He sighed before a nod. “However, that’s not the only thing that I want for you to do.” I looked at him dead in the eyes, waiting for what else he expected me to do. Wasn’t he aware that he had already put so much weight on my shoulders? Did he really have to add more? Being his sole heir has already placed too much expectations on me. Adding more to what I should do would make it even harder. “I want you to take some time to enjoy the scenery and culture of Middle Earth,” James proceeded. “Aside from your royal duties, you deserve to reward yourself for all the hard work you’ll be doing.” I replied, “Your Majesty, in case you don’t know, I will be studying their culture because of my future bride. You don’t have to remind me of something I already know.” “There’s a difference in what I’m telling you to do,” he quickly answered. “Correct, you are to learn the culture for the sake of an alliance. But, you also have to know their culture by heart, as well as enjoy everything that it

As I said those words, I felt the tension between Queen Marta and I. Mother also turned to me in shock. “I understand that you don’t want us to meet until the formal announcement of our engagement,” I explained right away, “However, I do believe that, as her future husband and lord, I think it’s only appropriate that we meet each other now that I am here.” I continued, “Seeing that I’ll be spending a long time here in your kingdom, I want to have good relations with the princess. With your permission, of course.” A moment of silence came upon us. Mother suddenly clung onto the back of my coat. I kept my head down and my hands behind my back, not moving a muscle. Queen Marta sighed. “With all honesty, I find nothing wrong with your request,” she remarked. My head quickly shot up, delighted that she wasn’t angered by my sudden request. “You have a very good point, young Robert. I don’t mind if you want to meet my daughter now. If anything, your explanation makes a lot of sense,” she

Our third night at sea had arrived and we were on our way to the Island of Dangling Trees. As our guards and the crew patrolled outside on deck, I was in the captain’s cabin. For quite some time, I analysed the map for other possible routes in case we couldn’t get past this one. I also sent Mother back to her quarters, along with all of my guards to accompany her and her ladies. “I see that there are other routes beside the Island of Dangling Trees,” I started the conversation with the captain. The Island of Dangling Trees was a place where trees came to life when darkness took over the skies. If you were unlucky to be stuck on that island once night cloaked the world, you wouldn’t survive. The trees would float once the sun was awake. But they were immediately pulled back down to the ground when the moon took over. The island would then be submerged into saltwater. “There are other routes, Your Highness,” the captain stood beside me, looking at the map. He continued, “However, th

Without hesitation, the sailors knelt as well in submission. The captain and I looked at each other with a triumphant smile. With Mother, we turned around and faced the upcoming battlefield. We were nearing the blockade and the pirates had noticed our presence. They were all looking in our direction. They shouted and screamed as if they were rejoicing. They probably thought they were about to have another opportunity to loot. That was something that I would never allow to happen. All of a sudden, the pirates shot a red flare up to the sky. And we watched as the beautiful colour illuminated our dark surroundings. “It’s a sign, Your Highness,” the captain said as the flares hit the water. “They’ve seen us and they are prepared for anything.” I grabbed onto the handle of my sword. “Gentlemen!” I shouted without turning around. They stood in command, causing a loud thud on the wooden deck. “Stand ready! Don’t be afraid! Show them the strength of Western Wind!” Immediately, they all

As the bow of the ship reached the ports, every crew member scrambled to get everything and everyone off the vessel. James instructed Gonzalo to have an army wait for our arrival. The wooden ramp was finally lowered and Gonzalo boarded the ship along with the soldiers he gathered. When they arrived on deck, everyone was in disarray. Beaten pirates were tied up and assisted off the ship. Their dead was put to the side, awaiting assistance on what was to become of them. Others mourned for the loss of their fellow mates. As Gonzalo looked around in search of his monarchs, the door to the cabin finally opened. First to come out were Queen Amelia’s ladies. They wept as a group of crewmates helped them get off the ship. The next thing that was heard was grunts and shouting, demanding to be released. It was the pirate leader along with his men. Gonzalo stood before him, towering over his poor posture. The pirate leader smirked, unfazed by Gonzalo’s death stare. After a moment of tension