The Princess and The Captain

Part 2- Carriage Ride

Besides the clunking of horse hooves and creaking of wooden wheels on the stone streets, the carriage ride to Lilith was silent. Emory focused on the fluffy cushions that lined the seats and the soft, violet drapes that prevented the outside world from peering into the carriage. The captain was deep in thought, still inwardly debating whether this late-night rendezvous was safe for the princess that sat directly across from her. She had been fighting the urge to gaze at the heir for the entire ride, afraid that she wouldn't be able to look away.

It had been years since they had first met- only children at the time. Emory didn't know when friendly affection for the princess had turned into something more – something she couldn't and wouldn't describe – but she couldn't say it was a surprising development. The mocha-skinned beauty before her was sweet and caring, yet still fierce and a bit wild at heart. She had drawn the captain in with a brilliant smile and a spirit full of adventure and Emory couldn't help but long for Aspen's affection.

"Can I ask you something?" The princess wondered, breaking Emory's train of thought.

With a nod, "Of course, Princess. Though, I can't promise you'll receive an answer in return." Emory answered. She bit back a mischievous grin at Aspen's eye roll.

"Why are you always so difficult?" Aspen asked in a huff.

Emory examined her with narrowed eyes, "Was that your question?" She found it harder and harder to keep her smile at bay.

Despite herself, the princess felt a smile of her own growing from the captain's cheeky behavior, "Maybe I should suggest my father change your title from captain to jester, seeing that you're so ready for a good laugh these days."

"Now, now, your highness, let's not be hasty," Emory started with her hands up in surrender, "I look much better in uniform than that motley costume." She winked, now letting her grin spread across her face freely.

The princess hummed, "Agreed."

And there it was again. That familiar charge Emory felt in the air when they were alone for a moment too long. She didn't respond to the confession but took the time to gaze into Aspen's earthy eyes. The captain was always mesmerized by how deep they seemed, but she didn't look long as she noticed Aspen's fingers fidgeting nervously in her lap. Emory briefly wondered what she was nervous about before her thoughts were once again interrupted by Aspen's voice.

"Why don't you ever address me by my name?" she asked pensively.

Emory raised a brow at the question, her grin involuntarily fading as she was snapped back into their reality. They may have been friends of sorts, but they were not equal. Aspen was the heir to the throne, and Emory was just her protector. The first of many. She ought to be scanning the passing streets for incoming danger, not having banter with the princess as if she were a nobleman herself. Emory chastised herself for once again becoming distracted by Aspen's appeal.

"It is bad form for a guard to address their superior by name." The captain finally responded. It was more of a recitation than anything at this point. Emory's father had drilled that particular lesson into Emory's head more times than she could count growing up.

The princess seemed to mull the answer over in her head for a few moments. Emory watched as her brows furrowed and her lips formed a slight pout at the concept.

Adorable.

"What if your superior doesn't wish to be addressed by title?" She wondered.

Emory blinked, "Then a guard should address them as sir or lady..." This was an answer entirely fabricated by the captain herself. In actuality, she didn't know what the official protocol would be. Every other nobleman was content with how things were done; therefore, the issue had never been discussed.

"That's still a title of sorts. I want you to call me by my name. Like you did before you became captain." Aspen declared, nodding her head as if she were agreeing with her own decree.

"Princess-"

"Aspen." She scolded gently.

Emory sighed at the girl's stubbornness, "I can't just- That's not the way things are done."

"Well, maybe it's foolish the way things are done." Aspen huffed.

The captain shook her head, once again amused at the princess' antics, "Maybe you're just accustomed to getting what you want."

A scoff sounded through the carriage, "Are you calling me spoiled captain? Because I could have you beheaded for your insolence." Aspen's teasing tone was anything but threatening as she folded her arms.

Emory fought a grin for what felt like the hundredth time that night, "Ah, but then who would you have to secretly escort you to masquerade balls and such?" She mused, making the princess giggle.

"I'm sure your successor would manage." Aspen's teeth were on full display as she smiled at Emory, and there was nothing the captain loved more than to see happiness on the princess' face. Aspen skipped a beat before speaking again, "Perhaps when we're alone, you can refer to me by name, and when others are present, you address me as-"

"Royal pain in my arse?" Emory interrupted, unable to stop herself from teasing the woman before her.

A surprised laugh escaped the princess' lips, "I was going to say Aspen but if you would like to roll the dice with such an affectionate title, be my guest."

The two grinned at each other, both completely content with the flow of conversation thus far. Emory considered the request. She knew what the protocol did and didn't allow, no matter how many persons were present, but as Aspen smiled over at her with a look that Emory could only describe as radiant, she didn't much care for protocol.

"Alright, Aspen," She relented, testing the name on her tongue for the first time in years. "As you wish."

The girl squealed in excitement as she usually did when she got what she wanted, but the carriage stopped before anything else could be said.

Aspen's face twisted in confusion. There was no music, no chatter of townsfolk, no pitter-patter of feet rushing into the venue. She pulled a silk drape away from the carriage's window to reveal an empty street, save for the small home they had stopped in front of and a sole street lamp illuminating the otherwise dark road.

"Emory...Where are we?" She asked, not moving her gaze from the outside.

The captain opened the door and stepped out of the carriage, stretching her legs and securing her sword as she did so.

"Well, Aspen, we're going to a party. I can't very well show up in this stuffy uniform if I'm arriving with someone as," Beautiful, stunning, magnificent, "Prestigious as yourself. Especially if we're trying to be as unsuspecting as possible."

Aspen nodded, stepping out of the carriage with the captain's help, "Alright. So, we are...at a seamstress?" She guessed and smiled contently when Emory nodded in confirmation, "What kind of dress can be made on such short notice?" The princess pondered out loud as Emory led her towards the tiny building.

Emory chuckled at the question, "Oh no, I don't do dresses." When she caught Aspen's questioning gaze, she shrugged, "It's much harder to strike a man down in a corset than it is in finely stitched tunic and trousers, princess."

An exasperated sigh left the heir as she fixed Emory with a disapproving glare at the use of her title once again.

The captain chuckled, amused, "Let's go inside. Wren will have my head for waking her at this hour."

Aspen faltered in surprise, "Who is Wren?"