Shot Two: Tied
Raphael Tribane stared out the window of his study. He always had to study by himself. Why couldn't he study with his best friend? Because he's the Prince. That's why. He needed special attention. Gosh, it's not like he's retarded…
Hawk Crest was his best friend. He was also the general's son. Both of them had to study maps and memorize the terrain. It was essential seeing as Raphael would later rule the land and Hawk would battle to protect it. In fact, they were better then some map makers. They had to know where all the ogre camps and dragon caverns are so they wouldn't risk their kingdom in fighting them.
They made a pact with the ogres, saying that they would leave each other alone. The dragons were more mischievous. They would occasionally kidnap some damsel and a reward would have to be placed to draw the attention of wandering knights to save her. Those are somewhat rare now. Dragons preferred someone of high ranks and the sad part was, Raphael had no sisters. He was the one and only heir to the throne.
Another thing was that Raphael was betrothed to the Princess of Kulon. Her name was Wren. She wasn't bad looking either. There was an engagement ball to be thrown that night for him. This was the highlight of his life. Everything was going just perfectly. In fact, things probably can't get any better then this.
Or so he though…
—The Engagement Ball
"I can't believe your getting married in a week." Hawk said as his Prince took his spot at the throne.
"Neither can I. Why aren't you getting married is what I want to know. We're the same age." Raphael asked. Hawk was his best friend and he only wanted for his wellbeing.
"Just because I'm 20 doesn't not mean I have to be tied. I have other things to worry about." Hawk said in a serious tone. He walked to his rightful spot on the right side of Raphael's throne so as not to be overheard. "You know that trolls have been found at a few of the outskirt villages, right?"
"What?" Raphael turned to his friend in shock. "Why hasn't anyone told me?"
"I thought you knew. You got the Master Mapmaker as your teacher."
"This has nothing to do with my private classes. You know this because you're the General's son." Raphael exhaled. "What happened? What are the casualties?"
"37 people killed and 45 injured. It's pretty bad actually. My dad's trying to clear it up right now. That's why he's not here but he sends his congratulations." Hawk explained. Raphael hadn't noticed that the great General was missing.
"Does my dad know?" Raphael asked. Hawk nodded. "Why didn't he tell me? Why didn't anyone tell me?"
"Maybe I shouldn't have told you either. Tonight's the night for you. One of the only nights you'll have before you marry Princess Wren of Kulon. He was probably saving it so as not to spoil the night." Hawk looked slightly guilty but Raphael pressed him to tell him all of it. "The strange thing is that the trolls had attacked uniformly and at night. The attacks were near the exact same time so there was no warning. Who knew they could get so smart." Hawk said looking thoughtful. "More then half the troops are at the village side, patrolling."
Raphael nodded his head as he listened. Then someone appeared at the doorway to the ballroom. Everyone's head turned to look. It was a girl. She was dressed in silky royal blue with a black bodice. She had black hair elbow length hair and incredible gray eyes. She swept down the steps and over to the dining tables where she sat.
Raphael knew practically everyone in the room. If he had met her before, he would definitely have remembered. She sat there and watched others dance. Many men had asked to dance with her but she refused all. He glanced at her every so often. She hadn't moved. She didn't eat. She didn't get up to socialize as other girls who didn't dance would. Who was this girl? Raphael didn't know. What he did know was that it was hard to concentrate on anything other then her. He was sure he caught her eyes flicker in his direction once, though he might have been imagining it.
"Why don't you ask her to dance?" Raphael turned to look at his best friend. "You're not tied yet." Raphael was sure that Hawk had been watching her too.
"You know that I cannot. My country comes first." Hawk said, though just one dance did sounded rather tempting. "Why not you?"
"I'm married. How would it look to Wren if she found that I had danced with someone else?" Raphael's eyes drifted back to the girl sitting by herself.
"You're engaged, not married." Hawk corrected him. "Come on Prince, I'm sure your Princess is doing the same at her Engagement Ball."
"Are you sure it would look alright?" Raphael asked as he got up. "It wouldn't be wrong for me to ask her to dance right?"
"No it wouldn't, if it's just dancing. If anything else then…" Hawk teased. "Of course… it would also look wrong if she rejected you." He added.
"You don't think she will, do you?" Raphael turned and looked at his friend in shock. He hadn't thought of that. "What'll I say if she does?"
"I'm sure she won't! You're the Prince!" Hawk regretted what he said and gently pushed the Prince down the steps. "Go on, have fun!"
Raphael gave Hawk and unsure glance before heading towards her. He looked nervously at her as he approached. She was watching him make his way to her, which didn't help.
"Good evening, my lady." Raphael said, trying to sound confident. She inclined her head to acknowledge him. "May I have this dance?" he held out his hand. She looked at it and then back at him. Raphael could feel all the eyes of the other guests on him. He gulped. The girl was taking her sweet time.
It seemed like hours, though it had hardly been a minute, she slipped her hand in his. Raphael led her to the dance floor where people parted for them to pass through. The song that played was a waltz. They swerved around the floor. She was a pretty good dancer. He wondered why she didn't dance before. The other dancers left the floor so they could watch. They were a blur of royal blue and cream gold.
He couldn't take his eyes off of hers, fearing that if he did, she'd leave. Her eyes were a lighter grey then his own. They sparkled and played with the light from the candles above. Raphael felt like he was lost in the stars while looking in them. The song slowed and they stopped. Raphael had to let her go and did so, with mild reluctance. He had to remind himself that he was engaged. Not that she'd want him anyways he added.
Raphael looked up at Hawk and saw laughter playing in his golden eyes. Raphael narrowed his grey eyes and looked back at the girl. She was still there, in front of him. If she didn't want to dance with him anymore, she would have left. Another song started up. This time it was a slow song. Raphael held out his hand again and she took it. During the dance, she leaned in closer and rested her head on his chest. Raphael felt his face get slightly hot and looked up at Hawk who ruffle his brown hair while grinning at him. Raphael felt like ruffling his own cream blond hair but didn't want to let her go.
When the song ended, she looked up at him. He smiled shyly and was about to offer to get her something to drink but she stood on her tiptoes and kissed him just as he opened his mouth. Talk about timing. Raphael could feel the air leave the room. He was engaged! Due to be married in a week, damn it!
He closed his eyes as she did. He felt her long sooty eye lashes brush his fingers as he cupped her face. She pulled away and he opened his eyes. He felt sleepy. That was strange. He stumbled slightly as he tried to walk towards her. She took another step back and he fell with his head on her shoulder, fast asleep.