One Night with the Prince (3 page)

Chapter four

Prince Zachias

“Arg!” My opponent yelled out as I hit him with my wooden sword. I was practicing my hand to hand battling technique. My opponent’s name was Lyle and he staggered back from my blow. He was one of our top knights here. I let out a chuckle as he smirked.

“Can you ever slow down for a moment?” He asked, getting his footing back. I flicked my hair out of my eyes, getting annoyed with it. I took my stance again, when I heard my father.

“That’s enough! Let’s see you take on your old man.” He did a booming laugh and I smiled at him. He had a graying beard with blue eyes, and a stocky build. But he was quick as a snake.

Everyone in the training yard stopped what they were doing and gathered around, excited. It wasn’t every day that The King wanted to train, let alone against me. The training yard was simple yet effective.

It was a large field with tools like wooden swords and real ones. We also had a shooting range, and other training things like a boxing and fighting ring. I just shook my head laughing at my father teasingly.

“You ready to go down old man?” I smirked at him. He put on his chest plate that went over his suit, transforming him from a modern King to an old fashioned styled warrior. My father liked the old style because it showed our family pride. And frankly so did I. I used to love dressing up in all the armor, like chest plates that had our family crest.

I also had on the old-fashioned leather vest underneath with comfortable brown leather pants. You may think it would be hard to move in, but it was actually comfortable. And was good for battle as weapons had a harder time penetrating our skin through the thick material. However if the weather were hot then we’d be sweating quite a bit.

After my father was properly dressed he stood in front of me with a good 15 feet between us. Demetrius handed me an actual sword since my father and I were both professionals at this.

“Are you ready son?” My father said seriously but you could see a playful glint in his eyes. I nodded, smirking to myself. Demetrius got up on the podium ready for this fight more than anyone.

“Alright! First one to the ground loses. Fight!” He shouts. I instantly go in defense mode as we circle each other trying to read the next move. He lunged at me, sending his sword flying right next to my face as I move just barely out of the way and circle him again.

“Good move old man, but I’m quicker!” I made my move towards him, and he hits my sword with his making that metal against metal sound. Our faces were close and he was smiling at me in a taunting way.

“What’s the matter son? Can’t take down your own father?” He teased. I smirked at him, and broke away, catching my footing.

“No, father, you will be going to the ground today, not I.” Without another notice we were clanging swords together as the battle grew more and more fierce. The sounds of our swords hitting each other were echoing all across the courtyard. The men around us were cheering, as the fight grew more intense with each blow we tried to inflict on one another.

Both of our breathing was labored, and we circled each other again. I thought he was going one way when he faked another. So he swooped in his arm, catching me on the back of my knees sending me to the ground. I looked up to see a sword in my face. I smiled up at him.

“Good job my boy! You lasted a lot longer than last time.” He chuckled helping me up. The crowd was cheering, and I dusted myself off, feeling sweat coat my face along with dirt from our scuffle. I smirked back at him.

“Well, I should hope so father. I was only fifteen at the time. Five years later I think I would have improved.” I joked. He patted me on the back taking off his plate, as was I. We sat under our white and blue striped tent getting water, gaining our breaths back. After a moment he spoke.

“So, son, the young ladies should be here soon.” He commented. I groaned.

“How long?” I muttered against my hands. He patted my shoulder causing me to look over at him.

“They should be here in 3 days. I know you don’t want to do this son, but it’s a family tradition to pick our wives this way. It’s how I met your mother.” He looked at me with a softer expression. I sighed and sat back.

“But all these woman are the same father! All they want is a title and money. How do I know who’s genuine, and who is not?” I asked. He took a sip of his water that the maid had brought.

“You could always do what I did?” He offered. I looked at him questioningly before he continued; “There are quite a few handsome young lads in this yard, many of which will be guarding an individual girl during their stay here. I suggest you have them make the moves to woo the one they’re watching over. The ones that fall for it clearly isn’t here for you, and the ones who don’t, you can give them your time.” I stared at him for a moment before smiling.

“Thank you father! That should help, although I still don’t want to do this. I know it’s for the best, but what if I don’t find someone like you found mother?” I asked concerned. I didn’t want to have 15 women trying to bide my attention and seek my title!

Yes I have been with women before, for fun of course, but this was serious, because by the end of this competition, not only would I have a new wife, but a new Queen for my future kingdom.

My father sensed my distress.

“Son. It will all work out for the best. You have a great heart, and I know you can tell who is genuine and who isn’t. Trust me, you’ll thank me for this. I was in your same position 22 years ago. I didn’t believe your grandfather, but look where I am now.” With that he got up and left me to my thoughts.

I rubbed my face trying to calm down over my impending doom. I wasn’t as what I’ve heard some people call-what was the word? A player. I’ve just never wanted a committed relationship before. I’ve liked not having such a commitment since my whole life was a commitment to the throne.

Of course there are those few who didn’t give up, and who fake pregnancies just to try and stay with me. My mother is pretty quick to sniff those ones out though. She would always frown upon my ‘habits’ with girls, but I do respect them. I just haven’t found one that I wanted a long-term relationship with.

And now I’m being thrown into a large group of young girls, where one of them will be my wife. Even if I don’t connect with any of them, I’d still have to pick one. It’s tradition. I sometimes wish I wasn’t first born. I wish Caidius were the first-born and then he’d have to do this. He has no idea how good he has it. I have to rule one day very soon, since I’ll be married by the end of this year. Demetrius walked up to me, slapping me on the back. He was my best mate in the castle.

“Zachias! That fight was amazing!” He smiled. I tried to smile back, but my thoughts were stuck on this coming up week. He noticed.

“What’s wrong Kia?” He asked, using the nickname he had given me since we were 5. His father worked with mine when my father was my age. I managed a small smile at the nickname.

“The girls are coming this week.” I sighed, looking out into the training yard. I was shaded by the tent as a light breeze drifted by. He sucked in a breath sharply then started exhaling slowly.

“Sorry. What can I do?” He asked. He knew how I felt about commitment. I admit I’m scared a little of it, but if I were to find ‘the one’ I guess it wouldn’t be so bad. I looked over at him, squinting one eye as the sun shown over his face.

“My father suggested that since you and fourteen other men from the palace will be guarding individual girls, that you and the other men try to woo the girls, to see if they fall for it and to see if they really are here for me, or for the title and money.” I looked at him hopefully. I gave him my big eyes.

“No! Not the eyes! Curse you man!” He cursed. He looked painfully at me then sighed.

“Yes alright. I’ll spread the plan to the other guards in the yard.” He looked defeated.

“But, I guess it won’t be bad if I and the other men get some action right?” He smirked. I laughed and nodded. He always lifted my mood, which wasn’t easy to do. I haven’t met anyone else who can lift my mood as quickly as him. He was truly like another brother to me.

Chapter five

Ann
a
　

Smash!

I smiled at my broken piggy bank. Poor McSquiggles, let’s have a moment of silence shall we?

……

Okay I’m done! I grabbed the money I had saved up since 8th grade and counted $342.23. Convert that into Bantaniomos currency, I would have the equivalency of 342.26 cents.
Wow, a whole 3 cents! I’ll be queen of that place
! I thought sarcastically.

My mom was happy for me and said it was a great way to spend my suspension without going insane. I think she was just happy to not have to deal with me when she got home. Danny and Missy were just sitting in my room doing nothing while I packed to leave.

My ticket came in yesterday and the flight was leaving today in just 4 hours. I guess they did a rush order on the ticket thing. It literally came the next day. I guess it has something to do with prices for tickets? So I guess today was the cheapest flight available for months.

“Man! It’s no fair you get to leave and go to some beautiful place out of the country for suspension! My mom would have grounded me for a month!” Danny whined. I laughed at him.

“Yeah, well that’s because my mom is awesome! And I keep my grades in near perfect condition.” I said in a posh way. Missy chuckled at me, throwing another shirt for me to pack.

“Promise me you’ll tell me all about the hot guys!” He whined again. I shook my head at him
.
　

“Fine!” I complied, laughing.

He was so boy crazy! More than me! And that was saying something. I was a major flirt, I did it without thinking most of the time, but I have been trying to hold back since a guy named Conner at my school tried to attack me after school hours. Yeah, he called me a tease for flirting with him, but not giving him anything. So he tried to attack me but I beat his face in.

I learned to take self-defense classes since I was 5. So, now I was a skilled fighter I guess you could say. I never used it unless I had to. My father, before he was a jerk, started me in those classes in the first place.

“Make sure you to take lots of pictures!” Missy smiled. I winked at her and made a show of myself putting the camera in my carry-on bag. I already said goodbye to my mom over the phone since she was still at work. I had to leave now.

“Okay you guys, I have to go.” I smiled sadly at them. They came up and hugged me as the taxi honked outside. Danny said he’d drive me but I declined, knowing that he hated doing long drives.

Once I was in the taxi I waved sadly at them through the window. I was excited but I wish they could come with me. The drive was silent because I wasn’t using my iPod until the airplane.

After an hour of driving we pulled up to the airport. I paid and said my thanks to the driver and grabbed my bags. It was relatively easy to get on the plane after a half hour of checking and bagging. It wasn’t very busy since it was the middle of the day and during a weekday.

I got coach unfortunately and was mortified that I was in between this sweaty old big dude who obviously had a vendetta with deodorant! And the other side of me was an elderly woman who didn’t know how not to talk! Once I squeezed between them a grimace made its way to my face, as I smelled the man next to me.

“How are you darling? I’m doing fine! Oh I can’t wait for this flight to be over! My stop is the connecting flight in Texas. Are you stopping there or going somewhere else? Oh! I’m seeing my grandchildren! There’s Lucy, Carrie, Mitch, Conrad, Chris,-” I blocked her out after that.

The man next to me kept looking lustfully at me while he was breathing hard, and his face was all sweaty. Ew, he was easily 45 or something! I ignored both by slipping on my iPod and waited for when I could finally get out of this sardine can from my worst nightmare.

Hours later the lady was now gone but now was replaced with another dude who wasn’t sweaty or big, but screamed pedophile! Any chance he got he was looking down my shirt, the sicko! I finally elbowed his ribs and he stopped.
Thank you!

Once the plane landed it was morning for them, but really it felt like it was night for me. Jet lag sucked! I breathed in the fresh salty air with a huge grin. I waved this odd looking taxi over and gave him the hotel name. I hope it’s nice. I bought a calling card so I could call my friends and mom once I get to the hotel.

When we get there my jaw dropped. Oh no, it wasn’t because it was super nice. No. It was horrible! It looked like a rat-infested place! And I’m terrified of rats! With a scowl I trudged up the crooked steps of this narrow building that had cracks everywhere and looked like it would crumble any second.

The radio dude made it sound so much nicer! I asked for my key and the lady at the counter looked bored beyond belief. I rolled my eyes and dragged my stuff up to the room. I really wish I hadn’t packed so much.

I looked around my room and I frowned. It was a dump and I was afraid to sit anywhere thinking I might catch something. Angry, I threw my bag on the bed and got the pleasure to see dust fly everywhere. I groaned and grabbed my phone and dialed Danny who I knew would still be up, after the fourth ring he picked up.

“Hello?” He asked. I sighed,

“Hey Danny boy.” I said. He squealed,

“Red! How was your flight? Are there any hot guys? How is your hotel room?!” He screamed. I lied cautiously down on the bed.

“Horrible, I haven’t got a chance to look around and it is equally as horrible!” I answered.

“Aww, I’m sorry Red what happened?” He asked. I explained everything. The sweaty big dude, the talkative grandma, and the old pedophile. Then explained the raunchy looking hotel room. By the time I was done he was laughing.

“It’s not funny Daniel.” I grumbled. He stopped after a moment.

“Sorry Red, but this will make an amazing story, and you know it.” He giggled. I rolled my eyes.

“Yeah, well I’ll let you go. Fill in Missy, and I’m going to stay up since it’s morning here and I want to beat this jet lag.” I said goodbye and hung up, not wanting to waste too much time.

I wanted to change so I put on some white denim shorts. They stopped mid-thigh so I didn’t feel too exposed, but enough for people to know I’m comfortable in my own skin. I paired it with an aqua tank top and slipped on some sandals, and pulled my hair up in a high ponytail, letting some fringe fall around my face. Perfect!

I locked my room, but took anything valuable. I didn’t want anything stolen! So that meant I took my iPod for sure! And my wallet, which included my money and passport, and other essentials.

I didn’t even say goodbye to the receptionist lady as she was too busy filing her nails. I walked around the streets and I felt better as everything had an older feel to it, and I loved it! I always loved classic things, and this place was full of it.

The pathways were made of cobblestone, and the streets were like grey bricks. The buildings around me looked like they were centuries old, but they had been kept up. The signs were in gibberish to me, as I couldn’t understand them.

How am I supposed to find cute clothes when I don’t know which shop is what!? I memorized where I was starting at as I walked so I knew I wouldn’t get lost. Women walked the streets in colorful clothes that looked soft to touch. Ooo! I had to take something like that home with me! I loved colors, and there were so many surrounding me.

The streets weren’t that busy as the sun was steadily rising. My tiredness was forgotten, as my eyes were wide with excitement. There was a street violinist on the corner up ahead of me, and he was playing such beautiful music that I wanted to cry.

I always wanted to learn how to play the violin. I already know how to play piano and classic guitar, as it wasn’t hard to learn with my memory. The man in front of me smiled. He was missing a few teeth, but seemed very sweet. He looked to be in his sixties and had white hair that was balding and a dark complexion. I gave him some money, and he thanked me. With a smile I kept walking.

“Maybe if I find a shop with girls in it, I’ll have a good place to start?” I mumble to myself.

I take pictures here and there, and the scenery is breathtaking! Palm trees lay everywhere, while every now and again if there is a spot between the buildings I could see the ocean down the hill, with clear blue water. I definitely have to go down there today!

It’s been a while since I’ve been walking but I just couldn’t stop! Everywhere was so delicate, yet you knew these streets and homes were well lived in. I felt like I was in a fairytale book’s village!

I saw a large group of girls across the street head into this small building. Yes! Maybe there are those clothes I wanted to get! I smiled happily and skipped my way over. I tried to peek inside but I was at the back so I couldn’t see well. Especially when you’re this short!

All the girls were giggling and sounded excited. They looked different though. Some had dark complexions, while others were tan or some like me were very white.
Hey! We can be vampires and scare people!
I thought excitedly.

We got in further and I heard the door shut behind me. I turned around to see a large burly man there in a suit. Okay?

“Attention!” said a man that had blonde hair but I couldn’t see his eyes as he was up front. But he looked cute, and fairly young, I’d say more or less 20. He spoke with a mix between an Australian and British accent. Yum. The room quieted as he spoke. I didn’t think this is a clothing store.

“My name is Demetrius! And as you ladies know…” No I don’t know! He continued while I was having a little mini freak out in my head. Something doesn’t feel right.

“We will need to put you under so as you not know the secret way to the castle. You will awaken in your individual rooms, and you will meet in the downstairs lobby for instructions and rules. Okay? We have your individual guards and now we just need to do a head count.” He smiled. I turned around to go back out the door, knowing now this place definitely is
not
a clothing store!

The big man at the door stopped me.

“Sorry miss. You must stay with the group like you’re assigned to.” He dismissed me. I started to panic inside.
No, no, no! I haven’t even gotten to see the ocean! My friends are going to kill me for getting abducted!
I shook my head at him.

“No! You don’t understand! I don’t want to be here!” I tried to reason with him, but he just stood there like I just didn’t talk to him. I was about to slap him when a hand stopped me. I turned around to see the Demetrius dude who spoke earlier.

“Looks like you’re the last one left, so you’ll be assigned to me.” I gave him a questioning panicked look, but he just pulled out a cloth and held it to my nose. I tried fighting him, but he held me still.

“Sorry love, but its protocol. You’ll be fine in the morning.” He said in my ear. My thoughts blurred and I couldn’t stand up anymore. I looked around to see the other girls passing out as well. Why weren’t they fighting this!? My eyes shut as I breathed in the sweet smelling aroma, and my last thought was…

Crap.