Playing Tag

"How did you get a job in the manor? Do you know Tim? How did you convince Martha and Hubert? Huh? Adrian? Hey, why do you look like your stomach hurts? Why-"

"For the love of god!"

Noah cried out loud, putting a stop to Aria's endless ramble. The maid dusting the window down the hallway jumped in her spot at his sudden outburst. The girl in front of him seemed unfazed though.

Wearing a sky blue dress with large white roses perfectly embroidered in its blouse, the princess was all dressed up and ready to start her day, but to Noah's misfortune, the main thing on her schedule was to follow him around all day and bombard him with all sort of questions.

"Do you not have better things to do, my lady?"

He pasted a polite smile on his face; venting out on a noble would bring him nothing but trouble.

"No."

The corner of his mouth twitched, but he kept his smile from faltering.

'Don't lose it, Noah.'

"Surely, you do not intend to follow me around all day, do you?"

She grinned; her jewel eyes sparkling as usual.

"I do."

He sighed. There was no point arguing with her.

"Is that so?"

He leaned towards Aria and flicked her forehead.

"Ow! How dare you-"

"Let see if you can catch me, princess!"

He winked at her before turning around and sprinting down the hallway.

"Huh?"

The dumbfounded girl took a moment to realize what had happened; she had been tricked.

"Why you! Adrian! I won't let you get away!"

She lifted the sides of her skirt and started running after him.

"Hahaha!"

His mocking laughter as he rushed down the stairs only made her more mad. The young maid was left speechless as she watched two fully grown people running around and playing tag.

"Ugh! These stupid heels!"

Aria spared a moment to take off her shoes and throw them over her shoulder before continuing her pursuit of Adrian.

"Hah...Hah...Where did he go...Hah!"

Aria struggled against her heavy breathing. She now stood at the bottom of the main staircase; her legs were shaking and she could feel her heart beating frantically inside her chest.

"You really need to built some stamina, my lady."

She turned around upon hearing his familiar voice and found the very man that she had been chasing for the last 15 minutes standing at top of the stairs. The colossal painting of Aria's great great grandfather stood on the wall behind him and the light from the crystal chandelier over their heads lighted up his form.

He was handsome. Aria did not hesitate in acknowledging that.

"A bunny who can't run is the first to get eaten by the tiger."

There it was again; his mocking smirk that the princess had seen a little too many times since that morning. She pointed a finger at him.

"You! Hah... What nonsense...Hah...Let me catch my breath..."

She sat down on the stair.

"For a moment..."

"Pfft! Hahaha!"

Noah burst out laughing.

"Adrian! Hey!"

Aria yelled with embarrassment, but it only made him laugh harder.

"That's it! I'm not chasing you anymore!"

She huffed and crossed her arms. His face flushed after all that laughter, Noah descended the short flight of stairs that separated him from his lady.

"My, my. Are you sulking now, bunny?"

She scrunched up her nose.

"Do not call me that!"

He got off the final step and turned towards Aria. Flexing an arm behind him, he stretched his other hand out for the princess to take.

"Why not? The name suits you quite well if you ask me."

"Oh really now? Then who's that tiger that will hunt me down? You?"

She put her hand into his, allowing him to help her up from her seat. Noah brought her hand closer to his chest, his golden brown eyes looking intently at her.

"Why? Are you perhaps scared of getting eaten?"

He smirked and so did she before grabbing him by his wrist.

"Caught you!"

Noah's eyes grew wide as an exhilarating grin appeared on his face.

"Hah!"

'What a cunning little bunny~'

She let go of his wrist.

"Hehe! Now you have to answer my questions!"

"By all means, go ahead."

"Yes! So tell me. Um! I would like to have my hand back first."

"Huh?"

He looked at the hand that he was still holding. Aria watched as his cheeks turned a light shade of red and he instantly let go of her hand. He took three wide steps backwards.

"A-apologies, my lady. I really meant nothing by holding on to it. I can swear-"

"What are you going on about? Will you be answering my question or not?"

"Of course, I will!"

"Then, what's your name?"

"Adrian. I have just told you this morning, my lady."

"Liar."

"Huh?"

She shook her head.

"As if a mysterious person on some secret mission would give away his real name so easily."

"Hmm~ Is that a hunch or a calculated guess?"

She shrugged.

"Must be a hunch. After all, I'm known for my stupidity in the high society. Did you not know?"

He did.

She was the childish and naive princess whom other noblewomen loathed for her beauty and wealth that had bewitched all the young men of the kingdom. But beauty and wealth were not enough to gain their sincerity and love, so Aria could only watch helplessly as many of her engagements got broken off time and again.

'I wonder who really were the stupid ones...'

"What is it? Your name."

"I can not tell you that."

"Afraid that I will snitch on you?"

"Afraid? My bunny, I can easily kidnap you and lock you away if you wish to threaten me. If-"

"Alright! Alright! No need for such scary words! I was just joking!"

"My lady! My lady!"

They both looked over at the large iron doors that led out to the front of the manor.

"Princess Aria!"

Areena came running inside with a look of anxiety on her flushed face. Reaching her lady, she cried,"They are...here!"

Aria placed a hand on her shoulder; concern showing on her face.

"Take a breath, Areena. What's wrong?"

"Count Darren is here with his son and your aunt!"

She blurted out and Aria felt her heart sinking inside her chest.

"What?"

"They said that his grace have ordered them to come see him."

From the corner of his eyes, Noah saw Aria's hand trembling beside her side.

"My lady-"

He stopped upon seeing her hiding her hand in the turns of her skirt.

"Maybe it wasn't enough for the count's son to get hit once."

Aria looked at him and he gave her a sheepish smile.

"If you know what I mean, princess."

He winked at her and a small smile appeared on her face.