My Cursed Alpha Prince

CHAPTER 12

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As fate would have it, Diana’s introduction to her future husband was going to coincide with the Maian harvest festival, which was the second biggest celebration in all of Avarel.

The Maian harvest festival is a annual celebration held in the kingdom of Avarel to mark the end of the harvest season. It takes place on the first day of Maia, the fifth month of the Avarelian calendar. The festival is held in the capital city of Arvandor and is attended by people from all over the kingdom.

During the festival, the streets are filled with colorful decorations and people can be seen wearing traditional Avarelian dresses and flamboyant colours. There are also stalls set up selling a variety of food and drink, including freshly harvested fruits and vegetables.

One of the main events of the festival is the parade, which features floats and performers dressed in elaborate costumes. The parade is led by the Avarelian royal family, who ride in a carriage adorned with flowers and garlands. The parade winds its way through the city, ending at the main square where a large stage has been set up.

On the stage, there are a variety of performances, including traditional dance and music. There is also a competition for the best-looking and most delicious-tasting harvest-themed dish, which is judged by a panel of local food critics and chefs.

At the end of the day, the festival culminates in a grand firework display, which lights up the night sky and brings the celebration to a close. The Maian harvest festival is a beloved tradition in the kingdom of Avarel and is a time for people to come together and give thanks for the bountiful harvest.

But even thinking about it made Diana sick. She didn’t want to think about her upcoming nuptials, especially given the fact that she had just overhead someone plotting against her. Was there a conspiracy which was going on without her knowing? Could someone be plotting to kill her or the Xanian prince?

Diana paced back and forth in her chambers, her mind racing. She needed to think, and the only way to do that would be to leave this accursed place. She had to find a way to sneak out of the palace without being noticed.

She stopped in front of her vanity and looked at herself in the mirror. "Think, Diana," she muttered to herself. "There has to be a way."

She sat down on the edge of her bed and began going over all of the possible options. She could try to scale the walls, but that seemed too risky. She could try to sneak out through the kitchens, but the guards were always stationed there.

Just as she was about to give up, an idea struck her. The gardens! She could sneak out through the gardens and make her way to the gates. It wouldn't be easy, but it was worth a try. All she had to do was make sure she didn’t get caught.

Diana quickly gathered a few supplies and slipped out of her chambers, making sure to keep to the shadows. She made her way through the winding corridors and down to the gardens, her heart pounding in her chest.

As she walked, she kept her ears open for any sign of danger. When she finally reached the gates, she let out a sigh of relief. She had made it out undetected. A few guards were patrolling the palace walls, but thankfully none of them looked in her direction.

Diana knew that she couldn't stay out for long, but just a few hours of freedom was enough for now. She made her way into the city, reveling in the anonymity of the crowded streets. She was determined to make the most of her time outside the palace walls, and perhaps allow herself to think.

Already, people were starting to put up decorations for the harvest festival. Diana spent some time making her way through the streets, taking the sights and colours all in. She made her way deeper into the city, keeping to the busier streets but keeping out of sight. She enjoyed the fresh air, and the occasional scent of citrus as she made her way towards the market. Something about being outside made things so much better. She couldn’t believe that she had been cooped up in the palace all day, suffocating between those walls and listening to her own death being plotted. It was nice to get out and stretch her legs, and she was relieved that she had gotten away easily without anyone noticing.

Maybe she should go to her parents and tell them what she had heard. They would certainly believe her, and they would do whatever they can to help her. But she had no proof. Who would she even accuse? And even if she figured out who it was, she couldn’t prove anything. It was her word against theirs, and she suspected that people would be inclined to believe the other person over her.

Lost in thought, Diana didn’t know when she strolled into one of the dark alleyways on the outskirts of the market. She had someone wounded up in the third district, and it took her a while before she realised where she was.

But by then, it was too late. Three men were making their way towards her, moving stealthily through the shadows and whistling at her.

“Hello, pretty lady,” one of them said in the thick ruffian accent which was common to people from the fifth district. “What are you doing out here all alone?”

Diana turned around quickly and tried to flee, but then a large and burly man stepped in front of her and blocked her path.

“Leaving so soon?” he sneered. “We were just about to start having some fun.”

“As interesting as that sounds, I’m afraid that I must decline that offer,” she said. “I really should be getting back actually.”

“What’s the matter?” a skinny man behind her said with a slight chuckle. “We’re not good enough for you?”

“Just let me go,” she said, trying to push past them, but the skinny man grabbed her wrist and slammed her to the wall. Panic settled deep inside her, and her fear morphed into something physical, settling on her throat and preventing her from speaking.

“I don’t think so, young lady,” he chuckled. “We’ve been waiting for fresh meat to stroll into these neck of the woods, and the universe has delivered you to us. You’re not leaving here until we’ve had some fun.”

“Yeah, my c**k has been itching for someone like you,” the one behind him said. “I would love to f**k a highborn woman like you.”

The skinny man licked her cheek, and Diana cringed at that. On instinct, she positioned her knee directly under his pelvic region and drove her knee into his balls. He let out a yelp of pain and dropped to the ground, writhing in agony.

With him on the ground, Diana saw the opportunity she needed. She bolted to the right, and the men immediately came after her. She ran for her dear life, darting through the streets and weaving through several alleyways. But the men were hot on her tail, and soon they had her cornered at the backend of a dark street.

“You’re going to f*****g pay for that!” the man she had kicked said, pulling out a pocket knife. Diana was frozen in terror, as she had never been in a situation like this before. They had her cornered, and it looked like they seriously wanted to hurt her.

But then, as they made their way towards her slowly, something miraculous happened. A lone figure appeared behind them with his sword drawn, and a dark cloak over his head.

“Step away from the lady,” he said, causing all four men to freeze. They turned around slowly, and the man standing before them looked like a knight in shiny black clothes. Diana looked up at him, and all she could see was his eyes, which she could have sworn were somewhat glowing as she looked at him.

“Beat it, young man,” the fat man said to him.

“I’m not in the habit of repeating myself,” the man replied. “Let her go, and this won’t end very badly for all of you.”

The four men exchanged confused looks, and it soon became clear that they were not intimidated by him. But Diana couldn’t peel her eyes away from his sword, and how it seemed to be glowing as well.

“Have it your way then,” he said when the men refused to move.

Without hesitation, the man charged towards the attackers, his sword held high. The first attacker fell to the ground with a cry of pain as the sword sliced through his chest cleanly, and the other three turned to face the new threat.

Diana seized her chance and darted past them, putting as much distance between her and the men. She would have run away, but for some reason she found herself compelled to stay and watch.

The attackers snarled and turned back to the man, circling him as they advanced. But the man was a skilled swordsman, and he was not about to go down without a fight. He parried the blows of one attacker with his sword, the metal clanging against metal, and then lunged forward to strike at another.

The remaining two attackers hesitated, eyeing the man warily as they tried to decide their next move. But they had underestimated their opponent, and before they could act, the man had taken them both down with precise strikes of his sword.

Breathing heavily, the man stood over the prone figures, and Diana almost couldn’t breathe as she stared at him. He was magnificent, a sight to behold as he stood over his fallen enemies. She was frozen on the spot, and as he looked up at her, something snapped inside her. It was as if something had suddenly shifted into place, and the question which was lying in her heart was the identity of this man.

He didn’t move. He just stood there and slowly looked up at her, his sword dripping with blood.

“Thank you for saving me,” Diana said in a weak voice.

“It was my duty, m’lady,” he said. “Filth like this should not be allowed to roam the streets.”

“Who are you?” Diana asked, taking a small step towards him. “I don’t recognise the accent.”

“I’m a visitor, m’lady,” he said. “Just passing through.”

He was still in the shadows, and Diana couldn’t see him clearly. But those eyes! Something about them held her captive, pulling her in.

“Would you step into the light so I can thank you properly, kind sir?” she asked.

He hesitated at first, but then he slowly stepped forward and Diana gasped when she saw his face.

He was beyond handsome, a dark and mysterious look on his chiseled face. He had jet black hair that flowed down his back in soft waves. His eyes were dark and piercing, seeming to look right through you. He had a strong jawline and a chiseled face that could have been carved from marble. He was tall and muscular, with a commanding presence that made him seem larger than life. His long hair only added to his mysterious and alluring demeanor. Despite his rugged good looks, there was something dangerous and brooding about him, making it clear that he was not someone to be trifled with.

Diana couldn’t peel her eyes away from him. He was the most handsome man she had ever seen, and she couldn’t believe what she was seeing.

“T-thank you, kind sir,” she said. “I don’t know what I would have done without you.”

“It’s nothing, m’lady,” he said. “Anyone else would have done the same.”

“What is your name?” sha asked.

He hesitated for a bit, perhaps uncomfortable with the idea of giving out his name. But he succumbed at the end.

“Jurien,” he said. “My name is Jurien.”

“Diana,” she replied. “It’s a pleasure to meet you, Jurien.”

“Likewise,” he replied, before sheathing his sword and turning away from her. “Take care now. And don’t go wandering into any more dark alleys.”

He was gone before Diana could say anything else. And she stood there in the middle of the street, surrounded by dead men and wondering how she had just seen the most handsome man in the world.

Whoever he was, she hoped to meet him again. Because that wasn’t the sort of man you forgot easily.

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