside the castle walls, I made for the woods following a familiar trail worn form use over the years. It was an enjoyable walk as the air was still fresh. Newly formed dews tinted the leaves, wild flowers giving out scent that could only be inhaled by the early bird, and all sorts of chirping came from the trees. It was a common saying in the south that the most beautiful song is the song of nature. I sang along softly, humming and putting silly lyrics here and there for fun. I walked and walked until I reached an old oak tree. I stared at it fondly. It had been my favorite climbing tree since I got to Edmund's castles two years ago. Well, almost two years. Come autumn and I'll be fifteen while my sister, seventeen. I casually climbed the trunk and made my way steadily to one of my favorite sitting branch. I must've fallen asleep because the sound of rustling leaves woke me up.
'Sweet Mother of God..' I startled and sprang up from my ludicrous position. I looked down from the branch and saw a young man in his late teens. His eyes were the most unusual shade of brown. It was dark brown, yet with a tint of mahogany. In other words, it looked almost red. It was not unpleasant for it gives him the image of a powerful man, with his red hair almost as though he was on fire. In his left hand, he carried a bow and in his right, a single arrow. 'Are.. are you real or am I dreaming?' he whispered in awe. I stared at the young man. I felt odd. Never have I met a boy that managed to make my spirit soar in delight. It was a very intoxicating thought. My head felt dizzy just thinking of it. Unfortunately for me, my girlish foolishness resulted in me slipping and come tumbling down from the tree and landing right on top of the red haired lad.
I struggle to get up and turned away in embarrassment. But not before I thanked him for breaking my fall. He took hold of my wrist and I froze, my body turned half way from him. 'Please, lady fair. I am Stefan, a knight in service of our great King. May I have the honor of knowing your name, my sweet lady?' I can feel my face flooded with color. 'I.. I am Kori'an. My guardian is the lord of a castle not far from here.' His grip on my wrist loosened and he bent a knee gracefully onto the forest floor in courtesy. 'Princess Kori'an, am I correct?' My breath caught in my throat as he said my name. How is it possible that a stranger could easily rob me of breath just by saying my name? 'Please, good sir. How did you.. how did you know who I really am?' His brown eyes focused on my face and I redden a little deeper. For a moment his eyes showed awe, admiration, warmth, and tenderness. But after what it felt like decades, the brown, almost ruby orbs reflected sorrow and sadness, as though he was tapped on the shoulders by remembrance. 'I know it because I am one of the knights the King sent to escort his bride-to-be. That, my lady Princess is you. I am King Stefan of East Titania. Your escort and your knight.'
It was like a cloud passed by, trapping the sun's rays from hitting the earth. Everything that glowed and sparkle to me vanished into thin air as those words escape his lips. The King's knights. I should've known. I cannot believe that I had not seen this earlier. The signs were everywhere. His clothing, his badge, his posture, his manners, it all suited the post of a knight perfectly. I found my voice at last and I believe I smiled, for his face showed relief. 'Rise, my lord. Your manners are just too much for a humble maid such as I.' His face flushed crimson and rubbed the back of his neck. I later learned that this was an act of nervousness from the great knight Stefan. 'I arrived at the castle of your guardian not too long ago with my companions. They-the women- could not find you, so I offered to seek you myself. I was told that the Princess was beautiful, but never have I thought that she would resemble an angel.' I turned around and shove a fist into my mouth to keep myself from laughing. He was much worse than Arthur! Fearing I had offended him, I faced him yet again and made a low reverence. 'Thank you, my lord Stefan. It is an honor to be seen as an angel in the eyes of the great King Stefan of East Titania. Is there anything I can possibly do to please you, my lord?' A bark of laughter greeted my little speech. Looking up from my reverence, I saw that his face was a faint color of pink from the fit of laughter. 'You are quite a lady, my Princess. I can see why Arthur was so determined to make Richard choose you! But,' his voice dropped as he took a step closer, our flesh were merely inches apart from friction. '..nothing pleases me more than your company this lovely morning. As long as I see you smile, I am content.' My heart stopped beating for a moment. Never have I been this close with a man before. His brown eyes shone clear and hypnotizing.
As though just woken from a deep and pleasant slumber, he took a few steps back and waved his hand towards the path. 'I promised Lady Morgan I would bring you back. It is not polite to keep them waiting, milady. Shall we?' he held out his right hand and I took it without a moment's hesitation. I did not know what it is about this boy that attracts me so, but I was certain that I did not want to let go of his hand. And neither did he.
That's it for chapter 3! I hope you guys enjoyed it. I'm sorry to those who wishes to see Robin in this chapter cause i've got other plans for him. i want to make a grand entrance for this Titan. Mind you, i wont be apushover for the second time so better keep reviewing!
