Gray

*ADRIAN**

"Everyone, get down!"

We heard a voice say. That voice sounded familiar. I looked at Adelia. She didn't seem fazed. I rushed outside to see masked men pointing swords at the guards in front.

I immediately jumped down from the carriage and drew my sword from it's sheath.

"Who sent you!?". I pointed my sword to the man in front.

"Adrian?" He whispered.

"Allen." I whispered back.

I turned around to make sure no one was close enough to hear us. The Princess just stood on the bridge of the carriage with her hands behind her back.

"What're you doing here?" He asked.

"Just leave. Take your men and leave."

Allen looked at me, trying to understand what the hell was going on. Trust me, I didn't understand either. While still looking at me, he gave the command,

"RETREAT!"

All his men fell back and withdrew their swords. They turned around and walked back into the forest. When I was sure they were gone, I walked back to the carriage

"What was that all about?" The Princess asked me, once I got close to her. "Who were those men and why did they want to attack us?"

"I don't know. They probably live around, and thought we were here to rob them. Don't worry, I scared them off with my muscles." I said as I flexed my muscles.

She started at me and let out a snort.

"The only muscle i see is your head." Well, that hurt. She walked back into the carriage. I signalled for the guard in front to continue with the journey.

I walked back into the carriage and sat down beside the Princess and we moved.

I wonder what Allen was doing here. Who sent him? More importantly, why did they send him after us?

The Princess' loud sigh brought me out of my thoughts. I looked at her and she looked lost in thought.

"What's wrong?" I asked.

"Nothing. I'm just thinking....randomly."

She remained silent and then continued,

"What If marrying Arthur isn't such a bad idea?"

She saw the frown that immediately formed on my face.

"I mean, he hasn't exactly done anything that will make me decide against not marrying him."

I looked at her like she had lost it. How could she even be considering this?

"You do realize that that's the point right? He's supposed to be the best guy to you so you won't have anything on him. C'mon, you're smarter than that." I tried to convince her.

"All I'm saying is, let me give him a chance. It couldn't be that bad. Who knows, he might actually be the one. Besides, he can't act forever. He'll slip up eventually." She finished with a smirk. She seemed so sure.

"You seem so sure."

"That's cause I am."

"Listen, this guy is really good at acting....you won't know when.."

"Adrian, the best actors are the ones who always make mistakes."

The conversation pretty much died after that. She fell asleep soon after. I was left looking at her while she slept. She was so beautiful. I took in every little detail of her face; from her long lashes to her slim nose and thin rosy lips. She smelt like lilac.

I didn't even know when I fell asleep next to her.

*ADELIA**

I woke up after a while, due to thirst. I looked across, and saw Adrian fast asleep close to me. I looked at him and noticed the bags beneath his eyes. I didn't think he'd been getting enough sleep.

He looked really peaceful sleeping and I was almost forced not to wake him up. But we had got close to Glacia. I had to wake him up.

"Adrian....Adrian." I whispered softly and shook his shoulder.

He stirred and once he opened his eyes, he sat up straight like he'd been caught on fire.

"What in the world? How did I fall asleep?" He asked while rubbing his eyes.

"We're entering the city. That's why i woke you up."

" Thank you."

Just then, we entered the city. Ever since the Incident, I've had a fear for being in the city. In contrast to the former me, who would have stuck her head out of the window to see what the city looked like, I sat put in the carriage, waiting for us to pass though.

I don't think I was doing a very good job at concealing my fear since Adrian noticed it.

"Are you okay? You look constipated." He said, eyeing me.

"I'm fine." I looked at him briefly

"You're scared, aren't you?"

He placed his hand on mine that were folded in front of me on my laps. He held my chin and turned my face so that he looked deeply into my eyes.

"It happened a long time ago. It's fine. It's over."

He wiped tears I didn't even know had rolled down my face. I felt so reassured. He moved closer to me and pulled my head down on his chest. I buried my face in it.

He held my head as we passed through the city. The ride didn't seem so long anymore and I lost myself in his scent. His chest was very hard and his breathing seemed faster than usual. I could actually hear his heart beat go faster.

The carriage suddenly came to a holt. I lifted my head up from his shoulder and Adrian peeked outside the curtain of the carriage and turned back to me.

"We're here. "

I reluctantly moved away from him and stood up. I came down from the carriage and saw Arthur, his father -King Arthur and a woman I hadn't seen before beside them. She seemed like royalty since she wore a crown.

I walked up to them and bowed.

"You're welcome, Princess Adelia. Welcome to my Kingdom." King Arthur said.

"You're welcome, my love." Arnold said, wrapping a hand around my waist.

Funny, his touch made me uncomfortable. Even funnier, my eyes drifted to Adrian, as if to see his reaction. He just stared back at me with his jaw clenched.

We walked inside the palace and I had to say, it did look really beautiful. The marble walls and huge chandeliers hanging from the roof, with the ancient artifacts and paintings that were used to decorate the hallways, really gave it that royal and antique look.

"Lunch is served. You must be hungry after your long journey."

Arnold said, standing too close to me.

I noticed he still hadn't let go of my waist. I gave a curt smile, and turned around, causing his hand to drop.

"Your palace is beautiful, Your Majesty." I said with a courtesy, trying to be nice. The earlier we were done with this show, the better.

"As beautiful as you, I must say." He added. "Please, this way".

We walked into the dining and sure enough, it was filled with food from one end of the table to the other. We sat down after the King had sat.

After a few spoons of my food, I'd noticed the other woman amongst us hadn't said anything since I came. She barely ate and her head had been kept down all the while. It seemed wrong for royalty.

"Is everything alright, My Queen?" I said.

I wish I hadn't. I honestly wish I had kept my damned mouth shut.