chapter 6

Zona walked hastily towards the palace gate, she looked at the two guards who are standing like a statue and wonder why the royals have to be so wicked, they enjoyed wealth while these people stand here all day without taking a rest. But something crossed her mind, if the don't rest why do they still look healthy , why haven't they all ran away or resign from their job. She walk in the hall way admiring the paintings on the wall and the skimpy uniforms of the maids who walked passed each other without saying a word. She walked until came across a giant mirror, which she stop to check herself. She stared into the mirror ,asking herself who will she bring home as a suitor . she heave an heavy sigh before continuing her journey to the ballroom. When she got there she peered into into it and was amazed at how large it is , it was so big a whole country can live inside. She walked inside slowly, eyeing the people in the dance floor but she didn't have any one to talk to or dance with unlike the ladies around her who are trying their best to hook up with a noble man.

She looked at everywhere but her mind keep going back to her dress, it is the first time ,apart from when she's a child, she's wearing something femine, 

After some boring minutes of standing she decide to leave, she walk to the balcony and sat on an available lounge which was inviting her to sit on it, she looking at the garden which was filled with lovely flowers, she could hear a chariot coming but it stop midway.

She was so busy enjoying the view without knowing there was a third party. Some one cleared his throat from behind and she turn to see the person it was a silhouette of a huge muscular man , he is so tall that his head could reach the sky . 

"Who are you ? She asked looking curiously at the person. Then the man step further and closer to her . she looked at the man in front of her grimly. He was wearing a waist length doublet with a belt tied around his waist , a black trouser and a knee length boots. 

"Hi your highness" she greeted sarcastically, He shouldn't be here she thought, their last meeting didn't end well

"So what are you doing here" He asked his tone cold and harsh as his expression.

She didn't reply but continue to stare at the man.

He is usually handsome, with his long hair in a bun leaving few strands hanging happily around his face. He his face looked fierce as always, He seems impatient with everything , which make zona wonder if he had ever laughed in years

" so you are not going to answer my question" He asked impatiently looking at her.

" I am taking some fresh air" she said nonchalantly.

There was a pause between them as they both stare at the garden. Each lost in their own thinking

" so, about the dark powers you threaten to tell my parents how did you know about it" He asked till staring at the garden.

" I saw it when I was cleaning your wounds the other day".

There was another pause but this time it was longer.

"I have something to tell you" He said glancing at her before returning his gaze to the garden

She frowned and looked at him " Go on "

" you are to follow me on a quest to find the cure for this mystic powers of mine"

She looked at him as if digesting what he told her. She turn her focus to lake

"Why does it have to me , I have a grandma to take care of"

"I was told you are the "girl" who will help me" He said staring at her.

"What makes you think I will leave my grandma alone and leave? 

"I will take care of her"

" am sorry mr

"It's Raymond

She moved away from him creating a wider space.

"Raymond, I can't go with you , because after everything I did for you that day you were so ungrateful"

"I know, am sorry it's was the power it usually control my feelings and in 8 month time I could turn to a beast if I am not cured " He said slowly and softly

Zona looked at him for a little while before giving a helpless shrug .

"So what am I to tell my grandma, she won't allow me to go with you if I told her we're going on a quest " she said putting her left hand in her fore head 

"Sure I know that but we can think of something" He said looking more serious

"You better think because my grandma will get me married in a day or two" she sigh she knows what her grandma is capable of doing

"Did you have any suitor"

She shooked her head in response

"But she is so determine to see her great grandchildren soon" she said

He smirked at her comment, That sounds like my dad he thought

" I got an idea" He said ,which got her full attention

"We can get married since your grandma wants to have her grandchildren and my parents can't wait for me to get married"

Zona gave him a ridiculous look, she was not expecting to marry the prince. It is every lady's dream isn't it ? But she is not going to marry a cocky prince

"I don't want to marry you" she said

His expression got cold when she said that. Did she know who she is talking to he thought angrily , she is a woman and she must follow his order. He press his small cherry lips together in anger

"I am not asking you to marry me on a normal term miss, I just want you to escort me and I love to be a free man and that means no wife or child, just me and my career"

Zona lean on the railing with her hand cupping her cheek. She was relieved when she heard him say that , that means she will be free from any thing called marriage after the charade is over.

"If I am to marry you what about your fiancee" she asked trying to hide the fact his words pleased her greatly

"She's not my fiancee but my mistress and we can do this without bringing her into this"He said in a hard, emotionless tone.

"Mr Raymond you need to walk on your anger issues and about the marriage what will I get when we got divorced"

"you seems so desperate for wealth" he said with cynicism

" It only a foolish one that will not use this opportunity to achieve something good"

She said glaring daggers at him

He calm down for a minute then continued his criticism about women after several minutes of his criticism talk, zona wonder why he so much dislike women. Zona turn to leave she cannot stand a racist but he stopped her and ask her were she was going, she told him she couldn't stand a man who thinks women are the worst creature God ever made.

He looked at her for some minutes be for diverting his attention to the view of the mountains surrounding the kingdom; since they are staying in the last floor of the castle, they could see the wonderful view of mountains, lakes and the rivers surrounding the kingdom.

Zona faked a yawn and told him she will agree to marry him if he make her grandma a duchess but Raymond told her what she asking for is outrageous but zona insisted unless he make her grandma the new duchess she will not marry him.After a long period of argument he agreed but he said only if he comes back alive from their journey..