Chapter 18: Chapter 18

After 26 years.....The Great kingdom in the mid-lands.

This is one of the greatest kingdoms in the mid-lands.. The kingdom of Sunshades.

This is a very peaceful and united kingdom which consists of over 700 smaller kingdoms, thousands of cities, millions of people. The people of Sunshades lived fine and were rich in land and resources.

The Mighty palace of Sunshades was inhabited by the King and Queen and their two sons and one daughter.

The palace was indeed a wonderful place to be and only the very wealthy people were granted access to live there. The palace was very big and wide with over 50 tall buildings.. Made of tiles, marbles and hard concretes.

The palace was very wide, it could contain over a million people when there is a feast or party.

Today is the first day of the new year and the king had ordered for the new year's festival. The king had called for the people of the Sunshades and of other kingdoms under the Sunshades.

Now everywhere was almost filled up. Beautiful, rich people with their families, princes and princesses, the festival was about to begin, there was food in abundance, Merriment in the air, people chattering laughing and dancing.

Soon the King got up from his high chair on the wide table, he waved his hand and there was loud bang of bells, soon there was silence.

The king–King Titus of the Shades cleared his throat, ready to speak.

"I greet you fellow friends, families, ladies and gentlemen" He spoke with an authoritative tone that only a King could use.

The thousands of people smiled back at him some even roared and clapped, the king raised a hand to silence them again. Soon there was silence.

"This is another year we have entered, we must make it a year of great accomplishments and crime-free. We are by far the greatest, largest kingdom in the mid-lands."

Hearing that, the people cheered and clapped again.

"Once again.. I greet you all!" The king concluded. He sat down and received a kiss from his wife, Queen Miranda and his children. Prince Julian, prince Charles and Princess Malia.

Prince Julian, the oldest was a splitting image of his father, his handsomeness and grace attracted different princesses. Princess Maria knew this and leaned into Prince Lucas and whispered.

"big brother, I can feel hundreds of female's eyes on you alone"

Prince Julian knew she was only teasing, he could see the twinkle of excitement in her innocent eyes. Prince Julian smiled at his younger sister, he loved her so dearly and would do anything to protect her, she was his best friend.

"And I have eyes for only one female here, it is you." Julian replied smiling at his sister.

"But I can't be a future wife to you" Princess Malia replied, her eyebrows drawn together in confusion.

"oh Lia, I just keep hoping that you will stop thinking like a child but it can't happen." Prince Charles said beside her.

Malia turned and glared at him. She never liked him, Prince Charles was always so serious and short tempered. And greedy also, he was everything her wonderful brother was not. Though, sometimes Prince Julian could get angry over small things but he was still a very brave and noble man.

"Charles, will you let her be?" Lucas shot at his brother, who glared at him.

"I do not receive orders from you big brother"

"But I will not let you speak to our little sister like she's a 7 year old rather than a grown woman of 18. Show some respect to her"

At that, Prince Charles scowled but did not say anything.

Julian sighed. He always got tired of these festivals. All he wanted to do was retire to his bedroom and get some rest, being busy with his work through out the week has taken it's toll on him. He just wanted to be alone or be with a woman.

At 25 he had different mistresses and lovers, which his dad has been trying to change by getting him married to one of the princesses in the kingdom in the mid-lands.

He grimaced at the thought of being married, he didn't even know the meaning of love or those types of feelings, all he knew how to do was take pleasure from a woman and enjoy it.

"Lucas My son, " Queen Miranda, his mother called.

"yes mother?"

"You can't just sit down there looking while there are ladies and princesses dying to dance with you. " his mother said.

Prince Julian sighed. "Mother, you know I'm barely interested in any of this, I do not wish to dance with anyone."

Queen Miranda looked disappointed. She tucked a strand of her golden hair behind her left ear. She didn't say anything, she knew she couldn't force her son to do anything he didn't want to do.

The king cleared his throat, showing he had been listening to the conversation, he glared at Julian. "Lucas, listen to your mother and do what she says."

Oh now the big bad monkey has joined in Julian thought.

"Very well, Father."

Julian stood up and glanced around, feeling quite uneasy at choosing a female to dance with. He then noticed about two, no three... Or more like ten young girls staring at him, batting their lashes at him, silently telling him they were available. L

Julian stared, unsure of who to choose.

Then a young lady stood up and walked up to him, smiling seductively, cat walking gently.

She looked so sure of herself, she was really a beauty. Her blue figure hugging long gown held her tiny frame gracefully, her blonde hair was caught in a tiara with few framing her lean face.

"Hello Prince Julian" she said as she walked up to him. Julian stared at her, trying to pretend not being confused and bored.

"Hi, lady....?"

"Olivia of weathers. My father is a close friend of yours, I'm sure you must recognize his face, he stands there" lady Olivia stretched her hands towards the left hand side of the hall, beside the towed doors.

"Talking with the grand vizier."

Julian couldn't say he had never met the man in his life so he kept his mouth shut and nodded with a tight smile.

After that he took lady Olivia's arm and led her to dance floor, where they danced for several minutes before strolling out into the gardens. It seems lady Olivia was after all an intelligent woman with good conversation sense. He realized he enjoyed talking with her.

"prince Julian, what do you think about the pending war with the highlands?"

"pending war? There is no pending war."

"but I thought... Oh, damn. I probably should have zipped my mouth" Olivia chuckled uneasily, like someone that was caught stealing.

"Please, is there something I should know? We are friends now right?" prince Julaim caressed her fingers, urging her to spill whatever.

"well... You know my father is a lord and part of his works includes gathering information from the highlands because some of his products are produced from there. Well, I overhead him speaking with a man named pious, from the highlands. Saying something about the war with the midlands. "

" Are you certain? "

"Yes, your majesty. He said something quite disturbing too. "

"and what is that? " Julian asked.

"He said their king has become a monster, trying to acquire the..." she Leaned in while she whispered "power".

Julian sucked in a breath. His father mustn't hear them speak of this.. Power.

He turned back to go in, walking as fast as he could.

"Prince Julian! Your majesty! Please wait!"

He didn't wait. He walked up to his father and whispered into his ear. The kings demeanor changed and he walked out of the hall with his son.

"What do you mean war??" kind Titus said in rising anger.

"father, it is confirmed! I told you I've been having my doubts these past few weeks. The highlands are coming for us!"

"keep quiet Julian! I will not tolerate you saying things you have no idea of"

Julian chuckled.

"You can't run from this father, it's time we face it. If the highlands find a way to break through this border then we're all done for your highness."

The king remained speechless.

"I am going to headquarters. I have some work to treat."

Julian walked out on his speechless father. Then the king allowed the true horror to show on his face. If truly the the highlands were planning to wage war on the midlands, then it could only be that their king was the one behind it. And he knew what that meant. He was coming for the person with the power. His Julian. His beloved son.

***