Short breaths fog up my glasses as I see the cliff. Three more steps and I can breathe, three steps away from freedom. His hands grasp around my waist as he throws me to the ground; I feel the cold soil. Every ounce of my body doubles in mass, leaving its dead weight to shiver in the snow.

"You will never win."

I pull myself up, look at his waist. Three more steps, I say one last time as I leap for the sweet scent of freedom. Years of torture, or isolation from the people. I could be free from all if I could just reach that cliff. I feel him grasp at my wrist as I pull with all my might. No one would stop me from escaping this desolate prison. No one could tame my shrewd nature.

"Why do you even run?"

I know the truth. I know how they love to keep me prisoner; How they wish for me to worship them. I would never blink in his direction if I had not been born into his grasp. Why does he feel my skin now? Why does he keep me from freedom.

"You must stay here," I hear his breath break, a sigh from his throat hitting the frigid air. "Your Majesty."

Those words. Nothing hurt more than those words. "I am not your majesty!" I shout back, pulling my wrist as I fall into the awaiting snow bank. "I am not your prince or your king! If you call me so, be that by your own accord. Not one drawn from a committee or those born richer than thee." I look out of the bank, seeing the scintillating waters below.

My eyes travel to his face as he kneels into the soft flurry beside me. "I can not let you die my Prince. Neither can I leave you without a title." He looks out at the waters, I can almost see the similarities in out faces from the reflections outcast in the shine.

"I wish you would throw me in. Father would rather I see it be done than keep mine wallows to mine self." My eyes fall closed, a soft hand touching lightly upon my face.

"Never would I wish so." His word can move the strangest of men to power, yet still they stand inert here. "For who shall go after all the towns bevy if you do?" This it shifts.

I stand, marching back towards the gardens portico. "As if I wish to lay eyes on some lower towns bevy when I could be looking for class!" I throw up my hand, dramatically laying it at my temple. "Woe is me! No pretty girls in all of Irsey, not a single one enough to marry the pristine Darian of Jida." All I can see when my eyes open is his normal scowled expression.

"You know I have to-" I rush, covering his mouth with my hand.

"You never have to do anything Cliff. Not unless I command it." I flash my teeth, turning to sit beneath the roof overhang. "At least, that would be true if I were your prince. Am I your Prince?" It had been years since I had first met Cliff; I still know how to get under his skin.

He glared back at me, rolling his eyes. "I am sorry," Holding the same dramatic facade I had taken on myself. His knee dropped, the rough skin from his calloused hands grasping over my delicate ones. "My prince." His practically moans out.

It takes a second more for both of us to laugh. All I ever wanted was for him to stay with me. His father was a Thane to mine; being the only other child in the palace it was easy for us to be friends. It did not matter that he was four years older, or that I was to be king! Now he acted more as a stool to my grooming than anything else. What I would do to keep that friend, to keep us laughing forever.

"We should be returning to the house now. The King wished to speak with you over your coronation coming this next month." His voice sounded almost unfamiliar to me now.

"Right." I took his hand, pulling him up from kneeling. "Do not kneel in my presence. Not unless I command you." I sigh, pulling at my cuffs. "Come, set yourself a gentlemen and lets be on."

I start to walk to the main doors, surprised not to hear the regular heavy steps pounding behind me. I looked back to see hand still extended. "Your Father will be pleased that you come."

I scoff, shaking my head. "Oh, I said set yourself a gentlemen. I will not be going." I saw his smile disappear. "What? Not like I will ever actually be king. My father married young and has three great sons. I will not be picked over Mallon, and Alexander will bring peace to the courtship of Venron and Jida forever with his marriage. If my father wishes to talk of my own marriage, then maybe he should show me what fair dame might wish to court me." I take a breath, pulling us into the outcast marbled hallways. "Even if I am the oldest, I get left to feather about while they dine with future Queens."

"I am sure that the King has a plan for you. It does not matter what your brothers do, by right of lineage you have earned the crown. If I were you I would accept it." His voice sounded harsh as I lead us past open windows full of sun beams.

"Then he would have prepared me himself. What kind of father leaves his sons to tutors and lower King's hands? Heralds I might say!" I quiet as I pass by the mothers private quarters, knowing how pushy she can be about my father and I.

Cliff is right at my side as we rush past her door. "If you will not talk with him at least come to listen. I do not want him barging in on you like he did last moon." He curled his words, pulling at my tie.

"That was nothing! The maid simply spilt water over herself. I gave her a towel to let her off, and you know it!" I curse back at him, hitting his shoulder as he snickers away. "Besides, he thought I was finally interested in a trip to the brothel. He got only pleasure from that encounter." I saw the doors to my room open, stopping in my tracks. "Cliff, why-" I felt him push me forward, letting out a whine as I glimpsed into the airy room. "Cliff, I trusted you!"

My father stood at my windowsill, my mother sitting at his side. "I am sorry my Prince, it was a direct order from the King." He closed the doors, a maid waiting in front to stop any chance of escape.

"Darian, we needed to talk about this weeks ago. You must have one to wed the day of your coronation, you know that if you wait all that will be left are wenches from the seas over." I heard my brothers voice, turning to see Mallon and Alexander sitting at my bedside.

I glare towards Mallon, brushing his rusty voice off my soul. "Then maybe I will just take your wench." I heard a gasp, but with my swift all I saw was the disappointed look in my mother's eyes. "You know I kid. I would never go for someone that," I drew a breath, looking back over my shoulder. "Tamed."

Feeling a hit on my back from Cliff, I sighed, sitting in a chair provided. "Are we not still going to the Bevy of the town? That is all I have heard of since our last meeting; Though, that being six months ago, I would not be surprised if they have grown tiresome."

"You will stop your tone!" I flinched, hearing my father's voice was something of a rarity. "The Princesses of Gysia have decided that one of them will marry you. Large kingdom, lots of land, small population. Mostly farming and minor metal working. They are well known for their festivals, which they hope to bring to Jida on your coronation day." His voice was stern, sounding old and withered.

"Yes my King." I kept my eyes down, knowing this dower would be achieved even if I protested. "May I meet the fair maiden before the day of our courting?" He could not just court me to some random princess, could he?

He stopped his glare, nodding. "They arrived this morning. The three stay within the east tower. Calloway will be watching you with them to ensure nothing is to go wrong." I frown, hearing Cliff's real name.

"Of course my King, it is an honor to serve your son." He even bowed!

I stand, looking to my two lounging brothers. "And if they seem shrewish and unfit to wed?" My voice stays flat, looking back to my father's eyes.

He shakes his head. "You will choose one of them. That is an order."

I nod, feeling Cliff take my arm. "Then I will be off to Woo them." I say, feeling my body being pulled out of the room. We are a ways down the hall before I dare to talk again. "I hate your first name."

"As do I, but you have to make sacrifices to work for the king." He keeps his speed, practically running through the halls. "The Princesses are in the eastern Garden. May lead them there as soon as we left. Sorry for not pulling you out sooner, but I had to wait for them to get settled."

My brows frown, a confused look carrying on my face. "How would you know they were settled, you never left the room?" He smirked, looking back to me with his dark chocolate eyes.

"You have heard the phrase 'Walls have ears', have you not?" He slowed his speed, letting the words set. "All I had to do was tell May to ring the bell back to your room. Miss Ariel held the bell to keep it silent, then gestured for me to go as soon as your father started talking. The princesses have been waiting at least ten minutes now. As a gentlemen I must insist that we hurry to them now."

I rush along with him, entering the cove of the garden. Every inch was covered in snow, and right below my soft weeping willow was a girl. Her silken red hair burst like a painters canvas. A light blue dress held her figure beneath a wolf's fur cloak. Her green eyes glowed over her pale skin, light curls cascading over her rosy cheeks.

As I stand on the porch I see her stare towards me as well. "My prince?" She asks, smiling softly.

"My queen." I mutter.

An elbow jabs me in the side, doubling me over. "I am very sorry Princess Cecilia. Our Prince is not the most logical when it comes to speaking." He looks back to me, gesturing me to start an introduction.

"Princess Cecilia, I hope I have not offended you in anyway. Prince Darian of Jida, heir to the thorn of Jida." I take a knee, kissing the tip of her hand. Her skin was softer than butter and her voice rang through her smile.

"Thank you Prince Darian." She looked out to the snow, two others of the same stature running up. "These are my sisters; Adeline and Cordelia." The two follow, one with brown hair and the same green eyes. The other with red hair and deep brown eyes.

I take the first's hand, seeing the youth in her shimmering green eyes. "Good day Princess Adeline." I take the other, seeing her deep brown eyes and light freckles. "How do you do Princess Cordelia." I rise, smiling at the two.

As they introduced themselves, I see Cliff and my head lady in waiting Miss May. The set the gardens table with tea and pudding, filling plates with biscuits. I bring the three over, sitting them each on a winding branch chair. "Would any of you like some hot chocolate dearies? I have some working in on the top." Miss May asks, about to serve tea.

I expect Princess Cordelia, who looked to be the youngest, to ask for the milky drink. Surprisingly it was my future queen, Princess Cecilia, who ask for it. "Yes please Miss May, that would be wonderful. All that time in travelling makes a woman's tongue sour of the bitter beverage that is tea." She smiles, looking to continue talking. Something stops her.

I follow her eye contact, seeing her eyes on Princess Adeline. "Princess," I ask of the beauty on my right. "Would you mind regaling your journeys for me. As the eldest and the heir my father hardly has ever let me travel far. I would love to hear of your comings from your home of Gysia." I see her dainty face brighten, setting her tea down.

"Oh, travelling is wondrous! Adeline and I documented all of the roads to practice our mapping skills, and Cecilia helped us map out the stars when we were gone by ship. Whenever we would stop, my Lady in wait would say 'Now Princess, do not go running off' but how could I resist? I met many beautiful creatures; Deer, rabbits, even a wolf! I did get in trouble, but who would care when you feel so alive." She kept her story lively, pulling her sisters in with her tales. "And Miss Faun, Cecilia's Lady in wait had to drag all of us out of the creek. We were barely two days from Jida, and our good dresses were soaked."

"We are all glad Jida was cold today, if not I believe Miss Faun might have forced us to wear barely dry dresses to meet you." Cecilia said, her laugh brushing out as she covered her mouth.

Before I could continue the conversation, a hand landed on my shoulder. "Sir, your father has asked that the three Princesses be led to their rooms to freshen for supper. The same would I recommend for you." Cliff held out his hand to Princess Adeline, Miss May taking Princess Cordelia.

The two waved to their sister and I as they disappeared into the palace halls. "Princess Cecilia, would you mind an escort to your room?" I hold out my hand, surprised to hear a chuckle.

"Darian, I would marry you on the spot if it meant I did not have to retire back to my room." She continued to laugh, taking my hand and pulling me back towards the snow. "Mistress Faun yells about everything and my father sends me off to get my sisters wed." He pale hands stop their tugging, pointing towards the creek. "I would rather go explore the world with you than ever sit through another meeting over famine and decay."

I watched her as she plopped down into the soft snow bank. "We could always not go to dinner. I will sneak us in after the cooks leave and feed us well through the night." I see her smile, ready to keep going. "We co-"

"Go to dinner like good Princes and Princesses?" I looked up from the bank, seeing Cliff above me. "Aw yes Prince Darian, such a well mannered influence on our esteemed guests. A True show of Jidaian character." He says with a smirk, call over a maid to take my love away.

I stay seated watching her leave. "You could have let us have our moment before interrupting us." I scowl, feeling him lift me up out of the snow. "I really had her going."

"Aw," He chuckled, brushed off my back. "The only thing you had going was mouth, Princess." In a swift movement, he clipped my rear, causing me to yelp. "Come on, you need to get ready before your father decides to have another intervention for you."

I keep my glare as we both take the climb to my room. I undress, bath, and dry for the coming banquet. If this is a banquet. No one told me, though that should be an understood norm for anyone interested in my life. My jackets crimson fabric held nice silver taps, all in two straight rows. This was definitely my favorite jacket, though it went with hardly anything.

My brothers each had their own version, Mallon's in blue and Alexander's in Green. Our parents wear deep purples always, though I know Mama would rather wear Green. It takes a good hour more, but the banquet finally begins.