The Horse of Wood

Chapter 5-Reassurance and Confessions

Matthias stood there frozen and watched Phoenix run off. He continued to watch until she disappeared through the corridor she had come. He sighed and ran a hand down his face. Matthias was sort of dense when it came to noticing Phoenix's feelings, but he also wanted to tell her that he felt the same. If only she had stayed long enough for him to overcome his shock, he would've told her right then and there that he had loved her, no, not just fallen in love. Matthias is all in and is completely in love with the fire-haired woman. The man ran a hand through his hair and shook his head. Might as well look for the woman now. He began to walk in the direction she ran.

Dumb, dumb, dumb, dumb! Phoenix shouldn't have told him that! She knows that no one is capable of loving her other than her father. She lost hope of that when she had come to know this cruel world for the first time, when she saw it for herself. Although she acted like a confident, kind woman, she was in so much pain and was so insecure about everything. It was hard being a woman, men were "stronger" and better to lead. Meanwhile, women are just used to making children and being shown off. That's what all men thought and she was sure that was how Matthias felt as well. Even if he acted all understanding and kind, he probably just needs a woman with power.

After an hour of searching, Matthias had come up empty. Where in the world could that girl be hiding? He has searched almost everywhere in the castle. There was one hallway left and he was losing hope. Could she have left the castle? Could she be in the garden again? She had just vanished. He neared the king and queen's old room and began to continue. He had heard the story and he was sure that room was off limits. Matthias continued to walk, but stopped just after passing the door. On the other side, small sniffles could be heard. No one should be in this hall, nonetheless that room. He leaned into the door, and listened to the person on the other side.

After running away from Matthias, Phoenix settled herself in her usual alone-time spot, her mother's room. She sat herself down on the floor, next to her mother's side of the bed, and sobbed her eyes out. Life loved to throw curveballs at her. She laid her head down on the bed, and began to cry louder than before, if that was possible. Phoenix had cried for a while, before she had finally reduced it to sniffles. She sat up as realization hit her. What if Matthias was trying to say something, but she didn't give him the chance? She put her head on the bed again and continued to sniffle.

Matthias opened the door without sound, and stuck his head in. He scanned the room until he saw a figure hunched over the bed, crying. He squinted, trying to see the figure in the darkness, when a bit of sun peeked through the window. It hit their hair perfectly, and he realized it was Phoenix. Matthias stepped further into the room, and closed the door just as quietly as it was opened. He walked up behind Phoenix, and lifted her body from the bed. She let out a small yelp, but quickly quieted down when she saw Matthias. Matthias made his way back to the door, and exited the room with Phoenix in his arms.

Matthias continued to walk through the halls of the castle with the woman in his arms. He was stopped several times by guards and servants who were concerned for their princess. He told all of them off politely and continued to walk around. The man had no destination, so he wandered the castle and gardens for quite some time. When he finally decided she was feeling better, he brought her to his room.

Phoenix felt herself being set down on a soft surface and slowly opened her eyes. It seems she had drifted off while in Matthias's arms. Wait... she let Matthias carry her all over the castle! The servants must have seen everything. She shot up from her position and her head clashed with Matthias's. The impact made the man fall back onto his bottom, and the woman's vision got a little blurry. Matthias jumped back up and checked if Phoenix was alright. "Oh my goodness! Phoenix are you alright?"

"I'm fine, I'm fine. It was my fault we bonked heads anyway. I apologize for abruptly sitting up." The prince smiled down at the woman, and went to sit next to her.