The shocking encounter- part 1

Waterfalls kingdom

In the palace of waterfalls kingdom at midnight.

Walking through the halls in darkness I noticed something lurking in the shadows. It was too dark to see anything but I felt my curiosity get the best of me. Here in the palace there was an unspoken neglect that I experienced from everyone except my mom. Well also I had my father's half brother but it was subtle as he was careful not to offend the king. I was treated like an infectious disease or worst a curse.... maybe I was. I had an untreatable disease that made me weak.

As I took slow steps to the end of the hall way , I noticed something odd.... There were no guards,no maids and it was unusually dark. As I came closer to the figure my ears picked up some strange noise. I paused my feet to listen to the voice, my brows furrowed deeply when I recognized the owner of the voice. It was quite familiar. Too familiar even but something strange happened... I heard a second voice but could recognize it. I had never heard that voice or come across him before. The first voice belonged to my father the king but the second voice was that of a strange man. It was deep hoarse and cracked, maybe a little shaky. Suddenly the stranger raised his voice slightly higher. That was when I was able to hear them a bit clearer than the former whispers. "... If he doesn't pick her as his wife in the next three weeks, then I would go back on our arrangements"the stranger said with a tone of finality.

"And where is your loyalty ?" I heard my father ask.

"Loyalty is meant to be returned, respected and words followed through my king....you gave me your word, and I held unto it but all you have been given me are just excuses " the stranger paused and took a deep breath as though he was tired of explaining himself. " I heard my father sighing deeply before saying "your requests shall be granted I assure you there is no cause for alarm, everything is under control. "

From where I stood I wondered what deal my father had made with the strange man but more than anything I wanted to know who the man was and why he could speak to my father so fearlessly. My father had always been at the center of control and never let anyone have the nerve to cross him let alone counter him in the slightest. Even the elder council walked around eggshells with him. They even broke high standing tradition for him. The one time an elder from the inner council spoke against his rule, and his tyrannical leadership, the man was found lifeless in a pool of his own blood. Wounds fatal enough to look like a rogue vampires attack decorating his hands, neck and legs. The death was investigated and it was claimed to be a rogue attack since maids and guards were killed along side him. Despite these reports... something deeply told me it was my father's doing. And here someone was challenging him in the dark and it looked like he could not do anything. It was surprising.

I was deep in thought that I didn't notice that my father had come to stand right in front of me. I felt a presence that loomed over me and I looked up to catch my father's gaze on me with a hint of suspicion in his eyes. "Why are you outside at this our?" "And where have you been?" He asked all questions almost at the same time. I opened my mouth to speak but no words came out.

"Are you deaf?" He deadpanned

I was still silent. A habit I had picked to avoid being under too much scrutiny around the palace. And my father he hated the silence. He always wanted answers even though there was none to give.

"Answer me !" He roared

I didn't flinch like I would but I was scared. Taking a deep breath before I spoke . " I was out for some air father, I was around the fountains and only returned now." I didn't dare meet his eyes. I could hold anyone's gaze in the world but not my father's he always made me feel ashamed. "I would return to my room now" I bowed and made to side step him while trying not to look suspicious. I only took two steps before I heard my father's voice behind me. " Did you see anyone as you walked around hery" he asked in an authoritative voice but I could hear the desperation in his voice and maybe something deeper. Could it be fear?. "No father, I saw no one" I tried to make my voice sound confident as I spoke. "It was too dark to see anything... But I should get the servants to light up the place" I added. I walked away almost immediately so I could avoid the interrogation because I knew he thought I heard his conversation but I am not daft to blurt that out. I have seen how everyone treats me with disgust because of my curse. But it also made me not to be the center of attention and I intend to keep it that way. So I knew beyond what they thought I knew because since I was not important no one paid attention if I was informed about things in the palace and my adventure of uncovering secrets was fun. But that where it stops for me. Just like I also knew my father cabinet were plotting to end his rule in secret. But I don't care too much to say a word plus I guess I knew my father could handle it.

------

It was finally morning but I still lay in bed because my muscles felt sore. I felt like laying in bed all day but I wasn't allowed such luxury. I was the disgraceful prince who was weak and always fell sick every month. The only way to prove myself is to show up at every function and look presentable at least. I heard a knock on the door and I knew it was the maids that had come to help me get ready for the day. But something felt odd. The person wasn't coming in. So I got up lazily from bed and sat up, still waiting to see the person who was knocking to burst through the doors. Usually the maids come in after I don't respond because they assume I am lazy and still asleep as always. But actually I just chose to act that way.

When I saw no one was coming in, I walked to the door to see who it was since they were still knocking. The the person I saw when I opened the door left me in shock.