Secret Imperfection

"What could be so important that it can't wait?" he said sounding a little annoyed. "Everybody is waiting, the witness is here." The General replied, ushering him into the western throne room.

The room was filled with people, He was expecting to see only palace officials and some nobles but there were other strange guests. it was quite unusual for commoners to be allowed in here, it was a small room meant for private meetings. He was going to have a word with the Chamberlain about this but then he remembered that the Eastern throne room was still being renovated. As he walked towards his chair, all the cares of the world vanished, for a second or two, he was in a trans-like state-His attention now divided or safe to say stolen.

All bowed as he assumed his seat, then lord Darwin began talking. I bet he couldn't listening; his eyes were fixed upon a young girl who was holding on to an old man at the corner of the room. She was busy taking details of the throne room. His gaze grew deeper as his heart wandered exploring countless timelines of possibilities. Sometimes, being the king wasn't enough, he wished for super powers. One he wanted so desperately at this moment was sight. Yes! He wanted to see everything.

Your Majesty, Lord Darwin began, "This is the witness." He was surprised to see the old man with the young girl come forward, surprised but happy. He was happy he could get a closer view of the young beautiful girl standing just right in front of him. She was dressed in a simple brown dress, most of her body was covered except that her cleavage showed a bit but that was not what attracted him so intensely to her. It was her beauty, her deep green eyes, cute Greek nose and her smooth lips that look as if it had never been kissed. Thoughts of different fantasies laid siege to his mind.

"And that's all mi Lord." The old man concluded. "Address him as your Majesty! One of the nobles barked out." Most of them thought this was a waste of time. They were already all irritated. No form of disrespect was to be tolerated. The girls expression changed, it was clear that they were not used to royal etiquettes. She felt out of place. She had warned her stubborn old father not to come here but he wouldn't listen. He had insisted to see the king about this matter. She could feel him shaking and just as she was about to apologize on his behalf...

"Enough you will treat this man with respect, anyone can make a mistake." He finally spoke, "Something will be done about this as soon as possible but first I would like to hear your side of the story, miss." He said using that as an excuse to hear her voice. Her voice was soft and tender like though she was a heavenly being "Thank you, your Majesty. It was my father who witnessed it, I escorted him here your Majesty." She spoke as if she was intimidated. It was hard not to, although her dress was simple and beautiful, it was no match for the spectacle she gazed upon; She had never seen so many colors in one room. That was not what troubled her though, it was the looks she got from every corner of the room. All she could see was eyes filled with evil intent but somehow when she looked at his smile, she had courage to smile back. Before he could even ask her for her name. "You may be excused, the king has already promised to deal with the situation." Lord Darwin said. He was about to shout wait, just that he had no reason to and he didn't want to seem distressed.

Just like that, the meeting was over. He dismissed everybody except his General, he didn't intend on listening to any of their opinions, and he was still a little bit heated that he did not get to know her name. "I think I should lead this mission, your Majesty." The General suggested. "Stop calling me that when nobody is around... Okay, make the necessary arrangements but there is just one thing." He replied. The General could already sense what his best friend wanted. They had been friends since they were children. "No! You can't be serious." He gave a smile and said, "Yes I am coming with you and that's the end of the discussion." As he turned to leave, Lord Venter entered. "Forgot something, my lord?" Lord Venter smiled before returning his face to his usual grin look. "Oh yes! I forgot to tell you something your Majesty."

"Lord Venter, please help me persuade the king that this is madness. He wants to go with me and the soldiers." The General said looking troubled. Lord Venter gave a sigh. "He is the king. Let him do as he sees fit." "Thank you for understanding, my lord. What is this thing you forgot to tell me?" He was curious, he had already started making some guesses, but he was not so sure he was correct, and he was not the type for suspense. "Oh yes! You better make it in time from this journey. My daughter is moving in in two weeks." "Your Majesty I will be leaving now he bowed before taking his leave."

"What! She is moving in already, it means the wedding is around the corner." He became restless pacing back and front. "Is there anything I can do to buy some more time?" The General held his sword tighter. You could tell he was a little pissed but he tried to hide it. He walked closer to his best friend and placed his hand on his shoulders, "there is, but you don't want to get on her father's bad side. Lord Venter has not been known for much patience. You have delayed it enough. It's time to accept your reality." Those were not the words he wanted so desperately to hear but the truth hurts and he just had to accept it.

"How long do you think this mission will take?" "Not up to a week. We should leave early tomorrow." the General replied preparing to take his leave. "Wait I want you to gather more information about the witness. If this turns out to be false, he would have to be punished." "Yes! I will see to it." He hugged his friend and whispered "Thank you." Steven, now ashamed of his attitude earlier, "I'm sorry if it looked like I didn't want you to come along, it's just that I worry too much for your safety." Damien responded, "Remember that saying you once told me-"In the end, we only regret the chances we didn't take." That is why I don't want to miss this chance. I really hope you understand." "I understand."

It had been a long day he thought while going to his room to get some rest for the big day tomorrow. He thought about the mystery beautiful girl as he passed some maids. He smiled, she was way prettier. He resolved to enjoy every bit of this mission, he wasn't going to stress about anything. His fiancée was not coming until two weeks. He was happy he would still have time after the mission to catch some fun. He opened the wooden double door; he didn't like posting guards at his room door. He preferred them far away at the beginning of the corridor while his room was at the extreme end. To his surprise, when he opened the door she was already under the sheets. She got up holding the sheets to her chest "I have been waiting for you."

"Damien wake up" she said in a low tone, trying to keep her voice down. He was already awake. He had woken up earlier and he was lost in thought. He was lying down facing the ceiling-the ceiling was breath taking, the design was remarkable. It was a painting of some war scene of some sort that had some amazing carvings at the end. It gave the room the grandeur look it had.

He did not even notice that the sun had come out or that the birds had already started singing. "Oh you are awake." She said as she kissed him. "Why didn't you wake me, guards and workers will be all over by now." "Sorry, I lost track of time." He replied still looking at the ceiling. She kissed him again. "You think too much." She relaxed her back on the wooden frame to put herself in a sitting position. She smiled a bit before she questioned, "When were you going to tell me?" "I didn't think it will change anything." He answered. "Wait! What are we talking about here? What's changing? We are talking about the mission right?"

He gulped before he said, "My fiancée is coming in two week." "What!" She got out of bed and began dressing up. "Keep it down, why are you so angry? It is not like you didn't know this day was coming." " what about what you said? Did you even mean any of it? I thought things were different now?" "Things are different, nothing is going to change" "Damien, she is going to be married to you, she is going to share your bed every night and she is going to have your children." "And I told you, nothing is going to change." "Damien she is coming next week, things are definitely going to change; we can't keep avoiding this topic, maybe it's time we talk about things." "What should we talk about exactly?" "this..." she said raising both her hands out and trying not to cry." I know I said I will be okay but the truth is that... I don't...." "See! It's not like I want her here either. I have been buying time since, but it's like my luck has run out and I can't keep her from coming anymore."

"Of course you can, you are the king, and you can do whatever you want." "It's not that easy, it's a political marriage, it doesn't mean anything to me, we just have to get married and fulfill our responsibilities, that's all. I don't have to be committed or even love her." "What about her father?" "What does her father have to do with this." "Damien I don't know if I can put up with this, it's all too much." "You knew exactly what you signed up for when this whole thing started. Why are you whining now? "You are unbelievable, why did you have to play with my head, you said all those things and made all those promises. You made me want a life with you."

Raising his voice, "Stop it", he got up resting his back against the wooden part of his bed. Sobbing, tears began to roll down her face. "now it's wrong for me to imagine, for me to dream about the things you put in my head." "Wait" he said sounding worried, "you are still taking the potions right." "Fuck you Damien, that's all you care about. You know you have never cared about me or how I feel; all you care about is still sex. Well I hope you die out there." She said before slamming the door.

"Victoria, what are you doing here? Why are you coming out from Damien's room this early? Why are you crying?" She cleans her eyes, "Steven! Hey, good morning I just came to tell him goodbye." "Why are you crying?" "Don't mind me I just got so emotional after hugging him, he reminded me of my mother." "Keep him safe." She said as she walked away.

"Come in" he said. "Damien we will leave in the next one hour, you better start getting ready." "Okay" he said getting out of bed." I saw Victoria on her way out." "Yes, she just came to collect some stuffs she gave me." "Strange she said she came to tell say goodbye plus she was crying." "And that too, she probably got emotional again" he added. "If I didn't know you two well, I would have thought you two were lovers and maybe she just got her heart broken." He tried to knock it off with a laugh. "your sense of imagination never seizes to surprise me.. She is my other best friend." "And now I am jealous." "My General is jealous, that's a first." "You are enjoying this right." "Don't get me wrong pal, you are my bestest." They both laughed "Go get everything ready, I will be ready before the next one hour, we will eat and then we will leave." "I will do just that."

"Alright let's go." "Steven Why are you in such haste?" "If we don't leave early, we might arrive too late in the night." "Well how was breakfast?" "It was nice as always you know the chef always make excellent meals. Why are you asking, you didn't like it." "I like it but I was just thinking it might very well be our last meal", Damien said as they walked out through the front door. Steven paused "Be careful you know words have power right." "Yes, I was schooled by reverend Patrick too." "Okay I take it back. we will make it; it's not as if the mission is so dangerous. It is just an opportunity for an adventure." "You can never be too careful; please don't do anything too crazy." They saddled their horses, "how many men are we going with." "Twenty of the best soldiers. They are already waiting in front, all ready to ride."

They had passed the busy part of the city; they were now at the last part before the city gate. The city gate was huge made of iron. It was the only entrance through the large wall that protected the city. "That is the wall's Commander." He said sighting some men standing at the gate. "Your Majesty, General, he said before bowing." "Good day Commander." He said acknowledging him. "Your Majesty, are you sure you don't want any of my men to escort you, they know the forest better." "Don't worry", the General cut in, "this mission requires more than knowledge, it requires skills and you men are better skilled at protecting the wall." "As you wish, General."

The village way was almost lonely, it was clear that only a few people lived here. It was mainly inhabited by farmers, fishermen and people that loved the peace and quiet of the countryside. "I think that the old man house." "Which old man? ", he asked pretending to forget. "You have forgotten so soon." "Okay that old man", as if he suddenly remembered. "Should we stop by? " "No, not today, maybe on our way back if we make it." "Okay what's the problem? You have been acting dramatic all day." "Nothing just trying to have some fun with you, and I am also really excited to be out of the palace." "If we continue like this we will never make it in time." "Then less talk and ride more then, race you there", Damien kicked his horse as he left behind a gust of dust with his white stallion.

"Let's camp here for the night, tomorrow is an exciting day for us." Damien said unloading some stuffs from his horse. "I will set up the fire." Steven said breaking some twigs from some trees nearby. Some men had already started making the tents. "I guess I better start cooking." "No" Steven shouted. Some of the men start laughing. "What do you mean?" He questioned with a grim look on his face. "Well we don't want to stress you", trying to give an excuse. "Don't worry I am an excellent cook." "When last did you cook exactly?" "Well I have been observing Chef Gustafson, and I have learnt some new tricks." "Okay let's trust you on that." "Like you have a choice."

"Food is ready boys, it's a good thing that we didn't have to hunt this night, that fisherman we helped with his cart gave us some fishes." "This pepper soup tastes nice." "Yes, I just added some leaves and some spices I brought that's all." "Okay who is doing the dishes? " The soldiers shouted in laughter "Smith." "Looks like you are doing the dishes Captain." "So it's funny guys, after all we being through", he laughed, "I will make sure I increase the training when we get back."

"I will go take first watch, you should get some rest your Majesty", one of the soldiers spoke. He looked up to see the stars; thoughts of Victoria started to rush into his mind. He was not happy the way he had left her. He wondered how she was doing. He loved her but he knew he didn't deserve her and that he could never make her happy. He wanted to save her from himself but he couldn't push her away. She was his addiction-the drug he couldn't stop taking.

"It's time! ""What? ""Well its time, breakfast is ready, we roasted a squirrel." "So everybody gather up", everybody came together some still holding theirs meats in their hands. "What's the plan the king questioned." "We are going to split up into four groups so we can cover more ground. You and I should be in the same team. One team should remain here at camp." "Any comments? Your Majesty." "Okay I like the plan but I don't think we should be in the same team." "No, please I do not like this idea." "My decision is final." "Okay but captain smith will go with you at least." "All right, let's go."

They had decided to walk. The forest was beautiful filled with massive trees, although most of the trees were not the same height, they were all in some kind of layer (emergent, canopy, understory, forest floor). The forest wasn't so sunny, the suns ray was blocked by most of the trees so they enjoyed walking through the path. It would have been easy for people to get lost in these woods if not for the paths that had formed due to the travellers and merchant that regularly passed this route.

One of the soldiers kept on babbling, "Don't tell me you have not heard of the forest queen and the river goddess." "Is that a story to make me scared? ""It is a common tale among the people of Nesus, where have you being chap, so you haven't heard the tale of the lost travellers, the greedy merchants." "Okay let me make a summary, it is believed that they are sisters that control these woods, one is the forest queen while the other is the river goddess, and they decide the faith of anyone that passes through this forest. So when men pass they try not to anger them. They are some sacred things that should never be done here; those that have gotten on their wrong side have suffered the consequences." "I don't believe any of those craps." "It's not crap, its fact."

Damien noticed that one soldier wasn't in any group discussing "Smith why are you so quiet." "I am sorry your Majesty." "We are out here in the forest you can drop the formalities." "What should I say sir? "He smiled, "let's talk about something as we walk, I am stating to get bored, we have been walking for hours, let's make the journey more interesting." "What should we talk about sir?" "Anything you choose and stop calling me sir." "Well, s... I don't have anything in mind." "Are you married?" "Yes sir." "Well sir let's talk about that." "I met her in the palace sir while on duty and we eventually got married." "Sounds like a fairytale. I have a question." "Do you believe in love?" "I don't really have a definite answer." "Maybe when you get the answer you can tell me; I just hope it's not too late then."

"Can you here that?" "The birds singing?" "No the humming sound, it means there is a hive nearby." "Let's go get some honey." "Your Majesty, if I may, I don't think we have time for this, we still have the mission to complete." Hardly could smith finish talking when he sliced the hive into two with his sword. I don't know what he was expecting but the bees didn't give them a friendly welcome. "Run! Run! For your lives" he shouted. They took to their heels. "To the water" smith shouted the river. Luckily for them the river was nearby too. The river extended from the village down to the forest, it connected into the pacific sea. "Try not to go to the middle boys, the current is too strong there but for now just enjoy the swim." "I think they are gone." "Let's make a run for it back to camp"

One of the soldiers ran in, panting, "General!" Steven shouted, "Where is the king? "The soldier bent down hanging on to his knee, still panting. "Speak up! Why are you wet?" "We... were attacked." "The alligators...." "Is he wounded? Where is he? I told you guys to protect him." "Then they did a good job. "Relax Steven I am here." "Was this supposed to be a prank" he sounded relieved. "No, we were really attacked." "Really you saw one?" "I was wondering what took you so long, it looks like your team had their hands full with all the excitement." "We were attacked by bees." "Bees." Everyone that could hear started laughing. They could not control themselves "it is a good thing dinner is ready then."

"So you guys didn't see anything too" "No! Only one team encountered one." "Well if there's one, there must be more out there, wolves always travel in pack. We will try again tomorrow. They must be hiding somewhere."

"What are we having this night?" There was a loud Scream "Help!" Damien shouted, "Steven my sword." They both jump on their horses. "Follow them" Captain Smith ordered some other men to catch up. He was almost there; the voice was becoming more audible, talking to his horse, "Faster! Faster!"

"I see a girl!" "I see the beast!"

It was about to swoop her when Steven jumped off from his horse. He pushed her, landing right on her (Yes! Just like the way it happens in the movies). Damien using his horse as propulsion jumped off his horse with the sword still in his hands he landed on the back of the wolf. "Dammnnn! It's big." He injured it from the side he couldn't really plunge his sword into it before he was thrown off. He landed on the ground with his butt. He had not quite recovered from the pain when the wolf came heading back at him.

This brought back memories of when he fell down from his horse when he was child. As the wolf charged towards him, Liam, one of the soldiers shouted in fear "Your Majesty move!" But too bad he was far away, he ran towards the king to try to save him, he wished he had carried his spear or his bow. He was a master of projectile but from this distance, he knew he couldn't make it in time, there was nothing he could do to save the king.

It was left to him and his fate now. Damien slid down as it came and plunged his blade into its gut. The wolf gave a howl before it died. Still trying to catch his breath, "That's was fun."

"Thank you, you can get off me now," she said in an unusual voice as if she was hardly breathing. Almost everyone was breathing heavily, if they were not catching their breaths, they were breathing for relief.

Damien looked at her. He was amazed by her beauty. She was graceful, her deep black hair, pale cream color, and that blue eyes of her was enough to captivate any man. "What's your name miss." Without hesitation, she said her name "Eleanor." "You have such a beautiful name." There were many other questions to ask but this was not the time nor the place. It was already dark. Apart from the two torches they carried, the moonlight was the only source of lightening. "Everybody back to camp! " Steven ordered. "Eleanor, please ride with me," he added.

"Your Majesty, I am glad to see you. Thank God, you are back." Descending from his horse, "Thank you Smith. " "Is dinner finished?" "We couldn't start without you sir." All the way here, Steven noticed she was shivering. He wanted to hold her but she was at his back. He didn't want to scare her by telling her to hold on to him but he was glad when she eventually did. Helping her down from the horse, "You must be cold." He gave her a blanket. "Thank you" she replied as he escorted her to the large burn fire they had set up in the middle of camp.

He kept looking at her, he could not understand why he was feeling the way he was but he knew something was amiss. Thoughts of when they first met moments ago couldn't stop playing in his head. It took a lot of restraint not to kiss her. He liked her. "It's nothing." "it's not nothing, thank you for saving my life." She turned to Damien "Thank you, your Majesty, I didn't know you were a king. I am forever indebted to you." He chuckled. "You don't have to feel that way." For some reasons, both of them had been stealing gazes at the other while avoiding eye contact.

"So what's a goddess like you doing in the forest of Aster all alone?" Smith Asked? She thought about the answer to the question but she didn't want to reveal too much. She did not know all of them too well. In addition, she was not quite sure of some certain things yet. "Escaping destiny," she said, not wanting to reveal any more. "You are obviously not from here, where are you from? Why don't you return to the palace with us? Inns are expensive." Steven jumped in. "I don't know." "Please come" Damien joined. She smiled, holding her hand against the fire. They saved her life. It was the least she could do. Courtesy demanded it at least. "Okay!" she replied.

"Your tent is ready miss." Smith announced. Steven had instructed him earlier to prepare his tent for her "Okay. Thank you for the food. I will retire for the night. Good night your Majesty, Good night Steven." She waved to the rest of the soldiers. "Good night everyone" "Let me escort you to your tent" Steven said offering his hand. She took his hand, he held her hands firmly, his hand was quite rough but they were strong. She felt safe. She wanted to lighten the mood "Are your dimples always this charming? "She asked "Well, we will see about that." He said before leaving her at the entrance to her tent and thereafter, he bid her goodnight.

"Well it's been a long day. Good night boys." Damien said. "Good night your Majesty." They all replied. "Hey wait I am coming with you." Steven shouted signaling for his friend, the king to wait for him. "What happened to your tent?" He asked as they walked towards the biggest tent. "Eleanor is using it." He chucked, "I was wondering where the extra tent suddenly appeared from." "I hope you don't mind." "No I am sure my tent will take us both." He had the option to bring all the comforts he wanted but he had requested for a simple sleeping tent, the bed was quite big, at least big enough to fit two people.

"Good night Pal." "Good night." They were facing opposite sides. "She is beautiful." Steven muttered out. "Yes sure" Damien replied. Thoughts jingled through Steven's mind. He had only felt this way about Victoria before-She was his first crush, but things didn't work out. He still loved her but she didn't plague his mind tonight. There was still so many mysteries shrouding Eleanor but he didn't care. If at all, he couldn't wait to uncover them all. He recalled how it felt when she held him on the horse. He wanted to do the same. He knew he felt something for her but was it love or lust.

"I like her" he said out in excitement. "Me too" a sleepy voice said. "No. you don't get. I like like her." Silence filled the tent, Damien wasn't asleep yet, he heard everything his best friend said but he pretended to be sleeping. He was still trying to process the whole euphoria of the day. It was the most fun he had in years. A part of him was happy for Steven but the other parts were jealous. He had misgiving about the way he felt for Eleanor. He liked liked her too.

Damien and Steven decided to return to the palace, they had not completed the mission and so, they left fifteen men behind. Steven had disapproved of Damien decision. They had only 5 men protecting them. As a general, he wanted to be cautious; they had a long journey ahead before they even reached the wall.

They had eaten and were ready to ride. "Nice horse, your Majesty I like the color." "Yes me too. Please call me Damien." She chucked. "what's his name." "Excuse me." "I mean your horse." "Xavier." He said. "That's such a beautiful name" she smiled, she liked the name. "Do you ride?" he asked her. "Yes! I do."

"All right let's go" Steven barked out the order. No wonder he was the General, He had such an intimidating voice. "Ride with me" Steven requested. "Okay" she said with a soft voice. Damien interrupted "Somebody, get her a horse," Sounding even more intimidating. They were all surprised, they watched with jaws dropped as she mounted her horse. "Hang on tight," Steven said, sounding gruff.

She kicked her horse, signaling it to move. "I will" she replied. Her mind was full, she was unsure of the next actions to take. She still had many doubts. She did not know whether to reveal her identity. They looked like good people.