Prairie Princess

” ”To strengthen the good relationship between Matre and Delunia, the Third Prince,Ktrez, has mourned his wife long enough and the Oxen Palace doesn have a lady. Therefore, Prince Ktrez will take Matres youngest Princess as his wife. ” Thats all. Accept the imperial decree, Your Highness. ”- The old eunuch said

”Yes, Your Majesty. ”- Ktrez said as he swayed his white inner robes from his knees in order to stand up and accept the decree from the wrinkly old eunuch.

”His Majesty said you should begin preparations to welcome your new bride. ”-

”Tell His Mejesty to be rest assured. ”-

The wrinkly eunuch and his underlings with a grin as they got satisfied with the Prince contempt.

Ktrez heartily left his study with the decree in his hand as soon as the eunuchs dispersed. He walked drenched in sorrow and his mind darker than the clouds that were being formed in the he sky. He arrived at room that was illuminated by candles, tidied up but was perfectly arranged with no essence of life in it. In the inner corners of the room was a huge painting of a beautiful woman with daisy in her hands. She wore a calm smile and a green dress that matched the colour of her eyes.

Ktrez touched the womans face with his eyes filled with agony.

”Olivia. ”- He sighed

Ktrez closed his eyes as the dark clouds earlier began to pour. The drizzling sound of the water took him through a nostalgia road back to that day.

”WAAH! WAAH! WAAH! ”- Ktrezs son Ash cried after being picked up from the muddy ground all drenched.

”Olivia! Olivia! Olivia! ”- Ktrez cried

”Your Highness! Her Highness has been found but… ”-

”But what?! Answer me!! ”- Ktrez yelled and grabbed the soldiers arm.

”Your Highness! ”- Another soldier shouted

Ktrez immediately let go of the soldier as he saw Olivias body floating on the pond.

”Olivia! ”- Ktrez yelled at the top if his voice and jumped straight into the water. He swam over to her in deep breaths and carried her in his arms but her body had already swollen, which was evident of her current state but Ktrez couldn seen it blinded by his desperation. He gently placed her on the muddy ground and performed CPR on her as they were covered by umbrellas by the guards and maids available.

”Olivia, nothing is going to happen to to you. ”- He said as he pressed her chest and blew air into her mouth.

”Call the doctor. ”- He continued performing CPR

”Olivia! ”- He cried but didn halt until the doctor arrived and he collected his son from the maids arms.

”Your Highness , Ash is too young for this cold and worst he ahd already been drenched before. Please lets take him inside. ”- Munlch, a maid, said

”I know but Olivia might wake up hearing his voice. ”- Ktrez cried desperately: Munlch kept as she was out of words.

”Yo…ur High..ness… ”- the doctor stammered

”Her Highness…is no more. ”- The doctor heavily said due to fear.

”Repeat your words and I shall have head!! ”- Ktrezs words immediately made the doctor timid and pale.

Ktrez placed Olivia on his laps and his hand on her wet hair.

”Wake up Olivia, Ash is crying. He needs his mom. ”- Ktrez said gently as he caressed her head

”WAAH! WAAH! WAAH! ”

”See he needs…. ”- Ktrez stopped as he noticed Little Ash wasn crying anymore.

”Little One, why aren you crying anymore. ”- Ktrez voice started to shake.

He immediately got up and took to his heels with the baby in his arms and everyone else followed him.

”BAM! ”- Ktrez kick open the door

”Increase all fire! ”- Ktrez yelled

He placed Little Ash on a table to be examined by the doctor. The doctor realised that he wasn breathing anymore and his body was so cold. The doctor immediately performed CPR on him with two fingers. Ktrez couldn bear the sight and turned his back on them. He tucked his hands together and prayed in his heart for his son.

”Waah! Waah!. ”- Little Ash weakly cried. Ktrez rushed to side after hearing his cry and held Little Ashs cold hands and kissed them. He later left Ash in the care of Munlch, the doctor and the other maids.

Ktrez went to Olivias room were she was laid on her bed. He knelt down beside her and kissed her hand.

”I swear, I will those who did this to you pay. ”- Ktrezs groned in a very thick voice

”Prince Ktrez! ”- Boris said. Boris one of Ktrezs most trusted Knight and friend.

”Highness, Vera is missing. Indeed she was Her Highness during the incident but I assure tour Highness, she has nothing to do with what happened. ”-

Ktrez gently placed Olivias hand on her stomach and walked towards Boris. Benets could feel intense pressure in every step Ktrez made towards him. Boris closed his eyes as the Prince rose his hand but Ktrez placed his hand on Boris shoulder.

”I dare not question the friendship between Olivia and Vera; they were like sisters. If shes missing, it means that she knows who is behind all this and why. She is either badly injured or dead. We should try our best to avenge our women. ”-

”Yes your Highness! ”- Boris yelled as he clenched his fists.

”Ktrez!! ”- Ktrez woke up from his memories by an impulsive barge into Olivias room.

”How dare you remarry?!- A young man said as he dragged his blade on the floor. The young man seemed quite identical to Olivias painting.

”Andrel, it is inappropriate for you to barge into residence like this. ”-

”You dare get married after killing Olivia and bewitching Maria? ”- Andrel kept Ktrezs neck by his sword.

Andrel and Olivia were the oldest children of House of Gagarin. The twins were polar opposite despite their appearance. Olivia being the older one, was always calm and reserved with an elusive strategic mind but Andrel was more of impulsive and aggressive but known for his sword manship and love for his family. Olivias death left him broken as Olivia was his closest family. Andrel was filled with so much anger but couldn find a person to vent on as the culprit was no where to he found and Ktrez couldn give the Gagarin a proper explanation. Andrel directed all his emotions on Ktrez especially when he found out that Maria, his younger sister is also in love with Ktrez.

”Lord Andrel, you should behave yourself. If others see us like this, you will be arrested for attempted murder of a royal and the entire House of Gagarin will be implicated. ”- Ktrez said as he tossed the sword from his neck with a finger.

”You Bastard! You can give Olivia justice, made my sister mad in your charm and dare claim another wife. Just wait. ”- Andrel said and stormed out.

”Dmitri! ”- Ktrez called

”Highness! ”- Dmitri reported.

A Prince has many knights and guards; Dmitri was Prince Ktrezs personal knight who was only nineteen years. Dmitri was popular among nobles not only because of his skills but also his good looks. Dmitri was exceptionally handsome with his beautiful long hair and eyes that showed nothing but grace. Dmitri unintentionally stole the noble ladies hearts which some noble men bitter towards him but Dmitri seemed uninterested in all those women. Everyone saw him as a celibate.

”Make arrangements to welcome Matres Princess as the lady of the House. No wedding shall be held. ”-

”Yes, Your Highness. ”-

***********************************

”Princess Aya! ”- Mimi, the Matres youngest Princess personal maid, called in distress

”I have already received the Khans edict. A tutor from Delunia will arrive in a months time to teach me and a few maids the language and culture of Delunia. ”- Princess Aya said calmly as she had already accepted her fate.

Princess Aya, the youngest Princess of Matre was the offspring of the Khan and a maid slave whose existence scorned by the Khatun, the Khans queen. Ayas mother was once the Khatuns maid which made her to hate Aya as she sees Aya as a symbol of her disgrace. Khatun made Aya and her mothers life miserable and eventually led her mother to her death. With her mother dead and the Khan always being busy, Aya was bullied by the Khatun every time. She was deprived of all her basic rights as a Princess but Ayas surivial instincts were strong. To survive till now, Ayas mind was very quick and sharp and her fighting skills were the same with her mind. She took Mimi as her maid because Mimi has medical skills and always treated her whn she was poisoned by the Khatun. Aya ws indeed a beauty especially her eyes, her eyes was a mirror to her life which was calm but had a daring gaze

”What of Commander Delger? ”- Mimi asked