Prince Quan
The pounding of little feet running down the hallway can only mean one thing.
“Prince Quan the royal mother is requesting your presence in the throne room”
The message was delivered by Yuna, my mother’s handmaiden and royal spy.
“Why the throne room,Yuna?”
Yuna stood at least a foot or so shorter than me but what she lacked in height she has in overabundance in the rear.
“I do not know my Prince.”
“Yuna, your feign of ignorance does not become you.” I stood there staring daggers at the woman.
“The word “Marriage’ has been said several times, my prince,” she whispered.
I knew it. I do not want to see my mother without a name. I will just have to stall.
I proceed to go to the throne room with Yuna on my heels. It was very odd that she was not talking or at the very least trying to get some royal gossip out of me.
This does not bode well. Where is my godmother?
Eugene
I was never asked if I wanted to be the prince’s concierge. It was implied from birth that that’s what I would be.
It dates back to the time of my great, great-grandfather. He had made an oath to the now dead king that his descendants will be at their beck and call. To serve them in whatever capacity that is called for.
If they would have known the crap their grandson would endure, I am pretty sure they would have put in some stipulations.
Like, he will never step foot in the dark side of the Moor’s or he will never go out and just pick an unsuspecting maiden to be deflowered and denounced in civilized society.
This should not be my life but since I am the oldest, I have to suffer as my younger brother Otis goes about and tours other kingdoms, to find his calling.
What a load of toad excrement. He wants to get that sorry excuse of his manhood of his in as many females, well maybe males not sure with him really; as he can.
The trek over the little town’s bridge was not that far. It took a matter of a few hours when I heard a woman singing in a strange tongue.
I signaled my horse to Trollop so I could find who was singing. Not far off it looked like a house helper hanging out the linen.
The voice was lovely but I have yet to see the face.
The white sheet was raised by the wind and I could see a woman that would take any man’s breath away.
Her honey brown hair was tied up in a bun with cascading tendrils framing her face. Her dress was fitting and the woman’s physique was lovely. Emphasizing her the ample–
“Excuse me sir. Are you going to stay there and stare at me? That is impolite.”
She startled me from my perusal. “I am so sorry Miss–”
“I do not give my name out to gentlemen that easily. Who might you be?”
This is the first time I am happy to be in the employment of the crown.
“My name is Eugene Earlington. I am the (esquire) of Prince Quan.”
“Prince Quan is quite well known in the provinces. Why are you not with him?” She asked genuinely curious.
“I have been sent out to find a maiden who will be the next princess.”
She looked over her shoulder remembering what Noella had told her father and to tell you the truth she had her own plans, and she was in the way.
“I may have the perfect maiden for Prince Quan if you wouldn’t mind to go to the lord’s home that is up the road.”
“What is the maiden’s name.?”
“Noella of Warshaw”
I nodded to her and went off the house she directed all the while keeping the outspoken housemaid in mind.
Noella
She said to go to the falls and sit on the stone. To get to the stone was asking for injury to my person. I did as Stephania instructed and managed to get to that stone. Once I managed to sit on the stone I felt an odd stirring.
It was a strange pressure and warmth that was focused on my lower region. The feeling was not unpleasant, but I had nothing to compare it to.
“Noella” I heard someone calling my name in the distance, but I could not bring myself to rise since the pressure was increasing by the moment.
“Noella, I am sorry to interrupt but if you want your chance to marry a prince you must come now,” Sephania said breathless
I rose in frustration. I wanted to feel what this stone was going to do. I looked at it and it was not a stone at all.
“Stephania, what was I sitting on?”
“Let’s just say it would have relieved what is ailing you in your privates.”
I felt my face turn a beet red before I climbed out of the water.
“Do not look innocent as a newborn babe. You have been observing me with my callers for a while so you must know what the culmination of that need is. Enough with this. We do not want your father to ruin your chances.”
I hurried to put myself together with her help and we ran most of the way back to the house.
We stopped to catch our breaths before entering the house.
“Ah, Noella my dear. This is Eugene Earlington the esquire to Prince Quan. It seems that your wish may have come true. The prince is looking to be wed.”
My heart Studdard in my chest. I will be a princess like my cousin Cindy.
“Are you willing to be courted by the prince? He is a few years your senior, I know how you do not like them in their advanced years.” Her father said with a smirk.
The prince’s man looked confused at the statement, and I stared daggers at my father.
“Father, I will be fine. My lord, please let prince Quan know I welcome him as a suitor.”
“We will expect you at the castle in two days.”
Remembering my manners I curtseyed to him before he left.
Prince Quan
Mother was sitting in her lounge near the window. I never understood why she wanted that in the throne room but Father always indulged her.
“Quan, come closer.”
I walked over waiting for the tongue-lashing and the chastisement of my lack of prospects to marry.
“Before you start mother. There is someone I have in mind and she will arrive at the kingdom soon to meet you and father.”
My mother went from a lounge to bolting upright.
“Quan I did not call you here for that but that is good news son. Is it someone I know?”
I was not prepared for that but I can change the topic.
“You were not calling me here to go at me about being single?”
“No, I called you here to tell you that your father and I have decided to take a trip away. We want to rekindle that spark we once had, but since you have a marriage prospect, I can postpone the trip.”
“No, no mother. You and Father have been running this kingdom day after day. You should go and rekindle the old flame.”
“Quan, your father will be leaving you in charge of the kingdom. Not your esquire. There are things you will have to do that you will not like but it is your duty to carry them out. If you think we have not put in place informants think again. Your father fought too hard to get this kingdom and you will not lose it. You understand me?”
I nodded.
“I will want to meet the woman before we leave.”
“When will that be?”
“Soon. Now go prepare for her arrival and I hope you have gotten those other little demon traits of yours under control.”
I did not give her an answer, instead I kissed her on the cheek and proceeded to leave.
She catches me one time in a precarious position with two other people and it is termed demon traits.
It makes me wonder how I was ever created.
(As Prince Quan and Noella life slowly unfolds, a fissure in the mountains appears. What does that mean?)