You Should Laugh Often

Princess Yara tried to return to the palace but when she noticed that the stranger was still chasing her, she cannot do that. If he finds out her identity, there would be more mess! For the world, she's still a well-sheltered and elegant Princess of Avaria.

Having no better choice, Yara Amiel rode her horse around the forest for a while. When she noticed that the young man didn't plan to stop chasing her, she finally halted her horse near the small pond and turned around. Then Prince Karium halted too.

"Why did you follow me?" she grunted with annoyance written all over her face.

Just what was his problem?!

"I don't plan to return without solving the problem between us," Karium Maselli simply replied which made the Princess frowned.

"Just leave me alone. I have no time to play around with you," she said in a cold voice.

If she didn't return soon, the sun will set and... she would be breaking her promise to her sister-in-law. It was the thing she wanted to avoid no matter what.

"Then will your men stopped combing the capital, looking for me?" Prince Karium asked. Unlike her, his voice was calm and he never once lost his composure.

Refusing to admit defeat, Yara Amiel gets off her horse and sat near the pond. However, Prince Karium gets off too and sat beside her with a subtle smile on his lips. The Princess only glanced at him for a while before she turned away without saying anything.

"To be honest, I think your skills are pretty impressive. I have never seen a woman as skilled as you," Karium calmly remarked.

Yara Amiel darted her eyes to the Welahan Prince when she heard him. After staring at him for a while, she said, "Your agility is something too. That's why... " she briefly paused and continued by saying, "I know that I shouldn't trust you. I don't even know you."

Karium Maselli turned away and nodded. "You make sense." Shifting his gaze back to her, he said, "You're right when you ask me if I'm a military official but... my kingdom is a secret."

"What brings you to Avaria?" Princess Yara promptly asked.

She was never the type to be curious of a stranger but... this man was an exception. His skills and calm demeanor... he was one of a kind.

"Nature."

His response came faster than ever but it was beyond the Princess's expectation.

"Nature?" she asked as she raised a brow.

What kind of reason was that?

Karium Maselli nodded. "Avaria is famous for its beautiful nature. So, I came to explore them but... I already lost two days and now, I only have a day left."

"What is so special about nature?" Yara Amiel blabbered.

Travelling around just to explore nature? She didn't think it was worth it.

"I said that I'm a military official. It's rare for me to spend my days in peace. Maybe that's why I feel better and alive when I'm in a quiet place surrounded by beautiful nature." He paused and added, "It gives me peace."

The Princess's eyes flickered when she heard his last two sentences. Better and alive? Peace?

It's the same response.

When her only friend was alive, she had once asked him why he was so obsessed with nature and... his response was the same as this stranger!

"Didn't nature comfort you too? Was it why you were there two days ago?" Karium Maselli asked when she fell silent.

"No," she promptly replied. "I hate spending time outdoors."

It always reminded her of the past and she hated that.

"Then why did you come to this forest that day?" Alone on top of that.

What was her reason? No... who was her reason?

"No particular reason," Yara Amiel replied. She too finds it hard to believe that she answered all his questions with patience!

Only her late friend, her brother and her sister-in-law were capable of bringing out her patient side. She was never this patient with questions.

Karium Maselli looked at her and at one glance, he knew that she was lying. However, he was never the type to pressure others. If she didn't want to say, then he had no problem with it.

Everyone had their own reasons and secrets.

"Why are you willing to apologize for what happened two days ago? You know that you do nothing to apologize for," Yara Amiel asked Karium.

Was he a pushover or what?

"It's just an apology. Why make a big deal out of it?" Karium Maselli simply said as he threw a stone inside the pond. "I know that some problems can be easily solved by a single apology. But, we, humans have too much pride. If not, I'm sure that many unnecessary conflicts can be prevented without betting or losing a life."

There was someone who thought that way? Yara was surprised yet amused at the same time.

"Then will you apologize if I ask you to?" she mused.

Karium Maselli simply nodded. "As long as it erases the misunderstanding between us. You know, I really wish to enjoy my time here and then leave in peace."

"Then why don't you do it?"

Prince Karium tilted his head and gaze at her for a while before he suddenly said, "How do you want me to apologize?" His lips curved into a playful smile when he said, "Should I kneel?"

For the first time, he witnessed her laughing. The sound of her light laughter was so beautiful that he finds himself lost in it. She had no resemblance to the woman who was eager to kill him anymore!

"Why are you staring at me like that?" the Princess dumbfoundedly asked when she noticed him fixating his gaze on her.

"You should laugh often. It suits you more than your usual grumpy face." The words unconsciously escaped the Prince's lips.

"Grumpy?" Yara Amiel uttered with disbelief. "No one has ever called me that."

Prince Karium chuckled and shook his head. "It's clear that you're someone from a powerful family. Maybe they don't have the guts to say it to you."

"Did you forget that you're in a foreign kingdom? What if your words offend me? You might not be able to leave this kingdom alive," Yara Amiel simply said yet she observed his expression. However, his face was still calm as ever.

Karium Maselli thought for a while and said, "Then I'll just accept my fate."