The Solarian Prince
Down to the south in the Kingdom of Solaris…
King Hyperion and his son Prince Darien stood in the throne room arguing.
"You will do as I say Darien, you will marry the Lady Beryl and that is the end of this discussion" King Hyperion yelled at his son.
"And what if I don't father, you'll strike at me with all your might and lock me in dungeons?" the prince retorted.
"I'll simply deny you the crown in favor of your cousin" the King responded.
Prince Darien simply laughs at the notion and walks away. "Don't you dare walk away from me! Darien! DARIEN!" the King screams at the prince's retreating form.
Prince Darien was the young and handsome prince of Solaris, determined and stubborn the King found it an exhausting duty trying to raise such a wild spirit and shape him to be King, Hyperion had promised his son's hand in marriage to a Beautiful Countess, the Lady Beryl, daughter to the Kings loyal advisor. But to the Kings chagrin the prince had not been interest in marrying a woman he did not love or even know.
"I don't know what I am going to do with that boy, he never listens to me, I am his father, I am his KING! AND YET HE DEFY'S ME AT EVERY TURN!" yells the King his voice thundering through the castle halls disturbing his servants and vassals.
Outside the castle walls prince Darien rode through the countryside greeted by his people, the prince came to halt in the middle of a clearing, his dark hair covering his golden eyes hiding his displeasure from the countrymen and farmers.
"What if I keep going" he asked himself "What then?" he looked to the sky and watched as the birds soared on their wings
"It must be nice… to be free, unbound, to have the freedom to do what you want to love whomever you want and for them to love you for who you are, it must be nice to be free"
He turned to find that general Malachite was following him. "How long have you been there?" the prince asked.
"A while, thinking of running away again?"
"Maybe" the prince responded with a laugh. "Don't tell me; he sent you here to make sure I return"
"He has no idea that you are gone or that I am even here, so if you choose you can run, of course you know that he will send us after you" remarked Malachite.
"You're lucky Malachite" said the prince "how is that sire?" he asked. "If you wanted, you could choose to leave, someone can always take your place, you can leave, you can love, you are free"
The concern on Malachite's face was evident but there was nothing he could do, no words to console his friend all he could do was bring him back.
Later that Night…
The kingdom was a buzz with excitement all in the castle clamored in anticipation as they prepared for the grand ball in celebration of the prince's engagement, joy and excitement ravaged the kingdom as all wait for the prince's impending nuptials all the while the prince only waited for the day his life came to end.
Darien walked the halls of the castle haunted by his father's words "I will deny you the crown in favor of your cousin" He looked out the window, seeing his guest arriving one by one, the strain in his chest growing more and more bothersome, he could barely breath, when he found that he was not alone. "Nephrite, good to see that it's you and not my father" he grabbed for his chest and gave a grim smile.
"Are you alright my lord?" Nephrite asked sure of the answer. Nephrite has been the prince's longest and closest friend, they shared many secrets since boyhood and there was nothing his friend could not hide from him. "Nothing more than the usual my friend" responded the prince. "I Love my people, I love my father, those are the things I hold most dear in my heart, but for my father to force my heart to meld with someone I do not love, how can I move on with this? I know my duty is to my people, to my country, how can I lead when my heart is clouded in complete and utter misery? I can't do this Nephrite I can be a good King to my people if my heart gets lost in the shadows"
Nephrite took a step towards his friend, he placed a hand on his shoulder, a comforting gesture but it did nothing to alleviate the prince's mind. "I don't' know what I can say to ease your pain Darien, maybe you don't love her now but maybe as time goes on you will grow to love her"
"Are you always so optimistic Nephrite?" asked the prince
"With the future of the kingdom in your hands, I have to have some optimism" The prince gave a wry laugh at his friend's words. "Such confidence Nephrite, I am touched"
"Anything to keep you smiling Darien, come on the party has started and there are beautiful women everywhere all dying for the chance to dance with a dashing prince"
"Oh, you think I'm dashing?" asked the prince with a smile. "I never said that, and there is no one here to prove that I did" said Nephrite, a hint of sarcasm in his voice.
Music and laughter filled the air of the grand ballroom, Prince Darien and Nephrite walked to the grand ballroom, the guest turned as the prince crossed the room, eager guest greeted his highness, eyes filled with admiration and adoration followed him as he swiftly made his way to his father's side. "How is the celebration father?" asked the prince. "Your late, this ball is in your honor…" Darien cut his father off mid-sentence, "I'm here now, so what did I miss?"
"You are just lucky the Lady Beryl hasn't arrived yet" The prince stared to the golden ceilings of the ballroom the twilight rays shone through the glass windows lighting all corners of the room there was no darkness in sight only the light of the sun, gold and bright. No sooner did the prince turn when his father was directing him to the door; Lady Beryl strode through the halls her long pale gold dress dragging behind her, complimenting her bright copper hair. Her loyal attendants walked side by side with her, she was indeed beautiful more beautiful than the prince could have imagine. Perhaps Nephrite was right maybe he could grow to love her once he gets to know her.
"Lord Kristian and Lady Beryl such a joy to see you" The King greeted his friend and counselor, he gestured for Darien to join him. "I think that is your cue your highness" said Nephrite over the prince's shoulder giving him a small shove. "Ah! My son may I introduce the Lady Beryl". Lady Beryl bowed to the prince lowering her head "An honor to meet you my lord".
Prince Darien lowered his head to his future bride "The honor is mine my lady" Darien gave a small smile to his future bride and offered her his hand "May I?" Lady Beryl simply smiled and took his hand while he led her across the ballroom all eyes were on them as the prince and his future wife danced across the floor. Standing in a corner Nephrite watched his friend with a smile; General Malachite strode over in full armor "I see you managed to talk some since into our young prince"
"Don't I always General" responded Nephrite. "Are you concerned?" he asked.
"Should I be?" asked Malachite looking puzzled at the question. "Well, this is a party, and you look like you are about to enter the battlefield"
"I believe in being prepared," answered Malachite. "And I believe you need to relax and have some fun" retorted Nephrite. "As the royal guard to the kingdom of Solaris our job is not to have fun it's to protect the people and the crown."
"Malachite giving the old serve and protect speech again," resounded a voice from behind them, it was Jadeite another of the kingdom's fine soldiers, although he looked small and fragile his appearance was not to be taken lightly he was the fiercest of the warriors, second to Malachite. With him was Zoisite while the rest of Shitennou held a masculine appearance, Zoisite held a more feminine appearance delicate and beautiful. But his beauty hid a savage and brutal nature only visible in the heat of the battle.
Zoisite laughed "Come now Malachite; Nephrite is right it's a party relax and have some fun"
"What are you two doing here? I thought I told you to check on the western gates and make you they are secure" Malachite looked on in annoyance. "We did that already" Jadeite responded to his general's question. "Great then go to the Colossus gates and prepare for the arrival of the Lunarian Queen and her escorts"
"Come on Malachite it's not even nighttime yet we have plenty of time before the Queen and Princess arrive," said Jadeite. "It's only the Queen who is coming," responded Malachite leading the others across the floor.
"No wonder the people are in such a buzz tonight, first the prince's engagement to the beautiful Lady Beryl and now a rare appearance of the Lunarian Queen" remarked Jadeite.
"Lunaris is a kingdom wrapped in mystery, hidden in the shadows of darkness, what exactly do you expect from them Jadeite?" responded Zoisite. "Have your ever even laid eyes on the princess?"
"No, but I hear she is a remarkable beauty without equal, she could probably make Lady Beryl look like ugly old hag" remarked Jadeite laughing along with his compatriots. Indeed, the appearance of the Lunarian Monarchy was a rare occasion, in its dealing with Solaris Queen Serenity always sent ambassadors and Emissaries in her stead, for the secrets that were hidden within her kingdom's walls were too precious to ever leave unprotected.
As the ball went on, Prince Darien could feel the eyes of the partygoers on him and Lady Beryl, watching their future king and queen as they graced the dance floor. He looked to the window as the sun set behind the bordering mountain, he looked back to find Beryl smiling at him, "Is everything alright my lord you seem distracted?"
Prince Darien just smiled back and said, "Everything fine" and he swept her across the dance floor, everyone watching as they moved to the sound of the music.