Ron entered two more taverns and even an inn but the information they had wasn't even close to Old Jack's. He was already tired so he decided to go back. Besides, someone might notice he was missing which will raise a lot of trouble for him.
When he was halfway out of town, a group of goons appeared on the road. They were big and burly, all holding sharp looking daggers.The leader stepped forward, holding a sword which he pointed at Ron. "Hand over your money. Every bit of it and I'll think about you letting you leave this place alive"Fear crept into Ron's heart. He had never been in this kind of situation before. Worst of all, he didn't carry any weapon. He didn't think there would be any reason to.Sweat dropped the side of his face. He decided to use flattery and some sweet words to see if he could escape with everything he had intact. "Good, kind, handsome man, you look very reasonable. Can't we talk about this?"The goons snickered. It seemed like this guy didn't get the severity of the situation. The leader swung his sword and Ron stepped back, narrowly escaping the gleaming tip. Still, a bit of his fake hair was cut. He quickly untied his pouch and threw it to the leader. "There, that's all I have with me. Let me go now". He's a prince. Money wasn't an issue so why give his life?The leader weighed the pouch in his hand and gave an unsatisfied look. "Search him"Both of Ron's hands were pulled and clasped behind his back. When he tried to struggle, a dagger was held to his throat. He could feel the cold metal against his Adam's apple. His heart was beating rapidly and he was sweating profusely. One mistake and he would die. Two men came forward and started to search him. Their grubby hands went into all sorts of places, invading his privacy. Ron felt dirty all over. Nothing of this sort has ever happened to him. "There's nothing else" one of them confirmed. The leader hissed. They followed him for quarter of a pouch of gold? What nonsense! It wouldn't be enough."I'm afraid this is too small" he said to Ron who was already trembling. "You'll have to pay with your life!" He swung his sword.Ron's heart leapt to his throat and he closed his eyes. No no no! He couldn't die like this! This can't be end for him! He heard the sound of blade piercing through flesh. He felt the warm spray of blood on his face and heard a gut wrenching groan. Ron opened his eyes and saw the most handsome man he had ever seen in his life standing before him, holding the severed head of the leader. Thin streaks of blood stained his white cheek. His silver hair went down in waves, stopping right above his cheekbones. Violet coloured eyes stared coldly at Ron, making him shiver. His heart began to pound fiercely in his chest. With the moon's silver rays shining down, the man looked ethereal. Ron's breath was taken away. The man holding the dagger to his throat moved and cut a very thin line on Ron's throat, enough to draw blood but he didn't even feel it. He couldn't look away from the gorgeous man in front of him. Ron has never felt so strongly for anyone or anything in his life. "Y-You! Who are you?!" the man holding Ron screamed, jolting him back to his senses.The rest of the goons pulled out their swords and charged. The silver haired man moved with ease, his black robes fluttering in the mild wind. His sword moves were fluid like water, cutting up his opponents like a hot knife through butter.Ron had never seen a man look so beautiful. He moved swiftly as his body was very flexible and In a matter of seconds, the other goons were all dead.Their bodies were scattered on the floor. Lifeless. Each and every one of them. Their blood stained the grass and soaked the soil. Some had their limbs severed while others had their heads cut off. Bile rushed to his throat at the stench and sight of the blood and spilled organs but he forced it down and refocused on the dangerous man before him. He could feel the dagger shaking in the hand of the man that held him. Ron wanted to tell him to be careful. He could die with just a move!The silver haired man threw the head of the leader on the floor and crushed it under his foot, smearing blood and brain matter all over then he took a step forward. The man holding Ron panicked. "Don't! Don't come any closer or I'll kill him!"Ron didn't know if he should laugh or cry. "Are you stupid?" he asked the man. "Do I look like I know him? He's not here for me. In fact, he might even want to kill me with you! Hurry up and let me go!"The man didn't believe him. "No No. He slaughtered all my friends! He's here to save you. I'm sure of it!"The silver haired man took another step."Stop!" The man holding Ron screamed. "Stop! Stop or I'll really kill him!". His hand was trembling uncontrollably and Ron started to panic. "See kind sir" he said to the silver haired man with a smile. "I'm in no way related to any of them. In fact, they had stopped me here and tried to kill me. If it weren't for your superb interruption, This humble poor soul would be in heaven right now. For that, I'm very grateful. Just please, spare this man for he might really give me an early death!"The silver haired man wasn't listening. In fact, he just kept taking step after step.The dagger pressed further into his skin and Ron started to shake. "P-Please sir! I hope you're not planning on killing me too. I've been a good person all my life. I'm obedient and very nice. I also help a lot of people. If you do want to kill me, please reconsider. I'll do anything you want. Anything at all!"The man holding Ron was actually a newbie and he had never killed a person before. Being in this situation, he didn't know what to do and he also didn't want to die. The mangled bodies of his brothers were enough to give him nightmares for a lifetime. He decided, fuck it! He dropped the dagger and bolted.Fear made Ron nearly fall to his knees. Nearly, for the silver haired man caught him before his body made contact with the floor.Ron fell into a warm gentle embrace. He raised his head, parting his long lashes to look at the man holding him. Cold violet eyes stared straight at the running man. Ron felt that there such a huge contrast between being in his arms and those beautiful eyes. "Don't chase him" he said, making those plum coloured orbs stare down at him. "He has never killed a person. I could tell, believe me. If he had, he wouldn't have hesitated so much to kill me. I doubt he would even hurt a fly after what he has witnessed today so please, don't go after him"The fear he initially felt disappeared without a trace. Something told him that the man would not hurt him. The man nodded. "You're injured" he said, eyes sweeping down to look at the bleeding wound on Ron's neck. His voice was deep, alluring and magnetic, tugging at Ron's heartstrings. Perfect. Just perfect!Ron wa
Queen Lilian pulled Ron and squished his face into her bosom. Ron struggled and struggled, trying not to get suffocated by the large mounds on her chest but her hold only went tighter and tighter so he gave up and went limp like a wet noodle. "My baby is going so far away" she sobbed, completely shattering her elegance in the face of her family. Ron knew exactly where he got his personality from.His mother might be cool, calm and collected in front of outsiders but with her family, she was just an ordinary person. She behaved exactly the way she wanted to behave. Ron's only problem was that he couldn't act like that. To him, it was like splitting his personality. He'd rather just be himself.King Cain and Princess Rose stood at the side, watching the mother and son. "Mum come on, I'll be back in at least a week or two. You've seen me every single day since I was born. Don't you think you should take a break? Besides, I'm an adult now so stop treating me like a child" Ron complaine
Ron talked and talked. He talked about the novels he read and the wonderful creatures within. He talked about how the brain works and how fun it is to imagine so many things. How amazing it is to just conjure stuff up and make it real in fiction. Everyone felt bored and wished they could just shut him up. It didn't matter if they didn't reply to what he was saying. Prince Ron was very skilled in the arts of talking to oneself. He cracked bad jokes and laughed at them himself. When he felt laughing alone was too boring, he forced the servants to laugh by threatening to punish them by packing horse shit when they return to Ashenmore. Next, he forced them to sing.Poor servants. After two hours, the prince still wasn't done so Leo thought of the only thing that would make him shut up. To put him in the carriage with the princess. If everyone cooperated, the King would not even know. "Prince Ron" he called. "I think you can enter the carriage now. I'll let you come out after a few hour
After a week's journey, Princess Rose, Prince Ron, the guards and the servants that went with them, arrived at the North's main gate. It was very cold so the siblings remained hidden in the carriage while the rest had thick coats on. Their faces were pale. They never knew the North was so cold. How could people survive in such a place?To get to the castle, they had to go through the town. The townspeople all came out to see their soon to be queen but all they saw where half frozen faces and one exquisitely handsome face. It was that of a young man, peeking out of the carriage window. He had soft looking russet curls, brilliant green eyes and a radiant smile. The women who saw this face were swooning. Some men were jealous while others felt it would be nice to have such a beauty to themselves. Prince Ron smiled at every person he made eye contact with. He even winked at some of the women. He felt that Netheridge was full of pretty faces. He hasn't seen a single ugly one. Even the men
Ron nodded and he and Ludiciel started to walk side by side. Ludiciel remained quiet so Ron used the time to look around. His face was straight, devoid of any emotion but his green eyes showed it all. The hidden excitement, the amazement, the joy. He felt like bursting. The Netheridge castle was awesome! It was so large he could hardly see the ceiling but there were lights glowing everywhere, making it look so magical. The walls were painted an icy blue which looked cold to the touch. He wanted to know if it was really cold but that would destroy his princely character so he retracted his hand. He also realized that since they stepped inside, it wasn't cold anymore.Ah pretending was so tiring. He didn't think he could keep up. His back was starting to hurt and his face was feeling a bit stiff. He wondered how his parents could retain such an expression for years. Leo gazed at Ron from time to time. His heart softened at the prince's antics. He knew Ron was a type of person that did
"Do you like him that much, sister?" he asked softly, wanting to make sure.Rose raised her head and looked at Ron right in the eyes. "I've never been so sure about anything in my entire life Ron. I love him and I want to marry him"Ron completely understood what it felt like to love someone even if it's just for a day. His silver haired hero had been on his mind since the day they met. "Don't be sad. I'll go talk to him alright? I'll work something out"The doubt in her eyes were as clear as day. What could Ron do? What had he ever accomplished in his life? Ron didn't like the look. It further strengthened his resolve. "Don't look at me like that sister. You've done so much for me. Let me do something for you too. I'm not saying that I'll succeed but least let me try. You've always told me to never give up without trying haven't you? Do you want to go back on your own words?"Rose shook her head. She couldn't believe Ron remembered such things at a time like this. With that said, al
"I am sorry" King Zedekiel said, standing before Ron. "I didn't want to hurt your sister but I can't go on with this marriage". Every single word spoken was chilling and none of them sounded sincere. As if he was being forced to say it.The hatred he felt was bone deep and he couldn't hide it. He didn't bother trying to sound like he meant what he was saying because he didn't."Why not?" Ron asked. "You asked for her hand yourself and when it was given to you, you want to discard it. Do you think marriage is a joke? Is my sister some toy?" Ron was even more hurt that Zedekiel was right before him but he couldn't recognize him.Then he recalled that he was wearing a disguise that day. That stupid wig and ugly mustache! How he wished he revealed his true identity. Zedekiel shook his head. "I was forced by my Queen mother. The truth is, I do not love your sister. I'll ruin two lives by marrying her. Mine as well as hers. I hope you understand". He talked with a straight face. His words
Zedekiel and Ludiciel froze while Mariel's heart started to beat faster. Before Mariel could answer, Ron sighed and dropped her arm. "Forget it. I'm sorry. I can't do it""What?!" Both brothers shouted. Mariel felt wronged. She wanted to cry."I'm sorry Mariel" Ron apologized again. "I just wanted to prove something to your brother""You!" Zedekiel shouted, jacking Ron up by the collar. "It hurts, doesn't it?" Ron sneered and Zedekiel's hold loosened, gazing at Ron in disbelief. "You don't like seeing your sister hurt just as I don't like seeing mine hurt. Be lucky I didn't go through with the act. I'm not like you. I can't bear to hurt your own sister because she's innocent in all this"Ludiciel let out a tiny smile. So that was Ron's plan. He had also tried to convince Zedekiel not to call it off but he didn't listen. Maybe Ron could make him see reason. Ron placed his palm over Zedekiel's hand. He lightly shivered for the hand was cold. The touch seemed to awaken Zedekiel so he