Perfect Blend

THE ROYAL ENGAGEMENT

MONTFORT PALACE, 1133

KINGDOM OF THORGUNNA

THE ROYAL ENGAGEMENT. Unknown to everyone, Ezra and Elyse have been married. King Tremaine and Duke Dimitrius agreed that temporarily while the castle for the young couple is not ready to be occupied. Ezra and Elyse must remain in Montfort Palace until they can move out to their own homestead.

No one expected that night would end in a catastrophe. Elyse was taken back by Duchess Lakeisha. She will not allow her daughter to stay in the Montfort palace longer than that night. Lakeisha could feel the negativity brought by Odelina. She remembers the day before her royal wedding. The feeling that night is the same. Something unforeseen is about to happen. But the power from the other end is blocking her from seeing what's about to happen.

# # #

Elyse was dressed in an elegant white and red ball gown made of quintessential luxury fabric adorned with strikingly exquisite sequins and crystals. She's the most glamorous princess in the Montfort palace. Being born as a princess of two kingdoms comes with responsibility as a sentinel. She is deemed the "Luna"-- the protector of her kind.

That night, Elyse standouts amongst all the princesses wearing the jewelry the king has given her and her tiara as crowned princess of Issenberg.

Ezra is wearing his red tuxedo in white and gold accents. King Tremaine gave Ezra a gold cufflink with diamonds and rubies. It perfectly matches his tuxedo and Elyse's jewelry.

Ezra’s black boots were custom-made from Edinburgh. His birthday attire made him glamorously jaw-dropping than the rest of the princes in the palace. Ezra looks so manly and captivatingly handsome to Elyse and all the princesses around him.

But his eyes, heart, and soul were only for his eternal love, Elysendria.

# # #

Odelina although forbidden by the king to set foot in the palace finds a way to attend Ezra's birthday ball. She was excited to see Ezra whom she thought just arrived from Raleigh. It took a couple of months before Ezra decided to come back home to Thorgunna. However, all Odelina's excitement turned into deep sadness after hearing about Ezra and Elyse’s engagement commencing that night.

Odelina wondered what took Ezra so long to come home from Raleigh. Later that night, before the party started, she found out from the Montfort's palace butler that Ezra was with Elysendria in Egilson for a couple of months. After Ezra graduated from Embraculum de Raleigh, Ezra stayed in Egilson to visit Elyse, who stayed at her mother's homestead. Then he went straight to Issenberg for the hunting tournament.

Odelinas' excitement turned to outrage. Even though it was a piece of good news that Ezra is back for good. It was indeed excellent news! A thing to celebrate. Prince Ezra is now home to assume his royal court responsibility as crowned Prince of Thorgunna.

Nevertheless, the happiness of the kingdom is agony for Odelina. Her heart is shattered into pieces. She is too broken to accept that Ezra will never be hers.

# # #

"Everyone deceived me, even my queen mother, Venetia. How dare she lied to her?"

Dethroned Princess Eleanor, whom everyone calls Odelina, became enraged. "If I can't have you, Ezra. Neither does Elysendria,” Odelina murmured at the back of the banquet pillar where she stands invisible to everyone. Odelina hid at the back of the red drape close to Ezra and Elyse by the grand hall. The two were dancing the Branle dance together with the princes and princesses. Ezra and Elyse swayed and galloped in happiness. Odelina's heart is fuming in exasperation by how the two dance sweetly in front of her.

Odelina’s eyes were bloodshot while watching Ezra and Elyse so happy together. Her hands trembling, she wants to strangle Elyse to death. Eavesdropping at the corner, Odelina heard the most painful words from Ezra to Elyse as King Tremaine announced Ezra and Elyse’s engagement.

“We are all gathered here tonight to celebrate my firstborn twenty-first birthday. Tonight marks a new kinship and the beginning of the union of three powerful kingdoms. I want to announce the engagement of my son, Prince Ezra Tremaine Montfort, to Princess Primavera Elysendria Bethencourt - De Lorris of the Kingdom of Egilson and Issenberg.”

The crowd uproar as Ezra and Elyse held each other hands and shared a passionate kiss.

"We are forbidden to kiss, Ezra."

"Shh, need not worry, my love. I have asked permission from the Duke and the Duchess, yes, Primo and Simone as well."

"Why do those two monkeys need to meddle with us?"

"I guess they will forever and always be meddling between us. They are your protectors."

"I know. I will miss my twin brother dearly. But I am ecstatic to spend time with Simone while I am here."

After the king’s announcement, the two went back leading the gallopade dance in the middle of the grand hall.

“You’re beyond beautiful tonight, Elyse,” said Ezra with his most expressive eyes and charming looks any woman will die for.

“Thank you.” Her heart fluttered wildly. "You are the most handsome prince tonight, my dear Ezra.”

“Only tonight?”

“Mm-hmm. You are handsome . . .every day. I suppose,” Elyse said teasingly.

“Oh, my love. Seven years of waiting is long enough. I can’t wait for the day I can freely call you 'my wife,' Elyse,” said Ezra as they dance in the middle of the grand hall.

All the royals and the commoners were dancing together during the branle and galliard dance. It has been the tradition of Montforts to invite the townspeople on every occasion in the palace. The only tradition that King Tremaine grandfathered from his ancestors. 

“You will always and only be my dearly beloved even if I die and am reborn again. I will look for you, my love. Only you may own my heart. Elyse, you make me whole because you are the other half of my soul. Tonight, I promise you, my eternal love, until death ‘til we part.”

“Oh, my dear Ezra, you're the sweetest," said Elyse clinging her arms into Ezra's neck. A pair of ireful eyes were watching how sweet they were. Ezra lowered his head to meet Elyse's gaze, and their lips met in the most painful scene for someone who desires the prince.

"I am blessed to have you, my love. I swear to all the gods. You are my love forever and always—the other half of me. I promise to love you again and again, even if I am cursed to be reborn a million times. I’ll find you, Ezra. My heart and soul will do.”

“I, therefore, swear to the moon goddess. Our heart and soul will find each other even if we live on another dimension,” said Ezra.

Ezra and Elyse continued dancing. But as soon as the guest turned their attention to the pantomime, who already gained everyone’s attention. Ezra and Elyse sprinted out of the hall. 

“Where are you taking me, Ezra?”

“Shh!” 

Ezra silenced Elyse with his finger on her lips. Then, he kissed her on her forehead down to her lips. After, he whistled, calling Duke—his chestnut riding horse.

“Ezra, why did we sneak out?” Elyse whispered, almost inaudible.

“I’d like to take you somewhere where we can almost touch the moon.”

“Oh, I love that! Where to, my dear?” asked Elyse, excitingly.

“To Durandal,” he said, his heart bursting with joy. Finally, he could take Elyse to his secret place.

“Ezra, that’s half an hour from here. The duke and duchess will be looking for me,” Elyse told Ezra worriedly.

“I promise. We’ll be back before our parents find out we’re gone.”

Ezra lifted Elyse on top of his horse, and then he followed. Duke runs as fast as a cheetah. The moon was rising from the ocean when they reached Durandal. 

“Oh! Ezra, this is magnificent!” said Elyse in awe. 

“I promise to the moon goddess. I will love you forever. If anything happens between you and me.”

“Shush, why do you think as such? Nothing will happen between us. I love you, and you should know I do, Ezra. I love you this much. If this will make you feel at peace, then I am ready to give you my everything tonight.”

“I would love to, Elyse. But you haven’t come at age.”

Back in the palace, Lakeisha felt worried. Her heart was thundering for unknown reasons. Then a few minutes after, she could hear Elyse giggling in happiness from afar. Her daughter's thoughts made Lakeisha frightened and distressed.

“Ezra, who cares? It’s only a couple of months before I come at age.”

“No, my love. Don't be tempted to do what you must not. It might be the end of us. Our parents disapprove of it along with the royal councilors and advisors."

"I-I know. But Ezra, it is what you desire, isn't it?"

"Yes, I do, but not tonight. Let’s meet here on the next full moon.” 

“Let's make this place our sanctuary. We shall meet here every full moon, Ezra.”

“I will wait for you here, Elyse. You will be by then come at age. We shall seal our love under the moonlight.”

“I promise. I’ll be here.”

Ezra and Elyse decided to return to the palace. The royal guards were at large when they arrived in search of the prince and princess's whereabouts.