First Meeting

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Walking into the garden, dark leather shoes gently padded on the green grasses. The colourful butterflies roaming beautifully round the flowers immediately turned to ash and disappeared

"As expected, brother. Your presence ruined the serene atmosphere in the garden" the crown prince said, his light brown hair neatly combed to the side, his blue eyes staring into the grey eyes of the prince

"You both will be attending the birthday of the second princess of Atlank tomorrow. The journey is far so I suggest you better start hitting the road" King Mathias stated

°

The next morning, Atlank's royal palace was occupied and decorated for the celebration of the second princess. The maids did the preparations and the butlers went round supervising their work

"I'm not sure about this, princess" Ava said worriedly, her eyes narrowing at the hallway

"Relax Ava, this is the perfect time to leave. Everyone will be busy making preparations for Neera's party. Besides, you promised me I'll go sightseeing"

"I really shouldn't have. Well then, let's go through the back"

*

"The sky's so bright, Ava. Enjoy the view, why the frown?" Orchid asked, her brown eyes big and bright with a smile on her lips

"I'm just worried, princess. If His Majesty finds out you left the palace without guards. I'll be screwed"

"Don't worry, we'll return before sundown"

Ava sighed and nodded at the princess's words

"Honestly speaking, princess. I've never see you so happy as you are outside" Ava said and Orchid chuckled

"I guess, the palace is no place for a princess like me. There's so much to see outside, I wish I could see it all"

"Well, enjoy the view"

Orchid explored the forest a little bit more, with Ava closely watching her from behind

She heard a deep sound coming from behind the bushes, more like a cry. Going closer to have a look, she saw there was an animal...a deer caught in a trap

"Oh dear, princess...what are you doing?" Ava asked seeing Orchid crouch down before the animal "Princess don't touch it, that thing might be infected"

"It's hurt, Ava" Orchid responded, her hand going to the deer's leg which was tightly clamped in the trap "Don't worry, I'll help you" she soothed, trying to release its leg from the metal trap "It's sharp, the sharp tip seems to be stuck in its leg. I'll get it out"

Orchid held the sharp edge, it ended up stabbing her hand but she didn't mind, she wanted to free the poor animal

"There" she victoriously smiled being able to release the deer. She took the strap around her waist and tied it on the deer's wounded leg "Now you're okay"

The deer stood up and scurried away, limping on one leg

"Princess, you're bleeding" Ava said and held Orchid's hand "Oh no, I'll go get the kit from my bag. I'll be back"

Orchid stood still and stared at the wound on her palm, blood slowly seeping out

She then felt a cool breeze behind her back and when she turned around. She saw a dark cloaked figure and its blazing red eyes stared at her

The thing growled at her and its eyes went to her bloodstained hand. It snarled and stormed towards her but before it could get to her, a strong wave blew sending it flying against the bark of a tree

Orchid, in surprise looked up and her eyes froze. The lad standing before her was what one could describe as a rare beauty, his eyebrows were straight, his nose slightly pointed and his jaws was chiseled. His jet black hair were long and the wind blew it to the sides. His eyes a dull colour of grey and his lips were pale pink

The thing turned to look at Orchid and then at the stranger before it disappeared

"You didn't seem a bit surprised when it appeared" his magnetic baritone voice tickled her ears and she cleared her throat

"It's not my first time seeing one"

"You shouldn't be able to see one, it's under a disguise" the lad chuckled "You're not ordinary, are you?"

"I don't know what you're talking about" she said and turned her face to the air

"Hmm" his grey eyes then went to her hand and for a moment, his eyes flickered red