For Alex, it took all his will-power to forget about her. Why couldn’t he be happy with Annie? She was just as good as Isabelle and had the high status that would give him the reputation he needed. No. Isabelle could not be compared to anyone, especially a woman who gave herself away to every man like Annie.
At school she would always run off to the men’s dormitory to have some ‘fun.’ He also knew all about her whereabouts when he had business to attend to and
Rumor spread quickly among the maids. Still, the thought of Isabelle never left his mind.
“What are you thinking about?” Annie asked, looping her arm through Alex’s. She looked at him, expecting some sweet romantic answer but he was too tired to keep up his act.
“My father wanted to see me for more wedding preparations and I was getting a little weary,” Alex said instead, unable to find enough heart to tell her.
“Then hurry on your way. I do not want to keep your father waiting, especially if it is about our wedding arrangements,” Annie said hurriedly, wanting to let her fiancé go so she could meet up with Nicholas, one of the palace guards.
She was often lonely when she was away from Alex and had found a new little friend to play with-at least until the wedding, maybe longer. She did not care either way. As long as she was going to obtain Alex she could do whatever she liked until they married.
“I shall see you when I get back,” Alex said, kissing her on the forehead because he felt like that was part of his duty. Alex saw her smile smugly and without a doubt he knew she would go around the castle looking for someone to fulfill her desires.
Alex felt weird knowing what she was doing yet not confronting her or anyone. The wedding could be called off if he spoke of the matter with his father but he could not imagine what would happen to Annie. She would definitely be ridiculed and maybe even hanged depending on how the two kings took it. Without anything to do, he went back to the library, hoping to catch Isabelle.
He felt some sort of excitement emerge in him as he walked towards the direction of the library swiftly as his long legs could take him. He dreamt of taking her in his arms and treating her like a real lady; not as his bodyguard. When he pushed open the wooden double doors of the library, he saw Marge, the librarian, in her usual seat with a book in her hand.
“Welcome Prince Alexander. Coming back so soon?” she asked, looking up from her book. She lowered her spectacles and put her book down, giving Alex her full attention. “Do you need help finding a book?”
“No need, Marge. I am actually looking for Isabelle. Is she still here?” he asked with anticipation. Marge only gave him a sympathetic smile.
“My prince, she left with Prince Maliki shortly after you and Princess Annie had left,” Marge replied.
She looked at the prince worriedly. He looked too determined and she wondered if there was something she was missing. Last thing she heard, Prince Alexander and Isabelle were not on good terms, but then again she reminded herself, that was years ago. A lot must have changed so she shook her head, blaming her age for her mistake.
“Thank you Marge,” Alex nodded in polite respect for the elderly woman and made his exit with only thought in his head.
***
“Do you not have anything else to do?” Izzy asked, half annoyed and half curious, of why Prince Maliki wanted her company. She knew he did not get much attention from his father but he was handsome enough. He could pick any girl in the kingdom and make them swoon just by glancing at them.
“I told you I want to see you spar with that Timothy man,” Maliki said excitedly. He had always wanted to learn sword fighting but his father had sited insisted that he learn how to read and write.
“I doubt he would let you watch so do not get your hopes up when he rejects you,” Izzy laughed, walking happily down the trail towards the sparring courts where Timothy had instructed her to meet him. There was a mock tournament and Timothy wanted her to take a part in the challenge. Of course there was no way she could let the opportunity go. If she did well, it would show King John that she was ready for her duty, her job even if it was to protect the man she might have feelings for.
“You know, rejection hurts,” Maliki said so quietly that Izzy barely caught it. She suddenly felt guilty for mentioning rejection and nudged him a little with her elbow.
“Prince Maliki, I didn’t mean it in a hurtful way.” Maliki stayed quiet on purpose just to see if Izzy meant it. Izzy, overwhelmed with guilt, stepped in front of Maliki, blocking his path.
“Please. I really didn’t mean to offend you in any way.”
Maliki looked up to see if her pleas were true. Her green eyes looked sincere and at her words, he felt something inside of him stir. It was warm and comforting. Was this what it felt like to know that someone cared? Maliki had never known the feeling and it felt too foreign for him to know for sure.
“I accept your apology,” Maliki finally said and he saw Izzy’s eyes brightened a little. “And please do not call me by my title. It sounds too formal and weird, honestly.”
“I’m lower class. I’m only showing due respect to my superior,” Izzy said, looking curiously at Prince Maliki. He seemed so different from the nobles she had met throughout her life. They would scold her if she’d accidentally forgotten formalities or if she spoke out of turn, but it seemed like Prince Maliki did not care at all. What was wrong with him?
“Well, please do not. I wish to be acquaintances, seeing that we will be keeping each other company for the time being,” Maliki said, imagining being able to stay with Izzy.
“That is until the wedding and celebration is over. Then you will have to go back to your kingdom, won’t you?” She asked even though she knew the answer. Of course he would have to go back. His kingdom was entitled to Alex and Annie but Maliki would have to begin to learn some sort of political knowledge.
“For now, we should live in the present,” Maliki smiled softly. He was not ready to think about leaving. Although it was lonely when he was not with Izzy, he still liked the field outside his room. The small field of flowers made him feel at peace and the night sky accompanied him even if humans would not.
They entered the sparring courts with the sound of men and swords clashing. Maliki stood in awe, taking in the nasty sour smell of men and their body odor. He began to feel anticipation and wished dearly to be able to fight but he kept the thought to himself, knowing that he would only embarrass himself.
Maliki recognized one of the men as the one who was always with Izzy. He was her instructor and many times, her friend. He felt a sense of jealousy but he knew that this man was a good man. Timothy approached Maliki with his head deeply bowed down, showing respect that Maliki had not expected.
“It is a great pleasure to be gifted with your presence Prince Maliki,” Timothy said good-naturedly. Timothy observed the prince, never lifting his eyes off of him. It was a pity that his father neglected him for being the reason for his wife’s death. No one knew about it except the royal family but being the king’s right hand man was an advantage to access secret knowledge.
“As it is to be in yours Sir Timothy,” Maliki nodded politely. Timothy smiled in thanks and turned towards his men that were clustered around the field.
“Well then, shall we start?” Timothy asked loudly to his men. The men cheered, some drawing their swords and pumping it in the air, encouraging the battle to begin.
Maliki saw Izzy being pulled in with the younger men who seemed to all know her personally. He could see her back as she walked next to Timothy, their bodies brushing each other, feeling comfortable and familiar with each other. There was only a glimpse of her long hair bobbing up and down her small back as she walked and Maliki could only wish that she would someday give him a chance-to look at him and see potential. If there was any.
Maliki didn’t think of himself as anything special, except when he was with his sketch book. That was all he lived for but he had to keep it secret for it was a disgrace for a man to take up such a feminine hobby. Ever since he was young he would watch the other nobles sons’ go off and practice sword fighting, but his father’s neglect led him to his quiet sanctuary-the palace library.
There he had found a corner shut off from the whole world with only books consuming his world. After obtaining his sketchpad and charcoal pencils, he had sat there for hours, making most of his time drawing the scenery outside the window from where he sat. The corner became his refuge, his place of comfort. Over the years, the corner became his safe house, filled with his drawings that were pinned on the wall of the library. No one ever noticed or cared and that was exactly how Maliki liked it.
Thinking back to his old life at the castle, he felt relieved he wasn’t going back anytime soon. Sure, he missed his sketchbook that lay in his trunk back in the room and at at that moment of loneliness he needed it the most. It distracted him when he wanted to clear his mind, especially when all he could think about was Isabelle.
His eyes naturally drifted to her and he found her wearing her armor, something made especially for her. She carried a sword that looked too heavy for someone her body size to carry, but she didn’t look like she was in need of assistance as she swung it in circles easily before getting in position.
There was the sound of a big horn before Isabelle and her opponent began attacking. Isabelle stuck back for a few seconds, letting her opponent come to her. The inexperienced soldier took his chance and charged forward. All she had to do was step sharply to her right and disable the left-handed man by punching his elbow and striking a nerve.
Maliki looked intently at her, impressed and proud. All the other men patted her back and she nodded their way in thanks. She helped the fallen soldier up and they shook their hands, giving no indication of sour feelings for being beaten by a woman. Maliki realized she had already earned all their respect and was one of the men.
The contest began and continued in the same pattern-with Isabelle winning. Although she was beginning to show signs of tiredness, she continued to fight hard, not letting her energy be her downfall.