The Prince
A prince. Everybody loves a prince who’s charming and elegant, the royalty he has and the knight everyone sees. He saved the kingdom from dragons and from evil witches that ever entered. He was a success, the pride of the Nostars, the people who live in the Nostaris domain.
The neighboring kingdom, the Ozwana kingdom, lost its princess a year ago. Kidnapped away by a powerful witch. The sorcière witch. She took the princess the night when they held a party to celebrate the birth of the king. It was said that the witch wanted revenge but no one knows what. There was gossip that it had something to do with the Ozwana’s royal family as she took their daughter.
One day, the King of Ozwana visited the Nostaris for dinner. He looked worried but hopeful. The Queen of Ozwana was quite the opposite, seemed like she didn’t want to be there. You’d know just by looking at her face.
“I assume you remember that a witch took my daughter?” the king of Ozwana asked.
“Yes, I have, my dear friend. Is there something we can do to help you?” the king of Nostaris asked.
A moment of silence came. The Prince looked up from his plate only to meet the king of Ozwana looking at him. He raised his eyebrows to the neighboring king, confused.
“Your son might be able to help me get my daughter back,” he said making the prince choke on his food. Everyone stopped in shock at what he said then looked at the prince as he slowly tried to compose himself, also surprised.
“I have heard great things from you, my boy. The almighty prince who can save the whole kingdom from their misery.” The Ozawana king said.
“Your highness, with all due respect, I do not believe that I am capable enough to defeat the said witch-” the prince said, interrupted by the king of Ozwana.
“If you can save your kingdom that has plenty of citizens living in it, you can save one more. You have fought with the greatest witch and wizards, and slain dragons. This witch has not been seen for a long time, it could be that she has gotten weak.” the king of Ozwana said, determined and encouraging.
The prince thinks for a while. The neighboring king was right. He has been strong, the pride of their kingdom. He has been the city's savior, the mighty slayer of dragons, and the heir to the throne.
“You can’t become a prince if you don’t save a damsel in distress. A princess damsel.” The Ozwana king said making him open his mind.
“Of course, my king.” the prince looked at the king of Ozwana, “You have come to the right place. I am the fearsome prince who has saved and protected his kingdom and shall also save those in need.”
The prince stood up with pride. He was going to do this. He knew he could do it and will never regret meeting such a challenge.
“Son,” his father, the great king of Nostaris, spoke. “You are under no obligation to do this. Tell me what you wish and I shall give it to you.” His voice shook and his eyes widened.
The prince chuckled, “My king, my father. You have underestimated me.” he stood up high. “To become the pride of the kingdom, I wish to save the princess, alone.”
The king immediately stands and looked at him in disbelief.
“Alone?! My son, if you wish to go you are leaving with men. We cannot let you go without the protection you need.” His mother said firmly looking at her son.
“Protection? I am the savior of this kingdom, I have slayed more than four dragons and I have been a knight ever since and you believe I need protection?” The prince exclaimed, one hand on his sword.
“You are the heir of this kingdom. And the witch? You think you know her?!” the queen laughs loudly, “You’ll die just by looking at her!”
“Do not do this, son. This is too far from what is needed to be done-” the king said but interrupted.
“I know well who to kill. The witch will die and the princess will be saved.” his face was fuming red. He could feel the heat in his head.
“As the king, I order you to stay!” His father yelled. His eyebrows arched.
There was silence.
The prince looked down at his hands and clenched them.
“You will grant me this wish. You look too low of me,” he said before bravely facing the king of Ozwana. “King of Ozwana, I will save your daughter no matter what it takes.”
He left the dine with his parents calling out for him in which he did not look back.
“Your son, he’s the future.” The king of Ozwana said, taking a sip of his wine, smirking.
“What are you planning, Limel?” The king of Nostaris asked.
“What do you mean, Dioge?” He asked back.
“You can’t use my son as an offering to her,” Dioge said, walking towards him, stumping his feet echoing in the dining room.
“I need my daughter back,” he said standing up, face to face with Dioge.
“He will not be able to save her. He will die before anything even starts.” Dioge said with firm confidence in his tone.
“I will take the risk-” Limel turned around only to be held by Dioge.
“He is not your son to make a risk on!” Dioge said glaring at the neighboring king he was holding.
“You owe me a life, Dioge. Remember that.” That was all Limel had to say for Dioge to shut his mouth and let him go.
“In the morning, the prince will set his journey to a start.” and with that, Limel left.
