AUTHOR'S POV
The royal guards knocked softly on the princess' doors, before the maid from the inside slowly opened them. They found the princess in a white long-sleeved puffed shirt and nicely fit charcoal linen trousers standing right in the middle of the receiving chambers, welcoming the priests. Stunned by her blinding beauty, the priests gasped in awe as they enter the room, not removing their gaze at the lost princess.
"Greetings Princess Helena", Father Bertram greeted as he bow his head. "I am here to bless you before your union with the King".
"High Priest", she uttered, glancing at each of the priests who just came in.
"Princess", Father Bertram called as he nervously fidget with his fingers. "Do you.. remember me?", he asked.
"Of course, How could I forget?", Helena said. "It seems like you are in a much better place now".
Father Bertram felt a sharp sting in his chest. This was never a better place, he thought. He forced a smile as he lift a hand towards the chair. "May we start?".
Princess Helena sat on the chair as the high priest place his hand at the top of her head. She closed her eyes and lowered down her chin, as the religious service begin. " I have done so many roles of cowardice. I was blinded by fear, and silenced by gold. Today, I want to do something that I should have done a long time ago", Bertram uttered that surprised Helena.
She looked at Bertram who's terribly shaking from where he stands. "Princess, we have no more time", High Priest Bertram said as he take out a tiny box from his coat. The other priests were both wary of what the high priest has been doing. "I am grateful and in debt of you. Let me redeem myself by choosing what is right, despite being too late".
Helena opened the box and found the traveler's stone. She smiled a little, and closed it again. "Thank you Father.. but I need to stay here to do what I must.",
"This isn't your fate, Helena. Use this stone and soul travel somewhere safe", he insist.
"I am where I'm supposed to be, as much as where exactly you are meant to be", she replied.
"No… no", the high priest breathlessly refused to believe Helena as he clasp on her shoulders, shaking his head side to side."I had done so many mistakes in my life that cannot be undone. Allow me to make this right".
"Listen, Bertram. This kingdom have so many wounds to heal, and evil lurkers that cannot be easily plucked out", Helena stood and met him in his fearful eyes, planting seeds of courage which the priest have lost along his way. "And with you being the high priest is one of the scanty right things Galen made. Be our light ", she patted his trembling shoulder that made Bertram tear a little. Then, she handed the box back to the priest. "Keep this for a little while, someone will come back for it. Now, I need your blessing of protection, for what I will do in the future".
"I see that the priests are here", a loud voice came from the open doors of Helena's chambers.
Bertram immediately released the princess and turned away to wipe his tears. In a flash, he kept the box right inside his cassock before facing the king. "We are about to finish, your Majesty".
"Oh High Priest Bertram. Don't be in a rush, take your time", Galen smiled from ear to ear, crossing his arms across his chest. He wore a tan tailor-made gobelin fencing doublet and matching trousers. This time, he fancied wearing a gold crown with large sapphire jewels.
"Thank you, your Highness", Father Bertram continued the blessing asking the princess to sit back down. The other priests began to carefully wash the hands and feet of the princess in a small basin. Then in unison, they recited a long chant with their hands over the princess.
All throughout, Galen pinned his stares on Helena. He was amused to see how tame she is on that chair. He followed at where the water ran down on her fair skin. Closely, he found it pleasing when the oil poured on her hair glistened like the jewels he wear. And then, his thoughts started to run wild inside his little crowned head.
He wondered how is it like when he caress those parted lips with his thumb. He believes that he'd go over the moon when their bodies get tangled under the thin sheets of silk on his bed. Completely smitten, he desperately wanted to earnestly taste her sweet juices. Will she cry if he thrust hardly between her legs? Suddenly, he had an electrifying urge running in his entire body wanting to hear her soft moans, calling his name…
Galen…
Galen…
"…Galen", High Priest Bertram called. "We're done, King Galen", he was standing right infront of the king, tilting his head. "Are you.. alright Your Majesty?".
"Ah.. Perfect", Galen realized that Helena was already back in her bedchambers. "I'll walk you out. I hope you don't mind", trying to calm his erratic breathing.
The priests followed King Galen out, staring at his broad back. After his small talk with Helena, Bertram's fears were suddenly casted away. The hallway seemed to be longer, as they slowly meander behind Galen.
"Father Bertram, Are you done with all the preparations?", Galen asked without looking back. Something in the sound of his voice that's unnervingly chilling gave the priests a sense of unease.
"Yes, your Majesty", Bertram replied.
"Very well", Galen paused, and turned around startling the priests right on his tail. "Oh before I forget, may I have the stone?", he lifted his palm towards Bertram.
Taken aback, Bertram placed his hands over his pockets and swallowed a lump. "I.. uhh..the stone?", widening his eyes in complete shock.
"The traveler's stone. May I have it?", Galen asked again.
"Apologies, your Majesty. I dont have it here. I kept it somewhere safe", Bertram nervously convinced the King with a forced smile.
Galen stared blankly at Bertram, keeping the priests on edge. "Of course you wouldn't have it right now. Why would you have something precious in your pocket as you walk around", he chuckled and turned his back as he sauntered calmly down the hallway.
Bertram gave out a sigh of relief, and nodded at the other priests who where very agitated at the presence of the king. As he take another step, Galen suddenly rushed against Bertram pining him on the wall with his arm on the priest's chest and a rondel against his neck.
"I heard about your little incident on your way here. And I'm so glad that you finally let out that tiny bit of valor you've been keeping.", Galen smirked as he dug the tip of his knife against Bertram's neck. The priests behind stood frozen, with their mouths open as they held each other's hands.
"Your.. reign is about to end", Bertram choked on every word as he try to push Galen away. However, the young King is too strong to yield.
"Oh yeah?", Galen leaned harder on Bertram's chest, making it more difficult for the priest to breath. "Looks like yours will end first", Galen mercilessly thrusted his rondel on Bertram's neck repeatedly until the priest's life escaped his body in one last breath.
Trembling, one priests dropped on the floor and other leaned his entire body on the wall as Bertram's blood splatter everywhere. They could hardly look at the very same moment when the lifeless body of the high priest drop dead on the floor. "You!", Galen pointed his bloody rondel at the priest who couldn't even find his footing. "Learn how to officiate a royal wedding", he commanded, tossing his knife on the floor leaving the petrified priests in the hallway.