1 A Moonlit Meeting {I}

Mae's Point of View

They caught me lurking "suspiciously" behind the Palace gate so, naturally, I made a run for it. Cutting through the wall of branches that separated the Palace from the rest of the world, I picked up my pace, the guards not too far behind.

"Ah! You damn bastards haven't learned your lessons yet?" My taunting came to a halt when I crashed into someone's chest, landing with a soft thud.

"Ugh, get off of me!" I fumed at the mysterious person, who didn't seem to take too lightly to being called names. "You fell on me you arse!"

Beneath me, his face unrecognizable in the tree's shadows laid a boy adorned in a black trench coat and combat boots. "Your highness, what are you doing out here?" The guard spoke in hushed tones, his hand resting protectively on the hilt of his sword, ready to strike.

"I prefer your majesty, but I guess I can work with your highness" I drawled as the 'prince' chuckled from under me. "Why are you still on me, peasant?" Seconds later I was pushed onto the ground, "you were on me, peasant. And it's Prince Charles to you."

"It's Prince Charles to you, blah blah blah and?" I mimicked, laughing when he clenched his fists. 

"And, you should treat me with more respect" I scoffed in response, oh you mean like the respect you showed me when you pushed me on the ground. Got it.

"Well I'm off, toodle-loo!" The prince grabbed my arm before waving the guards off.

"A little touchy now, aren't we?" I murmured, resulting in the prince letting go of me.

His eyes slowly roamed over me, landing back on my face as he spoke, "what are you doing out here?"

"Why, I'm just taking a leisurely stroll through the woods, what are you doing out here Mr.Respect-Me-I'm-A-Prince." I retorted stepping closer, daring him to say something out of line.

"That's none of your concern" he seethed in obvious aggravation, "neither was my answer yet you still asked, I'll be leaving now!" I said before dashing off into the night.

Hiding behind a tree I looked back at my previous position, his eyes still trained on me until his figure finally retreated back into the shadows.

The trek back to my cottage was a short one with only the moonlight to guide me through the trees. Not that I needed any light, I knew these woods like the back of my hand.

I sighed in defeat and cautiously closed my cottage door. Another week had gone by and there was no trace of my father anywhere, there was no one left to ask; no one else except that entitled king. I was going to get some answers, even if it meant sneaking back into that Palace.

—––•

Grasping on to the necklace my mother had given me, I stepped onto the cobblestone streets in the town of Westerrose. It had been five days since I stepped foot anywhere near the Palace. That would also be my last time until I could come up with a plan that didn't involve me getting chased by guards who had nothing better to do than kiss the Royal Family's arses.

I rounded the corner and entered Beth's Shop, she always made the best teas with these herbs she claimed were imported from overseas. "Morning Beth!" I smiled brightly at her, "good morning my darling, any luck?" My smile quickly fell as I shook my head, a knowing look graced her features when she pulled me into a hug.

"Come now Mae, I have some biscuits for you to try!" I laughed quietly following Beth into the back of the shop, this was a normal day at Beth's. She always wanted me to try some new biscuit she conjured up to go with her teas, they never seemed to betray my tastebuds though.

I popped one into my mouth and began to have a coughing fit, spitting out the disrespectful treat, "that damn biscuit burned my tongue!" Beth stood over me with a concerned look then burst into guffaws, I huffed in response. I didn't think it was that funny.

"Oh bugger, I forgot to tell you they just came out. My apologies Mae," Beth coughed out in between laughs.

I'd had enough, picking myself off the floor I walked towards the door, "oh Mae don't leave!" I could hear her laughing all the way up here. Clenching my fists in aggravation, I stormed out but not before yelling a quick thank you to Bethany.

Once outside I took a deep breath of air. If you traveled far enough you could feel the sea mist. Westerrose was positioned by the neighboring kingdom, Rockbourne. I used to call it the Kingdom Above The Sea, because of it's unique location on an island above the sea. If you were to travel by horse or carriage, you'd get there by fortnight. Not an appealing journey and certainly not worth it.

The king of Rockbourne was a bitter man, he was vengeful and ruthless. My father used to tell me stories, not in great depth though; they mostly consisted of "but then, something horrible happened to the King," and whenever I asked for elaboration on the subject, it was "time for bed little one."

I sighed quietly, thinking about my father always left me gutted afterwards. I needed to find him, he could be in serious danger or worse.

I shook that thought out of my mind, for now, I just needed some answers, and fast. There's no way a shoemaker for the Royal Family just goes missing for two weeks, something was up, I could feel it.

The leaves crunched underneath my feet as I walked back to my cottage. I always felt vulnerable in these woods, I never took my blades anywhere unless I knew there'd be a fight. No one would dare touch me though, and if they did they'd have to be completely mad, which explains that uppity Prince demanding "respect" without giving any first. Ah, the audacity!

Closing the door I swiftly walked to the counter that contained my weaponry. I have never met the King, despite my father's work. He always insisted on me staying here where he knew I was 'safe'. For all I know, the Royal Family could be nice, but from what I witnessed I'd say they're just a royal pain in the arse.

Grabbing my bow and quiver, currently full of arrows from my last encounter. I tucked my pocket knife safely inside my boot and locked my artillery case back up. 

—––•

2 Days Later

I was now quietly perched in a tree, much like a squirrel. Ha, a big ass squirrel with obsidian black hair and piercing green eyes. It had been a week since I'd been this close to the Palace.

I could see the castle from here, yet I was still far enough to stay hidden, with aid from the looming night sky. There wasn't a cloud in sight, but the stars twinkled like those of an innocent child. Pure, and untouched.

Okay Mae, focus. I needed to find the easiest access points into the castle. I snickered as I reminisced on my meeting with that prude of a Prince.

Along the gate itself were two guards, obviously the ones I encountered a few nights prior. Unless they switched between posts. I could lure them away from the gate and knock them out, there was an option. Yeaah, a really dumb option. "Well, do you have a better idea?!"

I winced when a flock of birds flew out from the branches underneath. Oh great, yelling at myself scared the birds away, that's it you're officially a nut case.

I figured my best option would just be to knock them out, it's not like I had a way to kill them or anything.

My father once told me a story about a Prince. A Prince who was so unhappy with his royal duties he escaped daily through the hidden passages that were strategically placed throughout the Castle.

He loved to play in the woods just outside of the gates, disregarding any danger. Clever enough to escape without being seen, and cunning enough to slip back through the walls before someone noticed his absence. Or apparently, so he thought.

Something tells me this wasn't just a made up tale. They never are. Now all I had to do was find the passageway, then find the king.

My lips slightly curved into a smile, the little Prince had to come out to play at some point; and I'd be here waiting.

20 minutes later I was carving intricate designs into the tree bark, coming to a halt when I saw movement by the palace wall.

I suppressed a laugh when Charles got his foot stuck in the wall. So much for a stealthy and cunning prince. The boy dashed across the yard, but not before checking his surroundings. He was exiting from the West side of the Castle, meaning that's where my door was.

My breath came to a halt when I spotted his silhouette outside of the gates. Pressing myself into the trunk of the tree I watched as he stepped through the trees shielding himself from my sight. I could hear the leaves crunching beneath his feet.

I watched as he slipped away into the night. Hopping down, I made a run for the West side. Panting, I felt around for any signs of a switch or handle. My patience was wearing thin, but I needed to hold it together if I wanted to make it through this.

"Aha," I whispered as my fingers pushed into the palace wall. The door slid open, revealing my path down the dim hallway. Inhaling deeply, I made my way inside.

"Time to get some answers, Mae."