Young Writers Society

Rana followed a young man down several long hallways and up a flight of stairs, before he finally opened a door on her right and gestured for her to enter. She gratefully walked into the room and briefly surveyed the room.

“Your items will be brought along shortly, ma’am,” the boy said, bowing respectfully.

“Thank you.”

He bowed again and backed out of the room, closing the door as he went. She hesitated a moment, then walked to the bed and sat on the edge. She buried her face in her hands and breathed deep, shuddering breaths, trying to stay calm.

Before long, there was a knock at the door. Rana started, jerking her hand to her sides, then forced her shoulders to relax. She couldn’t be so edgy. “Enter.”

The door swung open and a boy who looked no older than she was herself came teetering in, stumbling under the weight of her chest. He gently set it at the foot of her bed, then straightened his tunic and turned towards her. “The prince is ready for you to join him at dinner, ma’am.”

“Actually, I’m not feeling very well this evening,” Rana said, laying an arm across her abdomen to strengthen her lie. “Please pass along my regrets to the prince, but I think I need some time to rest after the journey.”

The boy bowed. “Miss.”

Rana wandered around the room for a while, before retiring to her bed. She wasn’t sure how to get out of her dress without an attendant, but she wasn’t about to ask for one. Instead, she settled awkwardly back onto the bed and continued reading the book from Denton.

Before long, the light streaming in from the windows faded and she was forced to light the candle sitting on the table next to the bed. She was tired but couldn’t quite bring herself to fall asleep. It was near nine o’clock when there was a sharp rap on the door.

Rana quickly shut the book and shoved it under the pillow next to her. Her heart leapt into her throat, the fear from earlier suddenly grasping her again. She looked up breathlessly as the door swung open and the prince walked in.

She started to stand, but he waved his hand, stilling her. “No. Don’t get up.”

Rana hesitated, then tensely settled back against her pillow again. Synakrein quickly strode across the room and sat on the edge of the bed on the side opposite her. “I was concerned when you didn’t join us for dinner.”

“I apologize, sire,” Rana answered tensely. “I wasn’t feeling well.”

“Yes, that’s what my palace boy said,” Synakrein answered. He was silent for a long moment, eyes fixed on Rana’s face. She focused on keeping her breathing steady, forcing herself to maintain his gaze. “Are you feeling better now?”

“A bit,” Rana answered. Or was, she thought. Until you had to show up and ruin my perfectly good plan. “Thank you, sire.”

“Please, no need for the formality,” Synakrein answered. “You may call me Esmond.”

“Of course.” She offered a weak smile.

He was silent for a moment, eyes drifting down to the bed. Suddenly his eyes snapped back to her face. “What are you reading?”

“Sire?”

Synakrein moved too quickly to stop, even if she’d known what he planned to do. His hand slipped under the pillow and emerged with her book. She looked at him for a long moment, panicked, trying to think of an excuse.

“Your book,” he said, holding it up. “What is it”

“Oh that, it’s just, ah…” Rana hesitated, smiling blandly. “A bit of romantic fiction. I’m studying the classics with my tutor.”

“Yes, you mentioned,” Synakrein said, opening the book. “And your study extends to Shirrian literature as well?”

“Ah, yes,” Rana agreed reluctantly.

“‘Chapter Nine - The Art of Ambush and Camouflage’,” Synakrein read. Rana felt the smile melt from her face as she stared at the prince with wide eyes. He looked up to meet her gaze. “Interesting title for a romance.”

Rana opened her mouth to answer, but no sound came out.

“Did you honestly think that you’re the only one who can read Shirrian?”

“I didn’t think that was part of the standard education,” Rana murmured, dropping her gaze.

“Yes, well, you somehow managed to get that extended education,” Synakrein said. “And I’ve got a fair bit more resources than you, as the crown prince… How did you learn, anyhow? That guard of yours teach you?”

She looked at him suspiciously, uncertain about how much trouble Denton might get in if she exposed their secret. She didn’t expect her knowing a language would be counted as a bad thing — she already knew Niapian and Atraian from her formal studies — but it was always hard to tell what might anger Father. She didn’t want him asking questions.

“You’ve got secrets,” Synakrein said, setting the book down on top of her covers. “Very well. You can keep them to yourself, for now… I will send an attendant to help you get changed into sleeping clothes. Goodnight, Darrana.”

~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~

The morning came too soon for Rana’s liking. Her sleep was fitful and she woke early, leaving her time to watch the sun rise over the jagged city. She got dressed and began reading her book as her room filled with light.

Before long, the palace boy from the previous evening appeared. “Breakfast is ready, ma’am.”

“Thank you,” she answered, standing up.

The boy bowed. “If you would follow me, I will show you the way.”

“Of course.” Rana stood and swiftly walked across the room. She followed the boy into the hall and walked down the long corridor with him. “What’s your name?”

“Nikolas, ma’am,” the boy answered.

“I’m Rana,” she offered awkwardly. “It’s nice to meet you.”

“Yes, ma’am,” he answered respectfully. “It’s through these doors here.”

Nikolas pushed open one of the large wooden doors just in front of them, and held it open for Rana. She walked through, hesitating just inside the room. Directly in front of her was a large wooden table filled with covered platters, with three chairs around it. Prince Synakrein sat at the head of the table to her right, Father sat opposite him on the left.

The prince stood as Rana walked in. “Good morning.”

“Prince,” she answered respectfully, offering a brief curtsy.

Her eyes flicked around the room once more. There were torches on the walls, illuminating the room, but the walls themselves were painted dark and made the area feel crowded. Rana reluctantly walked forward as the Prince walked to the seat at the middle of the table and pulled it out for her.

She sat down, allowing him to push the seat in to the table. It always felt awkward to her when men insisted on pushing her chair in, but she was beginning to learn how to be graceful in accepting it.

Prince Synakrein placed his hands on her shoulders briefly, just long enough to make her stiffen, then walked back to his chair and took a seat. With a wave of his hands he ordered his servants forward. Several rushed to the table at once and began uncovering mounds of food and placing it on the plates set before them.

“Did you sleep well?” Prince Synakrein asked as the servants stepped away from the table.

“Oh, yes! Your hospitality is delightful,” Father said eagerly. “You have the most beautiful country, Prince. I thoroughly enjoyed getting to witness a glimpse of its majesty as we made our way to your gorgeous palace.”

Rana toned him out as he kept talking, trying to flatter the Prince. It was disgusting. When it came to disciplining her, Father had no reserves. When it came to being in the presence of royalty, there was no lines he would not cross in an attempt to make them think well of him.

“Do you enjoy the architecture of my country?” Prince Synakrein questioned as Father stopped talking. Rana looked up and locked eyes with the prince for a moment, then looked back to her plate and continued eating in silence as Father continued shamelessly complimenting the Prince.

After nearly half an hour of Prince Synakrein asking questions only to have Father answer them, he began to grow weary of the exchange. “So, Darrana… tell me a bit more about yourself.”

“Mm?” Rana asked guiltily, mouth filled with food. She looked at the prince with wide eyes, then chewed once more and swallowed hard. “Yes, sire… I, ah… enjoy reading, sir.”

An uneasy silence settled in the room as his eyes remained locked on hers. She swallowed the last of her food, wondering if she’d get away with the same answer this time. Her plan was to tell the prince as little as possible about herself.

“Yes, of course,” he answered after a moment. “I have quite an impressive library. Would you like to see it?”

Rana hesitated, glancing at Father.

The glare he returned told her she had to accept the invitation. She wanted to retreat to her rooms — to spend as little time as possible in the presence of the prince. But she didn’t have much choice. “That sounds lovely, thank you.”

“Perfect!” Synakrein said, wiping his hands on his napkin before tossing it onto his plate. He stood abruptly, and Rana followed suit before he could approach her chair. Father murmured his parting remarks, then took his leave. Synakrein offered his arms to Rana. “Shall we?”

Rana smiled politely and gently placed her hands on his elbow, then followed him out of the room. He was silent for the first hallway, but then began asking Rana questions as they walked. “Did you enjoy breakfast?”

“Yes, sire. It was delicious,” Rana answered. “What was the meat?”

“It’s an exotic type of meat, exclusive to my courts,” Prince Synakrein answered. “Perhaps I will show you tomorrow how we obtain it.”

“That would be nice, thank you,” Rana said.

“What types of literature do you enjoy?” Prince Synakrein asked, changing the subject.

“I, ah… have read many of the classics.”

“Very diplomatic answer. But not what I asked. I asked what you enjoy,” he said with a smirk. Rana hesitated, then cleared her throat. “There is no ‘right’ answer, you know.”

“Well… I’m rather fond of military books… as you know,” she answered timidly. “I’m not supposed to read them, but I enjoy the strategy.”

“Of course,” Synakrein answered.

He turned loose of her hand so that he could push open a large wooden door. He stepped back and held it open for Rana.

She gasped at the size of the library that opened in front of her.

“Wow,” she murmured. She looked in wonder at the hundreds of books that surrounded her. There were several interconnected rooms, every wall lined with volumes from floor to ceiling, with even more bookshelves filling the center of the room.

“Do you like it?”

“Yes,” she answered. “This is incredible.”

“You could read any you like,” Synakrein said. “I wouldn’t require much of your time. You should certainly be able to get through quite a number of these, I would think.”

Rana took a step backwards, looking at him suspiciously.

“I want you to come live with me,” Synakrein said. “I’m not going to conceal that fact… but I see that isn’t a welcomed topic. Very well. I will give you some time to yourself with the books. See you at lunch.”