Parker sits on the Gustan palace roof to look at the stars.
his mother opened the window and stuck her head out to talk with him. "Hello darling.. we let the tasmanian kingdom know that you will be traveling through the tasmanian forest to get to Husan for your meeting with the Duke of Husan. They thanks us for letting them know and the royal family arranged for a few members of their court to escort you to ensure your safety." His mother told him with a smile. Tasmania might be gustas enemy but they didn't want to start a war by something happening to the gustan prince.
*Parker smiled at his mother and nodded, then said thank you before continuing to look up at the stars. He had always been fascinated by them, and he couldn't wait until they could have a star named after him when he became king one day. But for now, he enjoyed their beauty from the palace roof. As he sat there, lost in thought, he didn't notice the group of Tasmanian nobles approaching him. They bowed respectfully when they reached him.
all wore black from head to toe. Cloaks too that cover their faces. "We will guide you through the forest when you are ready." A man said and Parker could tell he was a tasmanian guard by how he talked. There were 2 others like him and then one on a white horse who didn't speak at all. Nor could he tell anything about them other than they say up tall with good posture on the horse.
Parker nodded politely to the guards before standing and stretching. "Thank you. I'll be down in a moment." He said, then turned towards his room to gather his things. Once he had everything he needed, he rejoined the group and they set off through the forest. The forest was eerily quiet, the trees towering over them like sentinels. Parker couldn't help but feel a sense of foreboding as they journeyed deeper into enemy territory.
the person on the white horse rode in front silently while the guards around Parker chatted and laughed in the darkness of the forest. "So what's it like being a gustan prince?" A guard asked while removing his cloaks hood. He was a younger man.
"It's... interesting," Parker replied with a small smile. "I guess it has its perks." He shrugged nonchalantly. "But really, I don't mind being out here instead of cooped up in the palace all day." The truth was, he didn't enjoy the life of a prince as much as people thought he did. It felt like a cage sometimes.
"that's how our princess is." The guard said with a laugh and smile before another guard angrily looked at him like he was spilling secrets.
"Oh?" Parker raised an eyebrow in curiosity. "Your princess sounds like she might be someone I'd get along with." He glanced at the other guard who had scolded his companion, wondering if they were close friends or something more. It was always interesting to observe people's dynamics.
"my sister is not like other princesses.." a man around parkers age said from the front of the group. The cloaked figure on the white horse turned out to be a prince of tasmania.
Parker found that interesting. "What makes her different?" he asked, genuinely curious now. The princess sounded like someone he might enjoy getting to know. Maybe they could even become friends, despite their kingdoms' rivalry. It was a long shot, but anything was possible.
the prince pulled off his hood so Parker could see him. Parker recognized him as prince Targo of tasmania. "She's highly opinionated.. and she likes swords. Carries one around on her hip even when she wears her gowns. Not only that but she also is quite cunning with royal affairs." Prince Targo told him.
"She sounds... fascinating," Parker replied with a small smile. "I think I'd like to meet her one day." He paused for a moment, considering his words carefully before adding, "Perhaps when this meeting is over, you could introduce me?" There was no harm in asking, and it might make for an interesting conversation at least.
"you don't know what you are getting yourself into my friend.." Targo said with a chuckle and smile. "My darling sister Analese is a challenge. One that no man has ever tried and won." The prince added.
"Oh?" Parker raised an eyebrow in amusement. "And what if I were to prove you wrong, hm?" He grinned challengingly at the Tasmanian prince. "I'm not afraid of a challenge." Truth be told, he was curious about this princess and her ways. It would make for an interesting story to tell his friends back home in Gusta, even if things didn't quite work out between them.
"Well then my friend," Targo said with a laugh, "I will look forward to seeing you try."
"if you can get her to agree to a date in the first 10 minutes of meeting her, I will personally invite you to our peach festival." Targo said with a smile laying down the bet. Parker loved peaches but since he was never allowed or invited since it was in enemy territory, he never went to the peach festival.
Chuckling, Parker nodded. "Deal." There was no harm in trying; it might be amusing to see how she reacted. And if he managed to win her over, all the better. Plus, peaches were worth a visit or two to Tasmania, even as part of enemy territory. He glanced at Targo and smiled confidently. "I'm sure I can handle your sister."
The rest of their journey passed without incident, and soon enough they arrived at the Duke of Husan's palace. The meeting went well;
"how about we head to tasmania so you can rest up before you travel back to your own kingdom. It is late but my sister is a night owl. Im sure we can bother her." Targo offered knowing it was very gracious to be hosting to an enemy.
That sounded like an excellent idea to Parker. He eagerly agreed, grateful for the offer and looking forward to meeting Targo's sister in person. Perhaps he could even impress her enough that she'd be interested in going on a date with him during those first ten minutes. Who knew what adventures lay ahead? As they journeyed deeper into Tasmanian territory, Parker couldn't help but feel a sense of anticipation building within him.
Late into the night, they finally arrived at Targo's palace.
they put their horses in the stable and Targo led him inside. "My sister is usually in the main room at this time." Prince Targo quietly told Parker as he left him towards the main room. He quietly opened the door and there I was laying on the couch like a beautiful angelic goddess. My dress was white like liquid pearls on my fair dainty skin. My eyes were shut. "Targo.. you come to bother me hm? You reek of pine and horse." I teased with a smirk with my eyes still shut. Parker could tell me and Targo were close. I didn't know Parker was there.
"Indeed," Targo replied with a grin as he knelt beside the couch. "And I've brought someone else to bother you as well." He gestured towards Parker, who had hesitantly stepped forward. "This is Prince Parker of Gusta; my... friend."
I opened my eyes and slowly sat up to look at Parker. "You.. brought an enemy prince. Does father know?" I teased my brother some more. I got off the couch and walked closer to Parker. Till we were almost touching so I could get a good look at him. "Hm.." I said as I observed him. Every detail. He couldn't tell what I was thinking but I was clearly very opinionated.
He studied her as she studied him. Her appearance was striking; the contrast between her fair skin and black hair made her stand out even more. There was an air of confidence about her that he found intriguing. "Princess Analese," he said, inclining his head in greeting. "It's a pleasure to meet you."
Her observation seemed unending, making him feel slightly self-conscious. But then again, maybe it was just who she was. Perhaps that was what made her different from other princesses.
"you're quite fit under those clothes.. I can tell." I stated bluntly as I turned to walk away. My hips moved seductively and so gracefully it was almost unreal.
Parker's eyes followed her every movement as she walked away, his expression thoughtful. She was indeed different from other princesses he had met; more open and straightforward. He wondered if it was a result of growing up in an enemy kingdom or if it was simply who she was. Either way, he found himself drawn to her. "Your brother seems quite fond of you," he said conversationally as they resumed their earlier positions near the couch.
"Targo?" She asked with a small laugh. "