The Girl in the Woods

Chapter 4

In the Northern Kingdom, in the Kingdom of Assimont; the Prince chamber is quiet. It is a huge room with a carpeted floor made of wool. The windows are adorned with red draperies made of linens that are dancing along with the light blow of the warm breeze from outside. The Prince's Settle was placed on a small raised platform around six inches from the floor. It is a long bench that can accommodate at least four people, but it is made only for the Prince. The Settle is carved with traditional patterns that tell about the Kingdom. It is upholstered with wool fabric for the Prince's comfort to sit. In front of it is a chest that serves also as a small table where the scrolls, books, and all his stuff were placed neatly. Side by side at the isle in front were his servants standing with their heads lowered as a curtsy to his Highness, waiting for his commands.

The Prince is sitting quietly with his head propping upon his right hand. He has been sitting there for almost three hours holding his inkbrush, but he hasn't written anything yet. His servants from time to time will lift their heads slightly with their questioning look as it is an unusual sight for them to see their Prince as quiet as the moment. He is known for being easygoing and bubbly, but this time is a lot different. He seems to be thinking deeply and sighing.

The door swung open and the knight came in. Nicholas Souci is the most trusted knight and a friend of Prince Darvyn.

“Your Highness, how may I serve you?” he asked after he kneeled on the carpeted floor opposite of the Prince, while hand rested on his chest. He has been summoned earlier by the Prince to come to his chamber. Prince Darvyn then lifted his head and looked at him instantly.

"Nicholaus, what do you think of her?" Nicholaus lifted his head abruptly as he was surprised by the Prince's question. His brows furrowed, wondering what the Prince was talking about.

He asked, “What do you mean, Your Highness?”

“The girl!”

“What about her?” Nicholaus smiled secretly. He didn't see the Prince being interested in anyone, especially women, but the girl they met at Lakeside Village seems to have captured his interest.

The Prince mouthed Nicholaus to ask the servants to vacate the room for them to have their privacy. The servants are reluctant to leave as the King told them to never leave the Prince's chamber, but they don't have any choice, they have to leave because it's the Prince's will. Nicholaus locked the chamber's door as soon as the servants left and went back in front of the Prince. They are like brothers. They grew up together since Nicholaus' father is the most trusted subject of the Kingdom by King Weston. Fabien Souci, Nicholaus' father, is the Chief Minister of the Kingdom. Since they are one of the noble families, Nicholaus was given a rank of a knight and assigned to be with the Prince. And since they grew up and have been friends since young, they easily get along together.

“I want to go back to that village,” Nicholaus stops midway when the Prince speaks. “I wanted to know more about that girl."

“But, Prince Darvyn, the King might be curious if he will find out about it?” Nicholaus said.

“He won't unless you tell him.” Prince Darvyn said while glaring at him. Nicholaus knows it is a warning from the Prince because once they are caught going to the periphery of the Northern Kingdom where it is closer to the Southern Kingdom. It is the Kings' decree to prohibit anyone to go to that secluded part of the Kingdom. No one is allowed to go there unless it is commanded by the King. Prince Darvyn was young when he got curious about the place and sneaked out with Nicholaus and called it an adventure. Before they could reach there, the King, Fabien Souci, and some of the knights on their horses came after chasing them. Nicholaus is afraid of punishment and decides that it was Prince Darvyn's idea to come. He is telling the truth, though, but he didn't escape the punishment. They both received the punishment of kneeling outside the King's palace, may it be raining or sunny until the King asked them to get up. King Weston wanted to show to all the subjects of the Kingdom that he didn't prejudice the law, that everyone is responsible and accountable for their mistakes.

Nicholaus acted to zip his mouth but chuckled when he remembered those days that they were young and always punished for being adventurous and doing silly things.

“Is there anything funny?” Prince Darvyn frowned.

“My apology, Your Highness. I just remembered something,” Nicholaus replied apologetically, bowing his head, and slyly grinning.

Prince Darvyn then invited him to sit and told him the reason why he summoned him. He is reluctant to agree with the Prince's plan but in the end, he agrees. The Prince wanted to go back to the Lakeside Village thinking that they might meet the girl again. Prince Darvyn is so much interested in her and touches his ego after she ruins her magical facade at that village. He wanted to know the girl. It is their first time to meet such a girl who didn't hesitate to challenge the Prince and what caught much of Darvyn's attention is the power that she possessed. She has extraordinary power and Prince Darvyn can feel that the girl has more hidden powers he cannot tell unless he sees it. She is so mysterious and she awakens the curiosity that made him decide to go back to the village.

“And she is pretty. What do you think, Your Highness?" Nicholaus was trying to tease his friend. If they're alone they will talk as friends, but in the eyes of everyone in the palace, Darvyn shows superiority.

“She is!” Darvyn's eyes widened and covered his mouth, but too late for him to realize that he agreed to his knight friend. He darted a fierce look towards him to cover up his embarrassment.

Prince Darvyn and Nicholaus had finalized their decision and sent a message to the King that they would be away for a week.

“What?!" King Weston was surprised when he opened the scroll to read his son's message. It is stated that he will be away for a week hunting in the woods. He was sitting quietly on his throne while reading some books of the law of the Kingdom when a servant handed him the message from the Prince.

“Algus, send this message to the Prince, now!" The King called the servant and handed him the scroll after writing his message quickly on it. The servant named Algus quickly gets the scroll and personally went to the Prince's chamber to send the message. King Weston was left massaging his temple. “When will he get serious about his responsibilities as a Prince?” he murmured.

“He is young and carefree, Your Majesty. Let him enjoy his youth." Fabien who is there said and heard the King's murmur. Fabien Souci is Nicholaus' father and aside from being the Chief Minister of the Kingdom, he is also a friend of King Weston.

“Chief Minister Souci, I understand, but he is twenty-five and still roaming around the Kingdom and not performing his duties,” King Weston said deliberately while taking a deep breath.

"You are wrong, Your Majesty!” King Weston's eyes widened, throwing a glare to the chief minister. Fabien Souci then apologized for being blunt, but he told the King about the Prince's activity while roaming around the Kingdom. The King was amazed at the information and felt proud of the Prince. He remembers his youth when he was with Fabien; they would happily join with the subjects of the Kingdom, even the lowest among everyone; the commoners. While making friends with them, he will also listen to their entreaties and complaints. He will also see the problems of each village that they will visit and his father who was the King at that time was so proud of him and told him that he will be a good ruler of the Kingdom because of his compassion and humility.

Moments later, the throne room door suddenly swung open and Prince Darvyn came rushing and kneeled in front of the throne.

“Father, I apologize for being this…….”

“Get up, My Prince! I am the one to apologize to judge you quickly,” the King said, cutting off his apology. Prince Darvyn slowly got up with brows knitted in surprise.

“Father?!” he tilted his head slightly, waiting for the King to say anything.

“Just go ahead, I know that you are doing your responsibility,” the King said. Prince Darvyn smiled widely, though he was wondering why the King suddenly changed his mind. The letter he sent to him was telling him not to go and summoned him to come. When he turned to look at the Chief Minister to ask, Fabien gestured to him that everything was fine. Prince Darvyn then understands that it's the Chief Minister who backs him up. He winked at him and gestured to his father that he needed to go.

He went back to his chamber followed by his servants. Nicholaus is still there waiting for him.

“We're going to leave tomorrow morning. You may go and rest now, Nicholaus,” Darvyn said. He passed in front of Nicholaus who bowed his head when he arrived from the King's chamber. He then heads to his chamber to prepare everything for their journey the next day with hopes that he will meet the girl again.