THREE
Kyrria was different. Different from Ayortha; the people, the lifestyle, the language. That wasn't quite it though. There was something else.
"Announcing the arrival of Prince Jonas of Ayortha, son of King Alexander Peterian and Queen Victoria of Ayortha."
Distracted from his thoughts, the Prince looked around to see the gates of the palace opening. The doors opened to a magical pathway with a garden of flowers surrounding it. The pathway was a sky-blue carpet along the middle of the green enclosure. It ran from his feet to the feet of the King of Kyrria. All around him people were cheering loudly and those who were not observed the Prince with friendly smiles. Prince Jonas walked confidently towards the King and bowed.
"Thank you for having me Your Highness, and I hope I am not much trouble to your kingdom,"
King Robert looked the young Prince who was little older than his son in the eye. The next thing the Prince knew, he was in the King's embrace. It was warm and comforting and for a few moments, the Prince forgot all his worries. King Robert broke the embrace and with his booming voice said to the young Prince of Ayortha, "Welcome to my home."
A voice shouted out from the crowd. "OUR home, Your Majesty."
With a chuckle and a twinkle in his eye, the King replied, "Welcome to our home Prince Jonas." King Robert looked away from the Prince. "We have a busy day ahead of us, so let us get to it shall we." Slowly the crowd of servants disappeared until only a few remained. The King turned towards a young and friendly looking maid and said to her, "Please show the prince to his chambers so he can start settling down."
"Yes Your Majesty, right away." With a graceful curtsy and a smile she said to Prince Jonas. "Follow me,"
With a quick bow to the King, Prince Jonas followed the young girl into the corridor and up the strairs.
"It's beautiful here," she said cheerfully. "In the morning your chambers will be absolutely enchanting. I used to work for the Count and every morning, the house would be drenched with golden sunlight. The-"
"You worked for the Count?" Not waiting for an answer, Prince Jonas asked, "How is his son doing? Christopher?"
"Lord Christopher Lucansan. Ah, he hates that name. Lord Chris is doing fine, from what I last heard. As mischievous as ever. He'll be attending the feast tonight, I suppose."
"Feast?" Prince Jonas questioned the maid. "What feast?"
"The feast we're holding in your honor of course. All the wealthy will be there. Counts, countesses, lords, duchess, duchesses. The whole lot of them. Ah, here we are." The maid stopped talking when they reached an elegant wooden door on the second corridor to the right of the staircase. "This is your chamber Your Highness."
"Call me Jonas. Thank you…"
"Clarissa. It's Clarissa. If you need anything, just ask for me and I'll be here in a jiffy."
"I'll keep that in mind. Thank you very much Clarissa."
With a smile and a curtsy, Clarissa walked away.
Prince Jonas strode into his chamber and looked around. As he was unpacking his belongings, he felt a warm feeling inside. He had done something today, he had never done before. He had had a normal conversation with a servant. Back home, royalty never spoke to maids and such. The Prince thought about the manner in which King Robert talked to his servants. At the thought of the King, a single thought ran in his mind, I've never been embraced by my father.
Prince Jonas realized the difference between Kyrria and Ayortha.
"Happiness," he whispered softly. "True and genuine happiness."
Author's Note: i KNOOWWW,,,they're really short the chapters. Longer chapters coming up...promise. I need at least 15 reviews until i publish the next chapter.