Yorkshire was a small but stately city situated in the upper reaches of Scotland. The town was currently filled with panic since the Bagmington House spread a sorrowful new about the King's death.

Prince John now had to settle there. He was odd, unlike the previous royals the country had during the years. He didn't enjoy being in public or being at the center of petty gossip. Indeed, because of his particular repulsion for those matters, the inhabitants of Yorkshire saw him as a ghost, allowing everyone to make up stories about him just to create a stir.

Some said he was handsome and charming, but that he had a harsh personality that made him unbearable. Others said the only reason nobody ever saw him was that he was too busy pleasuring women of low rank who didn't know about his identity.

Lastly, the most original ones claimed he was a mystical creature, too horrifying to be seen.

However, the only sure thing they all agreed was that if he was as devoted as his father, it would still be enough to reign decently and please the villagers.

Prince John after finding his father almost unconscious on the ground, decided to bring his father to the forest.

King William was using all the energies left in his body to keep his eyes open. He tried to remain alive the longer he could. In a weak voice he spoke out, "t-t-ake c-c-are o-of the K-kingdom."

His breath was fatigued and his voice was so low that it was barely hearable.

"I will, father. I will. I promise."

The King when he heard his son's voice slightly curved his lips while blood came out from his torso, "a-avenge m-m-e", his last breath was taken and his eyes glazed over.

Prince John fell onto the ground as his legs collapsed at the sight of his father dying in front of him. He was immersed in a pain so excruciating that he could feel his heart being ripped off. His chest's tight left him unable to breathe and he had to open his mouth to catch some air.

Tears wet his face, and he screamed so loudy that the ground trembled. Stars winked out their lights, and the night became darker. John with a fast run reached their castle and laid the corpse on the bed.

"Please wake up. Please, come back."

His gaze was empty, wretched, the pain that was taking over his body was so intense that it was like time stopped. He cried so much that no tears were left to cry.

John opened his mouth, but no voice came out from it. His crying for hours had left his mouth so dry that he had to curve his back to force himself to swallow the remaining drips of spit behind his tongue.

His body was there, but his soul had been ripped from him the moment his father gave his last breath.

John shut his eyes closed, his breath fastened, and the redness which surrounded his eyes stuck out the paleness of his skin. He growled, revealing his sharp fangs.

Prince John fell onto the ground, demoralized and worn out while blood was coming out his now chipped claws. He looked up at the sky, from where he could see his father's face lullabying him with his sweet voice. Prince John smiled at that vision, and a whisper escaped from his lips, "take me with you."

•••

"Those earrings are so exquisite. They suit you perfectly. Seems like they were made for you to wear them!" Kathy, the maid, said to Roselyn when she saw the emeralds in the earrings shining and reflecting a green light at each movement.

"I love them," Roselyn replied. "My ear lobes, although, don't love them as much because of their weight." She smiled as she massaged her neck.

But like her mother repeated constantly during all her life: one must suffer to be beautiful.

The corset's tightness was surely testing Roselyn's capacities of bearing the pain. It was impressive that she never got used to the discomfort of that garment. Even if she had been wearing corsets for years, she still couldn't bear the hefty physical price she had to pay for the beauty they provided.

"This is the King's seal." Abigail's voice echoed from the kitchen. Roselyn turned around and saw her mother rushing to see: "Roselyn!" she gestured hastily to her daughter, who joined her family to read the letter altogether.

Their eyes widened in amazement, admiring it.

"Open it!" Ginevra, their mother commanded.

Abigail unlocked the seal, which was situated in the center of the letter. Then, she proceeded to take out the letter slowly and carefully, as if it was made of crystal. It turned out to be a gold sheet of handwritten paper while at the bottom stood the King's signature.

"It's official." Sharon exclaimed, astonished. She stole the letter from her sister's hands to unfold it and read it aloud after clearing her voice.

"To Clayton family, from Prince John of Edinburgh. We're very sorry to inform you that the King of Scotland, William Waldburg, loved and devoted to the reign has suddenly died. If you received this letter, it means that you are one of the 50 families who had the respect of our house. We would be honoured to grant the pleasuring company of each lady in your house to be the candidates to marry me."

Her mother put her hand upon her chest as if she was having a heart attack.

"Am I dreaming?" the mother asked while joy filled her eyes.

"I knew he remembered my amazing triple chocolate mousse. I always made it for him when he was a child. I haven't baked in years, though."

She looked thoughtful, "maybe in my notebook, I still have the recipe!"

"You knew the King and never said that?" Abigail asked while anger and shook filled her mind.

"I used to work in a local bakery before meeting your father and the Royal family usually ordered there sweets and cakes for special occasions. Once when the King ordered my cake, my courage pushed me to write a note and put it inside the box to inform him about my name. But I never had the certainty that he would read it." Ginevra said when disbelief filled his face.

"It has been 20 years and he still remembered my cake."

"Why are you talking about cakes? King William just died." Roselyn said rolling her eyes and scoffing.

"The future King is looking for a wife!! I already picture myself next to him." Sharon said while she rotated harmoniously, causing her long tulle skirt to twirl with her. Her small feet were clapping on the floor as she pretended to dance.

Roselyn scoffed. She was surely excited to meet the King. Who wouldn't it be? Just not as much as her entire family or any other lady in Scotland. She thought it was silly to revolve her life around a man and completely depend on him. She had been dressed up to go to balls and banquets all her life. Even if she liked that kind of life, she would still want to take a break, like having the possibility to press a button and pausing her life without the pressure everyone was putting on her.

"I hope the King is as charming as people say."

"Charming and problematic." Roselyn added to Sharon's exclamation and giggled, receiving a glance from both her sisters. Just her maid Kathy shared an amused smile.. Kathy wasn't only her maid, but also the only person she fully trusted and relied on.