LOVE ME AGAIN PRIM

CHAPTER TWENTY

Razan rushed into the room followed by his sisters to find his father cradling his wife in his arms with his back turned to everyone around him, surrounded by guards. Also in the room was the king of Cudan with his wife, who both stood inside the room, a short distance from the bed, wearing simple clothing with no jewelry.

Razan fell to his knees upon the sight of his parents. His heart thumped erratically, making it painfully difficult for him to breathe. He clutched his chest, trying to will legs to stand as he watched his sisters run to their fathers side and bow behind him sobbing, but his body refused to do his bidding. The Ravian king came to him and pulled him to his feet, holding unto the young prince to give support.

Razan watched as king Ceyres laid his wife down on the bed and placed her hands on her belly, staring at her face as he caressed her long dark greying hair. She seemed asleep with a slight smile on her beautiful face. He smiled, watching her for a few minutes before standing up to face the Ravian royals.

The Ravian queen bowed to him as he approached while her husband clasped his hand before him wearing a worried expression he tried but failed to hide.

'My deepest condolences your highness', the queen said to Ceryes who responded, 'thank you, your highness.I thank you both for your hospitality throughout our stay here, but now we must return home'.

'My Lord, all that I have is at your disposal in this most difficult time', said King Dyrai.'

'Thank you my lord, there is something that I must ask of you but first I need to have a moment alone with my children.

'Of course your king Ceryes, take as much time as you need', Dyrai said leading his wife out of the room, while she silently instructed the Ravian servants to leave.

The cudanian soldiers were the last to exit the room and shut the door.

'Father, what happened to her?', Malroy asked tearfully.

'It was a good death, she felt no pain. She knew she was nearing her end, that's why she insisted on coming with us. She had never been outside of the walls of Cudan', he said looking at Razan who was trying to fight back his tears.

Ceryes placed his large hand on Razan's shoulder and led him to the balcony far from his sisters who were still crying.

'We will return to Cudan tomorrow. I will need you to work with the soldiers on the security details and the fastest route home, while I finalize talks with king Dyrai. Have the guards stand outside until we leave and protect your sisters', Ceryes ordered.

'Yes father', Razan responded bowing

'Where is your daughter?', Ceryes asks noticing the absence of his only grandchild.

'I left her in the care of the women from commander Biron's household. She will be arriving shortly', Razan responded

The king had a surprised expression on his face but said nothing more and walked back into the room.

He instructed his daughters on what to do before leaving the room with Razan in tow. As they walked around the palace, Razan noticed that the Ravian flag was hung at half mast, royal servants were all dressed in pure white attires while the ravian soldiers took off all their armour and were dressed in draped skirts and single metallic bands on their muscular arms.

As he proceeded with his father to the king's chambers he found the king Dyrai's sons waiting for them at it's entrance. The younger brother wore a stoic expression that Razan found hard to read, but the elder prince seemed more animated and kept fidgeting with his fingers, clearly showing discomfort.

When Ceryes arrived, both princes bowed to him and gave their condolences which he thanked them for. Ceryes was announced and nodded to Razan before walking in.

Razan stepped back to begin the preparations as his father instructed but heard Arin called his name. He looked back at to find Arin smiling while walking towards him while his brother looked at them with his hands clasped behind his back before walking away.

'Prince Razan, a minute if you please', Arin requested

'I have preparations to make', Razan responded

'I do not plan to take much of your time', Arin responded making Razan stop.

'My sincere condolences your highness, I can only imagine your grief', Arin said

'Thank you', Razan responded

'As one crown prince to another, I also wish to apologize for my outburst on the night of your arrival and truly hope that despite starting off on the wrong foot; we will be able to foster stronger relations than our fathers', Arin said again.

Despite the sweetness Arins words, Razan's instincts told him that there was no sincerity in them, so he decided to test his theory and said 'I am glad you feel that way prince Arin. Rest assured I bear you no ill will and relations between both of our kingdoms will certainly be strengthened by my marriage to Biron's daughter. Our wedding will be held after the mourning period of my mother has elapsed, I hope you will be one of our most honoured guests'.

Arins mask cracked and his smile slowly turned to a scowl as Razan continued to speak. Unable to contain his jealousy Arin smiles and says to Razan

'Do not be too confident Razan, you are a long way from home, alot can happen between here and Cudan.'

'Is that a threat?'

'I wouldn't dare. I'm simply advising you to accept your reality. Do you really think myself or lord Biron will give away his only daughter to a kingdom filled with our enemies? I only gave her to you so you may enjoy her company in the brief period of your stay. Prem will never be yours, she is mine and mine alone. Take my advice Razan, take your w***e, get off my lands and never return.'

Razan's blood boiled upon hearing Arins words but he simply smiled back and said, 'I thank you for your condolences and words of advice prince Arin. However, I already have lord Biron's blessings to marry lady Prem; which is all I need to marry her and I will marry her because unlike you who waited for Prem to be handed to you, I came and took her. This clearly shows the difference between you and , so here is my advice to you Arin. Do not give me a reason to consider you a threat, I will not wait for you to attack me, neither will I hesitate to destroy you. And just so we are clear, you didn't give Prim to me; I took her from you. If you will excuse me, we are done here', and walked away.

Both men heard footsteps behind them and turned to find lord Biron arriving with his sons tm as several soldiers stood and gave the military salute to the pride of lions walking by. Behind them was Prem with her hand maiden.

While her father and brothers were clad in their military uniforms, she wore a white loose gown, held with a braided belt at the waist. She left her hair loose and wore neither make up, now jewelry but still looked breathtakingly beautiful.

'Good afternoon your highnesses' Razan said bowing to both princes followed by his sons.

'I hope I am not interupting you both?' Biron asked sensing the tension between them

'No, we're finished, prince Arin was just leaving', Razan responded bowing to Arin who stormed away

Biron shook his head sadly as he watched Arin walking away from them before facing Razan saying, 'We received the news your highness, my deepest condolences on your loss', Biron continued bowing to Razan

'Thank you for coming my lord, forgive me, I will no longer be able to stay', Razan responded.

'There is nothing to forgive your highness. I have arrived by the summons of his majesty, I will meet with him now, however, my son's will help you with the preparations. All that I control is at your disposal. General Yukon!'

'Yes commander!', Yukon responded bowing to his father with one hand to the floor and the other to his chest.

'I leave you in charge, with the prince while I discuss with the king. Ladiff will assist the you, so delegate as you see fit.'

'Yes sir!', Yukon replied

'Commander Kultar!'

'Sir!', Kultar responded bowing besides Yukon.

'You are in charge of security . I want the Cudanian nobles protected at all times until they leave. No one is allowed to come in or go out of the palace without your approval.'

'Understood'

'Prem , you will stay with the princesses until either myself or any of your brothers come for you.'

Prem said nothing but simply bowed to her father

'General Padario and commander Goron, you are both with me', Biron said looking at the his sons. Both men bowed besides their elder brothers.

'Thank you lord Biron', Razan said feeling the relief of not being alone.