The Stranger

Princess Elesha was tired but aware that she had hardly eaten for lunch, she felt her stomach churn in hunger. She felt a warm hand brushing her hair away from her face and stroking her head. It had been a long time since anyone had shown this much affection so she moved closer to the body that was beside her in bed. Then she realised there was someone in bed with her, someone that certainly was not Bea. She opened her eyes and gazed into the stormy grey eyes of the most handsome man she had ever seen in her life.

She sat up straight and rubbed her eyes, she looked at the stranger in her bed a man no less. She asked, "Who are you? Why are you in my bed?"

"You must be hungry princess, here..." he said lifting a tray and gently setting it before her.

"Eat first, questions later darling," he smiled teasingly as he said the last part.

She looked at him rather confused but obeyed and ate since he seemed harmless.

"I still don't know who you are?" questioned princess Elesha.

"Hans, at your service princess."

"Your Majesty, forgive me I didn't know it was you."

"Forgive you? Tell me what are your sins princess? Confess then while I'm still gracious," he said mockingly.

She laughed nervously because the look he gave her was so serious, dear God she hoped he was joking. She was an imposter while part of her wanted to blurt out quickly and confess. Another part of her was stubborn after all he was the enemy and she would not be foolish to put herself in such a vulnerable spot.

If he could play a game so could she, she smiled sweetly at him and drew closer to him saying, "what makes you think, I should confess to you, after all you are my enemy." She said this staring at him with an equally serious expression on her face.

"Pity I was hoping we could move past being enemies darling," he says while picking up her hand and giving it a kiss. "I shall visit you another time then you look like you need more rest, good night princess, sweet dreams," he said as he walked out of her room and giving her one last smile before he left.

Princess Elesha quickly closed the door as soon as he left and locked it and then unlocked it remembering that Bea needed to get into the room in the morning to wake her. She collapsed to her knees and hid her face in her hands and tried not to cry. She was miserable in that moment as the weight of her decision crashed down upon her, slowly crushing her from inside. She was signing away her life her freedom to be tied to that man. Then she realised he had been far too close to her in her personal chambers. She was annoyed but she was also relieved that he was not hideous not a beast in his mannerisms.

Elesha reached for the last bite of wild berry pie, and forced herself to stop overthinking what had just happened. No she was not going to waste time thinking of him she was going to go straight to sleep and wake up fresh in the morning. She went into the bathroom and removed her dress and her under garments. She pulled on her night dress and combed her hair once more before settling herself in bed. She opened her curtains as wide as they could go and blew out the candles.

The moonlight shimmered across the sky and as her window gave her a view of the night sky with its numerous stars. She gazed at it for a couple more minutes before her eyes got heavy and she could not keep them open much longer. She fell asleep peacefully once more.