CHAPTER 10 — JINX

"Son! What has come over you? I hope it is natural?" King Agripus said to his son as they were now in the palace, seating on Aries bed.

"What!" Aries asked.

"I saw the way you looked at that lady. It's been a while I saw you react that way to any lady. It was so quick and I felt it. Even when you closed your eyes during her rope walk, I knew you fear for her safety, and the smile that engulfed your lips afterwards says it all. But son! Those are just momentary feelings right because you must be married to Derila, your betrothed" King Agripus said and left his son to ponder.

Aries looked at his father with mixed feelings as he walked away, while Derila arrived just immediately from the opposite end.

"What's wrong? Sorry, I couldn't come with you to the ropewalk" Derila said brushing his chin seductively.

"Urgh that's okay"

"So how did it go?" Derila asked seating on Aries bed.

"Okay. Derila you know it is improper for you to be in my bed-chamber. You should leave" Aries said holding her up.

"But we are betrothed to each other, what difference does it make?" Derila objected.

"A whole lot of difference my dear. We are not married yet, and been betrothed doesn't result in marriage at times. So keep yourself pure for your rightful husband" Aries lectured.

"And what do you mean by 'rightful husband'?" You and I and everyone else know that you are my rightful husband" Derila argued further.

"Well Derila you should go now, I need to rest. Bye, and take care." Aries skillfully leading Derila out of his chambers.

Derila walked on in suspicion to her room. She had come to visit Aries and spend her vacation with him.

"Now I pray we get over our second obstacle," Barnabas said mulching his bread.

They were all eating amidst other Ophylis' prisoners.

"Yes we hope," Julie said.

"You must have seen how Prince Aries looked at you at the palace. He must have been swept off his feet by your enchanting beauty" Barnabas teased, as Andrew and Michael laughed.

"It's not funny" Julie objected.

"I mean that's his problem if he looks" Julie added, joining the laughter.

"Someone is here to see you" The prison guard informed Michael.

"Let him in" Michael permitted.

Alrodes came in with fruits.

"Sons and daughter how are you faring?" Alrodes asked giving Julie the fruits.

"Thank you so much" Julie appreciated.

"We are managing" Andrew answered.

"I pray that you wouldn't fail" Alrodes prayed. They chatted a while then Alrodes left.

The second trial.

They were assembled to start the game.

"Let the games begin" Ophylis again.

Barnabas and his allies came out of Ophylis' court victorious to the cheers of the crowd.

"It was never easy though, but we won" Michael congratulates.

"I feel happy and at ease. Barnabas does not put us into more trouble" Julie said kindly.

"You are all great and true friends, I just wish you will stay in Naomi forever" Barnabas showed his gratitude.

As the crowd were dispersing, Prince Aries walked up to the conquerors.

"Your highness" They all bowed.

"You all have done well, and especially you, my lady" Aries bowed to Julie.

"You have done fine. This has never happened in Naomi before. No female has ever walked the rope, you are the first." Aries said.

"Thank you my Prince" Julie bowed slightly. Derila is seen coming towards them.

"Your royalty" They all bowed again except Aries.

"Thank you. You have done well" Turning to Aries "Let's leave my love," She said dragging Aries along with her, but his eyes never left Julie.

"Wow, I guess that's his wife," Julie said.

"No, that is his betrothed wife. I hate her, she is terribly proud" Barnabas said with disgust for princess Derila.

"Whatever, let's get to our apartment," Michael said dismissively. They all went home.

"It's been one month, the gyroscope is yet to work" Michael complained.

"What have you heard so far from Homerlus?" Alrodes asked Julie.

"They are still there, in bondage" Julie informed sitting in a meditating yoga style with eyes closed.

"Do well, communicate further. You know it's now your gift and duty to communicate and bring out technologies" Alrodes said.

"Of course" Julie nodded.

"Well as for me I find it enjoyably comfortable to stay in Naomi, but still we have a mission," Andrew said.

"Then we'll keep waiting, after all, you said it has its reason for not functioning" Michael addressed Alrodes.

Standing up from her meditative mood

"I'll go for a walk now," Julie said and moved out.

"Your nagging is too much. I guess is high time your vacation ends. You are disturbing my peace" Aries shouted.

"So now I'm disturbing your peace? Well, I need not worry after all we are betroth" Derila protested.

"Well I continue telling you, not all betrothal means marriage," Aries said angrily as he stormed out of the room, then the mansion.

Derila had come to showcase her jealousy over him talking with Julie.

"You are mine, so I don't need to worry myself" Derila concluded.

Walking into the woods…

"What must I do? I can't marry Derila. I never loved her" Aries complained as he walked further into the woods.

"Of all my life I can never remember someone hurt my feelings. Steven, I just left a while ago and you're with another lady. You can't cloud my vision. If love wouldn't find me yet, I'm good being free for now" Julie thought walking into the woods.

"She isn't like any other lady have ever seen in Naomi, I must find out about her" Aries decided.

Walking opposite each other they met at the centre of the woods.

"You!" Julie gasps

"I mean your highness" She quickly acknowledged.

"Hello, damsel. What's your name? Aries said walking towards her.

"I'm Julie, my lord" Julie introduced.

"Can we have a walk together? Aries asked.

There was no way she could refuse, it would be stupid if she declines.

"Alright my lord" Julie accepted.

They walked together.

"You must be new here?" Prince Aries said.

"Yes I came here a few weeks ago" Julie informed.

"Are you planning on staying?"

"No my lord"

"Why"

"This is not my land, when I'm through with what am doing here I'll leave"

"And what are you doing here?" Aries was puzzled.

"It would be best your highness does not know" Julie smiled.

"Well am the Prince of this land"

"Not the king" Julie added quickly.

"Okay still am an heir" Aries argued.

"Well your highness, it's okay here. I'll be back at my house. Thank you your lordship" Julie said as she turned to leave. Aries held her arms before she could go, a brief tension ensued between them.

"Bye," Aries muttered.

"Hope we meet again," He said again, truly he was praying for them to meet again. Julie nodded as she left.