Prince Scot’s Meryln the Tarpan

Chapter 3

Meryln was in her studio practicing her swordsmanship and jumping skills. She cursed out loud holding her swollen ankle. She has missed the 3 meters landing mark for the tenth time now. Her Nana who was watching, each fall pulling her heart strings couldn’t take it anymore. “Meryln stop and tell your Nana what’s troubling you.”

Standing up, she limped to her Nana. There was no point in practicing today, there was no progress whatsoever. She was her own worse critique. Nana sat her down, took her ankle on her lap and gentle massaged the herbs on it. She kept them in handy because Meryln was prone to injuries, she has always been since she turned six and decided to master sword fighting skills. When she finally did, thanks to her father who was once the best swordsman in Willoville, she decided to add heights and all sorts of obstacles to her training.

“What’s troubling you precious?” she asked when she felt her relaxing.

“Royals Nana, they are obnoxious” She told her grandmother everything that happened in the academy. Nana was intrigued that Prince Scot actually made a decree for a tree instead of punishing her. “I am proud of you for standing up for yourself but you must always keep in mind that your school is in his kingdom and tread with caution because he has the right to punish you while in his kingdom.”

“Okay Nana” She knew how to handle the royals, her grandmother worried too much. Her mother was a princess after all.

“Meryln there is a royal mail for you” Duke shouted opening the scroll and reading loud.

“Dearest Lady Meryln. It would be a great honour if you would bless us with your presence tomorrow evening for a royal banquet hosted by Prince Luis of Avetmore.”

She stood up annoyed with her brother and snatched the scroll from him. “Privacy Duke, get that word in your thick skull” she reprimanded her brother who rolled his eyes ignoring her.

She exhaled, this could not have come at the worse time. Not only did she hate these events where she had to be all ladylike, the banquet was in Avetmore palace, Prince Scot’s palace. There will be too many royals there. All the princes and princesses from her school and other schools will definitely be there. She could not refuse though because she owed Prince Luis a debt.

At the royal banquet

Scot sat down with his eyes glued to the door. He was not a big fan of royal banquets, he found them too formal and almost superficial but hosting them now and then was what was expected of him. He had already opened the dance floor when he danced with Emily and since she got her thousand photographs, she will be socialising acting like a hostess and not worrying him for the rest of the night. The door swung open, he stood up. She was the only person daring enough to arrive this late at a royal banquet. His heart paced, he had never seen her on a gown, so elegant, so royal. Meryln was truly breathtaking. Stopping in his tract, his eyes darkened, what just happened?

“Lady Meryln, looking as beautiful as usual. What a great surprise” Luis beamed kissing her hand and bowing charmingly. His actions attracted a lot of attention. Luis was the most popular prince amongst women across all kingdoms. His looks and charms compared to none.

Meryln giggled at Luis dramatic expressions, ignoring the envious and hateful eyes around the hall. They would be really good friends if he was not royalty. “Prince Luis, somethings never change. Save that tone for your naive harem.”

“I am offended, he said placing his hand over his heart. Father Lorry says he has never met a saint like me before.”

She laughed, the idea of him being a saint was just too funny. “How much incentive did Father Lorry get before saying that?”

“I will tell you after our dance” he said extending his hand to her.

All eyes were now on Prince Luis and Meryln as they took over the dance floor. Their unique skilfully executed steps caught everyone’s attention.

Scot enviously watched Meryln dance and chat with his socialite brother. The two looked like they knew each other very well. How on earth did she know him? He was sure that she despised royals but why was her attitude so different with his brother? He left the banquet hall to take out his frustrations in his chambers. He didn’t even know her but seeing her with his brother like that made him resentful.

“I see you have been practicing” She was impressed, Luis moves were almost perfect.

“I have a great teacher” he said charmingly.

“Whom are we trying to get jealous this time?” There was always an agenda with Luis and it always involved women.

“Princess Isabella of Doremore.”

She laughed. “I honestly don’t know how you are able to fool all these women” She was still laughing when she saw Princess Isabella leave the hall. “Opps, there she goes. My guess is she’s already jealous” She said, leading him off the dance floor, relieved. Now that he will be preoccupied with Princess Isabella, she had honoured his invitation and can go back home. It’s a good thing her driver was waiting outside.

She was outside the banquet hall when she felt a hand close in around her face, strong sedating smell rushed into her nostrils. “We meet again Lady Meryln” the voice whispered in her ear as he pressed himself on her back unable to mask the lust in his voice. He watched her dance with Luis and patiently waited in the shadows. Her heart raced, she was suddenly so sleepy. She must fight, that was her only chance of survival. Using all her strength she swung her elbows backwards and felt them hit his ribs. He groaned with pain letting go, giving her the chance to stumble away. So drowsy, her legs letting go she held on the wall and stumbled forward until she felt a door knob. Turning it, she walked in, closed the door behind her and dropped on the floor. She couldn’t hold on any longer but could only pray and hope that whatever was inside was not worse than what she was running away from. Closing her eyes, she went into deep sleep.