𝘚𝘦𝘤𝘳𝘦𝘵𝘴, 𝘓𝘰𝘷𝘦 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘓𝘪𝘦𝘴

The Captain

As Duke left the ballroom, he felt himself smile. There was something about Princess Hilda that made him feel elated. He had never felt this way towards a girl before, he was just hoping he had made a good enough impression.

He breathed in the crisp spring air and had the urge shout and tell the world how he felt! What had Princess Hilda done to him? All he wanted was to see her again and spend the rest of the night with her, dancing, laughing, taking and getting to know one another.

***

The next morning, I woke to find that Lena had left. As I walked downstairs, with heavy eyes, I saw the hall full of flowers. I spotted Mother below the stairs I was stood on.

Leaning over, I said: "Mother, whatever are all the flowers for?"

"What do you think they are for? They are from all the men that would like to marry you!"

With that, I turned on the step and rushed back to my room. There I ripped off my dress and pulled on my leathers. Running back down the stairs, Mother tired to stop me but I ignored her.

Out at the stables, I put on Storms bridle and saddle. I pulled myself up on to her back and squeezed her sides. We took off and cantered up the stone track.

I the distance, I could hear Mother yelling for me to come back.

I turned a corner and rode out onto the grass plains, my hair trailing behind me, blown back by the wind.

***

I don't know how long I rode for but I suddenly noticed that I didn't know where I was. I slowed Storm down to a walk and turned her around.

We were at the top of a hill, with a row of trees to our right and a town in the distance. Was that Mythgrave? Or was that another town, with another King and Queen?

I panicked as I heard shouts then. I look over my shoulder to the line of trees and saw a group of men on horses coming towards me. The man at the front put his hand up and they slowed.

Oh no, I thought, more people seeing me out of the castle boundaries.

As the man got closer, I realized who it was.

"Duke." I said, as if we were passing in the street.

"The King sent word to me." he said strongly. "He told me that you had run out the castle looking distressed. I came immediately with the best team I could gather. Come, Princess Hilda, let me take you back."

He motioned to the others and they left, heading back to the trees. Then he turned back to me.

"I do not need help," I said, "I am quite capable of making my own way back."

"Please, let me ride with you." Changing the subject, he said, "I did enjoy last night. You looked stunning."

"Oh, and I don't look stunning now?" I teased.

"My Lady," Duke said, looking embarrassed, "of course you do, I was-"

"I was pulling you leg!" I interrupted him, giggling.

He laughed and relaxed. This meant that I did the same.

"You are a good Fighter, I hear. And you are a good Hunter. Father used to take Lena and I hunting when we were young, I quite enjoyed it." I said, trying to make conversation.

"You know how to hunt?"

"Well, I'm sure I'm no good now..."

"Really?" He looked sidelong at me. He had tied his hair back, and I thought that he looked quite attractive! "Would you like to have a go with my bow and arrow?"

I considered this for a moment and said, "did my Father ask you to bring me straight back?"

"Does that matter? You are with me, are you not? You are safe."

"Yes, then, I would like to have a go."

We rode into the nearby copse of trees where we dismantled from our horses and Duke found a target for me.

"Here," he said as he handed me the weapon,"you remember how to use it?"

"How can I forget?"

"Right then. I want you to aim for the knot in the tree just there." As he pointed, his arm brushed mine and I felt sparks fly between us.

"Gosh," I said, "I will try, I can't promise you anything though!"

I raised the bow and arrow and pulled the string back. I look right at the target, aimed and fired. There was a dull thud where the arrow met it's mark.

"Bravo!" Duke exclaimed.

I laughed and looked at him, speechless. Father always did say that I was a good shot, still, I did surprise myself!

Duke walked to the tree to collect the arrow. I really did like him.

As he was coming back, I realized wanted to be near him. He got closer and closer to me and as he reached out to take the bow, I grabbed the front of his hunting gear. The arrow left his hand and the bow left mine as I felt his hands move around my waist. In one swift movement, his lips plunged onto mine, slow at first but becoming evermore passionate. I moved my hands to the back of his neck and he picked me up. I wrapped my legs around his waist and I felt a tree on my back to support me. Red hot pulses were being sent through my body and I could hear my heart beating in my ears.

We broke apart, our chests rising and falling. I looked right into his eyes and saw the fire behind them. He moved away from the tree, placing me back on the ground. I could feel how flushed my cheeks were and if his were that scarlet, what did I look like?

"I-" we both started at once.

I looked away and laughed. What had just happened?

He bent down and picked up his bow and his arrow. He placed them back where they belonged in his gear. He came towards me then, hand outstretched. He placed it on my cheek. I melted at his touch. Scraping a loose strand of hair behind my ear, Duke bought our faces level and he brushed his lips with mine.

"I have never done that before." I whispered.

"Of course you haven't." He breathed.

I smiled a true smile.