Chapter II

The first rays of sunlight peeked through the small gaps between the maroon-colored curtains, penetrating the dark room. Nathaniel sat on his bed and leaned back on the headboard under the thick blanket covers. A yawn escaped his lips as he recalled the events that transpired last night.

He stood there, in the middle of the street, watching the carriage that carried the mysterious girl vanish from his sight before a hand grabbed him by the shoulder and forced him turn around.

‘Your Highness! Where have you been? I’ve been looking everywhere for you…’ Lawrence exclaimed whilst trying to catch breath. Nathaniel just nodded and walked towards the carriage that took him back to his castle.

“Syrena Trancy.” he tested the foreign name on his tongue, his voice coming out rough as he ran a hand through his messy blonde hair. He found himself chuckled softly when a knock came from outside my door.

“Come in.”

“Good morning, Young Master. Your breakfast is ready at the dining hall.” the maid curtsied before walking towards the foot of his bed. Nathaniel simply nodded and looked at the clock sitting on the dresser next to the bed.

“Is Father joining me?”

“I’m sorry, Young Master, but the King left earlier this morning for a meeting in Duke Evergreen’s manor.” a sad smile was plastered on her face as she started to tidy up his bed.

Nathaniel didn’t say anymore and, instead, got up and went inside the bathroom where he spent the next thirty minutes soaking in warm bubbled water in the tub while staring at the ceiling, thoughts going into dreamland.

~~_*_~~

Nathaniel was bored out of his mind as he continuously stabbed the piece of meat with his silver fork. Sitting alone in that gigantic table felt like he was eating with his ancestors’ ghosts. The silence was unbearable and was, sadly, something that he was used to.

Not bothering to empty his plate, Nathaniel got up from his seat and made his way towards the castle’s stable. Fixing the collar of his black riding jacket, Nathaniel entered the stable where he was suddenly greeted by a black Stallion that neighed and nuzzled him on the cheek.

“Easy, Shadow!” Nathaniel laughed as the horse licked his face and neighed in happiness.

Nathaniel gently stroked the beast’s soft black mane and patted it on the head before taking the saddle and placing it on its broad back. Without ease, Nathaniel climbed on top of the black horse and tugged on the reigns gently. Shadow started to gallop slowly at first before going into full speed. Nathaniel laughed as the strong wind hit his face and the sceneries he passed by all seemed like a fast-moving slideshow.

After what seemed like an hour of riding, Nathaniel led Shadow back to the stables where he dismounted the horse and bid it goodbye. Shadow licked him on the cheek one last time before Nathaniel headed back to the castle.

“Prince Nathaniel!” Lawrence stopped, panting in front of him.

“What’s wrong, Lawrence?”

“Sire, your Father has arrived with a guest and he wants you to join them for tea in the orchard.” Lawrence explained making Nathaniel rise his brow.

“And why would they need me? It’s not like I care about their affairs and gossips.” Nathaniel replied, a tad of irritation evident in his voice.

“But, Sir, it does concern you.”

Nathaniel looked at Lawrence for a minute before sighing in defeat.

“Okay, fine. I’ll go there. Later.”

“But, Si-”

Before Lawrence could even finish his statement, Nathaniel had already turned his back on and walked towards his room where he changed his dirt-covered clothes and plopped down onto his bed, eyes drifting across the empty-looking ceiling.

After thirty minutes of lying around, Nathaniel’s peace was abruptly disturbed by some loud banging on his door. Annoyed, he opened it to see his Father’s butler looking at him with a stoic expression on the face.

“What do you want?” he grumbled at the older man.

“The King has asked me to escort you to the orchard, immediately.”

“I’ll be there la-”

“Immediately.”

Nathaniel narrowed his eyes at the man and grumbled some incoherent words before fixing himself up and following the man towards the orchard.

“Nathaniel, what took you so long? Our guests have been waiting for you!” the King, his Father, exclaimed as soon as he arrived.

Nathaniel chose to stay silent as he eyed the two guests who sat across his Father. One was an elderly-looking man who had brown chinky eyes behind a pair of spectacles. His fingers were wrapped around the handle of the tea cup as he brought it to his thin lips which smiled at Nathaniel. Beside him sat a girl who wore a light blue hat and had her eyes closed as she gingerly sipped her own tea.

Nathaniel took his seat beside his Father and across the girl. He found himself staring at her for a moment before averting his gaze to his Father.

“Now, Nathaniel, this here is Sir Frederick Lauvein. He runs an oil mill in the North and today, he has brought with him his young niece who is a young courtesan-in-training, um… What was your name again, child?” his Father explained.

The blonde girl gently placed her cup on the table and looked up to gaze at the King. Nathaniel sat there in utter shock and surprise as she stared at the same cerulean eyes from last night.

“Syrena Trancy.” Nathaniel spoke out before the girl could even let a word escape.

The girl, Syrena, averted her gaze to Nathaniel as he said her name. A small smile formed on her lips as she looked at him amusingly.

And the mysterious angel from last night has returned.

“Do you know her, Nathaniel?” his Father asked from beside him.

“We met last night in Lord Morningstone’s party. You could say that she left such an impression.” he smirked as he eyed the girl in front of him.

“It was a pleasure to dance with the Prince in such a party.” Syrena spoke for the first time from when he arrived and hearing her sweet voice again made Nathaniel feel all giddy in his seat.

“Oh, you danced with my son? Well, I guess we wouldn’t have much of a problem here, don’t you agree, Lauvein?”

“I agree completely, Your Highness.” the older man replied with a small smile.

Nathaniel eyed him cautiously before turning to his Father.

“So what is this business that concerns me so much?” he asked, finally curious.

“Well, Syrena here will be staying in the palace starting tomorrow as your muse.”

“What?” Nathaniel exclaimed disbelievingly as he looked at the girl who sat there emotionless.

“What makes you think I need a muse?!” Nathaniel shouted as he slammed on the table, making the ceramics on the table rattle.

“Quiet, boy. Know your manners.” his Father scolded.

“But-”

“Syrena will stay at your side during parties and functions that starting next week, you will attend whether you like it or not. For other days, you will be accompanying her to classes that will help her in her training as a courtesan. Do you understand?” his Father explained.

“No.” Nathaniel straight out answered.

As far as Nathaniel was concerned, he didn’t like spending any of his time in parties that are filled with people who talk to him just for the sake of attention, money, or power. He didn’t like socializing with people who regards trust as thin as paper and think of socialization as a mountain they have to climb to win, whatever it takes. And even if Syrena was undoubtedly alluring and beautiful, Nathaniel cannot bring it to himself to be accompanied all day of all week by someone that he barely knows or barely trusts.

“I don’t have time to entertain her.”

“Then find time.” his Father said with a firm tone.

“Stop locking yourself in your room and reading all those books. As a Prince, you have duties to accomplish and people to satisfy and lead. You need to start looking at the world in my perspective and you can start by showing people that you’re not the unsociable, stuck-up brat that everyone thinks you are.” the King lectured on and Nathaniel sighed in defeat.

“If I may, Your Highness.”

Nathaniel stared at Lauvein with a quizzical look. The man smiled before continuing on.

“My niece, Syrena, is especially obedient and hardworking. I’m sure you will get along with her just fine, Prince Nathaniel.”

Nathaniel looked at Syrena once more before nodding. I hope so. Syrena gave him a warm smile and he returned it with a small one of his own.

Nathaniel never knew that accepting Syrena in his life would take a turn for the worst.