9 9. Jealous

"Why do you ask about water, princess? What's up?" Said elie, who felt that Ariadne had kept something.

Ariadne shakes her head immediately. Continue her unfinished embroidery. "It's okay Elie. I just saw the water pouring out of that glass of iron. I just want to ask you a question."

"Ah, I see."

"Yes."

Elie smiled as she learned of Ariadne's growing hand movements at embroidery. The girl embroidered the thread that makes the letter "A".

"Why do you embroider a letter?" Ask elie.

"I just want to. 'A' for my name."

"Really? Not for prince Avery, is it?" Guess Elie.

Ariadne's face tightened. "Elie, do I look particularly fond of Avery?"

"Of course, princess." Answer Elie with a soft chuckle. "Do you love him?" Ask Elie.

Ariadne shrugged her shoulders. "I don't know. But as soon as he kissed me last night, it was like I couldn't forget it."

"Was that your first kiss?"

Ariadne nodded. "Of course, I've never kissed anyone before."

"I saw you last night." Elie began by holding back her smile.

Ariadne's pouting. "I knew it, Elie. You can always find me."

"Do you really like him?"

"I don't know, Elie. You know I haven't had the experience of loving someone. The only thing I can think of right now is Avery."

"But last night he was disrespectful." She says.

Ariadne furrowed her brow. "Was he in a bad way? Which part was rude?"

"Prince Avery ran away from you and went home. The good man would say goodbye first. Instead of just leaving."

"Oh, yeah? Does that mean prince Avery's not a good guy?"

"Nor do I know, princess. But a good man shows a good attitude."

Ariadne nodded in understanding. Elie has a point. The thing is, Avery ran away last night. Perhaps he was withholding the embarrassment of kissing her. In view of this, make Ariadne's cheeks immediately blush. Apparently, liking someone feels very thrilling.

***

In accordance with Ariadne's statement yesterday, the girl is now free to walk alone to the waterfall bridge. Ariadne's famous waterfall bridge is at the foot of imperial flora. It's nearly a kilometer away. And of course Ariadne walks at ease in the afternoon breeze.

Darian hasn't seen one full day. Ariadne was not meeting with her bodyguard at all. No wonder Elie was by her side all day.

As long as Ariadne goes to the waterfall bridge, Elie is allowed to do her favorite thing. Elie likes to shower most of the time. Soaking in lots of foam and rose petals. So now Ariadne is completely free of Elie's supervision.

Ariadne's footsteps stop right in the middle of the bridge. Her eyes caught sight of the surroundings, which were so beautiful. Lots of birds flying. And beneath the bridge there was fresh, clear water. The place of the falls is visible from the bridge.

The sound of the falls also made Ariadne feel more comfortable standing there. Here the sun didn't set until about seven o 'clock at night, or so it could be.

Ariadne felt her two massive arms encircling her belly. That's Avery's hand. The prince of the Pearl Kingdom hugged princess Ariadne from behind. Avery kissing Ariadne's open throat.

"How long have you been here?" Said Avery.

"I just got here." The reply Ariadne whose eyes closed enjoyed a small kiss on her neck.

"I thought we'd never meet." Avery said speculative.

"Why?"

"Usually elie tells you not to do anything. Does it now not?"

Ariadne chuckles softly. "I'm seventeen, Avery. Elie won't be banned much longer. Besides I know what's good and what's bad for me."

"Well.. Want to ride with me?"

Ariadne turned her over. Looking at Avery's healthy, handsome white horse. The white horse has a necklace. The name 'Sparrow' on it. Ariadne stroked the mane with ease.

"His name is Sparrow?" Asked Ariadne.

Avery nodded. "Yes. I met him at the church. At the time, he was surrounded by sparrows, like talking to one another. And I bought it straight from the owner. I'll just call him 'Sparrow'."

"Won't he be mad I'm coming up?"

"No, for you are riding with me." Said Avery by extending his hand to Ariadne. Intended to help Ariadne get on his horse.

Ariadne smiled. She happily took Avery's hand and set her foot on the stirrup. Then she managed to sit sideways at the saddle end of the horse. Quickly Avery too, riding directly behind Ariadne.

Avery's two hands were starting to bend the reins. Ariadne's body feels very warm. Her position had Avery hugging her from behind.

"Where do you want to go?" Said Avery.

"I want to approach the falls."

Avery directly complied with Ariadne's request. Controlling the horse to make its way to the water. Through the warm afternoon breeze on their skin.

Ariadne no matter what time she will return to the palace. Now she just wants to spend time with Avery.

'mom, if only you knew who I am now. Will mom be happy? I'm seeing someone right now.' Ariadne says in her heart.

***

At exactly eight o 'clock at night, when the sky was already dark, Avery had just lowered Ariadne off her horse. Ariadne wishes to be lowered again on the bridge earlier.

"Is it okay for you to come back alone, princess?" Said Avery. His gaze was anxious to let his beloved walk alone in the dark.

Ariadne shakes her head. "It's okay. Go home." She said.

Avery does Ariadne's bidding. The man rode on his horse again and immediately left Ariadne alone.

By taking a long walk, Ariadne has already passed the bridge. But the tall man on a brown horse stopped in front of her.

"Darian?" Said Ariadne did not believe.

Darian got off the horse with a jump. "My mother told me to come get you." He said.

And finally the two rode the darian horse. Ariadne is in front of darian by sitting sideways. For Ariadne this position is very awkward. They ride with each other.

"Why did you meet that man, princess?" Ask Darian.

"That guy? So you found out I was meeting Avery? He's got a name, darian. It's not appropriate for you to call it that." Ariadne's assertive.

"I don't like you being with him."

"What gives you the right?"

"I'm your bodyguard." Darian's tough.

Ariadne is kindled. "You're just a bodyguard. Avery's my boyfriend now. Why do you dare forbid me?!"

Darian's face blushed at Ariadne's words. Boyfriend? Ah, I think Darian wants to punch Avery in the face right now.

"A lover will never let his beloved come home alone on a dark road." Darian says.

Now Ariadne is silent at the words of Darian. Darian was right. Avery walked out when she told him to go. As far as Ariadne's concerned, a lover won't let his beloved be safely escorted home.

***