chapter 30

The king was strong enough to walk on his feet by the time they arrived in the palace. He drank more water before he stepped out of the carriage.

Eleanor was going to send for the physician but the king refused. She followed him to his chambers. She made sure he slept before leaving to hers.

***

The eighteen birthday of princess Eleanor finally came. Emperor, princes, nobles and wealthy merchants from different kingdoms trooped into Golden Hill kingdom.

The citizens experienced an unexpected crowd. A birthday became a convention for the high and mighty who came in disguised of their personal intent.

The constant neighed from the horses gave migraines. The numerous carriages kept churning and chattering, sending vibrations to shake the foundation of the kingdom.

This left the indigenes in wondered, if the war they were asked to trained for has begun. They feared that they might be under an attacked by their enemies. They ran out well armed to defend themselves and their kingdom.

They were disappointed to realized that it was just a friendly visit. A very peaceful one. To celebrate with their very own princess.

As disappointed as it may seems, they hid their weapons in their clothing. Some in bush tracks. Others took it back home. Some in the nearby convenient.

Most of the commoners rubbernecked to get a glimpsed of the mind blowing scene but they got a gape. They were drooling.

They marveled if the was another occasion going on other than the princess's birthday party that they knew of.

Even though the commoners were not invited like when princess Eleanor first came into the world.

They knew when their princess is celebrating her day as that very day would surely be a work free day and a general feast through out the entire kingdom. Where the king would send the royal guards to the ends of the kingdom to give out gifts to the commoners.

The continuous whipping and clopping of the horses make the commoners to come out in great numbers from their homes.

Every now and then, they would be seen parting. Making way when they hear the clinking of the wheels. "Give way… give way". They coachmen would screamed.

They city was left in suspense. Seeing breath taking carriages came in large numbers to the point that there was traffic jam.

Most of them followed the carriages to the palace. They stood a far off. On stall roof tops, open windows, on tree tops and anchored on the branches to watched various magnificent carriages alight its royal passengers in turns. Soon the park was filled that there was no more space.

The royal household of Golden Hill kingdom were amazed at the mass attendance. The door keepers left the door wide open. Ushering and bowing to every visitor with a smile.

They kept bowing even to the wind that passes by. The cup bearers had their heels ached. Round and round, in and out the reached the sides of all attendees to hand them a glass of the most valued wine in Golden Hill .

The pianists sang longer than usual so that the other guards could controlled the crowd and served the guest accordingly before the commencement of the party.

The was wealthy crowd in years past but never has it been like this or heard of in any kingdom that a princess celebrated a birthday and it turns out this way.

Kate ran to princess Eleanor who was still in preparation.

"My princess... The crowd is more than a market square. Different personalities from far and near kingdoms are present. You shall be surprised, I saw the emperor".

"How is that?" The princess turned around to looked at Kate at the door.

She was startled. Princess Eleanor was seated before the mirror while Beatrice styled her hair. Beatrice braided side of the hair and parked behind leaving the rest to flow in a wave.

Kate was with a tray. She was assigned to be among the cup bearers. She placed the tray on a side table beside her. She was dressed in their maids uniform. Red short gown and white apron and a rose pin at the back of her head.

"The emperor my princess…" Kate lifted her gaze to meet with the princess and immediately dropped them on the floor. " He is laughing heartily to everyone who greet him. Handsome and attractive. He is every woman's choice". She said in a lighter mood.

When Kate turned to see the princess glared at her, she conformed with a persistent bow. The princess didn't believed that upon all the people Kate could admired. It was the emperor.

Kate had seen the emperor on the day he came for a peaceful visitation before the war. That was why she could easily spot him out from the crowd.

"Are there no other prince charming there". Beatrice said to break the silence and save Kate from the princess's anger.

" Well, there are". Kate said subtly not lifting her face. She was not used to saying this things before the princess. Now that she did, she had passed her boundaries.

"How do they looked?". Beatrice asked with a surprise tone and curled her hands around her waist waiting for a reply.

" They are handsome and". Kate lifted her head to look at Beatrice. They both wore a broad smile "and seductive". Kate tilted her shoulders and dropped back. " Their beauty is out of this world".

Kate smiles die down. Beatrice furrowed her brows. "what" she shrugged her shoulders at Kate. "I'm afraid, we can never have such in our man as they are of high status and we are only maids". Kate said moody. Beatrice frown and concentrated the princess hair.

Eleanor who pretended as if she was not there felt for them but she didn't say. Her mind was in the hall. She wanted to know if Francis was there. Maybe lord Zane too. But why would she care if lord Zane was there or not.

The princess hair was ready. It was time to get into her exquisite gown. Kate excused herself and went back into the hall.

They visitors were extravagantly dressed, gracing the great hall so beautifully. Some were drinking, others discussing. Most getting to know themselves. Greeting one another with a cautious smile.

They stood round about leaving a large space in-between and a path to the throne.

The guest were arraigned and presented before king Ephraim one after the other.

The praise vociferous called out each names dramatically to the king and the wealthy crowd present.

The king was seated on the throne. His queens stood by his side. The Duke and ministers were closed by. While the royal knights make sure no visitors crossed the boundary without permission.

"My king permit me to introduced to you the seven princes of The Cliff kingdom".

The Cliff kingdom were as powerful as the Golden-hill kingdom. The princes all declared themselves crown princes. King Ephraim made an ally with them by marrying their sister. He made her his queen, queen Daniella.

Incase the protection of the king's stone wear off. His kingdom shall have allies to fight against their enemies when the need arise.

The seven princes didn't have enough throne to sit on. So they were apt and swift in going to war with any kingdom to retrieved their throne.

"My king.. here is his royal highness, the crown Prince Raymond and Duke Charles of Mistletoe kingdom. The... white...lords".

The Mistletoe kingdom was known as the white lord's because of their attires. They were always wearing all white clothing. King Ephraim had long seek to make an alliance with them but he didn't have the means to.

They were also powerful in their own wit. Their kingdom was know for it immunity against magic or any kind of mystical powers.

Next in line was emperor Cassius. He flagged king Ephraim a deadly stares. Wonder took siege of king Ephraim's nerves. What was an unrepentant enemy doing in his kingdom and in his daughter's party. He let his emotions journey with the wind and gave him an unforgivable smile.

Lots and lots more were introduced. Too many to be acquainted with. Little did the people of Golden Hill knows that the mass attendance was as a result of king Ephraim sending message abroad.

That he was going to matched his princess. There must be the highest bidder to win his daughter's hand in marriage.

But little did king Ephraim knows that their turn up at the princess's event was to win the contest and effortlessly inherits the kings' stone.

How the message spread that she was the king's stone is still untold. So many kingdoms had sent their proposal for king Ephraim to consider.

Some of the visitors who didn't considered themselves a good competitor came to make alliance by marrying the nobles daughters. some for business deals and others to find favour before king Ephraim.

Spies came too and enemies which had long plotted to be the down fall of the great kingdom. To seek for another means to steal the kings' stone from Golden Hill kingdom other than marrying their princess. They got disappointed when the learnt it wasn't a thing but a person.

***

Princess Eleanor was ready. Her beauty was exceptional. Her long dark hair was darker than the heart of Golden Hill enemies who wished to see to their down fall.

A diamond crown gave her head it's glory. Her glowing blue eyes speaks of a fairy in fantasy novel. A fairy with large blue charming eyes that saved her kingdom from danger with it charms.

Eleanor's ivory skin made her stand out. She was dressed in royal blue ball gown that reveals her shoulders.

Her diamond accessories gave her looks a finished touch. The light makeup and a nude lips added up. She wore a broad smile like her mother and command the aura of a princess as she glides with bold and persuasive steps.

Kate met with her lady, the princess. She and Beatrice followed the princess giggling like chicks follows a mother hen to wherever she may leads.

They bowed smiling, giving her a lovely stare when she look back. She held her shoulders high to absorbed their admiration and then gave a slow blink.

"Beatrice! Kate!", princess Eleanor called out to her maids who were lost in the armour of her beauty. They were there yet they didn't hear her call. She called again.

"My princess forgive me.." Beatrice turned to looked at Kate " us" she said

"Inform the guard of my presence"

"Yes my princess", Kate bow and left.

After the guard announced her arrival. The great hall became silent, only the squeaking sound from her high heels and the light music was heard.

All attention was on her as she glide graciously down the stairs to met with her father the king, who was waiting for her at the ground floor.

Princess Eleanor hands lifted her skirt a little as she courtesy to her father.

"Arise my pride" king Ephraim said with love in his eyes. He held her by the hand still smiling into her innocent blue eyes. He then face the crowd.

"Ladies and gentlemen... I'm glad to introduced to you, my beautiful daughter, princess Eleanor Ephraim Alexander Wilson the first". He said in an excited composed tone.

Everyone thundered an applaud. They stood round about. Looking up to Princess Eleanor and the king.

She saw eyes glare at her with meaningful meanings. Even behind their faked smiles. They taunt her with their eyes. They were angry she turned out to be the one precious thing that brought them. All can't have her.

Some stern looks that almost ripped her off her crown. Others sheer hatred and jealousy especially from women and ladies.

A few more stared with moist admiration and blank emotions. The same mixed gaze she get from younger men.

The day was supposed to be one of her happiest days and not mixed feelings or filled with uncertainties… Her father nudged her out of her thought.

"Today marks the eighteen year my angel was sent to me. To comfort me. She means life to me and hope to this great kingdom". They clapped to encourage him to continue speaking.

"I shall also used this opportunity to thanked each and everyone of you for honouring our invitation to graced this day. If I were to list your names, oh great ones. the list shall surely be longer that the chronicles of the ancient times". They chuckled, each person turning around to meet the eye of his or her neighbour.

They great hall was a very large one and was well decorated. King Ephraim and princess Eleanor were on a royal platform and guards surrounded them.

King Ephraim paused and looked at the faces, standing before him in the aura of their royalties. Some faked smiles to impressed his gaze

" Thank you for coming" He meant it.

"Today I shall marry off my princess Eleanor to her husband as it is with the customs and traditions of our kingdom".

Princess Eleanor stood mouth agape. She tried to compose herself and not disgrace her position and kingdom before this sophisticated crowd.

She was just hearing that for the very first time. She really thought she was close to her father and that he would confide in her about such decisions before executing it, but no she was wrong. Does she knows who she shall be married to. She closed her eyes.

This brought smiles to the lips of queen Charlene and queen Daniella. Queen Margaret felt for her.

" We shall make a toast to my lovely princess. She is eighteen. Happy… happy birthday to you my darling and to the worthy prince who shall be my heir.". The king said with a wide smile.

Cups were raised up high. A maid went and gave the princess and king Ephraim their golden cups filled with wine.

"To the princess".

"To the princess!!!".

They all repeated kissing their cups with one another. The chinked was heard moving in the hall as they kept cheering their cups.

The princess looked so worked up. She faked a smile and kissed her cup with her father the king and with the few royalties she could.

"Now to the other business of the day!". The king said. They crowd became silence and speculative on who shall be considered to be her husband. The marriage would be right away.

When the various kingdoms sent their marriage proposal letter. The king had took his time to go through the letters and invited each of this princes in question to speak with them face to face.

Little did Eleanor knows that she was preparing for her wedding. She has not heard even a rumoured about it. Once she heard difference princes came to meet her father. The king never let her in the reasons behind. "So this was it". She reasoned.

"Before this honourable gathering, I present to you..."

Princess Eleanor eyes dilated and her ears flung opened that she could hear the combined pulses of the crowd. She was highly tensed. What is her father doing?. Her opinion was not needed, her feelings was not considered and her choice didn't matter.

Why would the king do this to her. They were together last night. They watched the stars in the sky from the balcony. They discussed things about how her birthday shall be celebrated. The king never made mentioned that she shall be married today.

"Prince Raymond Edward Charles James of the Mistletoe kingdom". The king announced and the crowd clapped.

Those who cares. The rest who also sent their proposal letter were disappointed and jealous. Imagining what the Mistletoe prince had that they didn't.

Princess Eleanor's eyes scanned the hall for the prince. She had heard of the kingdom before. The kingdom that had land issue with their kingdom. Years back. She watched her father in a bowl from Serpent Land. Under the gazebo, lord Zane made it possible.

It looks like the prince had done something to captured the king's heart from the way she saw her father smile when he announced it.

"Father this is a show to formerly hand me over to the man you had married me to without my consent". She bend over and whispered to her father.

The king continues to smile at her.

"Who is prince Raymond". Her eyes scanned the crowd again.

The princess turned to looked at her father again. Her palms were itchy and sweaty. Her face turned red. If she had her way. She would have disappeared from the crowd and go somewhere, where no one shall find her. The king gave her a warm smile.

"Your fiancé was kind enough to let you stay in your father's kingdom until your eighteen birthday before the marriage".

Eleanor's head was about to explode. She looked up. The ceiling was high and splendid with chandeliers which shine too brightly into her eyes. She gulped.

She had a fiancé all this while and she was not aware of.

Then she saw a man in white stepped out of the crowd. His blonde hair cascaded down to his back. His bold forehead leads down to his emerald eyes. His long lashes hovers with pride. He was a whole handsomeness. His oval face ended in a sharp jawline. He has a daring nature and his composure, stately.