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The unruly travelers wander through uncharted wood.

A sudden chill ripples through the princess.

It seemed like each passing day grew colder than the last as autumn slowly perishes. As of late, the blitz of heavy showers seemed to beckon the approach of winter.

The earthy aroma of petrichor steadies the royal as she cautiously walks the muddy trail. Her muscles scorched with exhaustion as she carried on without a single complaint for several hours now. Verbally that is.

'Will this path ever end!?' She whimpered in thought.

Despite feeling like her body would give way at any moment she is driven to know the outlaw by the end of this tiresome journey.

As Esmeralda carries forward, her growing excitement was still no match for the conflicting sorrow she desperately tried to suppress.

No matter how far she strayed from the castle, she was unable to outpace the gloom that loomed over her every step of the way.

Searching for some form of solace, her sights were inexplicably drawn to the mumrik beside her.

Her frown softens, mirroring the gentle smile resting on the outlaw's relaxed expression.

Sensations flutter within her as she watches him admire the woodlands with tame marvel; as if he was seeing it for the very first time.

Esmeralda basked in the brief enchantment cast upon her. Then, her relaxed stare widens as his amber eyes met hers.

Stunned for a moment, she did not pull away from Robin Hood's alluring gaze, instead, she laughs off her embarrassment.

A pleased hum rumbles in the outlaw's chest as he takes in her laughter. He wondered when he would hear it again.

Alas, his warm beam swiftly dims as he continued to contemplate her.

The crook could practically feel the distress seeping through the cracks of her cheerful facade.

Concern flickers in his stare as he recognizes the stress in her deceiving grin.

Esmeralda's upfront crumbles as worry briefly engulfs the outlaw's grimace.

Robin Hood turns a blind eye before sentiment could completely tarnish his delighted mood.

And like that, the moment was over.

The princess expels a drained sigh. Facing the road ahead, a sharp yelp escapes her as something harsh grabs ahold of her ankle.

She gracelessly tumbles into the muck with an echoing splat. The thick layer of gunk that broke Esmeralda's fall began to seep through her dress faster than her agonizing humiliation.

Slowly, she sits up.

She glares at the mud that caked her figure, then at the root, her foot was firmly lodged in.

Moaning in annoyance, she harshly twisted and tugged her boot from the roots' strong grip to no avail.

Esmeralda's heart skips a beat as a pair of hands trail down her exposed forearms. The mumrik's touch sent a pleasant chill through her.

The royal could not help but feel a bit dazed as his hands snaked their way toward hers. Her breath caught as he held them carefully.

Esmeralda was astonished as he effortlessly freed her from the branch with one swift pull.

"Are you alright?" The mumrik asks, a hint of amusement laced his concern.

The Princess is stunned for a second. "Ha! Yes, I-I'm fine! I was just a little─" She suddenly swallows her words.