The war finally came to an end, Maxwell and his men could finally return home.

Home wasn't a place, it wasn't the palace where he grew up in but it was a person. Home was his red hair bride, soulmate and soon to be wife.

It was a victorious battle but not without some of his men, his companions falling to the cold blade of death.

He rode on his horse slowly with mixed feelings. The men he had lost were people's husbands, sons, brothers and fathers. He would ensure their families were handsomely compensated.

The weather had been unseasonably warm, and it was his betrothed favorite weather. She always spent most of the morning supervising the servants as they went about their various duties in the palace. She loved being outdoors, working in the garden or overseeing the spring planting and harvesting of the remains of last fall's remains, then she would retire to her chamber after ensuring that the midday meal was served.

She loved silk materials and he always ensured to get her one whenever he came back from a journey. This time he had gotten her 6 yards of red silk material from the palace of the kingdom he had conquered. It would be an early wedding gift from him to her and it would go well with her red hair.

The way her emerald eyes lit up whenever she saw him and the way colour always crept up her cheeks whenever he whispered in her ears.

"What's with the smile my prince?"

Maxwell looked at the young man riding beside him. Simon Contress, his best friend and one of the bravest, loyal and strongest warriors. All his other men in the Army referred to Maxwell as 'Your highness or Captain' but Simon always referred to him as 'My prince' when they were outside and 'Maxwell or my brother' when they were alone.

Maxwell let out a hearty laugh as he felt his cheeks get hot.

"Perhaps my prince is thinking of Lady Anne?" Simon asked.

"Ay I must admit, I am thinking of milady."

"Ohh, when shall I find my own true love?" Simon wailed sarcastically making the rest of the men burst into laughter.

Simon was a well known Playboy, always found in the midst of women. He claimed that no woman could steal his heart, according to him there was plenty of him to go around for all the women.

"You humor me Simon, I believe you will taste true love one day.. perhaps maybe a player like yourself." Maxwell answered with assurance.

Simon opened his mouth to reply but was cut short by the young lad who thundered through the woods towards them, he brought his horse to a sliding stop and flung himself from it's back as the animal sat trembling.

"Your highness!" He fell on his face as he wailed.

Maxwell and his men stared at the boy in confusion. They exchanged looks with each other pondering on the reason the lad had thrown himself in front of the prince in such a manner.

"Rise lad, what is your name?" Maxwell asked calmly.

"Your highness, I am Matthew, son of Granger." The boy answered breathlessly, his chest heaving up and down.

"Matthew what brings you here panting in such a manner?"

"Lady Anne... and her family.." He paused to catch his breath.

"Speak up boy." Maxwell ordered, fear shaking his voice.

"Traitors.." His voice trailed off.

Simon jumped down from his horse, he pulled the lad by his hair and his sword on his throat.

"By God I will murder you here and get away with it, speak now!" He shouted, his eyes confirming his threats.

"They have been tagged as traitors and are to be killed any minute from now." He burst into another round of cry.

Simon released the boy and got on his horse, he turned to Maxwell but with the look on Maxwell's face he knew that all hell was about to break loose...