My first story to show to you. It’s not finished, but I’d like for you to tell me if it interests you.
Chapter I
“Are you sure you do not request any more?”
“No, peasant. I beg for you to leave me.”
The servant bowed to the harsh prince and left the room.
Prince Austin sat down again and placed his baklava pastries on his bedside table. When Princess Dawn arrives this evening, I shall retrieve the pastries for her, Conner thought. He was cold, mean, and easily made upset. His brother, although, was different. Prince Conner was polite to everyone, even servants, calm, and spoke enough to be known as a Prince of Straux Kingdom.
A knock on Austin’s door interrupted his thoughts. “What?”
“Please come down, for Princess Dawn has arrived.”
“I’m coming!” Austin said a bit too annoyingly.
“Please, Queen Imani said not to argue. Prince Conner is already there!” said the servant.
“Do not speak to me! Realize your place in this kingdom! Filthy little peasant. Lead me to her!” Austin said coldly.
“Yes, Your Highness!” the servant nodded quickly and glided down the stairs of the castle.
* * *
“It is a pleasure to meet you, Prince Austin.” Princess Dawn bowed.
“As it is to you. This is my mother, Queen Imani. She prefers to be called Mil. Queen Mil. This is my brother. Prince Conner. We are same age, born a few days apart. I was born after. We are not twins.” Austin bowed back.
Dawn simply nodded. She did not smile. She did not show any emotion besides blankness. A raccoon, small for one, for that matter, sad on Dawn’s shoulder. She often gave it a pet and then left it still.
“Would you like to go for a walk in the castle?” Austin asked politely. He felt awkward, seeing as he had never been polite before. Not even to his own mother.
“Oh, no. I am gracious for the offer. May I stroll in the forest myself? Alone?” Dawn asked and stroked the raccoon once more.
“Um…” Austin looked to his mother.
“Oh, of course dear.” Mil nodded and smiled warmly. She caressed the soon-to-be-daughter-in-law.
“Such a pleasure to meet you all.” Dawn bowed quickly and left.
Conner seemed interested. “Mother, may I go check on the rodent pen?” The castle’s “rodent pen” was closest animal shelter to the forest, and the path was right along with it.
“Perhaps…yes I believe so.” the queen nodded and plastered another smile on her face. Imani was in pain everyday. She barely left the stables unless she had urgent duties. The queen was known for her love of horses, and of plenty other animals for that. Mil said the stables calmed her nerves, and made her relaxed.
“Thank you, Mother. I haven’t seen Ruby all day.” Conner smiled. He hurried out. Ruby was a ferret that had been Conner’s friend since as long as anyone could remember.
“I shall see you soon at dinner, Brother.” Austin said curtly. He practically spat at his own brother, who was taller, more skilled, and older. Some say wiser and kinder.
“Yes.” and with that single word of displeasure, Conner left the castle.
Chapter II
When Prince Conner arrived at the rodent pen, he saw Ruby pounding right for him. Ruby jumped on Conner and nipped happily.
“Ah, Ruby. A pleasure to see you!” Conner laughed. He placed the ferret on his shoulder when he heard the footsteps of Princess Dawn.
Dawn stopped abruptly when she realized Conner was there, hearing her coaxing her raccoon to speak up. “Crimson, I beg of you to speak to me. What did you think of—Prince Conner!” Dawn’s anxious face went cold and red.
“Oh, hello Princess.” Conner stood. Ruby sat upon Conner’s shoulder, very still.
“I was on my way to the forest as I believe you know! Did you follow me, or merely want to visit these…pets of yours.” Dawn said “pets” as if she were saying “idiot” or “scum.”
“Not pets. Never pets. The animals choose you. This here is Ruby. A ferret, as I believe you would know.” the eighteen-year-old patted the ferret and took her in his arms.
“Ah.” Conner noticed Dawn’s face was a bit less cold. “Well I shall be on my way.”
“I shall come. You would never want to get lost in the woods. My father died there.” Conner said quickly, for he was intrigued by the mysterious ways of Dawn.
“I do not need help! I am perfectly capable doing things myself. Off to you!” and Dawn walked into the forest with raccoon on her shoulder.
Conner ran after her.
“I do not take commands from someone who does not belong to this kingdom, but of a kingdom farther away.”
“True.” was all Dawn said, and she was still walking.
“Well, my truth is that I am interested in you. Perhaps my brother is not.”
“That’s nice.” Dawn did not slow.
“What is your raccoon’s name?” Conner caught up to her. He did not reach out to pet it, but looked at it.
“Crimson. Little Crimson is his full and proper name, but he prefers to be called Crimson. And your little pet?” Ruby asked, showing much disdain.
“Once again I tell you, I do not have pets, the animals choose. This ferret is named Ruby. People who call it ‘that ferret’ will ever be unappreciated.” Conner explained calmly.
“I see. Do you mind?” Dawn reached a hand close to the ferret’s head.
“Eh…” Conner hesitated, but soon nodded.
“I understand how protective you are of this—I mean Ruby.” Dawn said. Her face was still cold otherwise showing no emotion. Crimson twittered when Dawn touched Ruby’s head. She pet.
like it?
mwas,
Bo
