3 Introductions

Emerelda sat on the wood chair that was hard under her. She sniffed as she could smell the fresh wood it's self. Emerelda shifted waiting uncomfortably alone. She looked around to see any more details in the cottage, but there was none at all.

The first door opens and the stranger walks out closing the door behind him. He now was wearing a button down cotton shirt, with his hair damp. Emerelda watched how he went to tend the fire, his body hunched. Back muscles were shown under the tight fabric. Ashamed, Emerelda looked away.

Taking he's sweet time, he soon sat at the other chair seated at the head of the table, turned towards her. Emerelda didn't look at him and fixed her eyes at the brown wood. He didn't say anything for a while, and at the corner of her eyes she knew he was watching her.

"I finally figured it out." He said, "Shocking in fact."

At that, Emerelda looks at him, and his face was all serious. Emerelda was surprised to see how beautiful he was. Dark combed hair, huge gold eyes with thick lashes. He had smooth pale skin, a person who doesn't let their skin get kissed by the sun, and full lips with angular cheekbones, with a sharp jaw.

"What have you figured out?" She heard herself asking softly, her voice barely loud enough.

He tilts his head and strands of hair fell to his eyes. He impatiently pushed them away without a thought to look at her, "You can read minds."

Emerelda blinks, "What makes you think that?"

His eyebrows rose, "No women would have stood there calmly after I slammed the door shut."

Emerelda made sure to make no expression, "So you think after I trusted you, and followed you to your humble home, I would fear the sound of a slammed door?"

"No. I noticed this before we got here. The way you answered my questions and statements, and how easily you followed a man with a sword."

Emerelda almost smiled, "You saved my life."

He licks his lips, "Yes. Yet, how would you know if I wanted to lure you with the trust you had in me to take you to my 'humble home' without killing you? or," He smirks, "Much more."

Emerelda smiles, "You don't know what trust is."

He tilts his head, 'No, but I know you are trying to deceive me. Don't test me Princess, and don't bother wasting time.'

"Besides," He said out loud, "All royals are, but very much gifted, it is common knowledge."

Emerelda raised her chin, she took this as a challenge, "Yes, but one doesn't know the gift to royal blood."

He chuckles softly, "One would know if the royal is just as easy to read."

Emerelda glares at him. He smiled in triumph back. She sighed and shook her head, "Well, I supposed you know how all powers gifted to man works."

He showed his white pearls, "Every single one of them."

"You wouldn't think a thought again." She stated, almost sadly.

"Absolutely not."

She crossed her arms and legs crossed. If her mentor saw this, she would be very much upset. The thought made Emerelda almost pleased with herself. "Do you know how it works?" she asks.

"I'm sure you know the answer to that. No need for me to let the hour go wasted." His smile didn't change. His eyes cold.

It was silent, but the fire roaring silently with life. She taps her fingers on the table, her nails feeling the soft wood underneath them. No one said a word until she gathered her thoughts. She stares out the dark window, the scene of pure midnight, almost looking at an abyss. Soon enough, she looks back at him, who was staring with the same expression at her.

"Now what?" She questioned.

He raised both hands, "You tell me."

She scowl, "That's not quite possible."

"Oh?" he leans back, "Then I guess you're trapped. Again."

And he was right. She took a deep breath and slowly says, "I was not lost. I just didn't have shelter."

He ironically looks at his nails with amusement, "Other than the palace, I supposed you don't. But what makes you so sure I'll let you stay here?" He looks up from his nails, his eyes daring.

Emerelda was taken back, but as a Princess she learnt to control her emotions, "You led me here."

"What if I simply wanted a friendly chat, to kick you out right after?"

"No gentlemen would do that." She said firmly.

He looked amused. Emerelda didn't find anything about this amusing, "Who said I'm a gentlemen?"

"Who said you aren't?"

"Hmm," he crossed his arms across his chest, "You argue like a child."

"You are talking to a princess." She snaps.

"Terrifying," He grins.

"Pathetic." She spat.

He rolled his eyes, "That is my word, thank you very much." He rolled up his sleeves. Emerelda realize then that he could not sit still. 'Interesting'.

He cleared his throat, "If you answer my questions, I might let you stay." He said acting all authority.

Emerelda raised her eyebrows, "What questions?"

"Simple questions."

"What if I don't answer?"

He nods to the door, "Then you can see yourself out."

She glared, "First, I need to know who you are."

He simply smiles, as if she asked how he was doing. "Fair enough, I am Emmett Jackson, at your service."

She frowns, "That's all?"

He gave out a small laugh, "I am not going to give you my whole life story, Princess."

If she ever returns back home, she promised herself to look up who he was. "Alright, go ahead. Though there isn't anything you don't know about Princess Emerelda."

He shook his head, "Everyone has secrets." Before she could open her mouth he said, "Well then, let's get started shall we?" He smirks brightly, hands claps together, looking quite excited. But behind all that, Emerelda knew it was all a lie.