Prince Roland
Ethan (on vaca)
Prince Roland
"Three weeks. Three weeks without light. Three days of darkness. Three days chained to a damp dungeon wall. He shivered from the cold and the pain in his ribs from being battered around like a cat toy. He was just following orders. He had just been following orders. To be a good knight. To be a good prince. He looked up and winced at light of the torch. The guards forced him up on weak legs. He felt like a newborn colt. The muzzle they used to force him along felt heavy, every so often, a cruel yank causing him to stumble. He had just been following orders. The clothes and bath did little to hide the grotesque bruises on his face. The muzzle made sense now. Hide the evidence. He was put before a throne. The conquering powers. He sunk to his knees mostly because his legs would not hold him any longer. He could only hope for mercy or death now." I hope you’ll find him a wonderful slave. "The king spoke to someone on his left. He glanced up to take in his new master."
Ethan (on vaca)
"As Roland looks up weakly to see his new master, he is met with the gaze of a young princess he’s sworn he’s met before, most likely to be married to when younger. The princess’s expression was unreadable, her eyes cold as they looked down at him but her face is gentle and warm."
"The princess only nods, not speaking as the king spoke to her."
”Hm. Alright, bring him to my carriage and I’ll see what to do with him once I am back in my home kingdom.”
"The princess finally spoke, waving her hand dismissively. As she does so, the guards yank at the chains around his neck, causing him to follow them as they bring him to the princess’s carriage."
Prince Roland
"Roland was stunned, struggling to keep himself standing as his eyes widled in disbelief at the princess. Right. Because he was the most promising suitor they could find. He couldn't help but sneer, his lips tugging into a sarcastic smirk as the king spoke."
"As you wish," "he mumbled," "the grin turning into a snarl. He didn't want to go with her, not after everything, and yet there was something about her that gave him pause."
"I don't belong to anyone now," "he growled, the chain around his neck digging into his rotting skin" ". I'm no one's pawn."
*He didn't quite know why his words seemed to st
Ethan (on vaca)
"The ride in the carriage was long and uncomfortable as Roland sat in the back of the carriage as if he were live-stock. As they made it back to the princess’s home kingdom, the guards pull Roland into the throne room, where the princess awaits patiently on her throne. The guards stop, bowing down to her and kicking Roland in the side."
”acknowledge your new master, slave. Bow down, for she is future queen.”
"one of the guards says in a low and rumbling tone."
Prince Roland
"Roland gritted his teeth, trying to mask the pain the kick had caused him as he staggered back to his feet, refusing to bow down to her. He knew what these people had done to him and refused to be humiliated more than he already had been."
"I won't do it," "he growled through gritted teeth," "You can beat me and whip me, but I won't bow down to you."
"He shot a defiant look at the princess, challenging her to react. Despite the fear bubbling inside of him, he was determined not to let them break him."
Ethan (on vaca)
"As he looked up at the princess, she simply kept the cold and unreadable look on her face. Yet as he spoke his words, the guard grits his teeth in disgust and anger."
”You will not speak to the princess, nor anyone else that way.”
"Just as the guard raises his arm to whip Roland, the princess finally speaks out, ceasing them from harming Roland any further."
”Enough.”
"Her voice loud and demanding as it echoed through the walls of the throne room."
”Guards, leave now. You no longer have business here.”
"She demands."
Prince Roland
"Roland couldn't help but flinch from the whip as it snapped threateningly near him. He dropped his eyes to the floor when the princess spoke, trying not to give further offense. He refrained from speaking again, opting to wait on judgment on what he had done."
Ethan (on vaca)
"The guards pause for a moment before the princess commanded again, this time her look more threatening. The guards nod and quickly leave, leaving both prince roland and the princess alone. The princess’s gaze lingers on the guards, watching as they disappear out of sight before quickly standing from her throne and going to Roland, kneeling down and taking the restraints off of him."
”Roland, are you alright? do you remember me? It’s me, Melina!”
"Princess Melina spoke as she tries to get the heavy chains away from his body. Melina. That was it. Roland’s father, the king, always arranged little play dates for Roland and Melina when they were younger. But they stopped once the news spread that Melina was being married off to some nobleman from another kingdom."
Prince Roland
"Roland stilled, eyes widening in recognition as he heard Melina's voice. Melina. Princess Melina. The girl he used to play with when they were younger. He did remember her, and a familiarity-tinged warmth spread through his chest despite his situation."
"Melina...? It’s been... years." "He whispered hoarsely, the room seeming to blur before him as memories of their childhood flooded back." "Y-You... remember me?"
"His heart pounded wildly in his chest; the shock of seeing her again intoxicating yet terrifying. Despite the fear still looming within him, he couldn't help but be baited by a spark of hope that she might change everything for him."
**"Yes
Ethan (on vaca)
"She nods, still trying to get the tight chains and muzzle away from him."
”Yes, yes! I remember you.”
"Melina says, finally getting the restraints away from him. but as she takes away the muzzle, her eyes widen in a mix of shock, anger, and sadness at the sight of the bruises, cuts, and wounds all over Roland’s face that the muzzle hid."
”You poor thing, what did they do to you?”
"Melina says in a sorry and concerned tone, leaning in and pulling Roland into a gentle yet firm and warm embrace. Something he hasn’t felt in a long time."
Prince Roland
"Roland's body tensed up when Melina pulled him into the embrace, his heart still racing in fear of being hurt again. But the warmth of her body and the softness of her voice calmed him slowly. He felt his shoulders sag as he finally let himself relax, his face buried in the crook of her neck. It felt so good to be held and comforted for the first time in what felt like eternity."
"They... they beat me. Kept me in the dark. It’s been weeks since I've seen sunlight." "He murmured against her skin." "I-I thought I was going to die there. But you... you're here... You're really here."
"His voice cracked with raw emotion; tears streaming down his face as he relished the fact that someone finally cared about him again."
Ethan (on vaca)
"Melina nods, sickened by what Roland had to go through. Her motherly and loving instincts making her gently caress the nape of Roland’s neck and gently sway him as they embraced and she comforted him."
”I saw you on the posters, you were being sold off for at least one million schillings. Thank god I got to you before any cruel, evil, people did.”
"She says, breathing a sigh of relief that Roland isn’t dead yet."
Prince Roland
"One million shillings, huh? I'm quite the prize... or so they say." "Roland chuckles bitterly, his voice muffled by Melina's neck." "But you’re right, better with you than anyone else. You seem different, like a savior."
"His body started to relax even more; trusting that Melina will lead him out of this darkness he found himself in. The least he could do was let her comfort him."
"You really saved me," "he sighs deeply, closing his eyes and reveling in the warmth and safety she provided." "I didn't think anyone would...I thought I was going to rot away in chains for eternity."
*Tears continued to streak down his face as he gathered
Ethan (on vaca)
"Melina continues to comfort Roland for another moment before slightly pulling back only enough to look into his eyes."
”Come. Let’s get you cleaned up.”
"She says, helping him up and putting his arm over her shoulder to help him walk."
Prince Roland
"Lead the way, my savior," "Roland mutters, a smirk playing at the corner of his lips as he leans on Melina for support. The simple act of her helping him up gave him a sliver of hope that there was someone in this world who saw him as more than just a defeated prince."
"Slowly and carefully walking alongside her, Roland couldn't help but feel a sense of relief and gratitude that someone like Melina had come into his life."
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