Chapter Text
“Im scared.” Kayla's nervous voice called from the front, “Are you guys scared? I mean ‘love’ is just like a scary thing.”
“Relax! Nobody is falling in love today,” Lee rolled his eyes.“But that's the point of all this isn’t it? Somebody has to get married,” Will responded, “I mean it's just preferred that strong emotions are established before setting things in stone but Dad is making sure one of us is wed before winter solstice.”
“Okay Mr. ‘Dad Said’, we know what's expected,” Michael playfully shoved Will's shoulder.
As the group of royal children made their way to the presence chamber, Will's heart began pounding harder. He knew they were only meeting the prince and princess of the Asphodel Kingdom, but Will was nervous at the thought that one day they'd be married into Will’s family.
“Where is Austin at?” Lee turned around right before the doors to the presence chamber.
“Still resting.” Kayla's eyes filled with worry, “He had another fit this morning. The servants laid him back down per the physician's orders.”
“Ah well there'll be plenty of time for the prince and princess to meet him,” Michael laid an arm over Kayla's shoulder, “let's hurry. We don't want to be late.”
Lee opened the left door and Will rushed over to open the other. Still comforting Kayla, Michael reached for her arm and looped it around his. Together all four walked into the chamber.
Their father already stood in the middle of the room, flanked by guards and backed by servants. At the main entrance more servants were gathering to open the doors.
Wills first thought was that the prince was breathtaking. He was short dark hair and darker eyes, he wore plain clothes, so plain it made the outfits Will and his sibling had chosen seem ostentatious. Will had to tear his gaze away from the prince to see two girls on either side of him. Will wasn't sure how one man's beauty could be so distracting it masked an extra person. Will assumed one girl was a maid or lady in waiting and the other was the princess, but after inspecting their clothing closer, both in pants and shirts tailored to perfection and made of the same material, perhaps they were both princesses. Though the taller of the two girls looked more like the prince, with a similar complexion, but not nearly as breathtaking. But Will knew better than to judge based on looks; after all, if he and his siblings weren’t the royals, no one in this palace would be able to guess they were all siblings on looks alone.
By the way Micheal and Lee both whipped their heads to where their father stood. Will assumed they were also surprised by the extra company
“Greetings!” If their father shared their surprise, he did a good job at not showing it, “These are my children. Michael and Lee are my eldest.”
As they were called, they stepped forward.
“ And this is Kayla. My only daughter.”
Sheepishly, Kayla stepped forward and bowed. When she rose, she looked at the prince, “Pleased to meet you.”
The prince stepped forward, ignoring Kayla’s introduction and looked directly at Will, “What about him? Is he not also a potential suitor?”
“And this is Will.”
“Why not introduce him before? He seems much more age appropriate for my sister than those two” The prince shot Michael and Lee a dirty look.
“Nico!” The girl with a darker complexion rushed to apologize, “Please your highness, ignore my brother's rudeness. It's been a long trip and he's less tolerable than usual.”
At that, Will's father chuckled.
“I’m Hazel,” The girl bowed, seeming more at ease after getting the king to smile, “This is my brother Nico. And this is our head knight, Reyna.”
Reyna, the taller girl, gave a soldier's bow as she was introduced. Nico, however, stood firm with a scowl on his face as he stared down Will’s brothers.
“I thought there were four princes?”
“Yes, my apologies, Prince Nico, my youngest son, Austin, could not make it to meet you here today. You’ll be able to meet him soon though.”
Nico didn't respond; instead, he leaned over to Reyna and whispered something to her. Reyna nodded in response and for whatever reason, this seemed to anger Nico. However beautiful he was, Will didn't like his attitude.
“Well, it was lovely to meet you all,” Nico's scowl betrayed the nature of his words, “But we are absolutely exhausted. Where will we be sleeping?”
Will's father beckoned for the servants behind him to lead them out the side entrance. “They will lead you to your rooms. Please let us know if there's anything you need. The servants will collect you for dinner.”
Without another word, Will's father turned to leave through the other side, Lee and Michael followed behind him silently. Will turned before realizing Kayla was walking in the opposite direction.
“Prince Nico! Before dinner, I like to take a walk through the garden grounds… Perhaps you'd join me today?”
“I’m busy today,” Without hesitating Nico declined and followed the servants to his room.
“Sorry,” Princess Hazel watched her brother walk away before turning back to Kayla and offering a smile, “I’d love to take a walk with you if you'll accept my company.”
“Oh yeah of course! I'll send someone to fetch you before dinner.” Kayla's smile didn't reach her eyes as she spoke.
“I’ll see you then.” With that, Hazel walked away.
This is going to be a long summer Will thought to himself.