9. A Prince Choice

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"Princess Vera request an audience with you my lord." the messenger boy said, kneeling before the King of Arilikook.

The King glanced his way, already welcoming Princess Vera. "I'll allow." he said. The messenger scurried to his feet, dashing out the door to fetch the Princess of Fartonia.

The doors to his chambers opened minutes later. Princess Vera walked in with much pride, her body clad in her usual light armor as expected of the fierce leader of the Kingdom Fartonia. Her golden hair flowed to her waist, a sword the king had specially forged for her never left her hips. King Ezekiel grinned at the sight of Vera as she bowed before him, her strength as admirable as always.

"What do I owe this visit?" King Ezekiel spoke, gesturing for Princess Vera to rise. "Do you bear me good news and your hand in marriage."

Princess Vera watched the stupid grin played on her King's lips. "My King, could you please refrain from asking me such a question."

The King frowned, rejected yet another day. "Don't think I've given up my lovely Vera." he informed her. "What news have you bought, has Princess Arabella said anything?"

Princess Vera shook her head, "Nothing my lord, it appears she knows nothing of the sudden marriage with the Prince of Seridina."

King Ezekiel plucked the petals of the white rose he had rested to the side before. "Any word from my brother?"

"Nothing my lord, the information Prince Rhys provided has remained the same."

The King pricked his finger on a thorn, his blood falling to the floor. "I hope that stupid brother of mine doesn't get carried away." he spoke, knowing his brother was a good choice to send on the mission. "About the Queen of Aperia?"

"She has still yet to find the boy." Princess Vera informed the King.

King Ezekiel threw the rose to the side, looking at his pricked finger. "That boy is the key, the key to changing that filthy kingdom." he said with much disdain. "Tell my brother to find him quickly."

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Iker was worried sick. The prince had disappeared while he was working. He's searched every nook and cranny of the castle to find the Prince. Commander Amir had come asking him earlier where the Prince was. That Prince Cormac had missed his sword training which was unusual. Iker thought the Prince was just sulking over the conversation they had and what King Rhett had said to him during breakfast.

Iker was no Royal in any way possible but he could understand why the Prince needed to know everything about his future kingdom. Iker recalled King Rhett saying that he was protecting Prince Cormac. The King couldn't protect him from what happens in the Kingdom of Seridina. Prince Cormac was destined to rule one day, he will learn the secrets and make his own judgements. Iker grew up in the Garrett District, he's grown near to the wall and knows its secrets. What being apart of this kingdom truly meant. Like a bird trapped in a cage. Its wings being clipped.

Iker, along with the other servants could never utter a word to the Prince about outside the castle walls. Iker always avoided the Prince's questions for obvious reasons. His tongue slipped that day, nostalgia took over when he looked at the Garrett District, the place he grew up in. Iker feared another beating, what the king might do if he found out that the Prince was missing. Iker feared where he went.

When Iker arrived at the Prince's chamber to see the room void of Prince Cormac. Iker became overthrown with worry, having to lie to Commander Amir that the Prince was feeling sick. Commander Amir luckily believed him. Its been hours since then, night had fallen and Prince Cormac has yet to return. Iker feared something had happened to the prince. With his decisions it doesn't only affect the Prince but Iker too. As his personal servant it would be off with his head if something bad happens to Prince Cormac on his watch.

Iker was heading back to the servants quarters to check again. Just like he did with every other area he's looked for the prince already. Iker looked around frantically, peeking into everyone's room. He was just leaving the bath when he saw Dash. Dash waved him over when he saw Iker. He sighed before making way to Dash, thinking it wasn't time for him to be telling Iker the recent gossip.

Dash was a friendly guy. The first day Iker arrived he welcomed him immediately, showed him how and when things are to be done. Even with all the bad things the others said about him, Dash still stuck to Iker.

"Isn't this the Prince clothing?" he spoke. Iker took the fabric from him, examining it. Iker recognized it to be Prince Cormac clothing, the very one he wore today.

"Where did you find this?" Iker asked, holding up the fabric before Dash.

Dash didn't miss the eagerness in Iker's tone, answer his question quickly. "I found it in the laundry basket."

Iker looked at the material as if they held the answers he desired. The servants quarters was the last place Iker thought the Prince would be. No one except the servants came down here. Commander Amir would stop by to have a word with Iker which wasn't very often. The Prince clothing being here meant he had changed or he got robbed all of his clothes. Iker would rather think the latter.

His fears were dominating him. Did the Prince happen to go outside?. Iker held the fabric tight, his brows knitted as he thought. Dash watched as Iker's face contorted with different emotions. "There's no need to get so worked up," Dash assured him. "You won't be in for a scolding if you misplaced his clothes. The Prince fancies you enough at it is." Dash sent a wink Iker's way.

"Please don't say things like that." Iker said. "What if someone overhears us."

Dash waved him off, "Don't take things so seriously Iker." Dash poked his chest. "I'll go back to my duties and you can go put those away like nothing happened."

Iker bid his goodbyes to Dash. Hurrying to go back to Prince Cormac's chamber before Commander Amir or worst the King wants to see him. Iker made his way to the stairs, only to be pulled back by someone. Iker was about to scream when a hand covered his mouth. He was dragged into one of the servants room, the door closing as whoever it was held tightly onto Iker.

"What in blazes are you doing!" He said the moment they released him. Iker's eyes widen when he saw no one other than the Prince. He was dressed in clothes of that a servant, his feet bare and a smile on his lips. "I'm sorry your Highness but where have you been all day?"

The Prince shushed him. "I'll tell you where I've been, but I need to get to my chamber first."

"I understand," Iker nodded, moving to the doors. He looked out to see if anyone was there. "Please follow me."

Prince Cormac did as he was told and followed Iker. He kept his head low, Iker walking close by to block the curious eyes of the servants. Prince Cormac was itching to tell Iker about all the things he saw outside the castle walls and the people he met. Iker bought the prince to his chambers. Prince Cormac sat on his bed, looking out his balcony at the high raising walls. All his life he wondered what was inside, what being in the Kingdom felt like. For the first time he got to experience it for himself, forgetting his father's words as he now forged a path based on the truth. It pained him to know what was truly inside, what the people were enduring. Prince Cormac got the answers he wanted, but it bought about new questions.

"Where have you been Prince Cormac?" Iker questioned, watching as the Prince stared aimlessly at the night sky.

"I thought about what you said Iker," Prince Cormac responded. Iker bit on his bottom lip, knowing the Prince wasn't going to tell him good news. "I got to know my people."

Memories that he wanted to bury came to the surface. Iker's body shaking as he begun thinking it was his fault. King Rhett finding out will not work in his favor. "I don't get what you mean Prince Cormac."

Cormac looked at Iker, his heart dancing to a sad tune. "I went out today. I saw the Kingdom, I got to see who they are. I went inside Area fifteen."

"What are you going to do?" Iker asked, his head hung low as his voice was shaky.

"I don't know." Prince Cormac said dejectedly. He's seen the awful sight and now he had to decide what to do. "I've seen nothing but awful things today. I saw a girl get beaten, she wore a shackle around her ankle with a number on it. I saw the people in the Garrett District and inside Area fifteen. It still hurts." the prince held his chest.

He turned towards Iker with much determination in his eyes, "I don't know what I'm going to do yet, but I met someone and learnt something. He said he was going to help everyone regardless of what anyone else says." Iker watched as the prince spoke fondly of the person he met. "I'm going to do the same, I'll help the Kingdom, the Garrett District and Area fifteen too."

"Where did you meet that person?"

"We met in Area fifteen." Prince Cormac responded. "He was injured so I followed him home and even met his family." Cormac frowned. "I don't know why father said they were diseased. Everyone looked okay."

Prince Cormac thought how he wanted to be like Phoenix. Helping those around him without a second thought, even if it cost him his life. He saw how Phoenix was surrounded by supportive and caring people. The only person he could think of as he looked at the sight was Iker, hoping he would always support him. The Prince saw in Phoenix what he wanted to be. A fighter, not that of a sword but one on the inside. Fight for the things he believed in.

The Prince knew not why his father lied to him. Why the people of Area fifteen were there in the first place. All his life he has known those walls to be standing. It took him nineteen years to know what laid inside.

"Can I request something your Highness?" Iker asked. The prince nodded, smiling as this was the first Iker had requested something. "Could you refrain from telling the king about you venturing outside. Only until you know what you're going to do about what you saw today." Iker knew he could only do that much. If King Rhett finds out about what the Prince knew. What he was protecting him from. Iker tried not to bring forth any troublesome memories of what might happen to him or the prince.

"I don't see why I should." Cormac said. "I'll adhere to your request since it's your first."

Iker let out a breath of relief. "One more thing your highness, why are you wearing no shoes?"

Prince Cormac wondered back to the events before he came home. After they left Phoenix's mother, which he came to know as Stella, home, Cormac said he wanted to leave. Phoenix had looked at him shocked as they made way back to Siobhan. The Prince found out that they weren't allowed to leave and with the guards chasing Phoenix things would even be more difficult in sneaking out. Cormac was starting to panic, he couldn't stay the night. Phoenix told him about a secret exit, that it wasn't likely he could get away without being seen. When they got near the gate, it was locked. It then clicked to Prince Cormac that Commander Amir would most likely had called forth a meeting, a change in strategy, tightening any loose gaps.

Cormac told him it was okay. Phoenix showed Cormac his secret exit, removing bricks and revealing a hole. Before he went through the small opening, the prince took off his shoes and gave it to Phoenix. Recalling his mother telling him to wear shoes. Phoenix refused, the prince persistence won as he left the shoes before him and left.

His feet were battered and bruised from walking so far. Not use to doing something like that. "I gave them to someone." He wasn't upset by what happened to his feet. The Prince experienced a lot of new things today. "I've made up my mind Iker, I'll become a King worthy of ruling this Kingdom."

Prince Cormac smiled at the thought of Phoenix. If someone such as him was King, everyone would praise him without a second thought. The Prince wanted to go to Area fifteen again. He wanted to meet Phoenix again.

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A/N: After a few laughs at the comments in this chapter. I realized that Fartonia (Fart-onia) which I didn't notice until the jokes 😂. I intended for it to be pronounced Far-to-nia.