Jerome Philipp Borovic part 1.

Jerome's mother passed away at a young age due to a serious illness. Thus the upbringing of the young prince fell entirely into the hands of the king. The king was a great ruler, and he also planned the future of his son in this light.

That's why he thought the Vanderberg girl would be the most profitable queen candidate… since as the only descendant, after Ariana's death, the many mines would automatically become the property of the royal family. However, his calculations were crossed by the marquis, when he rejected his marriage offer and promised to another marquis his daughter's hand.

Jerome was aware that because of the impending war, the support of the Vanderbergs was essential, and he couldn't have imagined a better suitor than himself… since which girl wouldn't want to be a princess?

One day he was chasing a thief, as he got away from the knights who accompanied him, and reached an area unknown to him. He was riding on the edge of a cliff just when a wild boar jumped out of the forest beside him and ran to his horse… who was backed off to the ravine.

"Ah!"

He could still cling to a dry root, but his horse fell into the deep. He knew, he had little chance of being heard, yet he cried out… because if he died now… the royal bloodline would be left without an heir.

"Help!"

Luckily, someone heard it and rushed to his aid. It was a young girl, merely a child… who heroically pulled him out at the last minute.

"Are you alright?"

His savior asked.

"Yes… just my horse…"

The boy looked up panting, and for the first time in his life he could dive into the beautiful pair of violet eyes. He felt his heart throb big… not just excitement, gratitude… there was something else…

"Thank you!" You saved my life! "

He was grateful, he couldn't take his eyes off the beautiful creation.

There was a wide smile on her face as she handed a handkerchief to the boy.

"Here, keep it in case you need it later."

"Ah… thank you ..."

She smiled , and it completely took the young man's breath. The handkerchief had the Vanderberg crest on it, which Jerome immediately noticed.

"How can I thank you?"

He asked, hoping the girl would ask for something that would give him a reason to see her again.

"By taking care of yourself!"

She put up the lock of the young man's hair hanging before his eyes. He blushed.

"You're quite the handsome boy… Just like a prince charming!"

"Prince charming? "

"You know… every little girl's dream desire. That's why… my dear prince, take great care of yourself, because such a handsome young man will be mourned by many girls if something happens to him! "

"Then can I be your dream prince?"

The boy asked as he dusted himself off, masking his excitement ... since even if her father opposed it, in case the girl wanted him, no one could stop him from getting her.

"Haha!"

Ariana laughed.

"For me, a prince is a nightmare himself."

He was surprised by this statement.

The boy stood incomprehensibly in front of her.

"I don't… being a queen… for me is the end itself. I mean, who would want to, in the face of all sorts of political troubles, in a marriage without love, to see the people expect a boy heir while my husband is swallowing his lovers one after another… and the nobles are trying to execute me in some way? Well, thanks for that, I'm not asking! "

Jerome didn't understand why she had such a bad opinion of the royal covenants, but he trusted that he could change her mind.

"Why do you think it would be a marriage without love? Your husband and your people could love you… "

"I don't believe in fairy tales! I just want to be the wife of a lower-ranking noble and spend my days gardening, reading good books, and eating cookie specialties. Without any social obligations. Well, now we are parting ways, my dear prince. "

'I can give these things to her too…'

He thought, but then Ariana jumped on her horse. Jerome panicked, not wanting to let her go yet.

"I see your friends found you.Take care of yourself!"

"Wait!"

He tried to stop her, but she disappeared into the woods and the knights reached their lords.

"Idiots!"

He shouted at them angrily, then pushed one of the knights off his horse, and they headed back to the palace.