Hide

She blinked her eyes a few times taking in the sight of the person who she had bumped into.

'Did I just yell at him? Why can't I move?' Transfixed to the spot, she was in a daze at the person before her, his jet black hair contrasted his deep and soulful blue eyes

"Hello?" He looked at her confused, "I'm sorry I bumped into you, are you hurt?" He offered a hand towards her.

Her stare intensified, this got the stranger anxious as he repeatedly snapped his fingers for her to snap out of whatever trance she was in. Ruffling his hair in frustration on how to deal with the awkward situation he found himself in.

"Fair maiden, please do respond." He begged, "perhaps are you mute? I'm so sorry if this is the case."

Finally, his plan worked, she snapped out of her trance which was replaced with a confused look. 'mute? Why would I be mute? Oh no! I totally messed up this time, how can I rectify this?'

Using the situation to her advantage, she held her head, squinting and exaggerating the initial pain, "my head hurts! It hurts so bad." She peeked through one eye to gauge his reaction.

"I'm deeply sorry once again, I don't understand why, I was so clumsy..." He examined her as she held her arm instead of her head initially.

"Who are you anyways?" She tried diverting the conversation away from her strange behaviour.

Not wanting to expose her, he decided to play along but responding to her question, "I'm Lance, pleased to meet a lovely princess." He bowed slightly.

Her hands searched through her hair, there was no crown, she had made sure to look as plain as she could when she decided to venture outdoors, "H-how did you know I'm a Princess?"

Lance flinched a little at her statement, he hadn't expected to be right, it was merely a flattering gesture. Coming up with the best excuse he could find, he said: "You just did".

"That can't be, I just..." She paused, realizing her slip. " I did, didn't I?" She shook her head.

"Princess Mae!" Leo called.

"You must hide, they shouldn't see you with me." She shoved him into a shrub just in time before Leo pushed down some branches in his way.

"Princess Mae, please don't venture too far, you promised you wouldn't do that." Disappointment evident, "what if something were to happen to you? I would have failed the King and Queen, I-" balling his fists while he closed his eyes taking a deep breath before opening them again, "I would have failed you. I wouldn't forgive myself."

"I'm sorry I broke our deal but here's the thing–" she thought for a while, still anxious on the certain person hiding in the bush nearby, "how about you give me a few minutes more, let me gather my things and I'll meet you up soon."

"If you don't meet us up in five minutes, I'm coming to find you." He conditioned as he walked backwards still maintaining eye contact with the Princess before being covered by the various branches and leaves in his path.

"Got that, thanks!" She called in a loud voice to his retreating figure.

'Phew! That was a close one.' She let out a heavy breath.

"You may come out now, Lance" She said.

"Princess Mae, huh?" He teased as he pulled out the twigs which got stuck to his clothing.

"Yes, that's my name, the other is just a lame title, I forgot to mention it earlier." She began to feel nervous as she looked at her feet.

Pulling up her chin to meet his gaze, his face inches away from hers, "who was that? Perhaps someone you like?" She could definitely feel his breath fan across her face.

"What?" She gave a nervous laughter, pushing him away. "We're just very good friends and he's sorta like my personal bodyguard but why would you care?"

"I see. No reason per say." Lance nodded his head in satisfaction to the information, "the time given to you would soon be up, would it be possible to meet you again?" He looked hopeful.

'Yes' she had wanted to say, "Where?" She asked instead.

"I come a lot to these parts, if it's alright by you." He looked at her nervously, "we could meet here sometime."

"I can't make any promises, but I'll give it a thought." She replied.

"Alright." Lance's face brightened up. "Till next time." He winked and pointed in the direction of approaching footsteps, Mae's gaze moved towards what was approaching.

"Princess Mae, it's about time we head back to the Castle." Leo said as soon as he saw the Princess.

Mae ignored what he said as she looked back, although she had a feeling he would be gone since no reaction was given by her guards whatsoever. She was right.

'He's gone.' Her gaze lingered on where he had stood few inches from her.

She hadn't realized she said that out loud as Leo asked, "who's gone?"

"Uh, it's nothing." Her eyes still hopelessly searched the woods, "the bird just got away." She lied.

–––––––––––

"...but Father! You can't be serious!" She yelled clearly upset.

"It's already been decided." King Morgan said firmly.

"Mother! Please tell me you didn't agree to this too?" She looked at her mother hopefully but all that was dashed with her next words.

"I'm so sorry we couldn't tell you sooner dear, but you were so excited about going outdoors we didn't want to ruin the moment." Her mother replied.

"This is unbelievable!" She said amidst tears blurring her vision.

Without another word, she ran to her Chambers, the guards helplessly watched as she passed them by.

"Princess." Leo reached out, but was disappointed when she dodged his advancement, wiping her face, she halted turning to face him.

"Just let me be, do not follow me, just follow my father's orders like you normally do." She spat, she couldn't believe everyone of the Royal household knew, even the guards and yet she didn't! That made her boil in anger, not wanting to hurt him unintentionally with her words she turned towards the direction of her Chambers and ran as fast as she could.

Pushing through her door, she headed straight for the bed, falling face down into her pillow as she let out her anger, confusion and sorrow on her pillow.

–––––––––––

Mae!" Queen Vivian called out, choking on her words, her husband firmly holding her back.

"Vivian don't." He shook his head.

"Did we make a mistake by accepting this for her?" Queen Vivian asked worriedly as she faced Morgan.

"Of course not! We are doing this for her benefit, she'll thank us later on for this you'll see." King Morgan replied certain.