Maltilda was strolling the garden deep in thoughts. Behind her Vivian followed quietly.
"Anything on your mind, my lady? " asked Vivian.
"Yes. I feel like I am forgetting something. Something very important. "
"What could it be,my lady?"
"That's the problem. I don't know. I am trying to-"
She was interrupted when she one of her step brothers walked to her.
" Second brother," She bowed and Vivian did the same.
"I told you not to be so formal with me, call me Derek. " He said smiling at her.
In all her numerous step siblings and family members the only one who seem to remember she exists was the second prince Derek.
"I heard you were involved in an accident. How are you feeling now?"
"I am much better now, thank you" She replied.
"I have sent you some medicine to help you recover quickly. Please remember to care of yourself. "
"Thank you Second brother."
"I will go now . I have to be in court. "
She bowed and he left. She stared at him for a while then turned to Vivian.
"Vivian, what kind of accident was I involved in? I can't seem to remember anything no matter how much I try."
"I don't really know. You were brought back by a guard and he said he found you unconscious in the garden. You had few scratches on you. It that what's bothering you my lady ?"Vivian then gasped. "Could it be an assassin was sent to kill you?"
"If it was then why didn't he finish the job? I think Maybe I was possessed. "
"Possesed, by what?"
"I remember feeling very uncomfortable in the ballroom that evening. I went outside for some air. That's the last thing I remembered."
"Are you sure, Princess? "
She didn't answer she looked strange. Vivian looked at her and became worried. "My lady, what's the matter."
Maltilda kept staring into nothingness. "Do you feel that?"
"Feel what?"
"Like there's a dark cloud hanging over the air. I am having chills in my bones" Maltilda replied
"How about we go back to you room and rest. You aren't fully recovered. "
Maltilda turned to looked at her. "You don't feel it"
"No,my lady. Let's go now."
"Oh heavens look at him. He is so perfect and manly. " Princess Elizabeth suddenly said behind Maltilda.
Automatically Maltilda turned and saw Elizabeth and her fourth sister Amelia looking ahead of them she followed their eyes and saw him. Lord Alden. And she had to admit he was a flawless work of nature. Dark raven haired with intense green eyes and a formidable built body.
But then why was she feeling an uncomfortable darkness ? He was walking towards the courtyard apparently going to the kings court.
"Let's go." She whispered to Vivian. But even Vivian was mesmerized by him.
Elizabeth was saying to her Amelia. "He is just the man I want to marry. I failed to catch his attention at the ball. I must today "
"What are you going do?" Asked Amelia
"Easy. I will walk up to him and praise his military prowess, tell him how glad Holostoria is to have him. Men like it when women praise them like that."
Maltilda nudged Vivian " let's go."
But before she did she turned to take one last look and surprisingly he turned like he sensed her and stared directly at her. Deep green eyes locked with bright blue ones.
Maltilda felt so flustered that she immediately turned and almost ran away. Vivian was surprised as well as the other princess.
Vivian quickly followed her. When she caught up her she asked.
"Are you alright my lady?"
"I'm fine." She answered almost in a hostile tone.
The walked for a while then Maltilda said "Tell me about him."
Vivian was caught by surprise that she blushed. "Who?" She asked purposely .
"Lord Alden. " She answered quietly
"He is the general of the Great army of Holostoria, the son of lord Stephen, the head of mystical masters. From a young age has practiced swordmanship and mystical arts. He has slain countless enemies of Holostoria including demons. Once when he was just nineteen he led an army of 3000 soliders to battle an enemy of fifteen thousand and won. Now He's nicknamed the God of death. "
"He is a solider and also knows mystical art? That's rare. "
"Of course. His father lord Stephen is one of the greatest mystical masters ever known. He comes from a long line of mystical masters. They're top demon slayers. "
"And his mother?"
"No one knows. There are rumors that she died during child birth. No one knew who she was. Lord Alden didn't grow up in the capital until he was six. That was when he returned with lord Stephen after a trip."Vivian grinned "why do you want to know my lady? Are you interested in him? "
Maltilda immediately snorted. "Of course not! I am just asking. By the way how do you know all this things?" She accused
"We hear all sorts of things in the maid quarters. Lord Alden is very popular. Most noble ladies eager to marry him. Just like second princess just now."
"Of course. He is a powerful general. Aren't they scared that he will go away to battle and never come back or that they will be hunted by assassins and demons and might be used as bargaining tools? Just like my mother?" She asked angrily
Vivian sighed "I am sorry you feel that way, my lady. But things has changed now. Demons are getting weaker. Especially with Lord Alden now. I heard demons are scared of him. He is a very tactful general and powerful too"
"He makes me uncomfortable. That day at the ball and even now" said Maltilda.
Vivian giggled "Maybe you are seeing him in a different way. When women see someone they like they get nervous. "
"Don't be silly. I meant uncomfortable like a bad feeling. Not what you're thinking. "
Vivian smiled "You will realize that I'm right very soon, my lady. I saw you staring at him. And he looked at you too."
Maltilda just shook her head and put the disturbing feelings out of her mind.
The court was in session. The king expressed his pleasure on seeing in Alden in court but not every body was pleased. Most of the princes stared at him with unmasked jealousy. And few ministers with silent rage
Alden was reporting the latest conquest to the king. "Most of their supplies were destroyed and they were trapped in zhomir so that gave us an advantage. I told my lieutenant to capture General Falsus alive. He is a wise general I plan to use him at some point."
"Well done general."Said king Jorian. "It's a good thing you are back. The crowned prince and capital Morris plans to lead troops and the destroy the dam at sketingham to trap those demon rebels hiding in the village . What do you think of it?"
"It is a quick way to defeat the demons. " Alden agreed "But it's not a great plan"
Murmurs quickly rise up in the court mostly disagreeing with him . Lord Stephen clenched his fists. The crown prince spoke annoyed:
"What do you mean it's not a great plan? We don't have to risk our soldiers by doing that. It's is an easy plan."
"But we risk the lives of civilians who lives there?" Asked Alden
"We could order a quick evacuation. " one of the lords suggested
"That will give us away. Holostoria is vast and prosperous. Sketingham is just a small insignificant part of it. it is a great plan" Said the crowned prince.
"I agree with lord Alden. "Said second prince Derek. "Our duty is to protect every citizen of Holostoria. No civilian is insignificant. "
"Look at the larger picture. If we don't rid sketingham of demons, who knows where they will hide next time? Probably our very own capital. Even the Duke of Sketingham agrees to this." Said the crowned prince.
They argued for a while before Alden calmly said :
"Your majesty, Sketingham is the easiest route to Alvania. Flooding the town would delay the army's arrival at Alvania city. Giving Alvania an advantage over us."
In the mortal realm, Alvania was an enemy country to Holostoria and the king had the great desire to capture the city. Alvania had a strong military just like Holostoria.
Alden was saying, "if we delay any further Alvania might attack us unaware. With Sketingham flooded it will be almost impossible to reach Alvania in good shape."
Lords started murmuring in agreement seeing this Alden said :" Your majesty, Allow me to lead troops to Sketingham and to kill the demons before advancing to Alvania. " He bowed a little.
The king thought for a while. Of course they were few insignificant demons in sketingham, but capturing Alvania was his life long obsession.
"Alright. Lord Alden shall lead troops into sketingham, wipe out those demons and proceed to Alvania. "
The court bowed ."His majesty is wise "
The crowned prince was extremely angry but he covered it up exchanging looks with captain Morris.
The king smiled at Alden and then said to Lord Stephen. " Your son is extremely talented and wise. You raised a great son"
"Thank you, your majesty. " replied Lord Stephen
The king said to Alden : "You may ask for any favor you want from me as a reward and I shall grant it."
Alden was quiet for a while. Then he looked at the king and bowed.
"May I ask for the hand of the fifth princess in marriage. "