Getting lost

When Alexia woke up the next morning, Ivan was no longer inside the room. She was about to step out when Dayna and Elsa stepped into the room. They were the maids from yesterday. They told her their names when she asked. She felt the familiar feeling she always had when she was with her own maids.

Dayna and Elsa bowed "Good morning, my lady"

"Good morning" said Alexia

Dayna and Elsa went to prepare her bath and she took off her clothes. She walked into the bathroom, sat in the tub and let the warm water calm her tensed nerves. Dayna washed her hair and Elsa stood at the side constantly asking her if she needed anything. Alexia felt annoyed. She knew she was just concerned but it was too much. She turned to her sharply " I am fine. I don't think I would need anything".

After the bath, Alexia dressed and sat on the bed. Elsa helped her tie her hair into a bun. Dayna said " His Highness told us to bring you to the dining area".

Alexia nodded "Lead the way". The walk to the dining was very quiet. Alexia looked around and she found the interior designs of the castle very weird. There was one she was very curious about. It was like a painting of a fairy. A silver lighted fairy. The fairy had silvery glittery wings and that was the most beautiful part about it.

When they got to the dining, Ivan was already waiting. She greeted "Your highness". Ivan smiled at her "Sit down". He was very happy and content this morning.

Alexia swept a glance over all the food on the table. Her stomach grumbled in hunger and she looked down embarrassed. Ivan chuckled and put a steak in her plate "Eat up" he comforted.

Alexia didn't stand on ceremony with him. She ate the steak in large bites and she looked around the table again. She grabbed the plate of rice and poured herself some. She was finally contented with the food and she looked up only to meet a pair of striking gray eyes. The fact that she met his eyes meant he was staring at her all along. She blushed in embarrassment and lowered her gaze.

Ivan chuckled in amusement at her shy movements. It was a big contrast to her behavior earlier. She was eagerly chugging down food and now she was as timid as a lamb. He decided to spare her some dignity by pretending as if he didn't see anything.

Alexia's head was still lowered in embarrassment when she heard his voice " I will not be around till evening. Oh yes and we have guests. Princess Daffany of Brine is coming around. If you want to tour the palace since you might be bored, your maids will show you around" he stood up and walked towards the door.

Alexia didn't know what to say so she just nodded. She watched him leave and she counted seconds in her head and then she also went out. Dayna and Elsa were still there dutifully waiting for her. She casually spoke " Can you guys take me around? But if you have something to do, I will just go back to my room".

The maids looked shocked for a moment. The people they worked for previously usually ordered them around. It was unlikely to hear a princess requesting and not ordering them. They were maids after all. Dayna chuckled nervously "Your highness what are you saying? How would we have something on? We are your maids after all. We are here to serve you so we would gladly oblige to any of your request".

Alexia frowned "You are human beings too so there's nothing wrong with me asking you politely". Dayna and Elsa nodded repeatedly "Yes, your highness. Let's go ahead".

They walked and walked with Dayna and Elsa explaining almost everything they came across. They got to the garden and Alexia was stunned by the large maze there. She turned to her maids excitedly "You guys wait here. I will go and check it out".

Elsa shook her head " Your Highness, you could get lost. Do you have experience or have you entered a maze before? If you have, we will unrestrainedly let you go"

Alexia lied effortlessly "Yes. I have plenty of experience. I am a princess after all so I have been to many places so obviously I have entered a maze before. You two should not be worrywarts".

Dayna and Elsa finally looked satisfied. Alexia skipped away into the maze. She walked around it admiring how tall it looked. The sky and the tall trees were the only thing she could see. She walked and walked till she felt tired. She had done enough touring around. She decided to head back 'Which way do I go to get outside' she thought helplessly. She didn't think about it before she lied. Now that she thought about it, she was pretty stupid to wander off into a maze alone. She walked around but it looked as if she was only walking in circles because she kept coming back to the same place. She sat on the ground defeatedly and sighed. Dayna and Elsa would probably call for help when she didn't come out on time.

Outside the maze, Dayna and Elsa were getting worried. Their lady had gone into the maze for around an hour and she was yet to come out. They regretted letting her go. They shouldn't have believed she was a maze expert based on her words only. The sky was getting dark. It was evening already. Dayna and Elsa ran to the entrance of the palace to go wait for Prince Ivan.

Ivan was getting down from the carriage when two maids rushed to him. He recognized them as Alexia's maids and a feeling of dread crept into his heart. His suspicions were confirmed when they burst out "Your highness, Her Highness sad she wanted to go into the maze in the garden and she has not come out yet" they looked as if they would burst into tears.

Ivan didn't have time to scold them for letting her go. He rushed to the garden, then entered the maze.

Alexia was already feeling dizzy from the cold and hunger attacking her when she heard a voice calling out to her. It was Ivan. She shouted back until she saw his figure approaching. She calmed down and finally gave into the darkness.