Sneaking around

One day, in the time of knights and crusaders (apparently), a young princess (and our first protagonist) is sneaking around to avoid getting caught, carrying her sword. Her name is Princess Candice (Sapphire) and she's in a different place to run away from her courtiers and land's Privy Council. Yep, Candice is the final remaining monarch of her home and is due to become queen in two weeks' time. As Candice walks around, she hears someone walking around her patch and decides to scurry into a hiding place, unintentionally snapping a twig en route.

"What was that?" The mystery individual asks

Candice looks round, having heard them, and keeps running to the nearest hiding place, in a bramble bush. After realising where she's hiding, Candice pinches her nose, keeping silent. As for the mystery individual, he walks around, looking for the one who snapped the twig; he soon arrives close to the bramble bushes.

"Hello, is anyone here?" The individual asks

Candice soon looks through the gaps, having heard the individual speak.

'Who is that?' Candice thinks to herself, not realising that she's unblocked her nose

Before sneezing, Candice teleports somewhere, not realising that she's underneath someone's bed. As for the mystery individual, he's unable to find the person behind the twig snapping.

"Hey, Lancelot, we need to get home. Monarch's orders." Someone informs

"Understood, Percival." Lancelot (our second protagonist) responds

Lancelot and Percival then return home and are approached by the monarch.

"Hello again, Percival, Lancelot." The monarch greets

"Your highness." Percival and Lancelot respond

"I have something important to address; it comes from our rival kingdom. Their remaining monarch, Princess Candice, is due to become queen in two weeks and isn't home. If Candice is seen, bring her back here immediately. Is that clear?"

"Yes, your highness."

Soon after, Percival and Lancelot go to their rooms. Lancelot enters his room to get a strong bramble scent. As for Candice...

'Oh no, not a sneeze.' Candice thinks before sneezing

Lancelot soon hears the sneeze and follows it, to find Candice under his bed.

"Who are you?" Lancelot asks as Candice rolls out

Candice is soon on the other side of the room, staying silent and getting ready to draw her sword. Lancelot quickly notices Candice's sword and her scared stance.

"Don't worry, I mean no harm. I just want to know who you are."

"Firstly, who are you?" Candice responds

"I am Lancelot of the Round Table. A knight."

"Yes, I already know that Lancelot."

"Who are you?"

Candice quickly buckles, for Lancelot to work her out.

"You're Princess Candice! What are you doing here?!"

"Staying away from my home. Don't get your... monarch, please."

"Why? She's just given strict orders to bring you to her."

"Your monarch and your friends will have me dead; they hate my kingdom that much and would do anything to make sure I'm dead."

"Why aren't you at home?"

"I don't want to be queen; my home doesn't deserve someone like me ruling their land. Besides, I don't deserve the courtiers and Privy Council caring for me; I'm a terrible leader and would never stay in place long enough to be crowned."

Unbeknownst to the pair, one of the other knights is outside the door, about to enter. Lancelot soon hears the door handle move.

"Candice, get back under the bed; one of the others is coming." Lancelot whispers

Candice then teleports back under the bed, staying silent as one of the other knights walked into the room.

"Hey, Lancelot. I heard you talking to someone. Who was it?" The other knight points out, asking

"Just a friend, she's gone home now anyway." Lancelot responds

Unbeknownst to the pair, Candice starts crying silently, unable to stop.

"Oh, that's different. What's her name?"

"Umm, Julie. Like I've said, just a friend."

"Hmm, okay. I'll see you later, Lancelot. I've got to be somewhere else."

"See you later."

The other knight leaves the room, as the room floods with silence. Lancelot soon hears light, quick breaths, as if someone's crying. He follows the sound and notices Candice's face wet with tears.

"Candice, are you okay?" Lancelot whispers, asking

"Not really, but I'll survive. Just go with the others; they need you more than me." Candice whispers, responding

"Forget the others, you're more important. Besides, they can handle things on their own. Come out."

Reluctantly, Candice comes out and sits on the bed. Lancelot gets on one knee, so that he's at her level.

"Now tell me, what's wrong?"

Candice quickly buckles, then Lancelot gently takes her hand. Realising that Candice doesn't want to explain her tears, Lancelot strokes Candice's hand.

"It's alright, you don't have to tell me if that's not what you want."

"I want to, just not today; we've just met."

"Even if the circumstances weren't great. It's okay with me."

"Thank you, please, join the others. I'll be fine on my own."

Without further discussion, Lancelot loosens his grip of Candice's hand and leaves the room, closing the door behind him and joining the other knights. After this, Candice walks towards the window and looks out into the distance, thinking about her mother. After a short while, Candice's powers take her to an unknown part of the woodland.

"Oh, powers where have you taken me?" Candice asks herself

Then, someone creeps up behind her, carrying a dagger. Sensing this, Candice's powers move her away, making sure that she's facing the perpetrator. Candice soon notices a scar on the individual's neck; it's her best friend and courtier, Marie.

"Marie, what are you doing here?" Candice asks, unimpressed

"I was sent here by one of the other courtiers to bring you home, dead. They're trying to overthrow the monarchy and want me to help." Marie answers

"Were you forced into this?"

"Yes, they said if I don't do it, I'll lose my job."

"Listen, other courtiers can't sack other courtiers; only the monarch can do that."

"But there isn't a leading monarch. So, everyone's running riot, trying to take the throne. Besides, there's only you left."

"I'll say this again; I don't want to be queen. I'd rather if a different young adult took my place; the leadership needs new blood and someone who has more skills in leading others."

Marie then begins to buckle; Candice is quick to notice this.

"There's more to this, isn't there?"

"Yes, somehow one of the courtiers has found out that that I'm a lesbian and told the other courtiers. Now, they're doing everything to get me out of the courts."

"So, they were sending you to murder me, to get you locked up?"

Marie nods, turning her head away in shame.

"Okay, please drop the blade and come here."

Reluctantly, Marie follows the given instruction, dropping the dagger and running into Candice's arms. The two friends hug, with Candice stuck as to how to help.

"Okay, hold on tight, I'm going to take you somewhere."

Marie follows the instruction, as Candice's powers take the two friends to Lancelot's bedroom. Marie is quick to recognise the area and want to get out.

"Candice, please take me home. I shouldn't be here."

"What's up?"

"This is Lancelot's bedroom; I was raped here."

"By whom?"

"One of the knights; it wasn't Lancelot. But I can't remember their name."

Then, Lancelot enters the room, noticing Candice with Marie. He quickly closes the door.

"Is there something going on?" Lancelot asks

"The other courtiers want me locked up." Marie answers

"Why? Candice, is there something you're not telling me?"

"One of the other courtiers has found out Marie's sexuality and told the other courtiers; they now want Marie out of the courts." Candice answers

"I'm not going to ask what that is, but how come you're so interested in her protection, Candice?"

"Because I'm a bisexual woman. I understand Marie's struggles and will do everything in my power to stop her getting hurt."

"There's more to this."

"We once dated before my parents passed. This was before I met you."

Lancelot is quick to acknowledge the situation and approach the women, for Marie to back away in fear.

"Lancelot, what's going on?" Candice asks

"Marie's still scared of this room because of what Percival did to her. I've still not forgiven that wretch for what they did."

As for Marie, all the memories come flooding back and she quickly becomes desperate to return home. Candice is quick to feel guilty about this and Lancelot has an idea.

"I've got a plan, but you have to do exactly what I say. Got it?"

"Will I bump into... you know who again?" Marie asks, still terrified

"No, you won't; I'll make sure of it. I know a room where everyone, but Percival is allowed to be in. I'll put you in there. But we have to get there without getting caught."

Candice is quickly enamoured by Lancelot's quick thinking and protectiveness of Marie.

"Candice, I'll be back soon, unless you want to join."

"No, it's fine I'll stay. It's safer for me to stay in here." Candice responds

"Alright, Marie, let's get going."

Lancelot and Marie leave the room, closing the door behind them and Candice goes back to the window, looking outside at the sunset.

"This sunset looks beautiful..." Candice says to herself

As for Lancelot and Marie, they arrive at the spare room, with Lancelot opening the door for Marie. Marie enters the room and likes what she sees.

"I like the room... what is it?" Marie asks

"It's a spare bedroom in case anyone, excluding Percival, wants to sleep somewhere else or we have someone else staying a while." Lancelot responds

"Thank you, Lancelot. I greatly appreciate this."

"You're welcome, miss. I'll see you soon."

"Goodbye for now."

Lancelot nods and leaves the room, closing the door behind him. As for Candice, she hears footsteps and gets under the bed as Lancelot enters the room. Lancelot soon takes his armour off and sits on his bed, head in his hands.

"Why do I have to work with that wretch of a knight?" Lancelot asks himself before laying down to sleep

Candice slowly gets out of her hiding place and notices a door in front of Lancelot's bed; she goes in front of the door and notices a knock pattern. Candice is quick to join the dots and correctly knocks the pattern, for the door to open and Candice to enter, closing the door behind her. Candice turns around and admires her surroundings.

"What is this place?" Candice asks

"You're in a place only Sir Lancelot knows of your highness." A voice responds

"How do you know my societal position?"

"Oh, I know more than just that, your highness."

"Okay, this is creeping me out."

"No surprise there, I creeped Sir Lancelot out the same way, your highness. Say, how about a suit of armour for your troubles?"

"What troubles?"

"Having to hide in Sir Lancelot's bedroom so you don't get sent back home, being the main one."

"Oh, umm... do you have anything that, well... suits me if you will? Besides, I don't want to give my position away too easily."

"Certainly, how about this one? Your sword will be in the same place as before."

Soon, a brand-new suit of armour comes into view; Candice is quick to fall in love with it.

"Wow, umm... I'll take it."

"I knew you would. Now, I'll be sending you back in the suit of armour. I hope to see you soon, your highness. Goodbye for now, Candice."

"See you soon... miss?"

Soon after, Candice goes back into Lancelot's bedroom, the same way she went out. Candice looks outside the window; it's dawn and Lancelot begins to stir. Soon, Lancelot awakens, noticing a suit of armour, unaware that Candice is inside it.

"Who's there?" Lancelot asks

"Lancelot, it's me, Candice." Candice responds, trying to find the helmet

Lancelot soon lifts Candice's helmet, blushing as he recognises her.

"Oh, I'm sorry Candice; I didn't recognise you."

"It's fine, I used to get that all the time whilst at home. Are you okay? You're blushing."

Lancelot briefly shakes his head.

"Umm, yes I'm fine. Say, want to join me?"

"Are you sure?"

"I'm sure, no-one will recognise you in the armour."

"Oh, umm... okay."

Lancelot and Candice leave the room, to bump into another knight.

"Hey, Sir Lancelot. This must be your friend, Julie. I didn't know that she was a knight."

"Well, she'd left so quickly I couldn't say what she was, Sir Galahad."

"Surely, Julie has a title and name."

After silently clearing her throat...

"No, I don't. I'm new." Candice responds

"Oh, so you do speak. How about a sword fight? You against me."

"Well, it would be rude to decline."

"Sir Lancelot, bring your friend to the fighting ground."

Without further discussion, the trio go to the castle fighting grounds.

"Are you sure you know what you're doing?" Lancelot asks, concerned

"Yes, I spent a lot of time learning swordsmanship and learned a few tricks before my father passed." Candice responds

"What are you waiting for; an invitation?" Galahad calls out

"Alright, get going and be careful; Sir Galahad is the craftiest of all of us."

"I knew that just by looking at him."

Candice then goes onto the fighting ground and faces Galahad, with Lancelot as referee.

"Right, are you ready?" Lancelot asks

"Yep, as ever." Candice and Galahad respond in unison

"Okay, three... two... one... fight!"

The fight begins. After at least four hours, Candice knocks the sword out of Galahad's hand, winning the fight and putting her sword away. Unbeknownst to the trio, the monarch arrives, having watched the fight.

"Well, hello Sir Lancelot, Sir Galahad. A new knight, I see." The monarch greets

"Yes, this is Julie, your highness." Galahad responds

Candice then gets on one knee.

"Your highness, the pleasure is mine."

"And duly returned, Julie. Please, get up."

Candice stands up, as Lancelot approaches.

"Come with me, you three. No time like the present!"

Without further discussion, the trio follows the monarch to the throne. The monarch takes her seat.

"Given that we have a new knight among us, Sir Lancelot, you will be the newbie's chaperone and will be sharing your room with Julie. Galahad, you will be keeping Sir Percival away from the room, given that I've been informed of an incident that was their doing. Is that clear?"

"Yes, your highness." Lancelot and Galahad respond in unison

"Brilliant, you're free to go."

The trio then goes to Lancelot's bedroom.

"I guess I'll see you two later." Galahad says

"Bye for now, Galahad." Candice responds

"See you later, mate." Lancelot responds

Galahad walks to his bedroom. Lancelot and Candice then enter the bedroom, with Lancelot closing the door behind him. Candice then waits for Lancelot to approaches her.

"So, Julie. Tell me the story behind that name." Candice instructs, in a tease

"Galahad came in yesterday evening and asked who I was talking to." Lancelot responds

"So, you were basically put on the spot."

"Yes, that's correct."

"That makes sense. So, where will I be sleeping?"

"That's where it gets weird; the bed in the room is the only one."

"I think I've worked that out. So, we'll be sharing... the bed?"

"If you don't want to, I won't force you."

"I'm not overly keen since we only met yesterday. Besides, I don't think it would be appropriate since you're my chaperone."

"That's fine with me; I don't agree with it either."

Soon after, both knights take off their masks and carry on talking, unaware that Percival is outside the room, listening to every word. Galahad is quick to notice them near Lancelot and Candice's bedroom door.

"Percival, what are you doing here?" Galahad asks, unimpressed

Unbeknownst to the pair, Lancelot and Candice have heard about Percival being outside the room. Lancelot soon races out of the room while Candice teleports to the roof of Lancelot's bedroom. As for Lancelot...

"Percival, you shouldn't be here." Lancelot informs, being blunt

"Why? It seems like you're hiding something, and I'll find out eventually." Percival responds, being smug

"Just get lost and pester someone else. Go on, now!"

Without further discussion, Percival leaves for the foyer. Lancelot is quick to become concerned about Candice.

"Are you alright, Lancelot?" Galahad asks

Lancelot stays silent.

"Let's go inside and talk."

The two friends then go into the room and start talking.

"So, what's up?"

"It's about Julie..."

"Listen, I know she's Princess Candice and so does the monarch. We recognised her the moment she spoke."

"Not just... really?"

"Yes, our monarch loves Candice more than her father did. Is there something else?"

"It's Percival, I can't quite put my finger on why, but they give me bad vibes."

"I've talked to Marie on this, she's saying that Percival's bad news. Not just for her, but for you and Candice."

"I don't blame her, after what Percival did to her."

"Yep, Marie told me about that as well."

The two friends then start talking about something else. As for Candice, she's looking out into the distance and makes her diary appear. She starts writing an entry, holding back tears.

Diary,

I'm in a new place, but scared for my life again, as usual. I've made two new friends over the space of 24 hours. But there's someone I'm scared of. I won't tell you who, but they give off bad vibes. I get the feeling that I'm going to lose my life because of them. Anyway, enough talking. I'll write again soon.

Candice

Candice soon finishes writing and closes her diary, making it return to its home soon after. Candice then looks out into the distance again, starting to cry. Soon, Lancelot joins Candice, noticing her fear and sadness.

"Are you okay, Candice?" Lancelot asks

"Not really, I'm scared of Percival; they're giving me a bad feeling. My courtiers want me dead because of my parents and Marie locked up for my murder because of her sexuality. For some reason, my courtiers have always hated my family and I've never been told why. Something makes me feel like they have the right idea killing me off; at least it'll be easier for them to not be constantly reminded of my family's failings. Besides, I've not been properly cared for since before my mother passed. After then, my father was abusive, blaming me for my mother's death and constantly saying I don't deserve to be alive. It feels pointless continuing when you know everyone hates you and your familial relations. Anyway, enough about me." Candice answers

Reluctantly, Lancelot puts his arm around Candice's shoulders, gently swaying her side to side. After a short while...

"I think you should get some sleep. I'll be with you in a minute."

"Are you sure that you don't want me to stay?"

"Yes, please, get some sleep. I'll be with you soon."

Without further discussion, Lancelot goes back to bed and Candice looks at the starry sky, reminiscing the days with her mother. Soon after, Candice teleports back to the bedroom and makes a sleeping bag appear. After straightening the bag out and getting comfortable, Candice soon falls asleep, oblivious about the dangers she faces in the future.