"Crown Prince?" I asked. That's why his name sounded so familiar; he was one of the princes of Avalon. I knew that the royal family of Avalon had seven princes fighting for the position of crown prince, but I didn't know that they had chosen their crown prince already. And to think the youngest son was chosen to be the crown prince. As far as I knew, he was twenty years old.
"It's my pleasure to be here, Your Majesty, King George De Novia of Wales," Ragnar replied."You are very bold, as the rumors had said, stealing the first dance of the third princess tonight from her father." Isa's stepmother, the queen, just arrived at the scene. She was staring daggers at Isabella and Ragnar."I am sorry. I didn't know that there was a custom here in Wales that the first dance of the princess should be with her father," Ragnar said with pride, as if he wasn't sorry at all. "I just thought that I would like to dance with the third princess, so I asked her. I hope this didn't offend you, King George.""Haha, not at all, young prince. I know that the royal family of Avalon is known for their impulsive nature. I'm sure my daughter's beauty has taken you," her father said."Yes, my king, we are indeed impulsive. We are sure to get what we want," Ragnar said sarcastically.There was tension between her father and the crown prince. Their words were coated with respect, but deep down, she could feel that they were insulting each other."Crown Prince," a very tall young man approached Ragnar. He was much taller than the crown prince and had long dark brown hair tied in a ponytail. He whispered something in Ragnar's ear. He must be the prince's aide."I guess I have to cut this visit short. An important matter came up. I am sorry to leave early from your ball, Princess Isabella," Ragnar said to Isabella."It's okay, Crown Prince. I wish you safe travels," she replied."Thank you, Princess, for letting me dance with you. King George, Queen Charlotte, I will take my leave." Ragnar made a slight bow and left with his aide."Disrespectful young man," the queen murmured."Now, Charlotte, don't make a scene," the king said. "Their country is still much stronger than ours. Their military might is very big, and we can't dare to offend them directly.""Hmph," the queen turned to leave. She gave Isabella an angry stare when she passed by her.Prince Ragnar and his aide entered a carriage, and it drove away from the castle."Your Highness, everything has been arranged according to plan," the aide said."Very good, Kyler," Ragnar said. "They have something up their sleeve. I want to know what it is.""Your Highness, about the third princess of Wales, are you sure about this?" Kyler asked in curiosity."Princess Isabella De Novia. Yes, I never had second thoughts. You know that, Kyler," Ragnar said with confidence."I understand, Your Highness," Kyler bowed.In the royal family of Avalon, a king having many wives was a custom. They spread their seeds and broaden their lineage. But for a prince of Avalon to give a purple passion to a lady of noble birth or of royal lineage means he chose her to be his first and legal wife.The first time Ragnar set his eyes on Princess Isabella, seeing her platinum blonde hair and silver eyes, seeing her unmatched beauty, he knew that she was the one who must stand by his side as queen.Ragnar opened the curtains of the carriage and stared at the night sky. The stars were twinkling brightly. He remembered the silver eyes of Isabella that were shining under his embrace."Princess Isabella, I will surely make you my queen and stay by your side," he whispered to himself.It has been a few days since the grand ball. Isabella's normal life went back to how it was: a life of solitude, except for Phillips.In the last few days, Phillips has been visiting Isabella in her courtyard. They enjoyed one conversation after another. They talked about politics, history, and other stuff that interested them.It was morning, and Isabella had just finished her morning exercise. General Marcus trained her and the crown prince to strengthen their bodies."Sister Isabella," she could hear the voice of Williams, her brother. When she looked behind, she saw him running towards her heartily."Sister!" Williams launched himself at her.He was much heavier than he used to be now, and Isabella nearly lost her balance trying to catch him."Sister, you haven't been visiting me in my courtyard," Williams said, crying. "I have missed you so much.""Hush now, a crown prince must not show his tears to others," Isabella scolded him softly while wiping his tears away."But you are no
"I am well aware, Grandpa. My sisters have their personal guards that follow them wherever they go.Helena has Carlos as her guard, and Camila has Uthred as hers," Isabella said dreamily."I have selected a personal guard just for you," Grandpa said."For me?" she asked with disbelief. "But I thought I wasn't entitled to a personal guard of my own? I remember the queen was against the idea when Father brought it up.""Don't worry about Charlotte. I am the one to select your guard for you. She can't do anything about it," Grandpa reassured her."Thank you, Grandpa." She felt loved by what General Marcus had done. He had always been good to her. Also the crown prince, they were the only ones who treated her with love in the palace. She hoped to pay them back someday."Erik, come here," General Marcus ordered, snapping her out of her thoughts.From the shadows emerged a young man. He had dark brown wavy hair and brown eyes. He was wearing the black knight's uniform.When he came closer,
The sky was starting to get dark, and the sun was setting. Erik accompanied Isabella back to her courtyard."I hope you don't mind, Sir Erik. My courtyard is a little below standard," she said, a little embarrassed.This was the second time she had felt embarrassed about what her courtyard looked like. The other time was when Phil visited her for the first time. It was a good thing that Phil didn't mind either; rather, he visited her every day in her shabby-looking courtyard."It's okay, Princess, I don't mind it," Erik smiled."I don't know if you have heard the stories about me," Isabella asked him.They were now standing at the entrance of her courtyard."I only know that you are the third princess of His Majesty King George II of Wales," Erik said. "Is there more I should know?" he asked."Not much, it's just that I would like to tell you my story rather than you hearing it from others," she said and turned to face him."I am an illegitimate child of the king. My mother was a maid
Maggie was leading Erik along the hallway of the third princess's courtyard."I am happy that General Marcus found a personal guard to serve my princess," Maggie said while walking."I am happy to serve Princess Isabella as well," Erik replied."I hope that the rumors won't get to you. Princess Isabella is a good-hearted young girl. Even though the queen and her daughter are not good to her, she doesn't retaliate or show any ill intentions towards them. She just takes everything they throw at her silently. Her kind is rare," Maggie lamented."Do they always bully Princess Isabella?" Erik asked."When they feel like it, they will just search for her and bully her. I feel sorry for her, but I can't do anything about it. I am only forced to watch as I am just a maid," Maggie sighed."Why can't I see other maids around?" Erik asked."We are just a handful of maids here in the third princess's courtyard. The queen doesn't give our princess as many maids as the other princesses," Maggie sai
It was morning, and the rays of sunshine seeping through the curtains woke Isabella. She rubbed her eyes and looked at her surroundings. She was in her room as usual but she felt different."Good morning, Princess Isabella," Maggie greeted her with a warm smile. "This is the first time in a long while you woke up late. You must have been very tired last night, or maybe you feel more secure now that you have a personal guard.""What time is it?" Isabella asked."It's half past nine, Princess," Maggie answered."What!" Isabella screamed, instantly feeling awake. "This is the first time since my stay in the palace that I am missing my morning routine. Grandpa would not be happy with me," Isabella cried."Don't worry, Princess. It was General Marcus who ordered me not to wake you up. It's the first time you have slept soundly, so he didn't want anyone to interfere with your sleep," Maggie explained, smiling. She was preparing Isabella's clothes to wear.Isabella felt relaxed. "But I still
"What is this I'm feeling? Isabella thought within herself. "Why is my heart pounding so loud and fast?"She could feel the warmth of his hands on hers. She kinda loved the feeling but suddenly felt embarrassed and withdrew her hands from his."Sir Erik, I think it is okay to call me Isa when no one is around," Isabella said shyly, averting her gaze."Then you can call me Erik," Erik said. He gently grabbed her hand and planted a kiss on its back. Isabella blushed even further. This made Erik smile. He loved the effect he was having on her."I think I am hungry now. I will be going inside to eat. How about you?" Isabella tried to change the topic."I have eaten my breakfast already. I will accompany you inside," Erik said with a smile."There is no need for that, I can eat fast," Isabella interjected."It's my job to stay beside you, Isabella," Erik said. Hearing him call her by her name made her heart thump even more. "And after you have finished your breakfast, we will start some le
History and maths lessons were interesting with Erik. He was a strict tutor just like he said, but she loved it. She wouldn't have it any other way. It was a good thing she had been learning with the crown prince; hence, she was able to keep up with Erik's lessons.Erik taught her a lot about the history of Wales and also about the history of Avalon. Wales was surrounded by two kingdoms: the Kingdom of Avalon in the far south and the Kingdom of Geneva in the far north. To the east of Wales lies the great Pacific Ocean 🌊 .Avalon was the biggest of the three kingdoms and also the most powerful. Due to its geographical location in the south, they have provinces that have summer weather for the whole year, which is favorable for cultivating certain crops.The other locations in Avalon are quite cold and are used for cultivating fruits that need cold weather. Avalon was very suitable for raising farm animals, and their geographical location contributed to their thriving economy.Geneva, o
Phillips emerged from the flowers behind them."Phil," Isabella greeted, imagining how much of their conversation he had heard."Hello, Princess Isabella," Phillips said, smiling at her. His smile was warm and fuzzy, unlike Erik's, which was as bright as the sun, lighting up her day."Why am I comparing Phil's and Erik's smiles? That's improper," Isabella scolded herself inwardly."One of your maids in the courtyard told me you would be here," Phil said, walking towards her."Please have a seat," Isabella offered Phil a seat. "I'm taking a break from my studies.""Oh, is that so? I hope I'm not disturbing you?" Phil asked apologetically."Of course not. You are free to join me if you wish. I will be having horseback riding lessons next," she said."Then I will accompany you?" Phil said."Of course," Isa smiled at him."Oh, look who we have here," a familiar voice came from behind them.When they looked back, it was none other than the second princess, Camila."Princess Camila," Isabel