To be a bird,

What wonders that would entail.

To fly free, free to be

And happiness to me.

No responsibility, or gripping greed.

Maximum velocity? No need.

We wouldn’t need to be escapees,

Nearly to meet under the moonlight

Of midsummer’s eve.

To laugh in glee, in no hurry to leave.

To finally breathe, as our eyes meet.

For our love is all we would need.

I plea-

Loewe touched his pen to his forehead, thinking of another verse. After

ten minutes of not a thought, he gave in.

Guess that’s all I can do for today.

He closed his journal with his pen inside, setting it in his tunic pocket.

Though he was finished writing for now, he made no effort to close the open

window he was sitting in. felling the cool, gentle breeze of the Florence air

rustling his chest-length blonde hair was simply too delightful to deny its touch.

Loewe enjoyed this kiss of the heavens a while longer, before a knock came to his

door.

“Young Master? Princess Ameelea is here to see you.” a familiar voice

announced.

A searing pain shot through Loewe’s head from jumping and banging the

top of it into the window sill. Loewe groaned from the pain, but tried to stay

incredibly quiet.

The door opened and Loewe was faced with his childhood friend and

attendant, Lianne. Her hair, the color of the ebon night, hung to her shoulders. Her

eyes, the lightest of lilacs, showed signs of disappointment. Her hands on the hips

of her tuxedo representing her station as a Guardian Attendant of the Van Gogh

royal family.

“Young Master, what are you doing?” Lianne asked with a sigh.Clutching his still aching head and gazing at the broken window, Loewe climbed inside and uselessly closed it.

“As a matter of fact, Lianne, I was composing my poetic masterpiece.”

Lianne folded her arms in skepticism.

“Uh huh…and you were not doing this to avoid your lovely bride-to-be?”

she asked.

Loewe looked away with his hands behind his head, dodging the question.

“This poem will be a poetic masterpiece of romantic proportions! You will

be reduced to tears at the mere sight of the first stanza!”

Lianne remained…unamused.

“You’ve definitely gotten better at dodging questions.”

Loewe cast a glance at his long-time best friend.

“I can’t see her Lianne, I refused to be married against my will!”

Loewe looked to Lianne for agreement. As always, she did.

“I agree, Young Master. But what can you do? Your father was absolutely

clear that this marriage cannot be called off under any circumstances. She is the

last suitor that you haven’t managed to drive off.” Lianne explained, genuinely

empathetic.

Loewe sighed.

“I know, Lianne. But it just isn’t fair. Father doesn’t care for my feelings

in this matter. I am merely a pawn in his game of royal politics.”

Loewe began to pace, as he normally did when droning about the idea of

romance. Lianne stood and listened, as she always had.

“I want the woman I marry to be the one whose soul speaks to me. One

whose thoughts reflect her outward appearance. I wish to be betrothed to a woman I have spent many a night with, under the stars discussing their origin and beauty.

Not a nine-year-old girl!”

A knock came to the door, followed by a high-pitched voice.

“What is going on in there? Is Lord Loewe there, or not?” Princess

Ameelea deSatier squealed.

Loewe looked to Lianne in panic.

“Please, get her to go away!” Loewe whispered.

“Me?! What do you want me to say?”

“I don’t know! Think of something before- “

The duo were interrupted by the turning of the knob and what seemed like

a finch squealing, “That’s it, I’m coming in!”

Loewe vaulted through the broken window while Lianne attempted to

conjure a story that could fool even the Goddesses. Princess Ameelea barged into

the room, anger clearly showing on her young face.

“Where is Lord Loewe?” she asked.

Lianne wiped the dirt from her clothes that stuck during Loewe’s exit and

did her sworn duty…which happened to be lying for her Young Master in this

particular moment.

“Young Master Loewe is currently not feeling very well, Your Highness.

Dinner had run through him entirely.”

Loewe put his face in his hands.

That’s it? That’s what you decided to go with?!

Of course, Ameelea looked perturbed.

“Well then, my condolences. When he is finished…relieving himself, tell

him that I wish to speak with him.”“Will do, Your Highness.” Lianne flashed a smile as Princess Ameelea

turned to exit. Loewe began to re-enter the room, when the princess turned to ask

a question. Lianne kicked Loewe back out the window before the princess could

catch sight of him. Loewe stifled his groan of pain as much as he was able. I

seemed to work, because Ameelea didn’t notice.

“Regarding that broken window…” she said, perplexed.

“Ah yes, I’ve been meaning to get that fixed. Loewe had to leave his room

for the bathroom. He had slipped and fell, among other things…” Lianne lied.

Ameelea’s eyebrow twitched into whatever emotion she attempted to hide

her disgust with.

“Say no more…I will take my leave.”

Once she was safely out of earshot, Lianne gave the signal for Loewe’s

return.

“You can come out now, Master Coward.”

Loewe came through the window, clutching his forehead in pain.

“Why is it that all the excuses that you come up with have to do with me

soiling myself? Couldn’t you come up with a little better than that?”

Lianne folded her arms in disappointment.

“Beggars can’t be choosers.”

Still rubbing the boot print on his forehead, Loewe attempted to take a

seat.

“Did you really have to kick me though?!”

“Did you want to be discovered?” Lianne retorted.

Loewe was silent a moment.

“No…” Loewe sighed. Lianne lifted Loewe by the ear, moving him to the door; Loewe wincing

all the while.

“You’re going to at least talk to her, Young Master. The poor thing adores

you, for some odd reason.”

Lianne pushed Loewe out the door, forcing him to adjust his clothing.

“Fine, I’ll speak to her. But only to tell her that we will not wed!”

Lianne waved with a polite smile and slammed the door.

Damn her and her consideration…for other’s feelings.

Loewe shook himself back into focus.

She’s only trying to help. Besides, that’s a stupid thing to be upset about. She’s wonderful…

A bit of sadness touched Loewe’s mind. Such sadness, befitting a puppy

who has lost their sight of their best friend, plagued his mind often when he

thought of Lianne. Sadness, combined with another feeling he cannot quite

identify.

Loewe shook himself back into focus yet again.

If I were a princess about to be wed, where would I be?

He started off to the Florence ballroom, dread following his every step.

******************************************************************

Lianne touched her hand to the door, miserable. Turning that hand to a

fist, she punched the stone wall beside the door frame.

Damn you, Duke Van Gogh. Forcing Loewe to marry a child…he really

pisses me off!

She straightened her tuxedo and wiped the blood from her fist.

I have to stay strong…for him.

******************************************************************

The ornate ballroom stretched before Loewe, as well as its accompanying

dread.Alright, just have to tell my nine-year-old fiancé that I will not marry her.

No problem…

The princess was in the center, directing the Van Gogh servants rather

harshly.

“No, you fool! Put that over there, I want it over there!”

Loewe cleared his throat, preparing for the mess that’s about to ensue.

“You shouldn’t treat them like that, they are more than just servants.

They’re human beings too.”

The half-pint brat jumped in surprise.

“My love, I was wait- “

“Don’t call me, ‘My Love’. Look, I only came here to tell you that I will

not marry you. No matter what anyone says, I refuse this marriage.”

The Princess didn’t quite…understand as Loewe had stupidly anticipated.

She collapsed on the floor and cried, just as you’d expect from a child. Loewe

knelt beside her and attempted a different approach.

“You must understand, Ameelea. You are a child. I am twelve years your

senior. Do you not see a problem with this?”

She lifted herself off the ground, but continued to sniffle.

“B-but…I’ve loved you ever since I first saw you.”

Loewe rubbed his eyes in irritation and impatience.

“That was one month ago, Ameelea!”

I don’t even know why I’m arguing with a nine-year-old about love.

“I’m sorry Ameelea, but not only is this not right; I don’t want to marry against my will. You’ll have to find another husband…hopefully your age.”Loewe turned and left his former bride-to-be in tears in the ballroom the day before their wedding.

She’ll get over it soon enough, she is a child after all.

Loewe quickly retreated to his room and out the broken window. He took

his secret path to his favorite plateau-style roof for some time alone. It isn’t easy

breaking a hear, after all. No matter how temporary it may be. There he stood,

cool breeze of the Florence channel calming his nerves.

“I knew you’d come out here.” A familiar voice called out.

Without having to turn, he knew who it was immediately.

If you spot this story on Amazon, know that it has been stolen. Report the violation.

“You know me so well, Lianne. Why did you come up here?”

Lianne gave a chuckle.

“Why else? It’s my duty to watch over you as your guardian. And clearly,

you’re in distress.”

Loewe sat and gazed out at the expansive Florence river delta, head full of

thought. Noticing that Lianne made no movement to sit, he patted the stone next

to him. She sat next to him reluctantly, face flushed.

“Can I ask you a question, Lianne?” Loewe asked.

She eyed him suspiciously.

“Depends on the question…”

Loewe chuckled.

“I promise it’s nothing untoward…this time.”

Lianne smiled.

“Then by all means. What’s on your mind?”

Loewe laid down with his hands behind his head, gazing at the expansive

ocean of azure that stretched out before him.“Do you truly intend to stay by my side, even if things were about to get difficult?”

Lianne was taken aback by the question. She eyed him, trying to get a read

on exactly what he was getting at. No indication was given.

“Well, of course, Young Master. It is my duty to- “

“I’m not talking about duty, Lianne. Not once have I asked anything of

you because it was your duty.” Loewe interjected. “I want to know if you,

yourself, want to stay by my side. Through thick and thin.”

Lianne pondered this a moment.

“Yes. Through thick, thin, and anything between.”

Loewe wore a grin that would befit a moron, or a child who has just

received a toy of their choice.

“Good, I’m happy. If there was anyone I could have at my side, I would

choose you without a second thought.”

Lianne chuckled.

“Probably because you knew that no one with eve half a mind could put

up with your annoying ass.”

Loewe gasped in surprise.

“What happened to that formal speech you so elegantly wear Lianne?!” he

asked sarcastically.

Lianne blushed.

“Don’t ask surprised, Young Master. This isn’t the first time I let go of

that ridiculous formality.”

The two shared a hearty laugh, as footsteps sounded behind them.

“Twelve years and still you come to the same place to brood, Brother?”Alebricht Vaithe Van Gogh stood over his twin brother, grinning.

The key defining features that set Loewe apart from his twin are what

you’d expect. While Loewe grows his hair long and ties it together draping it over

his shoulder, Alebricht cuts his to shoulder length and wears the back in a

ponytail descending his back. While Alebricht has a small, blonde goatee. Loewe

hasn’t been able to grow a hair. Alebricht also has this sense of a rugged soldier,

while Loewe has only fought in duels with Lianne.

Lianne jumped up and bowed.

“My Lord, I didn’t hear you approach. My apologies.”

Loewe stood and hugged his brother.

“Alebricht! I thought you weren’t due back for another month!”

Alebricht smiled ah his brother, clearly happy he was concerned for his

wellbeing.

“I managed to convince Father that the Crusades were merely a waste of

resources. You know how he is when he has to pay for food that is not his own.”

His expression darkened.

“Speaking of Father, he was asking for you…and he did not seem pleased

in the slightest.”

Lianne stepped forward.

“Young Master, allow me to try to talk some sense-“

“No, Lianne. This is my mess, I’ll clean it.”

Loewe ventured back to his room before any more protests occurred.

You all do too much for me, I need to fight my own battles.

By the time Loewe arrived at the Council Room doors, he could hear his

father breaking the sound barrier.“Where is that worthless son of mine?! He should’ve been here by now!”

Duke Van Gogh belted.

Oh boy, this should be interesting.

Loewe threw the doors open as confidently as he dared. Duke Van Gogh,

a stout, bald man, charged through a councilman to stand before his son to seem

threatening. Loewe, of course, was anything but threatened.

“What, exactly, did you say to the princess?” he screamed, entirely too

many decibels higher than safety dictated.

After Loewe wiped the spit off his face, he offered up the knowledge

willingly, as he would’ve to begin with.

“I told her the same thing I’ll tell you. I will not marry against my will, let

alone marry a child.”

Duke Van Gogh’s face contorted with anger, turning the color of the Van

Gogh house’s crimson lion.

“I’ve had enough of your ridiculousness, Loewe! You will wed whomever I wish you to wed, whenever I wish it! Do you understand?”

“Father, I won’t- “

“Do you, or do you not understand?” Duke Van Gogh belted.

Oh, I understand you perfectly, Father.

Loewe turned to leave the council chambers, but the duke put a hand on

his shoulder.

“Do you really think you can just leave when I’m talking to you?”

“You’ve said your thoughts and I clearly can’t change them. What else do

you want me to say?”

Without giving him a chance to reply, Loewe shrugged the hand off his

shoulder and left the council chambers, anger boiling in his heart. Upon throwing

the doors open, he noticed Alebricht and Lianne.“Grumpy as usual.” Loewe said, the smile he adorned hiding sadness.

Lianne held out a hand to comfort him, but decided against it to let him

think through this on his own. As Loewe left, Alebricht nodded for her to follow

him, while he attempted to calm the earthquake that now rumbled in the council

chambers. But when Lianne turned, he was gone.

****************************That Night*****************************

I’m sorry Lianne, you too Alebricht. But I can’t stand being ordered

around by someone who can’t see the values of romance, or even the values of

anything besides politics.

Loewe looked over the moonlit Florence Castle and was glad he was

leaving, but…

What would Lianne think if I left he here? She probably hates it more than

I do.

He turned away, but couldn’t even take a half-step before he turned back.

Damn it all…

As Loewe made his way back to his chambers, he stumbled upon a

cracked door and a private conversation between his father, brother, and a strange

man dressed in the garb of a Femian priest. Loewe pushed himself as close to the

door as he dared.

******************************************************************

Lianne stood perched on the plateaued roof outside Loewe’s window,

watching him return to Florence.

What the hell is that idiot thinking? He could’ve left Florence and not

given it another thought!

She crossed her arms and closed her eyes in deep thought.

Why would he come back? Did he forget something? He seemed to have

enough packed for light travel to the next village, so that can’t be it. Maybe he

forgot his weapon? No way in hell that’s the case, I taught him to never leave his

weapon behind. Then what could it be…?

Lianne opened her eyes to find Loewe scaling up the building.

Damn, I have to move!

She descended the other side and reentered the castle.

I’ll just tail him to see what he’s up to.

Once Lianne caught sight of Loewe, she followed him around the castle.

Ascending the stairs taking great care not to be noticed. Once they were in the

same hallway as Loewe’s room, he stopped in his tracks and placed his ear to the

Duke’s doorway. As the conversation progressed, so too did the dark expression

on Loewe’s face.

What are they talking about that's scaring Loewe so much?

After nearly twenty minutes of listening on this conversation, Loewe

bolted in the direction of his room, as silent as a mouse. Lianne sat outside the

room with her back against the door for a long while just to make sure he was

alright, as was her duty as Guardian Attendant…or that is at least what she kept

telling herself. With her eyes closed, she focused her senses on the contents of

that room.

He’s just sitting next to the window? What is he planning? Escaping and

getting as far as he did, only to turn back and go to bed…it doesn’t make sense. And come to think of it, where was his pack? I didn’t see it with him when he was eavesdropping on the Duke.

Sensing that Loewe was asleep, Lianne finally stood.

I suppose I should return to my room for the night. This investigation will

have to wait until I have rested.

****************************The Next Day**************************

Loewe awoke to find Lianne entering the room.

“Ah, Young Master. You’ve final woke up without me for once.”

Loewe rubbed the lack of sleep away from his eyes.

“Only by pure chance. Has Father said anything this morning?”

Lianne chuckled.

“Nothing beyond ordering me to get you out of bed and ready you for your

wedding. Of course, he used a few choice words I won’t mention.”

Loewe rolled his eyes, conceding to the misery of this wedding.

“Have you eaten yet, Lianne?” he asked.

She shook her head.

“I came straight here, I was planning on eating after I had finished my

duties here.”

“Good, then we’ll eat together!” Loewe said, taking her hand.

Lianne protested this decision, as if she was able to change his mind.

“But Young Master. You have to get ready for the wedding!”

Loewe laughed at the suggestion.

“It is my wedding, isn’t it?”

Plus, I have a feeling the reception is going to be very short…

After quite a lengthy breakfast with his Guardian Attendant, Loewe bid

Lianne farewell and went to his father’s chambers, where Alebricht and Duke

Van Gogh had been waiting…for two-and-a-half hours. Of course, the Duke was

furious, but Alebricht stifled his laughter. After fitting upon fitting for a wedding

garb they finally settled on a gray tuxedo. Alebricht gave his approval and the

Duke sent the servants away. Led by the Duke and Alebricht, Loewe entered the

same ballroom he had been in the day before, only…it was transformed. White

flowers hung nearly everywhere, the guests all looked to be one-hundred years

old, and Ameelea stood by the altar with the strange priest Loewe had seen the

night before. His garb was nothing befitting a wedding. He looked as an engineer,

with clothing that had zippers in all kinds of odd locations, and was wearing red-tinted sunglasses indoors.

His hair was slicked in the classic faux-hawk style and

his black goatee looked like he had just finished putting ten containers of grease

in it.

“Now that the groom has arrived, I, Gilgarian tal Vandos, Cardinal of the

Femian Church, shall see to it that these lovely two shall be wed!” Gilgarian’s

deep, booming voice echoed.

Jeez, where’d they dig this creep up? Doesn’t matter, I don’t spot Lianne

anywhere, and Alebricht and Father are directly behind me…

“And do you, Loewe Blithe Van Gogh, take Princess Ameelea Vil’Darta,

to be your lawfully wedded wife?” Gilgarian asked.

Loewe flashed a smile and jumped backwards over his father and brother.

“I’m terribly sorry to everyone that has travelled long to be here, but I will

not be married this day!”

Loewe turned and sprinted out of the ballroom.

Nailed it! Four hours of practice last night really paid off.

Loewe returned to his room, jumping out of the broken window,

shimmying down the support pillars into the courtyard. Five soldiers stood

between him and the entrance to the moat. Loewe activated his hidden, retractable

Katar.

“I’m going to ask kindly, only once, that you move out of my way. I don’t

want to hurt anyone.”

The soldiers charged, but Loewe being true to his word, dodged the

soldiers in their attempt to grab him, hurting none in the process.

As Loewe made it to the moat, he was faced with nearly an entire legion

of soldiers…led by Lianne.

What the hell…?

“So, Father must’ve anticipated my escape and sent you out here, huh?”

Lianne sadly nodded.

“He said to stop you with any means necessary. Are you absolutely certain

you want to do this, Loewe?”

Loewe flashed the steel on his arm.

“I will not be married against my will, Lianne. You know exactly what

lengths I will go to for this.”

Lianne sighed and turned to the soldiers behind her, turning her head to

plead with him once more.

“You’re sure about this, Loewe?"

Loewe nodded confidently, taking his elegant battle stance.

Lianne fully faced the soldiers. Breathing deeply, Lianne emanated a

white aura as she plunged her fist into the ground, sending them all flying off the

side of the moat with a shockwave that would decimate even the strongest of

stone. She waved to Loewe.

“Move your ass, or it’ll get caught!” she yelled to him.

Loewe grinned wildly as the duo sprinted past the castle walls, leaving no

room for a break so that he could achieve his primary goal. To leave Florence.

As they arrived on the hill Loewe buried his gear, he looked out as the sun

set on his former home.

Goodbye Florence…you too Alebricht. I hope we meet again.