Chapter 17 Outside the castle walls

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As soon as the sun rose, Xavier came out in haste, he was dressed as a commoner wearing a plain white t-shirt and black jeans, and he let his hair down. He was carrying a box. Xavier ran to the maid's quarters beaming with smiles, he met Rose at the door of the hall, she was straightening her hair.

"Prince Xavier, what are you doing here?"Rose asked. he took a look inside trying to get a glimpse of Athena.

"Where's your sister?" he asked.

"She's with Sarah, at the line poles, they are both doing the laundry"

"Thanks," He said and was about to leave when she called out to him asking about the box he was carrying.

"It's nothing," he said with a smile knowing Rose didn't buy it, she was a very smart girl, too smart for her good.

He walked hastily to the lines not far from the stables of the castle.

"Xavier" She called out he jolted because her voice came from behind him he instantly turned to her, hiding the box behind him.

"Athena, Sarah" He addressed them with a smile.

"Hey Prince lover boy," Sarah said with a chuckle.

"Ahhh, I see you couldn't wait to announce me huh," He said with a smirk as he dragged her into his embrace and threw his arms around her.

She scoffed"You wish, I only told Sarah cause she is my friend, I can't hide anything from her,"

"Here take this...I would be waiting for you at the main gate" Xavier said and winked at her.

"The gate, why are you dressed like that?"Athena asked curiously.

"You'll see," Xavier said with a smile and left, running back in the direction of the main gate.

"What's in the box?"Sarah asked poking her face in the box, she opened it and saw a purple dress with black heels.

"Heavens, it's a beautiful dress," Sarah said with a smile, and Athena quickly covered it.

"It looks expensive, hell I won't wear it," Athena said while closing the box and putting it aside.

"Don't be daft Athens, if he gave you this it means he wants you to wear it, come on, I'll help you put it on" Sarah said and dragged her before she could protest.

Sarah took Athena back to the maid's quarters, she helped her put on the dress and packed her hair in a ponytail combing her bangs to fall on her face with her fingers.

"What's the prince up to?"Athena asked.

"I don't know but you are killing this," Sarah said with a loud fangirl screech and turned her to the mirror.

"Haha, it's been so long since I wore a dress, it's so short."She said staring at herself in the mirror.

"Hey Athens, it's perfect...you look like a princess, gosh am so jealous of your beauty," Sarah said with a smile. Athena looked at herself in the mirror, Sarah was right she does look like royalty. She wore the heels with ease, thankfully wearing a maid's uniform comes with wearing heels so it was easy for her to walk in heels.

"Come on, Xaviers waiting," Sarah said pushing her towards the door, as soon as she stepped out, all eyes were on her, and everyone was completely awestruck and couldn't turn their gazes away.

"Damn, is that Athena," one of the king's soldiers asked but he was completely ignored because everyone's attention was fixated on her. She got nervous and bent her head down slightly, she hastily walked towards the gate but tripped, and she was about to fall flat on the ground when Alex caught her.

"Athena, Hell..." Alex was at a loss for words his gaze traveled around her body, he was holding her hands without realizing it until she pulled away.

"Thanks, Excuse me," She said and dodged him as she ran to the gate, her heels making a skoin sound.

Upon arrival, she met Xavier standing there waiting for her, he didn't notice her until she walked forward, and he froze when he saw her he was completely dumbstruck. She was wearing the dress he gave her, it was short and stopped at her lower thighs, and it had one arm, it hugged her body revealing her hourglass shape and sexy curves, her white legs were so damn alluring that he started having fantasies of him being between them and making her moan for him.

"Prince Xavier" Athena called and he regained his senses.

"Hell, Athena, you look so...breathtaking," He complimented with a smile on his face, he walked closer and leaned in for a hug, he pulled the scrunchie holding her hair, and it fell in waves dropping down to her waist.

"I like your hair down," He said, and she returned his smile.

"One more thing," Xavier said inserting his hands in his pocket and bringing out a small red box.

"I want you to have this, it belonged to my mother, it's very special to me and now am giving it to you," He said and opened the box, it was a beautiful golden butterfly necklace, that made Athena's jaw drop.

"May I?"Xavier asked and walked behind her, he laid her hair on the side, caressing her pale white as-snow skin then put the necklace around her neck.

"What's this, it looks like a dragon tattoo in the form of a birthmark," Xavier said caressing it, and Athena hastily pulled away dropping her hair down to cover it up.

"It's nothing, Mama said it's nothing but it shouldn't be seen by anyone," She said.

"It's really beautiful, I love it," Athena said holding the necklace as a smile settled on her face.

"Come on, let's go," Xavier said grabbing her hand and ordering the guards to open the gate with a wave of his hand.

"Where are we going, your Highness?"She asked.

"Outside the castle walls."He said and then the gates opened revealing a straight path road, with tall trees at both sides, they were both holding hands and smiling as they took in the beautiful view and inhaled the fresh air. They went to the town square which was a very busy place since people were parading here and there. they blended in just fine, they were not recognized by anyone, except for Athena who attracted attention wherever they went. Females were also smitten by Xavier's handsomeness, but he was dressed as a commoner which in a way decreased his handsomeness a little.

The gazes directed at Athena became unbearable but not for her because she was busy raking in the sights and did not notice the gazes directed at her by the townspeople who were completely smitten by her. They were all completely spellbound by her.

Xavier got jealous and took off his jacket and dropped it on her shoulders and wore the hoodie on her head.

"Don't take this off okay?"Xavier said and she nodded, he took her hand and ran through the market. the wind knocked down the hoodie on her head and her hair danced as they ran, making heads turn.

They went to the top of a cliff together, Xavier dragged Athena in his embrace holding her waist as she held his arms, and he bumped his forehead against hers and they both closed their eyes. The wind kept blowing and their hair danced in rhythm with the wind and the sunlight shining in the background above the sea.

''Athena" He called in the sweetest voice she had ever heard.

"Yes."

"I'll be leaving tomorrow," He said and she pulled away.

"So soon?"She asked stepping backward, Xavier grabbed her and embraced her again.

"Hmmm, I only have one regret and that is I didn't tell you how I felt sooner."He said.

"When will you be back," She asked, the hurt could be heard in her tone.

"Very soon, I promise you," He said and pulled away, starting in her silver eyes.

"I won't make you wait long, I promise," Xavier said.

"Where are you going?"She asked.

"Somewhere I can learn swordsmanship to the fullest and make you proud."He replied with a smile.

"Just wait for me, okay?"Xavier said."And don't get too close to Alex." he said and she smiled.

"Don't stop smiling, your smile lights up my world."He said with a serious gaze. A smirk broke out on her lips and she pulled away walking to the edge of the cliff.

"Funny, Alex told me the same thing," She said and turned to Xavier to see his reaction, he lifted a brow.

"He did?"Xavier asked and she nodded and started running down the cliff.

"Wait Athena, be careful...which one sounded much more romantic his or mine? hey, red-haired wait up!!"Xavier yelled behind, chasing Athena down the cliff while she chuckled.