The Princess

"Where were you the whole day?" The loud voice of my friend caused my ears to ring when she opened the door before I could knock.

"Well, I can tell if you would let me in." I said. She pursed her lips but stepped aside for me to enter. The aroma of delicious food was heavy in the air and there were meals served for two at the dining table. "Who is here?" I asked in confusion.

"David came home today. He has got leave for a few days." Ah! David. Her mate was assigned to patrol at the town's border. He came home every few days. So, tonight I was to meet him, at last.

"Go and get freshed. I am serving dinner and then we have something to discuss about." I raised a brow in question. She just shrugged and went into the kitchen and I headed to the guest room.

Dinner was not as awkward as I thought it would be. David was a young muscular man with golden hair with a grey pair of eyes. He was a person who could do all the talking alone without making it awkward. I was just answering his small questions. He was a bit wary of me it seemed. Well he should be. No one should just trust any stranger in their home.

After dinner, I helped Melisa wash the dishes when she caught my attention through her words. " The king's men are looking for you." She said quietly.

"Must be because I barged in their dungeons even with that many men securing it." I said nonchalantly.

"I don't think it is for that." I got confused at her response. Why else would they look for me? "They didn't mention the particular reason. They just said that they were looking for a female with golden hair and blue eyes. So, I suppose it has to be you." Relief filled my lungs. It meant that he didn't tell anyone.

"Mel?" I mumbled as she hummed in response. "I have to tell you something."

"Tell me, then." I told her about the little excursion with my newly found mate, leaving the spell part out. "But, why in the hell you don't know his name?" She asked exasperatedly.

"Hmmm...I...I ran." I knew I was in for a lecture again. "Are you seriously right now telling me tha-" she got cut by David, phew.

"What's with the commotion here?" He asked, emerging through the door. I owed him one now.

"Nothing. We were just having a girl chat, you know? Why are you still awake? You should be asleep by now." She inquired. She wouldn't tell even her mate about her friend's personal business.

"It is my first night home in days, Lisa. Do you expect me to go to sleep, so soon?" He said with a twinkle in his eyes that made Melisa's cheeks redden. I looked away from them, it seemed like an intimate moment between them.

I cleared my throat and their attention snapped to me. "I think it is time I go to bed." I said, stepping my way out of the kitchen.

"Yes, we will continue this tomorrow." She narrowed her eyes with that statement. I nodded and went to my room to have my sleep.

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I was running into the woods. Dried leaves crunching beneath my feet every time I took a step forward. My face was coated with droplets of sweat and my heartbeat was erratic. I was afraid and thrilled at the same time with the thought of getting caught.

Thick white mist surrounded my vision out of nowhere. Everything became invisible through the fog and I halted. There was nothing to see or to be heard, only tbw loud beats of my heart and hard panting. But then, I heard strong footsteps running, approaching me and I acted on my instincts. I started to run at a faster pace than before.

I slammed into something and stumbled back, I fell on the ground. I settled my gaze on the said thing which was still hidden from my vision by the fog. Slowly, the fog cleared and the figure in front of me became recognisable. The more it took form the more my stomach dropped.

Moments later, the figure morphed into a man, his back facing me. The man turned and immediately his eyes caught mine. His features were the most beautiful things I had the pleasure of laying my eyes on. His thick lips made their way to a breathtaking smirk, and slowly his lips parted to say the words to take my breath away. "Found you."

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The weather was warm in the town today. Small clouds were scattered here and there dotting the morning sky. The place was bustling with crowds, the noise of vendors calling for customers. The birds were chirping in the treeline nearby and insects buzzed around the carts that were carrying sweets.

We were out in the market today, with me being in Melisa's 'ladylike' dress, to buy some groceries after our belated discussion. This morning, the minute David exited the house to see someone, Melisa came barging into my room and demanded to know every minor detail. She was undoubtedly furious after finding out about me running from him, as expected. I remember she said something along the lines of 'you were supposed to run into his arms, not to run away'. I didn't tell her about the spell, though. She didn't need to know about that.

"Hey! Let's buy those carrots. I know a recipe for a dessert, David will love it!" She gushed. She started to bicker with the vendor about the price while I decided to take a look at the colorful environment surrounding us. Among the crowd, my gaze settled on a red-haired female. Her fiery red hair was braided into two braids falling loosely at her sides. Her attire consisted of a pale green dress which touched the floor at her feet.

The thing about her that struck me odd was that she didn't wear any jewellery. Because, in this city everyone is wealthy enough to wear at least one valuable ornament at a time. But she wore nothing. Her neck, wrists and pale slender fingers were all bare.

The said female tripped upon something and stumbled. Two other females, who were dressed the same as her, behind her moved to reach her but she shot them a glare and they moved back. I hadn't noticed them before.

The two females looked away in fear and acted like they didn't even know each other. Strange. The mysterious female smoothed her dress and started to walk again when a male approached her. She made a face of disgust as she moved away but the male ceased her wrists. The other two females gasped at them. The female tried to free herself but he only tightened the grip.

Everyone around them just simply ignored the whole ordeal. In the market full of people why no one was even batting an eye at the ill behaviour? Either the people here were cowards to act upon something like that or they were just selfish and ignorant to not spare their time to help the needy.

"Mel," I nudged my clueless friend. "You see there? Why is no one reacting?" I pointed at the struggling female.

"Sera…he is the son of the richest money lender in this city. They fear him because around everyone owes him. You shouldn't interfere!" She exclaimed when I raised a step to march over there.

I shoved my way through the sea of neglectful people. I could hear Melisa calling me to stop but I just didn't care. I didn't prefer to see a helpless female being harassed by an egotistical imbecile creature. What a warrior I was if I couldn't protect the vulnerable.

I reached the spot of chaos and gripped the male's wrist which was holding the red hair captive. His eyes snapped up to mine and he rose a brow at me. "You leave her and I leave you." I suggested calmly. He humorlessly chuckled and then snarled at me.

"Do you know who I am? How dare you touch me." He spat.

I nodded, "I know who you are. A worthless piece of a man who shows his power on a weaker being than him. If you really are a man, then try me." I said with a smirk.

"You insolent female!" He growled and lunged for me. I simply stepped aside and he landed on the ground.

He stood up fuming in embarrassment and anger and threw a punch at me. This time I didn't dodge, I took the blow on my cheek. Yes, I lost my balance but the impact didn't draw any blood. I clicked my tongue to mock him. Why do some men think that being a male is enough to be powerful? They are delusional.

In rage, he launched another punch, but his chances were over. I grabbed his fist and twisted it at an angle so it broke, and he cried in agony. Pulling his face closer to me I looked him in the eye. "Try to misbehave with anyone again and I assure you, I'll teach you this lesson again, gladly." I threatened with an innocent smile.

I dropped his hand and faced the crowd. Everyone was watching the commotion unfold. Great. Nobody was interested when someone weak was being victimized. But when the torturer is getting punished, everyone wants to make their presence known.

I glared at each and every one until they scattered around to mind their own business then I turned to face the mysterious female. Her hazel eyes were showing gratitude. "Thank you for rescuing me. My brother will reward you for saving me. come, I'll take you to him."

The woman behind her both hissed at her to beckon her. The female looked at them in confusion and then widened her eyes, as if she realized something. Her expressions were all over her face, I had never seen anyone show their emotions so openly. Her aura screamed innocence and naivety.

"Oh my goddess! He will kill me if he hears this. What am I going to do, Adel?" She exclaimed in worry. This trio was so unusual. Well, my job was done here, so I could be gone now. I stepped back from the group which was whispering among each other rather aggressively. "Where are you going?" The female asked.

"Uh… to..find my.. friend." I was unsure of what to say to them.

"No, no, no, no, no," she gripped my arm tightly. "Listen to me carefully… What is your name?" She asked.

I eyed them and slowly answered. "Seraphina."

"That's a sweet name."she smiled widely at me. "So Seraphina, I have a proposition for you. Will you accept?" She asked sweetly.

"And what is that?" I asked sceptically. She stood up straight and her two followers took their place at her side.

"Will you be the princess's guard for me?"