The Runaway

"Young lady! What are you doing, engaging in such illicit acts before marriage?!"

King Henry was furious. He stared at his daughter with a raging face.

"I-I…"

Mary was at a loss for words. She didn't know what had happened. She just...done it. It. With the second prince of Constania.

"And you…"

King Henry looked over to Prince Frank with the same rage.

"I thought you were a person of honor! How dare you perform this unholy act on my daughter?!"

Frank had no words. He just looked down on the ground.

"Yes. Tell us, Frank Constania. What brought upon this?"

King Alfred looked at his son with a disapproving look.

Near the entrance of the dining room was Wilhelm and Aria. Wilhelm had read some books on this type of situation, so he was well aware of the consequences, at least from an intellectual point of view. Aria, on the other hand, looked with worry. Her older sister had never been scolded like this before.

"I demand an answer!"

King Henry shouted again, this time even louder.

Frank and Mary looked at each other, regret covering their faces. They couldn't say anything. They really didn't have a good excuse for what happened.

After a few more shouting and ranting, King Henry and King Alfred were fed up.

"I want you two to go to your rooms. YOUR OWN ROOMS. You're both under house arrest until this event is over."

Frank and Mary slowly got up, gave their respects, and left the dining room. Wilhelm and Aria hid behind a tall clock to avoid being seen. The two looked at each other in worry.

"Why do you think they did it?"

Wilhelm started the conservation they were both thinking about having. Although he understood what his brother had done, he couldn't quite grasp the meaning of it.

"I guess it was out of love? Or maybe confusion? I heard they drank a lot of wine during the party yesterday."

"But isn't this normal? Brother Frank is obviously attracted to Sister Mary. Why were our dads mad?"

Aria looked at Wilhelm. Although he was quite smart, he wasn't really there with the emotional stresses of people. Aria patted his head.

"You will get it soon enough when you are older."

"You're only 2 years older than me, though!"

Wilhelm pouted at Aria's mocking of him.

"I'm sorry, haha."

The two walked down the hall, with Aria cheerfully giggling and Wilhelm getting mad.

Meanwhile…

*Why did I do this…?*

Mary jumped onto the guest bed, crying. She really didn't know why she did it. It was just in the heat of the moment. Now, her purity had been destroyed.

Suddenly, a knock came from the door.

*It's probably one of the maids…*

Mary got up and opened the door. To her surprise, Prince Frank was standing there. He was huffing from running.

"Mary! I…"

Before Frank could finish, Mary started to close the door.

"Wait!"

Frank pushed the open. Mary lost her balance and fell back. Frank, with a swift movement, caught Mary. The two stared at each other. The two slowly brought their faces together.

"No… We mustn't…"

Aria tried to push Frank off but was unable to. Frank kissed Mary while holding her tightly. The two embraced for a while. When their lips left each others' they were puffing.

"I...I love you, Mary!"

"Prince Frank…"

The two kissed again. Then, Prince Frank pushed Mary onto the bed. He locked the door and

embraced Mary once again…

In the library sat Wilhelm and Aria. They were reading The Wandering Prince together.

"I don't really get why he left the kingdom…"

Wilhelm, even though he enjoyed reading adventure books, did not really get the main character's decision.

"It was to escape. He was not living a life he wanted."

Aria explained the depths of emotions that the main character had in the best way possible for Wilhelm.

"I guess I sort of get it. I wanted to leave when I heard about my arranged marriage with you."

"Well? How do you feel about me now?"

"Well. You're alright, I guess. You like books and you are…pretty."

Even though Wilhelm did not get the world that adults lived in, he does get embarrassed when he compliments a girl, a beautiful one at that.

"Well, thank you…"

Aria wasn't expecting Wilhelm to say that and blushed a rosy pink. The two sat awkwardly for a few minutes.

Suddenly, screams rang out the kingdom.

"What is that about?"

Wilhelm had a very worried look on his face.

"I don't know, but, let's go. It sounds serious."

The two left the library and there was panic everywhere.

"The Prince and Princess are gone!"

These words were repeatedly said the maids and servants. Wilhelm and Aria ran to the throne room. There they found everyone gathered. Everyone except Frank and Mary.

"What's happening?"

Wilhelm was the first one to speak, temporarily ending the heated argument that had been igniting just moments before. The two kings were beyond furious. The queens looked on with worry.

"Wilhelm, please go. This doesn't concern you. The adults are talking."

King Alfred looked at Wilhelm with a calm but clearly angry face.

"Is this about Brother and Sister Mary?"

"Yes, but as I have said, you don't need to be involved. Go with Aria and enjoy yourselves."

"Why are you mad? Brother and Sister Mary loved each other. That's why they left. But all of you are mad at them."

"Wilhelm! Go to your room!"

"But…"

"Please Wilhelm. I don't have time for this. Go. To. Your. Room."

"Wilhelm, please listen to your father."

Wilhelm's mother was trying very hard not to cry. She looked at Wilhelm with a determined look.

"Fine! I didn't want to be in this stupid conversation anyway!"

Wilhelm dashed out of the throne room. His face was full of tears. He ran all the way to his room and slammed the door. Then, he plopped on his bed, still weeping.

A knock came from the door.

"Can I come in?"

It was Aria. With her worrying nature, she followed Wilhelm to his room. Wilhelm slowly got up and opened the door. The two sat down on the bed.

"Are you alright?"

Aria was very concerned. Wilhelm was still sniffing, with his face all red.

"Did I do something wrong? I was right, wasn't I? Why did I get scolded?"

Aria, in an attempt to comfort Wilhelm, hugged him. The two sat there for a while, wondering about how such a big event happened in such a short time.