PROLOUGE
The air was fresh, the sun’s rays tried to force themselves onto Callahan only to be blocked by the canopy above him.
He enjoyed these kinds of walks. It was a way to forget about his princely duty’s and have a bit of space, even if it was only for a moment. Callahan knew he had to be back by sundown, at least that’s what his father had told him.
He often let his mind wander during these walks, sometimes thinking about the future.
Callahan found it unbelievable that he would be a king one day, and maybe even rule alongside a queen. There was only one girl he was particularly close with, Ethari. She was a very polite girl with a kind heart, but he never had any other feelings for her.
Why? She was pretty, smart, and caring. She was everything Callahan has ever dreamed of! Yet he felt nothing towards her. Strange.
Even his father would speak of him and Ethari possibly ruling together in the future.
When Callahan thought about it, he didn’t want a queen at all. But he still didn’t want to be alone, he still adored the idea of having someone there with him. Callahan had been feeling this way for a while, but never thought of it more as something he would grow out of.
He looked down at the gravel path below him, eyeing his boots that barely fit him and his white tucked in blouse.
Callahans eyes trailed to a bush filled with colorful, bright peonies.
It reminded him of his garden back at the castle. He tried to fill it with as much color and light as possible, growing as many flowers as he could.
Especially peonies since they were his favorite.
He stepped closer to the flowers, admiring their beauty.
The sounds of the surrounding forest completely drowned out his recent thoughts.
Suddenly, he was interrupted by a glimpse of something out of the corner of his eye. Something just ahead of the peony bush, past a few other shrubs. His muscles tensed and the young prince froze.
Why am I so tense? It was probably a bird or a squirrel. Not everything is going to be a threat. He scolded himself.
But even so, curiosity got the best of him.
Callahan stepped past the flowers he so loved and pushed aside other bushes where he was met with not a bird nor a squirrel. But a boy. He seemed to be around Callahans age and sat on the dewy grass reading a book. He had dirty blonde hair and beautiful gray eyes. The boy wore a similar blouse to Callahan’s, except it wasn’t tucked in.
He didn’t want to disturb the boy, but again, his impulsiveness took over and he decided to speak up.
“Um, hi!” The boy turned his head, his misty eyes locking with Callahans.
“Hi,” he closed his book and set it in his lap. Smiling politely. “Sorry, I didn’t mean to interrupt you,” Callahan apologized, immediately regretting saying anything in the first place. Why does he let himself do these things? “No, no you weren’t interrupting me at all, it’s actually kind of boring out here alone so if anything I’m glad.”
Callahan felt relief wash over him. “I’m Callahan,”
Callahan stepped closer to the boy, sitting next to him. “I’m Charlie,” Then there was that smile, that smile Callahan couldn’t help but admire, and those eyes he couldn’t help but get lost in.
Suddenly, he caught himself staring.
“Oh! Sorry, I didn’t- I mean- I guess I just spaced out, I’m sorry.”
Charlie just laughed.
“Hey, I’m not mad, it’s not everyday you get to be in the presence of beauty itself,” he said sarcastically.
They both laughed. Callahan thought they were getting along well. He didn’t have many friends outside of the castle, not to mention he wasn’t the best at socializing. He would often find himself spaced out or over apologizing for something.
This was like a fresh new start for him.
Charlie was smart, kind, and not to mention funny.
He and Charlie got quiet close, even if they were only talking for a few minutes.
Callahan had only just noticed the sun setting. “Sorry I have to go, my dad is waiting for me, but maybe I’ll see you around?” Callahan stood up, starting his way back through the shrubs.
“Yeah, sure,” Charlie nodded. Callahan smiled as he pushed his way through the bushes, taking one last look at the peony’s and started his way back towards the castle, which was just barely in view.
The castle doors towered over Callahan as he pushed them open.
He was immediately greeted with stairs that split into two parts a ways across the room from him, and banners with the kingdoms symbol on them.
“Where were you?” Callahan looked at his father, King Runaan.
He was dressed in his usual royal satire with a dark cloake.
Runaan narrowed his eyes, waiting for an answer.
“I know I was late again, but I met someone, and he’s really cool!” Runaan raised an eyebrow. “And what’s his name,” he asked, only partly paying attention now.
“His name is Charlie.” Runaan stared at Callahan with cold eyes. “What was his name?” He asked again sternly.
Callahan felt a wave of fear wash over him, had he done something wrong?
“Uh, Charlie,” he said hesitantly. “Prince Charlie?” Runaan asked him in a deep dead voice. “Well he didn’t say anything about him being a prince but I met him at the border of Merania and Xenaria.”
His father shook his head. “Son, that was prince Charlie of Xenaria. You know we don’t associate ourselves with the other kingdoms unless it’s in a business manner.”
Callahan thought back on his interaction with Charlie. Prince? Of Xenaria? Why didn’t he mention that? To be fair, I didn’t mention it either…
“Well I didn’t know!” Callahan yelled out in frustration. “I know, but just be careful, they are cruel people Callahan. All their king wants to do is steal, I’m sure Charlie is no different from his father.” Runaan made his way up the stairs into the west wing of the castle. Callahan still stood in front of the doors. Thinking. Charlie didn’t seem selfish or cruel. They can’t all be narrcistic thieves. Right?
