chapter 1 - A Chance Encounter

As the morning sun cast its golden glow upon the wilderness, the tranquil landscape came alive with warmth. Serena, a 17-year-old maiden whose beauty rivaled that of the blooming wildflowers, ventured into the forest as she did every day, gathering firewood for her family. Her eyes, a blend of curiosity and kindness, sparkled in the gentle sunlight. With flawless skin kissed by the morning rays, she moved gracefully through the forest, collecting firewood with ease.

As she made her way back from her task, the forest provided a serene backdrop to her daily chore, alive with the symphony of nature's sounds. Balancing a basket filled with firewood on her hip, Serena's deep familiarity with the surroundings was evident in her every step. Shafts of sunlight pierced through the canopy above, creating a mesmerizing interplay of light and shadow on the forest floor.

Suddenly, amidst the tranquil setting, Serena noticed an unconscious figure lying on the forest path ahead. Filled with compassion, she gently placed her bundle aside and approached the young man. Kneeling beside him, she brushed his forehead, trying to rouse him from his slumber, but he remained lost in unconsciousness.

Determined to help, Serena carefully lifted the young man, guiding him to a nearby pond where they could tend to his injuries. Under the shade of a tree, she assisted him to sit and ventured to find medicinal herbs to aid his recovery.

Upon her return, Serena found the young man partially conscious, murmuring a plea for water. Without hesitation, she fetched water from the pond and brought it to his parched lips. As he sipped the life-giving liquid, he slowly opened his eyes, revealing a pair of mesmerizing azure orbs. His blue eyes were like two sapphires, reflecting the boundless expanse of the sky on a pristine summer day, as if they held the universe's secrets.

Serena found herself captivated by the profound beauty of his eyes and couldn't look away for a moment. The young man, now more awake, inquired with a weak voice, "Who are you?" Serena's voice was gentle as she replied, "I am Serena. I found you unconscious in the forest."

"I haven't seen you here before, are you lost?" She asked.

"I... I am....," he said, attempting to rise but stumbling due to his injured leg. Serena offered her support, concern etched on her face. Carefully examining his leg, she inquired if he was in pain. The young man nodded, his voice trembling in response.

"It appears you've sprained your ankle," Serena observed with a reassuring tone.

Curiosity welled up within Serena as she looked at the young man, his pain evident in his trembling voice and furrowed brow. Despite his obvious discomfort, she couldn't suppress her curiosity. "Can you tell me how you ended up here?" Serena asked softly, her voice filled with concern. "Do you remember anything?"

The young man struggled to gather his thoughts, his mind still foggy from his ordeal. "I... remember," he admitted, his voice barely above a whisper. Then, as if suddenly realizing something, he looked up at the sun, his expression turning to panic. "Oh no, it's too late. I have to go immediately," he exclaimed, his voice tinged with urgency.

He attempted to rise, but the realization of his injury struck him, and he winced in pain. Serena rushed to his side, concern etched on her face as she gently urged him to stay seated. "You shouldn't try to walk," she said softly, her voice filled with compassion. "Your ankle is sprained. Let me help you."

However, their conversation was abruptly interrupted by a distant voice growing nearer, calling out, "Prince Oliver, where are you?"

As the voice drew closer, Serena's eyes widened with apprehension. She leaned in closer to the young man and whispered urgently, "It seems that today, besides you, even a prince has become lost in this forest. We must leave quickly. Soon, the soldiers will encircle the entire forest, making it challenging for us to leave without interrogation. Considering your current condition, the situation isn't favorable."

Panic began to set in the forest, and the young man, his voice weak yet filled with curiosity, asked Serena, "What if I've done something to Prince Oliver, and the soldiers are searching for me? Aren't you afraid?" His eyes searched her face for a reaction.

With a determination that surprised the young man, Serena smiled reassuringly at him. "If you had harmed Prince Oliver and ended up in your current condition, it means that Prince Oliver is either unharmed or at least well enough to protect himself," she reasoned calmly. "And your frail state poses no threat to anyone."

In a soft yet resolute voice, she assured him that if it turned out he was a criminal, she would personally take him to the soldiers and claim the reward for his capture.

The young man's hidden smile acknowledged her courage, and he admired her strength silently. Meanwhile, the atmosphere in the forest grew tense. Soldiers scoured every corner, and a young soldier, presumably close to finding 2nd Prince Oliver, kept calling his name, drawing nearer by the moment.