As the ship pulled into port after the long battle at sea, Prince Zephyrus stood on deck observing the crowd gathering on the docks. Most of the cheers and shouts of celebration were directed at his brother Cadmus, the commander of Sorenia's navy, while few acknowledged Zephyrus's own role in their victory as the lieutenant.
Zephyrus disembarked reluctantly, trying to hide his disappointment at once again being overlooked. As he reached the bottom of the gangplank, his eyes met those of someone in the crowd.
He holds their gaze for a moment. Though his brother received the lion's share of the crowd's praise, this one small acknowledgment eased some of the bitter taste of being forgotten. Whatever challenges lay ahead, at least this one pair of eyes had truly seen him that day.
With that small consolation, Zephyrus followed his brother off the gangplank, diving head-first to the crowds and their rousing cheers.
Aislinn was wearing a beige dress, a straw hat with a ribbon in a shade of blue that was Zephyrus's favorite color and holding blue sandals in her hands, with her feet dirty with sand. Apparently, she was on the beach, as if she was waiting for Zephyrus to arrive. She cheered and shouted his name, and when he looked at her, she smiled and waved at him.
For a moment, the sight of Aislinn in his favorite color made her stand out among the rest of the crowd. Prince Zephyrus smiled slightly and returned her wave, unable to hide his gratitude for her support. As they disappeared into the jubilant throng, he wondered how much of this newfound fame and adulation would actually be directed at him instead of his more illustrious siblings.
When they arrived at the Royal Palace of Sorenia, Cadmus and his other brothers were welcomed by their proud father, while Zephyrus was ignored by his own father. Their mother appears and congratulates Zephyrus and his brothers, saying there was a surprise for them at the beach.
Their mother's words were little more than an empty gesture to his ears. The divide between himself and the rest of his family seemed wider than ever before. Still, he maintained a polite smile and murmured his thanks as she passed on her well-wishes. Perhaps this surprise at the beach would prove to be something worth looking forward to.
After all the brothers calmed down upon hearing about the surprise, their mother asks them to follow her and she walks to the beach, with some of Zephyrus' brothers murmuring about being excited. When they arrive at the beach, their mother points to Aislinn, who was with her feet in the water and looking at the sea. The wind made her black hair and dress fly, making her look angelic. Their mother says they have a challenge, which is to win Aislinn's heart. And whoever succeeds will take the throne in their father's place.
The revelation stunned Prince Zephyrus into momentary silence. His eyes narrowed as he looked at his mother, searching her expression for any hint of jest or manipulation. But there was none to be found. The throne - it had always been his dream, the only thing that had kept him going in the face of constant neglect and disappointment... Now it seemed within reach.
His brothers exchanged glances, no doubt shocked by the news as well. For a moment, they stood united against this unexpected turn of events. But Zephyrus knew better than to waste time on sentimentality. This was his chance, his one shot at greatness - he would not let it slip through his fingers.
With a determined grin, he took a step forward, eyeing Aislinn with newfound respect and determination. "Very well," he said, his voice steady despite the turmoil within him. "
Zephyrus comes close to Aislinn and puts his hand on her shoulder. She turns and smiles when she sees him. "Good morning, Your Highness."
"Good morning to you as well," Prince Zephyrus replied with equal courtesy, the corners of his mouth curling upward in a faint smile. "It seems fate has brought us together today." He paused, considering his next words carefully before continuing, "I must confess that I am both honored and intrigued by our mother's challenge. To win your heart would be quite the feat indeed." His gaze never left hers as he searched for any sign of encouragement or discouragement on her face.
"So," he continued, his voice lowering slightly, "what do you say, my lady? Shall we begin?"
Aislinn laughs softly and looks out to sea again. "Well, I'm not such an easy lady to win over, Your Highness." She takes another step closer to the sea, with the water lapping at her ankle. "Do you like the sea?"
Prince Zephyrus chuckled warmly in reply. "I do indeed, my lady," he said sincerely. "To me, the sea is both a source of life and a symbol of endless possibility." He hesitated for a moment before continuing, his tone growing more serious. "You see, I was once told that those who truly love the ocean can never be truly happy on land. And so, it has been my greatest desire to someday found my own fleet, exploring the vast expanse of waters and claiming new territories in our empire's name."
He leaned in closer, meeting her gaze directly. "What do you say, Aislinn? Will you help me achieve this dream?"
"The sea is beautiful, almost perfect." She looks at Zephyrus, her emerald eyes mesmerizing him. "I have to listen to your brothers' plan, too. Whatever I think is best for the people of Sorenia, I will marry that."
The words stung, but Prince Zephyrus refused to let it show. Instead, he forced a polite smile and nodded understandingly. "Of course," he replied, his tone carefully neutral. "One must always consider what is best for the kingdom." He paused, glancing around before speaking again in a softer voice. "Though I cannot help but wonder... if it were up to you alone, Aislinn, would you choose me?"
There it was, the question that had been on his mind since he first laid eyes on her. Would she accept him for who he was - flaws and all? Or would she prefer one of his brothers, those who had always seemed so much more deserving of love and admiration than himself? The answer hung in the air, unspoken yet weighted with significance.
She looks at the sand before looking at the sea again, still smiling. "You are very undervalued, Zephyrus. The people and not even your own parents see your value."
The truth in her words cut deep, but Prince Zephyrus refused to let it show. Instead, he inclined his head graciously, choosing to focus on the compliment rather than the insult. "Thank you for saying so," he replied quietly. "And I assure you, Aislinn... if given the chance, I will not disappoint." His eyes met hers once more, full of determination and unspoken promises. "I will make sure that your trust in me is not misplaced."
With those final words, he stepped back, giving her some space to think. The weight of their conversation hung heavily between them, but he refused to let it deter him from his goal - to win Aislinn's heart and claim the throne that was rightfully his.
Zephyrus goes back to where her brothers were and then Cadmus goes to talk to her. Each one would have a conversation with her, from what he understood. His mother started talking about how this challenge would work. Aislinn would live in the palace with everyone, and would be treated like a princess. They would have 1 year to win her heart, and after the deadline, she would tell the queen who she chose to become king and marry her.
As Prince Cadmus stepped forward to speak with Aislinn, the tension within Zephyrus grew palpable. He clenched his fists at his sides, every instinct screaming for him to take control of the situation and make sure that he was the one who came out on top. Yet, he forced himself to remain calm and composed, biding his time until it was once again his turn to speak with her.
His brothers' conversations with Aislinn were little more than background noise as he studied her reactions, looking for any sign that might indicate how she felt about each of them. It was a delicate dance, and one misstep could cost him everything. But Zephyrus was determined not to make that mistake.
When at last his turn came again, he took a deep breath before beginning to speak, his voice smooth and confident despite the turmoil churning within him. "I hope you
Aislinn looks at Zephyrus as he approaches. When he gets close to her, he decides to take a risky step, which none of his brothers had tried yet. He takes her hand gently and brings it to his mouth, kissing her hand, treating her like a member of the Royal Family. She giggles cutely. "Well, this is my last conversation for today, so you're lucky to have the chance to have two conversations with me."
Prince Zephyrus smiled warmly at her reaction, feeling a surge of relief and triumph wash over him. "Thank you, Aislinn," he murmured softly, his voice thick with sincerity. "It means the world to me that you think I'm deserving of such an honor." Lowering his head further, he placed a tender kiss on her knuckles before continuing in a more serious tone, "I want you to know that I take this challenge very seriously. My sole desire is to make sure that our people thrive under my reign, and I will do whatever it takes to ensure their happiness."
His eyes met hers once more, pleading for understanding and support. "I need your help, Aislinn," he whispered hoarsely. "Your guidance. Your trust."
The weight of his words hung heavy in the air, a tangible thing that seemed to fill the space
Aislinn sighs and looks at the sea. Before she can speak, the wind becomes more aggressive, and she has to hold the straw hat so it doesn't blow away. "Zephyrus, this isn't just about the throne. Your mother wants one of you to get married, and she wants me told me who I should choose. But I can't say who, yet."
"I understand that this is not an easy decision for you to make," Prince Zephyrus replied gently, his eyes never leaving her face despite the strength of the wind. "But please know that I will respect whatever choice you come to, Aislinn. It matters little to me who takes my place on the throne; all that truly matters is the well-being of our people."
He paused, searching for the right words to express what he was feeling. "And if it's meant to be," he continued softly, his voice barely above a whisper, "perhaps we can find a way to make this work, you and I. Together." The hopeful note in his voice was unmistakable, an open plea for her to consider the possibility of their future together.
For a moment, there was silence between them as she struggled with her hat against the wind. Then, slowly but surely, A
Zephyrus sighs and decides to try another risky thing that his brothers haven't tried yet. He places his hands on Aislinn's lower back and pulls her into a tender, loving kiss, and he can hear his brothers huff in frustration despite the strong wind.
As their lips met, Prince Zephyrus felt a thrill coursing through him, washing away the last remnants of his uncertainty and self-doubt. The taste of her was intoxicating, and he couldn't help but deepen the kiss, losing himself in the sweet sensation of her mouth moving against his own. He held her close, feeling the warmth of her body press against him, willing their hearts to become as one.
For a moment, it seemed as if the world had disappeared, leaving only the two of them amidst the chaos of the wind and the surging sea. And when at last they pulled apart, breathless and flushed with desire, he could see in her eyes that she felt it too - the connection between them was undeniable, a force stronger than any political alliance or family rivalry.
"Aislinn," he whispered hoarsely, staring into her
Aislinn laughs, still holding her hat as the wind grows even stronger and the waves lap at her feet. "You are, indeed, bolder than your brothers."
"I simply cannot help it," he murmured with a mischievous smile, reaching out to gently tuck a strand of hair behind her ear. "You are an irresistible force, my lady." The words were said lightly, but there was truth in them nonetheless; the feeling that surged through him whenever he was near her was unlike anything he had ever known before.
"And if I may be so bold," he continued, his voice lowering to a husky whisper, "perhaps you could tell me... what it is about me that you find most attractive?"
His brothers let out another frustrated snort and Aislinn smiles, giving Zephyrus a kiss on the cheek. "Well, even though we have one thing in common, which is loving the sea, you're really cute."
"Cute?" Prince Zephyrus feigned indignation, his laughter betraying his true feelings. "Surely there must be something more to it than that!" He placed a hand on his chest dramatically. "Perhaps you find my intelligence or leadership skills appealing? Or perhaps..." His voice trailed off suggestively as he leaned in closer, gazing intently into her eyes. "...it's the rumors of my prowess in bed that have you so intrigued?"
The air between them crackled with anticipation, the tension heightened by their playful banter and unspoken desires. Zephyrus could feel his heart racing, every nerve ending alive with need for her touch. It was a potent mixture, this blend of lust and love that he had never experienced before - and one he intended to explore to its fullest extent.
Zephyrus's mother giggles and his brothers gape, wanting a chance to kiss Aislinn too. Aislinn smiles, looking at the water before looking at Zephyrus. "How about all three things?"
"Ah..." Prince Zephyrus's eyes widened in surprise before he let out a chuckle, feeling both relief and triumph wash over him. "Well then, it seems I truly am fortunate to have won you over." His gaze locked on hers, burning with desire as he took her hand and brought it to his lips, pressing a soft kiss against her knuckles. "I look forward to proving myself worthy of your trust and affection, my lady," he whispered hoarsely, his voice thick with emotion. "Together, I believe we can create something truly special."
His heart hammered wildly in his chest as they stood there on the beach, their fingers entwined, sharing a moment that seemed to stretch into eternity. It was a heady experience, this feeling of being so close to having everything he'd ever wanted - the throne, the woman he loved, and
Zephyrus's mother claps her hands, catching both of their attention. Their time was up, and now it was time for lunch. The queen's four children were going to show her where Aislinn's room would be, and give her a tour of the palace. Zephyrus reluctantly moves away from her and walks to where his mother and brothers were, his mother was smiling with happiness and his brothers were looking at him with envy. Suddenly, Aislinn pulls Zephyrus' arm so he can turn to her. "Ah, for the record, you haven't won me over yet."
Prince Zephyrus raised an eyebrow in amusement at Aislinn's teasing retort, his heart fluttering with anticipation nonetheless. He placed a hand on her shoulder reassuringly, giving it a squeeze before letting go. "My lady," he said with a playful grin, "I have every confidence that given time and opportunity, I will win your heart." His eyes bore into hers, full of sincerity and determination. "It is my destiny, after all."
With those words, he allowed himself to be led away by his mother and brothers, content for the moment to bask in the glow of Aislinn's affection - even if it wasn't quite what he'd hoped for yet. In time, he promised himself, things would change. They had to. He simply couldn't imagine his life without her by his side.
Aislinn walked alongside the queen, Mikaela, as the two talked about Aislinn's mother, who was an old friend of the queen. As they enter the palace, the king smiles when he sees Aislinn and hugs her tightly, talking about how the last time he saw her she was only three years old.
Even though Prince Zephyrus wasn't there to witness it, he would have smiled with pride at the sight of Aislinn being greeted so warmly by his parents. To him, her presence in their lives was already making a difference - filling their halls with laughter and joy where once there had only been silence and resignation. It was a promising sign, one that filled him with hope for the future.
As they continued through the palace, he found himself lost in thought, running through all of the things he wanted to do with Aislinn once she had made her decision. Build an empire together? Explore new territories and cultures? Create a dynasty that would stand the test of time? The possibilities were endless, and for the first time in his life, Zephyrus allowed himself to truly dream of what could be.
It was then, as they reached her bedchamber,
When they arrived at Aislinn's room, the queen opened the door and asked Aislinn to stay there for a while, until she finished talking to the boys. Aislinn nods and enters the room, closing the door behind her. The queen begins to talk about how she and the king knew Aislinn since she was little: Mikaela, the queen, had a best friend, Janniele, and they were inseparable . The king, Madson, had a best friend, Kynon. Madson married Mikaela, who became the queen, and Janniele married Kynon, who at that time was the lieutenant of the war at sea. Janniele became pregnant, and had Aislinn as her daughter. When Aislinn was three years old, Kynon had to go to war, and he boarded the ship heading to war. He never came back, and since then, Janniele has stayed on the beach, looking out to sea, waiting for Kynon to come home.
Prince Zephyrus listens carefully to his mother's tale, feeling a pang of sympathy for Aislinn and her family. He can hardly imagine what it must be like to lose someone so close, especially at such a young age. As they continue their conversation, he tries to picture how different things might have been if Kynon had returned from that fateful voyage - would Aislinn's parents still be together? Would she have grown up in a home full of love and stability instead of yearning for her father's embrace? So many questions without answers, and yet he cannot help but feel that perhaps, just perhaps, there is hope.
For him. For Aislinn. And for their future together.
Mikaela gives the boys 4 teddy bears, which they were supposed to give to Aislinn. They enter Aislinn's room, and she was looking out the window. When she turns around and sees the boys with teddy bears in their hands, she smiles. "What are you guys doing?"
"We just wanted to give these to you," Prince Zephyrus replied gently, stepping forward and handing her one of the plush bears. "They reminded us of your father." His voice was tinged with sadness, but there was also an undercurrent of hope that he couldn't quite suppress. "And we thought that perhaps they might help you feel a little less lonely at times like these."
His gaze met hers, searching for any sign of understanding or encouragement in her eyes. He knew it was a lot to ask of her - to choose between him and his brothers, to marry one of them and become queen beside him. But he couldn't help but believe that together, they could make it work; that together, they could bring happiness back into their lives once more.
Cadmus grunts and pushes Zephyrus back, approaching Aislinn slowly. He mumbles something about Zephyrus having already spent a lot of time with Aislinn and hands the stuffed animal to her, blushing. Aislinn smiles and takes the stuffed animal. "Thanks, Cadmus."
Circling back around to where his brothers had been standing earlier, Prince Zephyrus couldn't help but feel a sense of triumph welling up inside him. Aislinn hadn't made her decision yet, true, but the connection between them was undeniable now; their bond unbreakable. And with each passing moment that they spent together, he grew more certain that she would choose him in the end.
As his mother continued to talk about the various responsibilities and expectations of being queen, Zephyrus listened intently, imagining what life might be like if Aislinn were by his side as they forged a new future together. The possibilities were endless - limitless even - and he couldn't wait to begin exploring them with her.
Soon enough, their time would come; when Aislinn would reveal her choice to the world and crown him king of Sorenia. Until then
After all the boys hand in the teddy bears and leave Aislinn's room, they walk to the end of the hall, and Zephyrus makes a lame excuse, saying that he had something important to do and that the boys could go without him. They look at each other, suspicious, but continue on the path without Zephyrus. He smiles and returns to Aislinn's room, seeing her hugging the teddy bear he gave her, lying on her bed.
Prince Zephyrus hesitates in the doorway, taking in the sight of Aislinn curled up with his gift. The vulnerability he senses radiating from her only serves to intensify the feeling that's been growing inside him since they first met on the beach. He takes a deep breath and steps further into the room, moving slowly toward her bed