I : Betrothal
Marriage, Aleksander thought, must occur between two people who held affection for each other. He loved the idea of two people coming together and sharing their lives with one another.
He often dreamed about his perfect life, and in his dreams, he was always married to the love of his life. He had never been in love before, but he was hopeful that one day he would find the perfect woman to share his life with. He believed that even as a royal prince, he would not be tied down by customs and traditions as old as his kingdom. But he knew it would inevitably come. The time his parents would call for him to the palace and tell him that he was to be betrothed to another royal. And not just any royal, but a woman he had never even met. He had been dreading this day for months, maybe even years. He had hoped that his parents would see how much he disliked the idea of an arranged marriage and let him choose his own bride, but it seemed that they were determined to see him wed. He loved his parents dearly, but he could not understand why they would want to see him married to a stranger for the sake of the country. He sank back into his chair and heaved a huff of discontent.
-Must I do it? He asked as his mother squeezed his hands in hers.
His father cleared his throat.
-Aleksander, it is imperative that you marry this season. The words were rough, but the tone was gentle.
The prince knew what was coming. His father, the king, had been clear in his expectations. It was time for him to marry and produce an heir to the throne. The prince had always known his duty to his kingdom, but he had never expected to have to marry so soon. He had always assumed he would have more time to find a wife that he could love. Now, he was being told he had to marry a woman he had never even met. It was an impossible situation. Surely, there must be some way out of this. But try as he might, he could not think of a single solution. He was caught between his duty to his kingdom and his own personal desires. It was a dilemma that he had never faced before and one for which he was not prepared. He paced back and forth across his chambers, hoping that the answer would come to him. But it did not. He had tried outright refusing the betrothal, but his father had counterattacked with the situation in the continent being dire. Prince Aleksander knew exactly about it. There had been no need for his father to explain the situation to him. He had been hearing about the unrest in the neighboring countries for months. He punched the table, sending a tea cup flying across the room.
- Ah!
It landed near a young maid who was standing nearby.
- Your highness please be careful. his aide’s voice came from behind him. What are you waiting for? he shouted back at the maid. Clean this up.
Aleksander spun around to glare at him. Sir Daren had auburn hair and green eyes. Most women in the palace found themselves attracted to him. His belonging to a count family made him all the more charming in their eyes. Surely, sir Daren would not have great difficulty in finding a wife to his taste.
- I am jealous of you.
Daren raised a brow.
- Pray tell, your highness, why is that?
- You do realize you will never find yourself in my predicament? Many women throw themselves at your person without even catching your regard.
- Of course your highness. However, I am no prince after all. I do not have the privilege of having my partner chosen for me.
Aleksander raised a brow. Sir Daren was sighing.
- You... He was startled, you envy me?
- Yes your highness he sighed again.
- Preposterous what privilege is there in having who you should spend the rest of your life with decided by others?
- Ahem. A moment your highness.
Aleksander snapped to attention, anger visibly drawn on his face. His butler was standing there, carefully holding a tray with a letter on it. Aleksandr snatched it and tossed it to Sir Darren who silently skimmed through its contents. It was clear the habit was decades old.
- What does it say? Aleksandr asked, already sitting at his desk, fingers lightly tapping the oak desk.
- Lord Arreine is asking your highness to come to visit him in Ember.
- Uncle? The prince raised a brow. Since when did uncle get back?
Aleksandr bit back a groan. His uncle was the lord of Ember a few years ago. After he left for Feor, the medical city, the title passed to his only son, EmmelinArreine. His uncle was feared by all for being a ruthless individual, on the battlefield as well as in every other aspect of his life. He had been Aleksandr’s sword tutor since youth and every time he came back from his travels, he would want to assess how much Aleksandr had grown in a duel. To this day, Aleksandr had lost to him more than he could count.
- Your highness.....
- I do not want another duel.
- I believe it is imperative that your highness goes this time.
Aleksandr glared at his aide. He of all people knew what happened whenever the old Lord took up his sword.
- He is telling me to come visit him so that he can release his frustrations on me in the guise of training the kingdom’s heir. I will not go.
- Even if Lord Emmelin is missing?
- What?
It was Darren’s turn to glare.
- The letter also mentions that the young lord is missing and that the city is falling to ruin. Lord Arreine is requesting his highness’s sand shadows.
The sand shadows. The crown prince’s personal organization of knights. He had created it with his own fund and power and his uncle had helped keep it a secret from his own family.
Aleksandr’s face was ashen.
- I received a report from Ember this morning in place of father. Who in the devil is governing the city if not Emmelin?
A dreadful silence swept the room and Aleksandr sighed. He didn’t like this one bit. He didn’t like the feeling of foreboding that crept up on him. Knowing Emmelin’s nature, it was quite unlikely for him to have simply vanished, abandoning one of the continent’s most important strongholds while his father was busily recuperating elsewhere.
- Fine. Aleksandr relented.
He would have to go. His cousin was missing and yet his uncle didn’t call for his father’s help but rather Aleksandr’s. Plus, he couldn't shake off the feeling that something had gone horribly wrong somewhere. He turned to Darren.
-Summon the shadows and prepare to depart. Let's travel by horse.
-Wouldn't your highness's carriage be safer ? his aide interjected.
-No. he replied. A carriage would only draw unnecessary attention. Uncle does not wish to alert father, yes? The shadows shall travel as their name suggests as always, let us use our horses, Darren.
-I see.
The butler coughed.
-May I suggest something your highness? There is one more individual you should include in this voyage.
One more? the prince asked, his eyebrow raised. Is it a person one can trust, butler?
The latter clasped his hands together with a grin, as if he had been waiting for this moment for a while now.
-Certainly your highness. He chirped, his grin growing larger and larger. This investigator is quite famous in the kingdom. She is capable of solving any case that finds its way to her.
-Are you talking Miss Leilan? Darren answered. I wasn't aware she had fans in the palace. Word of Miss Leilan's skill had traveled far and wide, reaching even the royal palace. Darren's surprise at the investigator's fame was not unfounded, as many people in the kingdom had heard of her remarkable ability to solve any case that came her way. Along with her deep hatred of nobles. It was a given since many deemed her unworthy of being in her position. Despite her social status, Miss Leilan was a talented investigator. Despite the odds stacked against her, Miss Leilan's success was undeniable. Her determination and drive had earned her the respect and admiration of those in the kingdom, even the royal palace. She was a shining example of what one could achieve no matter their social status. Miss Leilan's accomplishments proved that class and privilege were not necessary for success. Her success was a testament to her strength, courage, and hard work. Darren simply hoped she would accept this task.
