22 Dark lights.

Well, this is all I have here, Gerald announced to them.

It was a small cottage with a two wooden chairs and two bed made for only a single person at each side of the walls.

I know it's is small but this is what I could make do of and importantly it is the safest place you can stay in here... Gerald kept on talking but Natalie was not paying attention, she has other things on her mind.

Williams noticed and realized what was wrong.

Natalie stared at the beds and before she could say anything, Williams said it.

There are only two single beds? He asked turning to Gerald.

Emm, oh hell, you are right, at first I thought you were the only one coming but then you told me you we're bringing her after we met. I only made available two beds, he said explaining the issue.

I understand but that still doesn't solve the problem, I will...

Don't worry I will...

You all should stop it, we can manage. Natalie told them looking at their expressionless faces.

You can both can sleep on the beds, she said ignoring their awkward stares.

What are you saying Natalie, Gerald can ...

I said I am fine, I will sleep on the floor.

Do you have a mat? She asked Gerald.

Yes I do, he told her.

You can't be serious, Williams said to him, you are agreeing to this.

I love my bed, Williams.

Really?

For the last time...

You can sleep on the other bed Natalie I will sleep on the floor.

Williams, I am fine. She said looking at his dark eyes, which look darker inside the room.

That was the first time she called him by his name without adding the prince. For some reason it didn't sound the same to me.

It was felt new and he must add, very nice, very nice. Her accent perfected it without a glitch.

Ok.

You know you don't always have to do everything for me.

I am not complaining.

Well, I want to do this.

Anyone hungry? Gerald asked when he was tired of hearing them argue like old couples.

Williams was reminded how hungry and tired he was once again.

After, they ate, they all sat inside the house talking about their plans.

What do you think your father is doing now that you are gone? Gerald asked Williams.

What else, definitely looking for us. Williams said not wanting to think of his father even for a second.

He will soon realize you are out of the palace. If he hasn't already. Gerald said.

Natalie has never seen him more serious than now.

Then he will come looking for us, here, this place is just next to milerus. He will come searching here first. Natalie added. For the first time in her life she felt like she was being involved in an important issue. And what was more important than her life?

You are right, but that doesn't mean that he will find us. They will come here but I don't think they will suspect we are here. It is too easy... Gerald said.

I wish I know what he is planning? Remember Sebastian is with him.

At the mention of Sebastian, her heart skipped. She hadn't gotten over the fact that

Sebastian had betrayed her now he was helping the king find her.

Who is this Sebastian? Gerald asked.

A royal servant... Williams said but was interrupted by Natalie.

Some guy I trusted to tell my plans of escaping the palace, he was with me and all of a sudden he changed. He told the king of my plans so I had to leave.

Wow, that is some complicated shit, but why did he do that? Gerald asked.

Williams only watched, he didn't even know the real reason why that had happened.

He became jealous when Williams said he loved me, which he didn't.

You were involved with him? thus time Williams asked.

No, Natalie said in defiance . I didn't know he had such feelings for me either and we were just friends.

Hmm," friends", Williams said. You may have unknowingly gave him the impression that they we're other things.

That is funny because he thought the same of you. Natalie said in anger. Why was everybody thinking this was her fault and not seeing that she didn't do anything. She was just clueless as them.

Whoa, whoa, you both should calm down, you know we can't do this if we continue to argue. We must learn to understand each other, Gerald said.

I am sorry, I am just tired of being blamed for things I know nothing of.

It is not your fault. Williams told her.

OK, now that is settled, can we move on,Gerald waiting for their nod.

You say this Sebastian is helping the king,you know jealousy can drive people to do buzzard things. He may be very dangerous.

I bet he will hurt us, Williams said.

Physically yes but he could many things that could hurt you in many ways.

You are right, what can we do, Natalie asked. She was glad Gerald was here, he sounded more tactical.

Wait. Williams said.

Wait?

He is right, Natalie we have to wait a little for the king to make a move. If he knows that you are out of the kingdom. He can't just come in here looking for you. He has to make a plan...

We need to rest, today has being a long and stressful day. Williams said.

You are right, Gerald said going to the bed. Reminds me of when I was in the army.

An army? Natalie thought. He was in an army. That says a lot.

Not long he was snoring.

The night was unusually cold and Natalie stayed awake. There was a lot going on that made her do. One of them was.

What actually do the prince want from her? Doing this was costing him everything. His life, the throne and his family.

That was too much to risk it all for her.

This was more than it seems.

But she couldn't decipher.

Oh heavens, I hope this is true, I hope it is real and more importantly I want this to work. She prayed in silence.

Soon she was snoring too the day's escapade was too much to put away.

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

I want you all to find my son, go to the neighboring kingdoms. You must say that he was kidnapped. The king told the chief warrior.

You think they will believe that a mere woman had kidnapped the prince?

Say she bewitched him, which she obviously did, He snorted.

Oh, that sounds a little believable. At least some people still believes that could happen. The chief warrior said.

It doesn't?

I didn't mean that my king.

Fine, I don't want to waste more time. I just need my son back I don't care how. The kind said.

Sebastian who was there watching them, for some reason the king had wanted him there. He stared mute, he didn't care less if the prince was lost in the woods that would even be great news for him.

He just wanted his Natalie.

We must make a good plan, the chief warrior said.

That is why you are here, isn't it? The king said.

And why is he also here? The chief guard asked referring to Sebastian who stood beside him like a log of wood.

Oh, he would join you, he has information that will be useful.

This time it was Sebastian turn to revolt.

My king, I don't think I am more useful to this quest. I don't...

Well, I think you are, the king said to him mimicking his voice.

But...

This is not a request.

Yes my king, he bowed to him, I will as you said, he told the king wishing the chief warrior was the king instead because he sounded more logical than him.

The king was sounding like a ten year old who was looking for his lost toy.

Bring my son here in good conditions, the king said for the hundredth time.

And I don't care if you kill that witch. He told the chief warrior.

Kill her if you can, regret ever sparing her life at first. You should have killed her like you did to her sister. But you know she is a royal blood unlike her sister.

What?

What was the king talking about, had he lost his remaining brain cells. Sebastian thought.

Natalie sister is not a royal blood?

Incredible.

Is that why they had killed her. For some reason the king didn't kill the royal bloods.

Princes and princesses if caught.

There had killed his parents but not him. And he didn't know why. There were many times he had wished to be killed.

When he was caught trying to escape then he was thoroughly tortured but he wasn't killed.

What else was the king hiding?

What more did he know?

How did he know about Natalie's sister.

He had to find out, fate had put him here for some reason. Here and now the king had said he would kill natalie , he had to stop it. She must not be killed.

Natalie had probably crossed her boundaries.

Yes, she had crossed her boundary. The boundary was the prince.

He would do anything for the prince even kill his mother.

What an irony, there were both obsessed with one of the runaways and hate the other. They were bent on getting them no matter the circumstance.

Him, Natalie.

The king, Williams.

He remembered Natalie words, "The king don't have to determine your destiny".

she was right, the king don't have to determine their destinies.

The king was their destiny.