20 Lost emotions... You will find it.

The night crept slowly into the early hours of the morning and Sebastian lay on the bed, his eyes wide open. He was awake, as a matter of fact he didn't sleep at all through out the night. He anticipated daylight like he was about to receive an honorary award the next day.

What is not an award? He asked himself. Being part of the search party had not being much of a prospect but the more he thought about it, he liked the idea.

Most importantly, he was the leader, which gives him more advantage and privileges.

Natalie had asked for it, she had left with that scoundrel of a prince, she had left him.

The thought of this made him mad and agitated, he wishes he could lay his hands on that prince and kill him.

OK, that was too much. But he would make sure they never be together, not ever even if it took his life.

Morning finally came like an awaited bride who was shy to meet her newly wedded husband. He took no time to get ready for the day's activities. He took his armory, he didn't need much, just a sword and a field knife, by the way what danger does a helpless runaway prisoner and a distressed prince pose to him. He was only doing his job, obeying his king.

He didn't expect to see her, she came to him with a worried face, she had been looking like this for a long time and he started to imagine how life was when she didn't look disturbed.

He didn't have the opportunity to relay on his thoughts as she wasted no time in telling him what was distressing her.

Sebastian, I don't know what is going on anymore, I heard the prince fled with Natalie. Is it true? She asked him even if she doubted that it wasn't.

Yes, I saw them myself yesterday, he said then immediately regretting it, he knew her, he awaited the numerous questions she was about to ask.

Is that so, she said looking petrified. How dud that happen...

I don't know, it seems like you we're right you know, Natalie was too desperate. She has crossed the line. He said.

I knew it, I said it, that girl was too... Where are you going to? She said finally noticing his outfit. It didn't look like he was going to the fields.

Hmm, yes, I was about to tell you, the king assigned him to lead to others to go look for them. He said swallowing hard, still angry that Natalie was with the prince.

You? Why is that? how is any of this your business? She asked all at once.

I was close to her, he simply said.

Or fond of her, she told him holding his face with caution, you could see the emptiness in her eyes.

He sighed, Of course she knew, she had been there observing, seeing everything that was happening.

He couldn't lie to her, he never did.

Sebastian, I know you, I know you are angry at her for leaving you for the prince.

But you should be careful, some things are not as they seems. You can make a mistake. And you know what, they are some mistakes that we can't grow away from, that we can't forget, it will keep haunting us till our death. She said holding back her tears that was about to fall from her eyes at any given moment.

I will be fine, Agnes, he said holding her hands on his face. It was a long time since he had called her that name he doubt any one else in the palace knew her birth name including the king.

This woman was more to him than anyone else, she had been there in all his struggles, pain and his almost death experience. He could see her that day after he was beaten and...

She was the only one holding him and comforting him, telling him he was going to survive it even if he had doubted it. She had nursed him back to health. He loved her.

I have to go now, he told her, sadness in his voice, it was one of the most emotional things he had experienced.

.... ..... .... ..... ..... ..... ... ... .....

Natalie eyes fluttered,it was like the sun was fixed on her eyelids and her head burned from the heat.

She sat down feeling all her back arching from the discomfort of the forest. She couldn't believe she had survived the night, they had slept in the open. This was the first time and she had nightmares all night long. She searched for the prince with her eyes but he was nowhere to be found.

Had he left her here?, alone to die.

Was that the plan all along?

Well, if they wanted her dead, could they not have done so without going through so much.

She stood up and took the bag the prince had brought along. she opened the bag, knife saw a knife there and took it, at least she had something to protect her self with.

I can't allow them to kill me without a fight, she said to herself. I deserve it.

She was still rummaging through the bag when she heard footsteps.

Turning back with the knife held in her hands like a scared kitten but she didn't deter.

Prince Williams was there with an unfamiliar face, a man just about Williams height but he was lean and obviously less handsome.

Just two of them, she could do this.

They stopped in their tracks as soon as they saw her. Williams looked more confused.

The other man stared at Williams waiting for an explanation.

She didn't waste much time she hop forward with the knife, imposing it towards them.

Natalie, what are you doing? Williams asked her when he knew she wasn't performing an opera for them.

I know what you have come to do and I won't let you do it with such ease, you will go through me first. She said not sure of what she was about to do.

"go through her first" Of course she didn't want that but anything to scare them.

You think I am trying to kill you? he asked bewildered. So after everything that had happened yesterday she still didn't trust him. Unbelievable.

I don't know what is going on here but please spare my life. I am just but stranger who knows nothing of all this. Please, mam, don't kill me, the other man with Williams told her.

Natalie, please drop the knife, you will only hurt yourself.

Could she trust them, were they actually friends not foes. She had once trusted someone too and this...

By the way, she doubted she would actually defeat them. She had no skills of using the knife. She was useless.

She dropped the knife hoping for the worst.

Well fortunately the worst did not happen only an angry prince scolding her for what she just did.

Why would you think I will try to kill you after everything? He asked her.

I don't know, I woke up and I didn't see you, you can't blame me. I has thought you went to bring the royal guards here. She said defending herself.

He looked at her listening to her gibberish, in her tangled hair and already stained clothes.

She looked like a rough cannibalistic hunter of the ancient times in his bedtime stories when he was a lad. He couldn't help to pity her. She had had it rough, no pun intended.

I wouldn't go through all that yesterday just to have you killed, he told her.

I know but... I thought about that and....

She stuttered.

And what?

I trusted someone not too long ago and see what he did to me, if everything had gone as he planned I would have been dead by now, she said her eyes on the ground and her voice very low, it was a miracle he heard her.

He sighed, she was right, it was difficult trusting anyone again. He didn't want her to be in such danger not again that is why he had been doing all this.

I know, I understand.

Do you why I left the palace? He asked her not expecting a reply.

Your father had tried to kill you, she replied him.

Oh, Of course, that too. You know I could have forgotten it, like put it all behind me.

Forgive him like always but I couldn't, I couldn't forget it, I couldn't trust him anymore.

He stared at her, noticing her eyes becoming sadder.

I had creeping feelings in my stomach thinking he was going to come to my room at night and finally doing it with ease.

I was scared, I was scared of trusting him again knowing he could still harm me.

I felt vulnerable and couldn't stay anymore. He said.

I am sorry.

I will accept your apology if you promise not to try attacking me again, he told her holding her hands which seem rather stiff than normal.

I can't promise...

I do not want to force you to trust me, I will win your trust. I will show you reasons why you should do.

She looked at him with uncertainty, he sound so true, so calm, so real.

She was scared.

Was this real or a faux. She couldn't tell.

She wanted to trust him but many things held her back. One of the numerous reasons was that he was the son of the man she hated the most.

The reason for her losing everything, her family, her kingdom.

Have you settled everything with her or should I still be worried?

Both of them turned to face the man who had been standing there all along looking at them.

OK, who is he? Natalie asked Williams who merely smiled.

He is the person who is going to get us out of here.