Somewhere in the middle of the forest, six white horses were pulling a golden carriage with a driver and footmen. But behind the carriage were several guards that are following it. But inside the carriage were two young men. Handsome but wears different clothing. One man was dressed in fancy clothes, fair skin, brown eyes, and black hair. And the other was in traveling clothes, black hair, brown eyes, and tan skin. Although the second man was somewhat very familiar about him.
"I appreciate for taking me to your kingdom, your highness." the young man with tan skin spoke.
"You are welcome, Alex. Not every day I happen to come across a man wandering about. And you said you were brought here to my kingdom for a special reason?" The prince asked.
"Indeed. Some woman told me to go there but didn't explain much of the details."
"It's a good thing I spotted you otherwise you'd been lost."
"And I also appreciate that as well your highness."
The prince smiled at his new friend and then looked out through the window seeing his home from the distance. He couldn't see the village from a bunch of trees, but he can see the castle from the distance.
"We're almost to my home. I do hope my father would appreciate if you stayed for a day or two. Unless you finally found out why you were here for." he said.
"I sure hope the king wouldn't mind a stranger in the palace." said Alex.
"I'm sure my father would appreciate the idea. He's a noble and fair king, but sometimes…he can have some grand ideas regarding my future."
"How so, if you don't mind me asking your highness?"
"Well, for one, he'd always wanted me to be a great ruler and do what is best for the kingdom. But the other... he does want to me to get marry someone."
"Is that what a prince is supposed to do?" Alex chuckled. "To one day rule a kingdom and marry a princess of noble blood?"
"In a way, yes. But I'm marrying someone is wears beautiful dresses or who their royal families are."
"Sounds to me that you want to marry a special girl that captures your heart."
"More than special. I want to meet someone who's more than her Royal nobility and name. Someone who has kindness and beauty inside and out. But my father is rushing me to find a suitable wife…. I think he wants to see some grandchildren before anything happens to him."
"That sort of rush won't do any good. It takes time and patience." said Alex.
"That is something my father doesn't have time for. I just know by the time we get to the castle he thought of some elaborate idea of me meeting a suitable wife."
"Hope I be ready to hear what idea your father has."
"In a few short minutes we'll be at the castle."
To what the prince said to Alex, he was right. In short minutes they did make it to the castle. The carriage finally stopped as the footman got off to open the door for the prince and Alex to get out. Once they did, the fanfare starts playing a symphony and the red carpet had already appeared. Alex was the last to leave and got a good look at the castle. It was big, bright as the sun shines on it, but it was also beautiful.
'Bigger than the Fair King's castle.' Alex thought.
Suddenly, the big doors opened and as the prince and Alex looked, they saw the king with the Grand Duke.
"You have returned my son!" the king shouted with glee as he ran to greet the prince.
"Hello father." the prince spoke to him.
"And who is our guest you brought my son?" the king questioned as he noticed Alex.
"Father, I'd like to introduce you to Alex. I found him just outside our kingdom and decided to let him stay for time being. Is that alright with you?"
"Please, a guest is welcome in my castle. Welcome my boy." said the king as he shook the young man's hand.
"Thank you, your majesty." he said to him.
"And you just arrived perfect on time to hear the news. We're throwing a ball to honour your arrival my son, tonight." said the king.
Both the prince and Alex looked shocked and surprised.
"Tonight? But father, I just got back no more than a minute ago." said the prince.
'Could this be one of those elaborate ideas the prince had told me about?' Alex thought.
"Come my son, this will be the chance for the kingdom to welcome you. And to see if any eligible young maiden catches your attention. Now preparations are already taken care of, and invites are ready to be delivered. Everything will be perfect for tonight; you'll see my son. Now get yourself prepared and presentable for tonight, you want to look your best to meet your future bride to be."
Alex and the Prince stood watching the king walk off to make sure everything was ready and prepared for.
"So, this what you really mean by your father having elaborate ideas?" he asked the prince.
"I'm afraid so. I better do as he instructed, I know my father can have quite the temper." he answered and starts walking off, but then turns around to face him again. "I will have someone to show you to the guest quarters and there they will prepare you for the ball."
"Thank you again, your highness."
A moment later, Alex enters the guest room thanks to one of the maids who escorted him. The young man looked around to see the bedroom big and looks comfortable. It looks so much different than the ones back at the fairy kingdom. Once he got on the bed, he starts bringing some stuff out of his satchel. Looking through his things that he has done from his travels until he stopped to look at some certain petals that he has kept.
Petals that were all blues and purples, makes him think of the one girl that he couldn't take his mind off of him. Ever since the girl left for more adventures, she along with Alex both made a promise that they will see each other again. But as he told the fairy king about what he wanted, he decided to let him go and find her. And on that very night, he made a wish that he wanted to see his girl until suddenly, a strange but kind woman with white, silver hair dressed in blue clothing, came to him.
She decided to grant the wish, but the thing was that he must become a human and go to a place where he is now. Alex had so many questions about why he needs to be a human and go to the small kingdom. Now as a human, it was difficult of getting use to the form with flying, but he still has fighting and surviving skills until he met the prince.
Alex held the flower petals close to his chest and looked at the window.
"Hope we meet again my princess. My dear Madison."
To Be Continued...
