Chapter 1: The Beginning

Zendra sat in the garden and studied for her up-coming exam. She looks up and saw Amaris and Lucas still playing chess. Henry on the other hand, was looking at them playing. ‘Checkmate!’ Amaris shouted as he won. Lucas look at the chess piece that Amaris moved and said ‘Oh wow, didn’t see that coming.’ Henry laughed at Lucas and said ‘Hahaha! Lulu you are so dumb!’ Lucas looked at Henry angrily and told him ’Stop calling me Lulu! And also if you think is easy to win him then come challenge him!’ Henry gave a smile and calmed Lucas down. Amaris stood up and starting showing off ‘You all will never beat me in chess! Hahaha!’ ‘Well accept for Zendra.’ Lucas added. Amaris gave Lucas an angry face and looked at Zendra. Amaris then gazed on her beautiful white blue hair and her face so pale white.

Zendra heard her name being called out so she curiously looked at them. Zendra and Amaris’s eye met. They looked away and turn red. Lucas laughed secretly behind however Henry don’t understand what is going on. Amaris turn to Lucas and shouted ‘Shut up Lucas! I’m going to win her soon’ ‘Its best if you can study now. Our exam is coming soon. It’s the up-coming exam to determine your high school remember?’ Zendra said in a calm voice after calming herself down. Amaris still a bit shy looks at Zendra in a serious face. ‘It doesn’t matter, I mean I’m not going to high school anyway.’ ‘How are you so sure about that?’ Zendra replied. Amaris turned black and continue saying ‘I’m going to be home schooled starting next year. Father wanted me to be prepared to be the next knig.’ Lucas looked at Amaris and turned around. That face of Amaris shows that he is in pain. Zendra stood up and walked to Amaris. Amaris looked at her and cried softly. Zendra hugged Amaris. Lucas stand up and hugged together. Henry was shock and stood there weirdly.

Suddenly, Ameris came to the garden. He saw them hugging and went up to them. ‘Uhh, brother?’ He said. Amaris pushed Zendra and Lucas away. He sit down on the floor and looked at Ameris. He is jealous by how lucky it is for him to be just a prince and nothing else. ‘Yes, little brother?’ Amaris said with a smile on his face. Ameris looked at him and started to worry. Amaris’s eye is pale and black. His face is red and wrinkled because of the crying just now. ‘Brother, are you okay?’ he asked. ‘Of course! What can I not be okay about? Hahaha!’ Amaris replied. The smile of his are as cold as ice. Ameris can’t take it anymore. He wanted to shout but the guards are here watching them. Amaris looked at Ameris and understood him. ‘Guards! Stay away from the garden for now.’ He said. Ameris looked at Amaris in shock. ‘Prince Amaris, the king ordered us to stay beside you in order to keep you company and also to keep your safety.’ said one of the guard. Amaris looked at the guards and said ‘More like watching me as a prison and don’t lose sight of me.’ The guards got frightened by Amaris’s look but still refuse to get out. Amaris become even more angry and said in a very calm but scary tone ‘Get out or else.’ The guards looked at him and got scared. They cannot refuse the prince’s order. So they ran out of the garden.

Amaris looked at Zendra in fear that she will get scared but Zendra looked happy and said ‘Don’t get too worked out, Maris.’ ‘Maris?’ Amaris answered weirdly. ‘A short name for bestie! Hehehe.’ Zendra replied. Henry jumped in saying ‘Oh, like me and Lulu!’ ‘Stop calling me Lulu!’ Lucas shouted. Everyone looked at each other and went silent for a few second. After that, they burst out laughing. Amaris looked at Zendra and said softly to her ear ‘Zen, I like you!’ ‘Zen…. What a boyish name!’ Zendra said while turning red. Amaris continue looking at her and hugged her. Zendra hugged him back happily. Lucas and Henry looked at each other. They turned around at Amaris and Zendra. ‘Stop! Don’t lovey dovey in front of us.’ said Lucas. Amaris gave a look and let go of Zendra.

Ameris stood beside them the whole time. He is jealous that his brother can have so much fun without him. Amaris looked at Ameris. ‘Ameris, What were you going to say just now?’ said Amaris. Ameris shake his head and said ‘Nothing brother, I’m just wondering if you are okay.’ ‘Thank you for worrying Ameris.’ Said Amaris. Ameris looked at Amaris and suddenly remembered something. ‘Oh, Lord brother! Father is back…’Ameris said formally. Amaris gave him a look and look at everyone else. Zendra sat back her seat and continue reading. Lucas and Henry pretend to continue playing chess. While Amaris borrowed the book that Ameris was holding and sat down to read. Ameris went to watch the chess play silently.

After a few minutes, the guards came back in. Follow along is the King of Amaris, King Adren. Everyone in the garden stand up and bow formally. Amaris looked at him seriously. ‘Father, welcome back.’ Said Amaris in a serious tone. ‘Hello, father.’ Said Ameris. King Adren looked at Amaris and Ameris then to the others. ‘Continue what you were doing everyone.’ Said Adren in a serious tone. Everyone quickly sit down and continue what they left off.

Amaris and Ameris looked at King Adren silently. ‘Ameris, go do your thing. Amaris come here.’ Said King Adren. Ameris bowed and sat down beside Lucas. Amaris went up to King Adren, he stand still in front of him silently. Amaris knows that he will be scolded by the king because he came out from the study. ‘Amaris, I’m guessing you know what I’m about to say.’ Said King Adren. ‘Yes, father.’ Replied Amaris. ‘I hope you have a good explanation.’ ‘I just wanted some fresh air, father.’ King Adren turn angry after hearing this “unreasonable” explanation. ‘How dare you! I told you to stay in the study! You disobedient child, from today onwards you are not allowed to anywhere other than your room and the study. You understand?!’ said King Adren angrily. Amaris turned black. He hates his father from the beginning but he had no choice but to obey him, since he is the king and his father. Amris shouted loudly ‘No! I don’t want to be in that room! Why can’t you just let me free! All I ever wanted is freedom.’ ‘How dare you! No matter what you are the next king. I must prepare you for the future.’ King Andrea said angrily. ‘Then what if I don’t want to be one? Have you ever think about that?! Just let Ameris be the king! I’m sure he can do better than me!’ Amaris shouted. King Amaris slap Amaris after hearing him say that. Amaris feel down on the floor. Lucas jumped up from his seat and help Amaris up. Zendra got frightened and stand up. Henry was in shock and stood there silently. Ameris looked at his father in fear. ‘I hate you!’ Amaris shouted. ‘I hate you father! King Adren of Amaris, I hate you!’ King Andren looked as if he is going to kill Amaris. Everyone backed down except Lucas. ‘How dare you.’ King Adren said angrily and was going to hit him again.

Suddenly, Zendra Stoop up in front Amaris. She hold up her arms and blocked King Andren from Amaris. ‘What are y- !‘ ‘Your highness, I think you have gone too far this time!’ Zendra shouted as she interrupted King Adren. ‘I’m sorry to interrupt your highness but I really think your highness should stop forcing Prince Amaris to do something he dislike. If your highness would let him some time to relax and enjoy, I think Prince Amaris will listen to your highness because your highness respect him.’ Zendra continued. Amaris looked up at Zendra’s back. As he suddenly remembered his mother, Queen Lyndra who died few years after Ameris was born.

He remembered one time his mother told him that he was named after the kingdom because of the promise that the God of Alca promised. Queen Lyndra wasn’t able to give birth due to infertile. They prayed for a baby to be born and hope that the God of Alca can provide a baby boy for them. And then the next thing you know Amaris was born. He remembered his mother describing that day he was born. The sky turned purple blue and there was light shining all over his crib. It was a miracle but to Amaris it was a disaster. A disaster that will never be changed. Looking behind Zendra’s back makes him missed his mother. He started to cry quietly. Tears dripping of his face, just like his soul slowly disappearing but someone so bright like his mother shines and protected him. He opened his eyes again and saw her, Zendra. It was her, who always protect him and cares about him the most. That’s why Zendra Luis, is the person Amaris loved the most.

Lucas looked at Amaris and help him to stand up. He can tell that Amaris really love Zendra. He also understand that Zendra is an angel to him that was sent by his mother. Lucas thinking ‘He is lucky to be born and met her.’ Amaris stood up and Lucas let go of Amaris’s hand. King Adren looked at Zendra determined face. He gave a sight and turn around walking away in the castle. ‘Amaris meet me in the study this afternoon.’ King Andrea said as he opened the door and went in. Amaris look at his father and bowed. He look up and saw Zendra turning around. ‘Sorry, Amaris. I was over-reacting.’ Said Zendra. Amaris look at her pale face and asked her ‘Are you okay?’ ‘I’m fi-‘ Zendra replied breathtakingly and suddenly fainted. ‘Zendra!? Zendra!’ everyone shouted. Henry and Ameris ran towards Zendra. Zendra is breathing heavily and painfully. Her face as pale as white, her hair turned dark blue slowly. ‘Guards! Guards! Get help! Call the family doctor!’ Amaris shouted loudly so that the guards can hear. The guards quickly ran to carry Zendra but Amaris Refused them and carried her himself. He ran quickly to the hospital wing in the castle. Zendra painting heavily as if she cannot breath. Her hair continued to slowly turn dark blue. Amaris is confused, worried, scared. The guards following Amaris running towards the hospital wing. Everyone watching them while doing their work, went out to have a look. Amaris shouted ‘Continue your work, stop looking!!’ Everyone gone back to work scared. He ran and ran. Accidently passed by King Adren. His laughing expression makes Amaris thinks that it was his doing. But he can’t think of this now most importantly is for Zendra to be safe and save. Finally they arrived, the doctor checked on Zendra and gave her a pain killer.

After a few hours, Zendra’s family came to see her. By that time, Zendra was stable and is cleared from danger. Amaris sit beside her bed since and never left her side. Zendra’s parents look at Amaris and smiled. ‘Thank you, your highness for taking care of our daughter.’ Said Zendra’s father. ‘Its fine, you can stop with the formality with me.’ Replied Amaris. Zendra’s parents look at each other. Amaris look at Zendra and said ‘I promise you general Zen and lieutenant Yuki, I will marry her someday and protect her!’ Zendra’s parent look at him in shock. ‘Alright then your highness, we will leave her to you in the future.’ Said Zendra’s father with a smile. ‘I’m sure you can take good care of my daughter your highness.’ Said Zendra’s mother. Amaris looked at them and smiled. Finally, a smile since the incident of Zendra. ‘I will do my best!’ said Amaris determinedly. While they were talking, King Adren is listening closely to their conversation outside.

To be continued.....

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