Prince Erell of House Lugsad

Sunkiss Royal Palace, Kingdom of Voek, 285 AU or 500 AF (After Foundation)

‘How unfair’, Maela thought again. Sadly, there was little she could do. She could, of course, try to better Prince Vale’s image by engaging in chit-chat with him. His Majesty Viktor would be forced to acknowledge his existence and perhaps as the guest he was, but it could also backfire. Moreover, Marchioness Elenda had strictly forbidden her from defending Ser Luka and Prince Vale again. Her son had to defend himself less he wanted to look like a complete fool by hiding behind a little girl almost half his size. Maela understood, of course, but she loathed doing nothing when something unfair happened right before her eyes. She bit her lip. Should she ignore her mentor’s orders? She disliked displeasing the marchioness, who had done so much for her and her cousins. However, she refused to abandon her convictions and beliefs. The second she took a step towards Ser Luka and Prince Vale, Hanika gently took her wrist. Maela turned around.

“Don’t go. Let Prince Vale handle this,” she said before Maela could question her.

“They’re being gawked at as if they were a freak show, you said it yourself. I cannot let them be treated this way.”

“Do you think it is the first time this has happened? His Majesty is probably used to it. He knows how to handle such situations.”

“But –”

“I know you have good intentions and a better heart, but you must be careful. His Majesty Vale isn’t Prince Helio, who is worthy of being called king. His reputation precedes him, and a duchess-to-be like you cannot be too close to him. You already protected him once.”

Maela felt like she had swallowed lead. ‘What did she just say? This isn’t the Hanika I know.’ Hanika was sweet and kind. She played music and would never turn her back on someone who needed her help.

“When did you become so cold?” Maela stuttered.

“When I was charged with your protection by Uncle. Do you really think he would have allowed us to leave with so little preparation?”

Noticing Maela’s flabbergasted expression, Hanika’s cold face warmed a bit, and she sighed.

“We’re not in the South, Maela, or even the capital. Things aren’t so simple. You need to think about the consequences of your actions for they will impact all of us. Our family, our people.”

“Why does everyone seem so convinced I am a fool?” Maela exclaimed as she ripped her arm free. “I’m no halfwit, I know very well what all of this means. How Aruhel might have to deal with a civil war, how they hate us for being born. But I refuse to abandon what I believe in.”

“I’m not asking you such a thing. Only to think about something that can help us all. You have a good heart, and I know you want to help Prince Vale. But do you truly believe that intervening personally each time is a good solution? Wouldn’t finding a long-term solution be a better idea?” Hanika asked in a tone that bordered begging.

Maela bit her lip and looked down. Hanika was right. She glanced at the couple, and she noticed that Ser Luka seemed horribly uncomfortable. Nonetheless, Prince Vale had a mocking smile on his face and was using his height to scare the Voekian nobles away. She had to trust him.

“Fine, I won’t intervene the way I did during the feast.”

“Good.”

Nonetheless, it didn’t mean she would ignore the situation. Maela looked around at the guests. The sun had started lowering in the sky and was now halfway beneath the horizon. It shed a beautiful light on the reception, although it would soon be nighttime. The feast would surely be served inside, for bothering with lighting the entirety of the gardens for hours on end was more trouble than it was worth. ‘That’s it! The night!’ she thought suddenly. She looked at the royal family and was pleased to see that Prince Erell was still sitting beneath his parasol. He was glancing at the sky and playing with his clothes. Now that Maela was paying more attention, it seemed that most of them were meant to protect him from the sun. It explained their simplicity. She then looked at the dancefloor; a few couples had joined, so it shouldn’t be too awkward. She mechanically adjusted her rings and walked towards the Prince. He seemed quite surprised when she approached him, and Maela did her best to give him her gentlest smile and offered her hand.

“Your Majesty Erell, would you do me the honour of dancing with me?” she asked.

His topaz eyes widened. Maela hoped he would accept; she had been fascinated by him ever since she had seen him for the first time. He had such a unique aura. He was familiar and strange at the same time, human and not, present and absent. She wondered if the other guests had noticed that there was something about him. Not only would she have the chance of speaking with him, but she would also be able to distract the people who were too busy gossiping about Prince Vale and Ser Luka. Prince Erell glanced quickly at his parents, who ignored him firmly. Princess Elia and Prince Amos had already joined the guests, speaking with different high-ranking nobles.

“The honour would be all mine, my lady,” he replied.

His voice was quite deep for his age, but it wasn’t unpleasant. On the contrary! Maela was pretty sure she would enjoy it if he listed random kitchen utensils. When they reached the dancefloor, the musicians began a new song, slower than the others. Maela quickly noticed that she needed to guide her partner. Although he was a good dancer, she was better than him.

“You’re an incredible dancer,” he complimented.

“You flatter me, my Prince. But dancing properly requires an excellent partner.”

“I’m not flattering you, I’m telling the truth. I never lie, I don’t even know how to do so."

Maela's eyes widened. She hadn’t expected such words. Seizing the opportunity, he pulled closer to her, his hand on her lower back firmly holding in place. Deep inside his eyes, Maela saw something hiding. It was dangerous, and it seemed it was coming out slowly but surely.

“And I hate when people lie to me. I will ask you to be fully honest with as to why you’ve asked me for a dance,” his voice icy.

“I was hoping to get people from leaving Prince Vale and Ser Luka alone by being more… interesting.”

He seemed surprised by her gentle tone, so she decided to keep going. She wouldn’t let him believe she was simply using him.

“Moreover, what lady doesn’t want to dance with a charming prince?” she asked in a more cheerful tone.

“My brother is available,” he replied flatly.

“Your brother? I don’t find him charming. Charismatic, perhaps, but not charming. Moreover, he is betrothed. It wouldn’t be proper at all!”

“You don’t think my brother is charming?” he repeated.

Maela nodded, and Prince Erell burst out laughing and spurned her around. Deep inside his eyes, the thing was still here.

“I apologise, I had never heard such words before!” he laughed. “Usually, ladies flock around him and flee my very presence. I terrify them, you see.”

“I have no reason to flee or fear you. Rumours are more often than exaggerated when they’re not completely made up.”

“Rumours? Yes, I suppose there are some about me, in Aruhel.”

Maela grimaced slightly. It must have painful, growing up surrounded by vile rumours. Just like with Prince Vale and Prince Helio, nobles had taken advantage of a lonely little boy. Strangely, she found Prince Erell’s fate much sadder than the bastards’ ones. Mayhap because His Highness Viktor and Queen Rosalind had clearly abandoned their son to the vultures whereas Marchioness Elenda, despite laying low for almost two decades, had always fought back when needed. And, as far as Maela as Maela was concerned, there was no reason why a ruler wouldn’t be able to protect their own child.

“Singers tend to exaggerate everything. Some sing that I changed the weather when I was born, after all!” she replied, hoping to steer the conversation away from the nasty words that had surrounded the prince.

“I heard it several times, yes. It’s quite nice! Perhaps it will be sung tonight?”

“I hope not!” Maela exclaimed. “It’s terribly embarrassing.”

“Is it? Why?”

“Because it’s completely untrue.”

“How do you know? Perhaps the Nine truly blessed you,” he jested.

“I don’t think so. I have nothing special compared to my family and ancestors. Why would the Nine bless me?”

“Why do they bless anyone?” he asked with a strange smile.

There was in his voice a mix of anger and amusement, as if he knew something she didn’t know, and that this knowledge angered him. She would like to ask questions, but her instincts told her that he would say no more about this. It wasn’t very surprising; he had just met her. Why would he divulge anything personal to her?

Thankfully, a new song began, fast and upbeat. Their dance was much happier and quicker, and Maela found the prince genuinely smiling several times as he spurned her around. She happily smiled back; there was nothing better than a happy song. It washed away every problem.

To Maela’s misery and Hanika’s amusement, King Viktor had Lady Dawnbringer sung to welcome her in Voek and celebrate the trade between his nation and the South. Maela graciously smiled but in truth, she was mortified. She glanced at Prince Erell, who subtly tilted his glass in her direction. He seemed quite amused by the whole thing, much to her annoyance. Nonetheless, he had left for a short while to get changed, for the moon now shone high the sky. He wore a sleeveless tunic and long pants disappearing in high boots. He had also kept a long black glove covering his right arm. However, instead of wearing the sablé and white of his family, he was wearing purple and black. It was quite surprising, but Maela knew better than asking. She couldn’t make out the motifs on the tunic nor the details of his jewellery, but she would have the opportunity later.

As the feast ended, he came to her, allowing her to make out the details of his outfit. The tunic had black onyx buttons, and his earrings and necklaces were made of white gold, hematites and other purple gemstones. He was truly the most handsome boy she had ever seen, and the purple perfectly went along with his eyes.

“Would you allow me to walk you to your quarters?"

“It would my pleasure, my Prince.”

He smiled softly, and they left the great hall. The guests were mostly drunk. Prince Vale and Ser Luka were missing, and Maela was quite certain they had slipped away the second they had been able to. She understood; they didn’t even want to be here in the first place, and, sadly, they weren’t exactly wanted. As they walked, she couldn’t help but glance at Prince Erell’s glove.

“Are you curious?”

Maela’s face burned with shame.

“I apologise!”

“Don’t; it’s only natural. I would have been more surprised it you hadn’t been curious.”

“Nonetheless, it was impolite of me. I hate being stared, and it was unseemly of me.”

He seemed surprised for half a second, but he smiled.

“I believe you. Nonetheless, curiosity and disgust are different, and I don’t mind genuine curiosity. My arm isn’t a secret; I have a scar on my arm, and it’s quite sensitive so I protect it.”

How horrible! It must have been a terrible wound. She wanted to hope he hadn’t suffered too much, but she knew it was futile.

“I’m sorry. I’ve heard that scars can sometimes be just as painful as the wounds that caused them, but I never thought it could need constant care!”

“It’s rare, but it happens, mostly with burns. I’m among those unlucky. Nonetheless, I have the best doctors in Voek at my disposition.”

“A small consolation. No one should suffer like this,” she lamented.

“Thank you for your compassion.”

They finally reached her apartments, and he kissed her hand politely. Maela felt herself blush, and it was only his hold of her hand that s

topped her from slamming them on her burning cheeks.

"Goodnight, Lady Maela."

"Goodnight, Prince Erell."