1 CHAPTER 1 - NORTH

"All of the weapons, Your Majesty, are already. We are just waiting for the shuttle to bring them to the tower."

"That's good to hear! Thank you, Sergeant!"

A servant rushed inside the meeting room.

"Your Majesty," he bowed, "The King," he wasn't able to finish his words when he burst out a loud cry.

Crowned Prince Alexis turned pale and didn't respond for a short while. He can't hold a grasp on what would be the scenario. He was aware that his father is not in his good condition since he finished his studies and royal lessons that's why he took them over as soon as he got back. He runs to reach his father's room and saw the physicians kneeling beside the King's bed. All of them are in tears.

He dropped the door hard, "What are you all doing, huh? Why don't you do anything to save the King?!" He shouted. "Why are all of you kneeling there as if my father is gone?" and the tears he was holding back dashed out. He felt his knees weakening, losing his control, and found himself kneeling and both hands at the floor.

He was not yet ready to rule their country. He was not yet at the right age to take responsibility. He was not the right person to do so. With all these thoughts in his head, he escaped the palace. He was in the deep woods trying to figure out which path to take for him to reach the place where his uncle is. He was his last resort to save their country which was known as the Most Powerful Country.

He hasn't eaten for days since his father passed away. Everyone in the palace is worried about him getting sick. He is their hope. His knees are shaking, his vision turns blurred. He cannot see any house that seems like a cage guarded by their soldiers. He suddenly heard a galloping horse from nearby. He doesn't plan it but as the horse was about to come, he loses his consciousness.

He doesn't know what happened next. His thoughts were welcomed by the calming lavender scent. The scent he can't forget. It was the favorite scent of his girl best friend who was always there to pick him up whenever the problems are there to pull him down.

"Alexis? Are you okay now? Are you awake?" she asked as she caressed his face.

He doesn't know how to respond to her in such an embarrassing moment like this. His tears slowly come out. He can't hold back his feelings anymore. He missed her so much. He grabbed his hand and pulled towards him. He embraced her like they haven't seen each other for ages. She left their city for a long time to study. They promised each other to be right by each other side but times like that happens when they have to separate ways. He cried on her.

"I'm sorry, I left. Sorry because I'm not there when you need me the most. I'm so sorry, I'm too late. It's okay, cry it out loud in front of me," she said with tears in her eyes comforting her friend.

"Vi-Vivienne!" he can't even finish a word to say without stuttering because of the emotions he kept, "I'm all alone now! I-I-I do not know w-what to do! Papa left me! Pa-papa! I can't do this alone. I know I'm weak. Wh-what if other countries attack us? I need to see my uncle! I'll surrender everything j-just to k-keep our country intact!" he is still hugging her.

She pats his back, "Hey, don't say that." Calm as her voice she tries her best to console her friend, "You're the strongest man I know. I believe in you. You know what your uncle did to you and your family right?"

"Y-yes. How will I-I forget about killing M-Mama and nearly k-killing me? But he has more knowledge about running a country than me. He was with Pa-papa longer."

"Sssh. Don't say that. It doesn't matter who was there the longest," she held his face on her hands facing her. She saw how tired and stressed he was. He forgot to shave his facial hair. His eyes were surrounded by black pigment letting her know that he hasn't slept well these past few days. "Who cares about him staying with the King the longest? He stayed the longest but he betrayed your father. You, you were the one Papa Alexis molded to be the next king. You with the purest heart." Her tears slowly fall down her cheeks. "I know that you will be able to overcome all of these. I won't leave anymore. I will stay by your side. I promise. Whatever happens, I'll be right by your side," she leaned her forehead on his.

He kissed her. A passionate kiss that melted all his worries, "Be my Queen, Vivienne." It wasn't a question or a favor.

"I am more than willing to be your Queen."

They spent the entire night together. They decided to go to the palace the next day.

Everyone is getting ready for the formal coronation ceremony of Alexis as the King. Everyone is excited since the Alexis they knew is back.

"Thanks to Lady Vivienne, Prince Alexis was back to his normal self."

"Yes, and I heard that they will soon be marrying each other."

The servants' giggles as they talk about Alexis and Vivienne.

"I wouldn't be surprised if that will happen. They were together since they were young. They have shared every single moment since the two of them learned to walk."

When the ceremony was about, Vivienne and Alexis were in his room.

"How are you feeling?" she asked full of worries on her face.

"What's with that face? Where is the ever positive-faced Vivienne I knew?" he laughed.

"W-why? What happened to my face?" she was carefully examining her face.

Alexis walked towards her, "You have nothing to worry about, Vienne. I'm more than okay seeing your lovely face in front of me. Having you is the most precious gift I ever had and all I am scared of now is losing you," he kissed her forehead.

She hit him, "Enough with that! You're being too sweet these days. Think about your coronation and not about me," she blushed.

"Look at you getting reddish! Do I look that handsome?"

"Handsome my foot!"

Someone knocked on the door.

"Your Highness, it's time."