"Kael!" A small voice reverberated across the magnificent halls of the Kaladril castle.
"Kael!" A small girl emerged from a corner, racing toward a boy seated on the railings of a balcony.
He seemed lost in thought, staring down at the world below. He sat without a care in the world.
"Kael!" The girl called out, yet Kael did not hear, despite the fact she was now only four feet away from him.
Perhaps it was because of the wind that blew against his blonde short hair, or maybe it was just the sights that filled his green eyes. No matter what it was that kept his ears contained in a void of nothingness, all it came down to was he did not respond, which made the small girl furious.
Pushing open the windows that separated the eastern hallway from the balcony, the girl screamed once more.
"Kael!"
Jolting, Kael jittered, then he lost his balance and fell off the balcony.
The girl gasped, her soul forgetting her. Without wasting a second, she bolted toward the railing, looking over it to see if Kael was somehow alive.
And by some miracle, he was.
"Clara." Kael smiled as he held onto a gargoyle shooting out from underneath the balcony.
Kael did not take his eyes off Clara once. Despite just being twelve years old, she boasted a beauty beyond anything he had ever seen.
Short soft brown hair fluttered in the wind, her blue eyes gazed at him, sharp and full of energy. And her pristine skin was reminiscent of a polished ceramic fresh from the hands of a master craftsman.
Clara looked like an angel sent from heaven,which was a major reason Kael found himself drawn to her in a way that did not mean just mere friendship.
Looking down at Kael, and now reassured he was fine, Clara let out a huge sigh of relief. Then, realizing herself, she screamed once more.
"What in Castillo's name are you doing? Climb back up!" she commanded.
Grinning still, Kael shook his head. Before pulling himself up.
Once he had reached the balcony, Clara grabbed his shirt and did whatever she could to hoist him to safety.
When she was assured he was now safe, she began to smack him with her hands.
"Ow, ow!" Kael cried out with his arms shielding him from her assault.
"I've told you time and time again to stop playing with your life like a simpleton plays with a sword!" Clara stated, still beating Kael.
"Your words are unfair Clara. Has it not occurred to you that I never would have fallen had you not frightened me." Kael defended, running around the balcony in an attempt to escape Clara's wrath. A fruitless endeavor as she chased after him.
"The outcome would not have been the same had I frightened you while you sat somewhere that wouldn't get you killed!" Clara berated.
"Ow, ow. Clara, is this the reason you sought me out?" Kael asked, hiding behind his arms while praying he had just successfully diverted her attention.
And it seemed to work, because Clara froze in place. Confusion written on her expression.
"Ah, right." Clara said, then took several steps away from Kael, backed him and began to rummage through the small handbag hanging from her arm.
Kael couldn't help but smile, as he stared. This was practically a daily routine for him. Almost every day he would be found on one balcony or the other, watching the people in and outside the castle walls.
And each time, Clara would berate him for doing something so dangerous. It was strange she never stopped cautioning him, even his father had given up. Which in turn led him to bed so many maidens in hopes of birthing a new born son. Another heir to his throne, a backup if you will.
Thinking on this, Kael chuckled.
Just then, Clara had found what she was looking for. With a victorious yelp, she turned to Kael and closed the gap between them.
"Give me your hand." Clara insisted, one hand reaching out for his.
"And all of this is for...?"
Clara said nothing, she just blushed as she placed something on Kael's ring finger.
Looking at it, Kael's eyes lit up when he saw a ring on his hand.
"Happy birthday Kael!" Clara yelled with her hands waving in the air. "I'm fully aware this is absurd in a way, but I also got one for myself." Clara said, showcasing the ring she wore on her own ring finger.
Looking at the rings, a million and one thoughts flooded Kael's mind, but at the forefront was something of the utmost importance.
"Why are they so big?" Kael asked, as he pinned his gaze on the ring dangling from his finger. And the same could be said for the one Clara wore.
In truth, they were really big.
Clara pouted, blushing hard.
"How could that head of yours be so hard? It should be obvious enough that these rings are meant to fit us as we get older. Or do you plan on marrying me right now?" Clara asked, more than annoyed.
Kael did not respond, as he was still confused.
"Forgive me if I am mistaken, but your birthday gift to me, is a ring for me to marry you?" Kael said, then pointed his gaze to Clara.
She stood annoyed and pouting still, unable to hold his gaze, she burst.
"If you do not desire it at all, then just return it. I'll find you something more appropriate for your fifteenth birthday." she lunged at him, reaching for the ring.
But smiling, Kael ran backwards, holding tightly onto the ring.
"I never said such a thing. My only intention was to confirm your reasoning." Kael said.
Now frozen, Clara's cheeks turned even more red, so she turned away from him, holding her face.
"It's better I leave, your father should be..."
"Prince Kael!" A voice rang out from the hall.
"I believe your father seeks you." Clara said, not turning to face Kael.
Kael stared at her, wondering to himself how she could be so bold.
She had been baggering him to marry her ever since she was six. And though he never said he would, here she was, offering him a ring.
Kael smiled, then began to walk away.
"I'll announce to my father the good news. We are to be wed on your eighteenth birthday." Kael said as he walked, not once stopping to even see her reaction.
Overcome with joy, Clara held a squeal back. Victory at last.
Turning to Kael, he was just about to push the glass windows open when she realized something.
"Wait." she said, the rushed to his side. Rummaging through her purse, Clara produced what she was looking for before Kael was even allowed to turn around. And once he did, what he saw was a bowing Clara with outstretched arms.
And in her hands was a handkerchief.
"King Reginald will no doubt take you on a hunting trip this day. Please accept this gesture of good luck." Clara said, not once lifting her head. An attempt to avoid Kael from seeing her fire red cheeks.
Kael smiled, then he took the handkerchief from her hands.
"Thank you Clara." Kael said.
"Prince Kael!" The voice rang out once more, pulling Kael's attention.
Turning away from Clara, he pushed the glass windows open and ran through them.
"Prepare yourself Clara, I will hunt down the best boar in your honor." Kael said with a cheer in his voice as he followed the call of the servant.
Standing still, Clara held her chest, as she was afraid her beating heart would break free. She was more than flustered and very jittery.
But helming the array of emotions she felt, was joy. Profound joy.