LOVE ME AGAIN PRIM

CHAPTER FIVE

The Cudanian entourage were received at the royal harbour by prince Arin and his younger brother prince Jaun. The ravian princes rode together with the Cudanian king his queen in a beautiful white open carriage shaped like a rose, embellished with intricate gold vines beaten into the body, pulled by beautiful white horses.

Prince Razan with his twobsisters, his mistress and daughter rode in the second carriage at the back of the king and queen with the nobles sitted together into the several carriages that followed.

The entire train was guarded on both sides by the soldiers of both nations. Led by Ladiff, the train proceeded to the palace, riding on a beautiful red carpet that extended for miles. Beautiful maidens dressed in exotic coloured silks stood on both sides of the carpet dropping white roses on the carpet, singing the Cudanian anthem with their sonorous voices while the Cudanians passed by them.

'I could get used to this', Razans sister Malroy says waving at the singing maidens and throwing gold coins. Her twin Melrib rolls her eyes but says nothing.

'Hey what's with the face?' Malroy asks.

'Its nothing', Melrib responds looking back at the Gorons ship and sees him staring directly at her with his striking green eyes. They hold each others gaze until he is distracted by a soldier who hands a scroll to him which he receives.

'Do not fanthom the thought. He is beneath us, they all are. His majesty would never allow it' says Peka picking at her nails.

'What are you talking about?' Razan asks looking at Peka

'It would seem your sister is smitten by the young captain, my love.'

'Be quiet! You do not talk for my father. You are not a member of my family and everyone knows the only person beneath anything with legs wide open is you.' Melrib hisses at Peka

'Melrib!' Razan his scolds in a low tone, 'Not here, not now.'

Melrib looks angrily at Peka who scowls back at her leaning into Razan, while Malroy tries to distract her sister by lecturing her on the various ravian traditions she'd learned during their journey.

The chariots rode through a beautiful garden filled with the rarest and most exotic flowers and to the right an artificial lake in which beautiful white swans were swimming.

'Papa look!' says Cidara excitedly, pointing at the birds. Razan looks at his four year old daughter fondly and lifts her on his laps so she she can get a better view. She holds him by his shoulders, kneeling on his thighs for added height.

'Cidara, stop embarrassing your father and our kingdom.' Peka whispers harshly. 'What will these low lives think seeing you act like this? Get down this instant! Your mother should ...'

One look from Razan and Peka swallows the rest of her words.

'Forgive me my lord, I spoke out of turn. I meant no disrespect to your dead wife. Cidara, please forgive me, I did not mean to hurt your feelings' Peka says in panic casting her gaze down. Cidara doesn't reply but leaves her father laps and sits between her aunts with a saddened expression, whom both look at Peka with murderous intent.

Razan looks at Peka with a good mind to throw her out of the carriage and have the chariots crush her but given the situation, he could do nothing. He looks at his daughter who looks to the distance, staring into nothing. Watching her reminded him of his first wife Laite. Cidara looked so much like her and inherited her sensitive, gentle nature as well.

Watching Laite die after bearing his child was devastating for Razan and left a hole in his heart that was so difficult to fill. He left the comforts of the palace to the battlefield and constantly engaged himself in battles during the day and acts of s****l pleasure at night, desperately trying to numb his pain but even that failed to cure his sadness and his loneliness which was slowly driving him to madness. Upon hearing reports of his gruesome actions, his father called him back to the palace and it was there that he met Peka, she was a general's daughter who had come visiting with her father to the palace.She offered Razan comfort and eventually he fell for her charms and bedded her, taking her maiden head. It wasn't love, it was an act of pure animalistic need which she gladly helped him to satisfy and since then, she has served the role of his mistress.

His absence from the palace for so long however came at a cost, he missed watching his daughter grow. Seeing how much she had grown in his absence ate him deeper inside, because he felt he was failing to protect the precious gift his wife sacrificed her life to give him. For the next two years he dedicated himself to raising her and helping his father to run the kingdom affairs.

'Brother, we are here' Merib whispers tapping his knee and he snaps back to reality. In front of them was a huge golden gate opened wide, standing there with his wife and an entourage of nobles was King Dyrai. He looked regal standing at his full height of over six feet, his white moustache and beard looking well groomed. He is wearing a beautiful yellow silk layered robe designed with intricate gold threads and his gold crown which has several emeralds set in it. Beside him is his wife, queen Odia who is slightly plumb and quite shorter than her husband. She is wearing a beautiful dress identical to her husbands with a diamond tiara on her head.

Musicians in the background begin to play music as soldiers come down from their horses to help the Cudanian monarch, royals and nobles out of their chariot. The flags of both nations are hoisted high above the watch towers with banners hanging from almost every window of the beautiful palace behind them.

After the ceremonial musical rendition of the anthems of both nations. The monarchs with their wives walk towards themselves on a beautiful red carpet and embrace each other as a gesture of peace. They exchange pleasantries and king Ceyres calls forward his children and grand daughter, introducing them to king Dyrai and his wife who greet them warmly. The entire entourage is invited into the palace and led to their separate rooms to rest and prepare for the nights feast.

Razans room is large with beautiful paintings and furniture adorning the entire room. Beside the large soft bed, on a beautiful mahogany carved side stool is a tiny gold bell. He enters the wash chamber and sees a large empty bronze wash basin and a bar of sweet smelling soap. He smiles at the thoughtfulness of their hosts and goes back into the room to ring his bell.

Someone knocks on his door and upon his orders to enter, a tall but thin man walk into the room with his hands placed forward. He bows and introduces himself

'I welcome you my lord to our beautiful land. My name Geida and I will be responsible for your personal comfort throughout your stay with us. Would the prince like to take a light meal before his bath or do I send for the servants to relive you of your clothing and fill your bath first.'

'Thank you Geida, first I will require you bring my daughter to me, then have the servants fill up the bath for her and send a meal appropriate for a child to my room, also have all of my daughters belongings brought to me.'

Will that be all my lord?' asks Geida

'"For now, yes', Razan replies

'I will see it done your highness.' Geida says bowing and exiting the room.

Razan looks outside the window, watching the sun set and notices that various caravans have begun to arrive at the palace. Even though the ravians have been truly gracious hosts and haven't shown any sign of untrustworthiness, he still can't shake the nagging feeling in his chest. Its almost like a premonition that something will happen.

'For all our sakes, I hope you know what you are doing father' he mutters to himself.