"Hope is the companion of power,
the mother of success; 
For who so hopes strongly has within him the gift of miracles,"

~Samuel smiles

"*yawns* I'm getting bored," Sapphirus mumbled to himself, resting his hand on his forehead, leaning on his study, with his eyes on the huge account he had to write by himself.

Of course, being a prince was the responsibility to fight and protect his subjects physically and financially as well. It should have been a burden on him but it was the other way around. It was his father that was a true burden to him. He would forage in any way he could to relieve that burden that tormented him. Little did he know, someone was going to change that.

He put his quill back in the bottle of ink and headed out of the room, grabbing his coat. He sneaked out of the palace and wore his robe, pulling the huge hood over his head, and covering his eyes. He got on his horse and trotted off to the woods, heading to the same cliff, where he heard those two girls talk.

All of a sudden, the horse tripped and lost its balance, causing Sapph to fall off it. His back hit the ground and he rolled over a little, causing him to sprain the same shoulder again. He grunted aggressively, trying not to make any noise and tried to get up. After a painful effort, he stood up on his feet, clutching his sprained shoulder and headed to the horse, that had gotten up before he did.

"Jack, are you alright lad?"

A worried expression clouded his perfect, chiselled face while sprinting his hands on the horse's legs and a sigh of relief left his lips after noticing no injuries on the horse's body. He looked in the direction of the trap set for the horse and saw a small, hoove-sized pit in the dark brown, mushy sand. He looked ahead, internally deciding to keep walking with the reigns in his fist but before he could make a move, he felt the swing of a dagger behind him.

He widened his eyes and with his quick reflexes, took the sword out, that was hanging on Jack's saddle and blocked the attack. He sliced his sword through the chest of the attacker and pulled it out, leading blood to spat on his face. He took his robe off and huffed aggressively, before he could get on his horse, someone pulled him down by the shoulders and tried to kill him but they were no match for him. He realized there were more and didn't stop swinging his sword at them, as if his life depended on it. He fought them off for a while until he felt his vision go blur and everything around him started to fade.

"No, I can't die here. I need to get away from here."

It was too late and everything went black as he fainted in the mud, not knowing what was going to happen. Before a cut could fall on his already parched and scarred skin, someone in a huge robe stepped in, dodging all those swords and swinging their sword effortlessly and causing them to be slain one by one. After the anonymous person was done, they took Sapph and his horse to the chalet that was by the lake.

"I finally found you," Felicia mumbled to herself as she raised the hood of the robe that covered her figure doublet-dominated figure and looked at him with relieved and curious eyes. She quickly took out a crumpled paper she had in her satchel and opened it, revealing a small metallic vile (of the size of a finger) and opened it. She opened his mouth agape, manually, such that only his teeth were visible. She poured the shiny liquid inside the vile into his mouth and covered him partially with a blanket. She was now in the chalet where Becky and her would spend time together. She knew it would take him some time to wake up so she walked out of the chalet and continued with her job.

***{After the prologue}***

Felicia was nervous and astounded at the same time, upon being called to a monumental and momentous ball. She skimmed through herself in the mirror, which was in the room assigned by his majesty to her alone, all dressed up in a red royal gown and some expensive diamonds here and there. She sighed and proceeded to tie her hair up with a silver, four-toothed comb (Hairpin), leaving some flicks free. She curled those flicks and proceeded to wear her red gloves. She leaned towards the mirror and picked the neatly folded gloves, unfolding them and pulling them onto her hands, perfectly fitting as per the alignment of her fingers and palm. A knock on her door was heard and a maid came in.

"Please follow me, to choose your complete attire."

Felicia nodded and followed the maid out. After choosing her shoes, she proceeded to choose her mask, since it was a masquerade ball. She looked at the masks in front of her and a tiny smirk sneaked in at the side of her lips. She chose a cream-coloured mask with minor stones on it and cracked and imperfectly magnificent prints, crowned in the centre, that is, the forehead. She put the mask up and one of the maids tied it up for her in the back saying, "A wise choice miss," Felicia thanked her and walked to the huge gates of the palace exit. It was almost evening and the sky looked like a palette of a mixed combination of rouge, orange and bleu. She hurriedly got into the carriage reserved for her and closed the door. Her mind was flooded with sneers and mischievous thoughts as she looked ahead and smirked at herself.

"This shall be fun,"

Felicia stepped out of the carriage after reaching thepalace after an hour of riding. She was helped by the footman, taking into notethe fine maiden wore a fancy red gown. She thanked the footman and headed tothe ballroom, through the huge pair of gates. There was a huge bustle in theballroom, where the nobles and commoners mingled with each other and the neatlydecorated chandeliers emanated light as if it were daylight. The bustle was cutoff as the royal duke announced,

"Presenting, His and her majesty! King Adonius and Queen Adonia!"

Felicia looked up and saw the couple walking to the huge flight of stairs gracefully, with their arms intertwined. The crowd stood there, watching them climb down the stairs and do the usual, dance. After their dance ended, she looked for Sapphirus. The crowd had indulged in the dance and many couples were visible, dancing in the centre of the ballroom. Felicia suddenly felt a hand on her shoulder. She turned around just to see the person she was looking for, Sapphirus.

"Took you long, your highness," She remarked with a smirk lingering on her lips.

Sapph scoffed, an obnoxiously lavishing smirk making its way to his lips.

"Well, I wasn't here for a while, so would you like to dance with me?"

He extended his hand to her, bowing. Felicia placed her hand in his and he led her to the centre of the room. After reaching the centre, they faced each other, Sapphirus's left hand holding her right and the other hand, snaking around her waist, pulling her closer, and their bodies attached. A shade of red tint was visible on Felicia's face as she looked sideways, getting as shy as a puppy while gliding smoothly with him.

"Would you mind looking into my eyes?"

Felicia cleared her throat and looked him in the eyes.

"So, you must be wondering why I invited you here," Sapphirus said continuing to glide with her.

She nodded in response to it. Sapph smiled as he continued to glide with her, his confidence knowing no boundaries.

"It is because you saved my life and protected me, even though I've caused many atrocities to your kingdom,"

Felicia looked down and then back at him nervously, not knowing why her heart was pounding in her chest. She almost panicked when Sapph's next question made its way through her ears.

"So why protect me? Or even save my life?"

Felicia didn't have an answer to it. Neither could she deny the instance of not knowing him before saving him, nor could she disclose the truth about the orders given to her. She thought for a while and spoke as Sapph held her down, with her face under his, looking into his doe eyes.

"Because I realized that you could keep this a secret and you are your highness,"

Sapph took her back up, as per the steps he learnt for the dance and continued gliding with her. He looked into her ocean eyes, almost drowning in the bravery buried underneath their oceans.

"Then you could've kept it a secret by not getting indulged with my attackers. So why? Because I'm a prince and my life matters? No, it doesn't matter to anyone. I do not know who I am, where I came from or how I was even given to this cruelty,"

Felicia's look softened towards him and her eyes became a bit teary. She inhaled while looking down at his shoes.

"Your Highness, your life matters to your subjects. You see, the people who tried to take your life today were a part of your palace, but they were not your own people. I came to Vasilia yesterday and witnessed the hardships your subjects go through. They might not realise it yet but they need your help. You are the only one who can rid of those atrocities,"

Sapph swivelled her softly and again, his face was over hers.

"Alright, Felicia, I'll keep that in mind. But you mustn't cry for a heartless prince like me, must you?"

Felicia gave him a small smile, with Sapph helped her up again and proceeded to grab her wrist.

"Come with me, I need to have a word with you,"

He gripped her slender hand into his fist and led her out of the palace, into the maze gardens. He took her to a spot and sat there with her on one of the stone slabs, after helping her adjust her long red gown. He broke the silence by admitting something he had done a few nights ago.

"That night when you talked about the man who raised you, I was there. I know that I intruded on your friend's and your privacy but I couldn't help but listen to it and break down, because he was the same man who raised me like a father."

A tear trailed down Felicia's cheek as she heard this.

"Apologies, your highness," She said while looking away and wiping her tears.

"Do you think I'm that heartless, Milady?"

She looked at Sapph with a questioning expression now, the beats of her heart tightening.

"No, it is not like that,"

Sapph shrugged and continued, "He was the one who warned me that my life is in danger. Little did I know that someone would try to take the life of a prince regardless of how much he protects his subjects, to such an extent that they would secretly poison him through his diet."

Felicia's eyes widened upon hearing that. Her thoughts clouded her mind, the urge to tell him everything awakening.

"Enough! I'll have to tell him everything,"

"So that is why you protected me," Sapph coldly said after Felicia told him about her helplessness and how she had to forcefully protect him.

"I understand if you are willing to punish me for what I've-"

"I won't be doing that."

Felicia gave him a confused look.

Out of everything he could've done to punish her, Sapph smiled.

"Don't worry, you'll soon have knowledge of everything happening to you,"

At that moment, Felicia saw a kind of suspicion in Sapph's eyes. She could see it in his eyes, the treachery, the secret he was hiding. Sapph looked back at the sky, admiring the irregular pattern of the stars. Felicia looked straight ahead, questioning the reason behind her helplessness, craving for those answers she needed.

"Why? Why is it that I don't get to know why I have to carry such orders out? Why can't you tell me, your highness? Don't you owe me that after I just saved your life? After I also cured you completely with the antidote?"

Sapphirus had no answer to that but to only tell her the truth.

"My mother knows I'm being poisoned by someone from the premises and she was very much afraid that something might happen to me, without me knowing it. Hence, she sent a message to King Graham, regardless of the hostile relationship that lies between Ardalia and Vasilia. I knew about this after the message made its way to his majesty. The next day, I overheard my mother, talking to the royal duke that someone is going to protect me, and it was a girl. I thought a lot about it and got reminded of what Caesar told me once, that I'll come across a girl. I didn't interpret it as some sort of coincidence. Hence, now I know that girl is you and that there is a meaning to both of us finally crossing paths with each other as if it was planned or even destined."

Felicia couldn't reply to what Sapphirus just said and felt a tear run down her cheek. She covered it as Sapphirus looked at her.

"May I ask what is the reason you just cried for?"

Felicia sniffled.

"It's just that I can't find myself. I don't feel that I will even be able to do that. I don't even know where I came from and I know that only you can understand that. So, I'm happy to have found someone who's going through the same thing. Thank you, your highness. I won't ever forget this,"

Her sniffles muffled down as Sapphirus wrapped his fingers around the buttoned side of his coat, slipping the other hand under it and pulling out a handkerchief, extending it towards her seated figure.

"It is Sapph for you since you have earned my trust,"

Felicia shot a tiny smile at him as they spent the last minute, sharing each other's pain, and relieved to have found each other's reflection.

***

"So, how did you like the ball child?" Sophia asked while undoing the string of Felicia's mask.

"It was beautiful, your majesty. I enjoyed every moment of it. Thank you,"

Sophia smiled and undid the strings used to hold the red gown on her back. Felicia looked down while thinking about how the prince became her reflection friend, just in one night, how his pain was hers as well, how his search was the same as hers as well, how her fate was entangled with his, how she thought they were friends who met in their previous life. She thought there was something a little more familiar about him. She suddenly snapped back to reality, hearing someone calling her name.

"Child?"

Sophia called her for the 4th time, leading her to realize that she was done undoing the dress from behind and that she was leaving. Felicia nodded and Sophia plodded back to her room. Felicia was dumbfounded by the reasons she tried to look for, for thinking of Sapphirus's familiarity unknowingly and repeatedly. She brushed the feeling off and dressed up in her regular clothes, heading back to her living quarters. That night, she slept soundly, as if there was no one to disrupt her long-lasting sleep. She had no dreams, no nightmares, just a peaceful sleep.

Graham sat far in front of Sophia, in the royal dining hall, late at night. Eating in silence, they kept giving short-termed glances to each other. The silence was turning into a strange phenomenon. The thought of breaking the silence kept wandering in their surroundings, but only to expect each other to attempt. Yes, it was strange and oblivious for them to be silent while dining but both knew what they were willing to speak to each other about and realized that it might get a bit tough for them to control their temper.

"Could you please excuse the guards, your majesty?" Sophia asked.

Graham nodded and signalled the guards to give them some privacy. After the hall was closed, with no guards, Sophia stood up and walked to the seat diagonally near Graham's. She took a seat.

"Don't you think something is familiar about that child, Felicia?"

Graham stopped eating and looked at her seriously.

"What do you mean, darling? Why does this thought bother you when everything is going as planned?"

Sophia sighed and looked down, saying, "I am fully aware of everything Graham. I'm just somehow worried about the child. I know this is our only chance at encouraging friendly ties with Vasilia but why put the child's life in danger?"

Graham gave Sophia an assuring smile, leading his hand to stroke her cheek lightly.

"Sophia, I know how much the deeds of children worry you. I know how badly you want to keep the child safe. But believe me, it is going to be worth everything you worry about. I promise you that darling,"

Sophia nodded at him even though she was worried, thinking that everything will be back to what it used to be.

***

"So, you thought of paying me a visit, your highness?"

Felicia asked Sapphirus as she got off her horse. Sapphirus was seated on the porch of the chalet, waiting for her to arrive.

He looked away before scoffing.

"Well, don't I have the right to meet the one destined to protect me?"

Felicia crossed her arms on her chest and smirked to herself.

"I didn't think I needed to protect you but after hearing you out about your awareness that someone is plotting against you and poisoning you, I had to take it seriously, rather than taking it as an order,"

Sapphirus was a bit shocked and had no words to reply to that. It was not because he felt insulted, it was because he felt contented that there was someone who truly cared and worried about him. A stupid smile wandered around his lips unconsciously as he looked down and shook his head, wondering why he got the wrong idea.

Felicia stood there in front of him, feeling oblivious to the sudden change in his behaviour, of course, she thought to herself,

"He looks stupendous when he smiles. I will never understand why maidens find him enthralling,"

She suddenly snapped out of the thought, questioning herself of having such thoughts.

"Your Highness, could you please address me of the purpose of paying a sudden visit if you're done with the daydreams?"

Sapphirus chuckled and looked up at her face, which was full of freckles, carved with a few imperfections, the words of tease escaping his mouth.

"I can't believe someone could be this intimidating as you are, young lady,"

Felicia scoffed and remained silent as if not accepting his compliment. Sapphirus groaned out of annoyance that his tease had no effect on her.

"Ugh! alright, I am willing to test your skills,"

Felicia raised her eyebrows and bent her head forward, acting as though she didn't hear him.

"Alright, I want to spar with you, Felicia, that is, if you don't mind, young lady,"

Felicia replied, "Of course, your highness. You should've been more clear from the beginning,"

She took her long robe off, revealing her orange, braided scalp and looked into Sapphirus's doe eyes with her ocean ones. She took her sword out and tilted her head on each side, as though warming up to start. Sapphirus took his sword out, and threw its cover to the side, on the grass.

The next moment, both of them were sparring beside the shore of the silent and unrippled lake, still like a mirror, as though the sky was admiring its reflection on it. The sounds of swords swinging and rubbing against each other were heard travelling around in the woods. Felicia stood with the tip of her sword facing towards the ground, clutching onto it with both of her hands, huffing, her sweat dripping to the ground, shocked at the instance that not even a hair on Sapphirus's head had made a move and there he was, standing as if nothing even happened. Sapphirus sneered at her, finding it amusing.

"Looks like someone is getting tired already."

Felicia clenched her jaw and grunted as she threw an overhand cut at Sapphirus, his highness parrying it easily before Felicia threw another cut quickly but failed again and again as Sapphirus kept parrying all her cuts effortlessly, both moving back and forth but only her getting tired by each parry he made. In the process, Sapphirus pushed her back and she stood 4 feet away from him.

"Of course, I'm getting tired. He's a prince for crying out loud. But I'm forgetting that we trained under the same tutor,"

With that, she kept on trying to hit him, feeling that even if the sword touches his single hair, it would be more than enough for her. Again, she was pushed back, but this time, she noticed Sapphirus huffing lightly, with his chest heaving up and down within his royal clothing. This time, he gave her an intense gaze, ready to make her yield.

His gaze felt like a grimace to Felicia and in response to that, she smirked at him, as if she was slowly forging towards what she thought of reaching. Sapphirus lunged at her, with a side cut and she parried it with ease. It all kept going on, one cut and one parry in return. By now, he was impressed and enraged at the same time.

Impressed because he was sparring with someone who had been taught the same skills as he was.

Frustrated at the fact that he was not able to touch even a strand of her braided scalp with the weapon he wielded.

They were both exhausted by now, waiting for each other to yield impatiently. Once again, Sapphirus took the first step and threw a cut at her. This time Felicia parried it and dodged another cut from him and swivelled around, causing a slicing sound. Sapphirus ducked and turned around, pointing his sword at her. Felicia's gaze went to his side before she snickered at the sight. Sapphirus furrowed his eyebrows and looked at his sleeve, which was now sliced apart, leaving the part above his wrist, which had now turned slightly read, due to the blunt side of the sword rubbing against it, causing the burning sensation.

Before Sapphirus could say anything, Felicia twisted her sword and buried its tip into the grass. She placed her palms on the pommel, one over the other. She smiled innocently as Sapphirus's look became aggravated before he lunged at her impatiently. She ducked and slanted her sword before pulling it out and parrying the next cut that made its way towards her side. Sapphirus grabbed her hair ribbon and pulled on it. Her orange hair was now set free, waving with the wind. Sapphirus rolled 5 feet away from her before taking position again. Felica threw her head back, her hair repelling her face.

"Argh!" Sapphirus clutched his head as he dropped his sword as if having a vision. Felicia rushed towards him before he raised his hand, his palm facing her figure.

"I am alright. Let's take a break from here on,"

Sapphirus retrieved his head from his grip and walked towards the lake. He sat at its shore, breathing heavily and removing his boots before raising his royal tracks and dipping his legs into the still lake, making it create ripples. Felicia followed and crossed her legs, taking a seat beside him.

"You know, I now realise that you and I were trained by the same teacher and with the same skills. The only difference was our circumstances. My father used to beat me up for little matters and that's how I learnt to make these scars, a part of my life,"

Felicia looked up at him from the water. Sapphirus then looked into her eyes.

"I have no idea why I keep having these stings flowing through my mind but what I do know, is that I am not going to let it get to me. Before I met you, I wanted to yield to this pain but it is time I embrace it and fight it, stabbing it dead while looking at it in the orb,"

Felicia smiled respectfully while nodding at him.

"Thank you for giving me the will and hope for doing so,"

***

"I'm sick of this worthless boy!" Adonius yelled out of rage, slapping Sapphirus right across his face.

This time, Adonius kept his word and dragged him to the royal shed. He beat Sapphirus up brutally with a whip. The sound of the whapping of the whip on his sensitive and scarred body echoed around in the shed. After an hour, Sapphirus passed out, looking at the ripped sleeve Felicia gave him like a stupid little boy looking at a sweet.

He opened his eyes to the sound of water gurgling and water droplets ringing. He woke up to see that he was in the royal treatment room. The maids were treating his wounds. He grunted because of the pain and looked out of the window. It was time for him to leave and see Felicia immediately. But he didn't want to depend on his closest friend only. Some steps were to be taken by him on his own.

"Your highness, your breakfast is ready. You may proceed to the dining hall,"

One of the maids said while holding onto his blue royal coat. Sapphirus glared at the maid as his tone rang through his vocal cords, colder than the snow before a chill ran down the maid's spine.

"No, I won't have breakfast today,"

Sapphirus sat up, took a stand on his feet and plodded in haste before grabbing his coat, his shoulder and the maid's shoulder clashing as he walked past her to his room, while putting it on and shutting the doors, with his sword ready for a few minutes.

Suddenly, Adonius burst into his room with the same whip, smeared with some of Sapphirus's blood from last night, ready to hit him. He swung it in one go on Sapphirus, who was seated on his chair, his back facing Adonius. Before the end of the whip could lay on Sapphirus, he caught it in one go, as if he was waiting for it. He stood up and swivelled to face Adonius, wrapping the blood-smeared whip around his wrist and pulling it with full force. It slipped off of Adonius's hand as he saw Sapphirus throw the whip to the farthest corner of the room.

Getting angry at Sapphirus, he made his move but before he could close the distance between him and Sapphirus, he was faced by Sapphirus raising his sword towards him, shooking his head lightly towards him. Adonius could see the rage in Sapphirus's eyes and realised that it wasn't some ordinary rage. It was the rage he never noticed that was growing uncontrollably in him since the day he mistreated the young, innocent prince. Because of pointing his sword at the cruel and merciless beast in front of him, Sapphirus's coat happened to open up a little since he was not wearing it by the sleeves, revealing his bare upper body inside, covered in huge, white and long bandaids. At this point, Adonius didn't know what to do. Sapphirus broke the silence and said, 

"So tell me father, are you the one who's been poisoning me?"

~To be continued