A Noble Heart

4⚜

"Hello, dears, what were you doing just now?" asks the King. "Oh, I was just looking at some flowers.." I smile awkwardly, then I look at Nathan. "What were you two talking about?" he says firmly. I look at Edward with a slight bit og guilt. "We were just talking about the flowers.." I say. Nathan glances at Edward and then stares at me, making me a titbit uncomfortable. The Queen sense a tension between us, so she tries to break it off.. "Say.. isn't the weather lovely today?" she says.

..But to no avail. After a moment, a gush of wind attacks us. It sends some of our stuff flying away and the trees wobble wickedly, indicating an incoming storm.. Everyone is shocked at what happened.

"WE MUST RETURN IMMEDIATELY! IT'S NOT SAFE HERE!" shouts one of the guards, trying to fight the loud sound of the angry wind. The sun disappears impetuously, covered by by angry dark clouds in the sky. Birds fly rapidly away, seeking shelters just as humans would. I try to grab my shoes in a state of panic and after nearly losing it, I caught it and I got up to find the others. I try to run quickly towards the King, Queen and Prince but the faster I run, the more their figures blend in with the dark and foggy surroundings.

"Nathan!!" I shout. I stop from running to catch my breath and to hear for a reply but all that I could hear is a barely audible scream which slowly disappears. The wind starts to grow fiercer and stronger, making me unbalanced, thus, it knocks me to the ground and I lose grip of my shoes. Yes, I was running bare feet because it was easier. "Your Highness!" I look behind me and see Edward closing in on me. "Your Highness! Are you alright? We have to go, it's dangerous here!" he says as he kneels next to me.

Seeing my on the ground, Edward picks me up and runs to the direction he came from; behind me. "Edward, they went that way!" I point in the direction I was running towards to change his mind, but failed. "I'm sorry, Your Highness, it's dangerous there! We must seek shelter promptly!" he says. "But that's where they went!" I shout back. "It's too dangerous, Your Highness! I must prioritise your safety!" Edward replies. At last, I give in. Edward continues to run for shelter and I watch as my destination becomes further and further. The world, becoming darker and darker.. I think I'm about to black out-..

~~~~~~~~~~

Oh, my head.. I open my eyes slowly.. This is.. not my room..? I'm lying on a.. sofa...

"Your Highness, are you awake?" I look to my right and see Edward sitting next to me. "Edward.. where are we?" I slowly sit up and Edwards props me up. "We are in.. Ms. Mila's house.." he says. A kind-looking middle-aged woman appears in front of me. "Hello dear, I'm Ms. Mila.. How are you feeling?" she says with a smile. "Better, thank you.." I say. I look to Edward for answers.

"I managed to find a small town with houses.. Mr. Mila here agreed to give us temporary shelter. She's a kind woman," Edward says. "A small town?? How far off are we from the castle??" I say. "Castle? Why are you two headed to the castle? You two seem to have very fancy clothes too!" says Ms. Mila. "We.. had business with the King.. that's why our attires are a bit formal.. It's um.. a costume..." says Edward. He signals his mouth shut.

He wants to keep it a secret? Why? "Ahh, I see.. Here, dears, I made porridge for you," says Ms. Mila. "Thank you.." I respond. Ms. Mila hands us two freshly made bowls of hot porridge. "I'll leave you two be now," she says. I turn to Edward as Ms. Mila leaves the room. "Edward, what are we waiting for? Let's go back!" I say. "I'm sorry, Your Highness.. I'm afraid we aren't going anywhere with this stormy weather," Edward replies.

I look around the room and spot a window-- it is, indeed, raining heavily. "How long have we been here and why did I pass out?" I say. "We've been here for approximately two hours and.. perhaps you've been feeling.. dizzy?" says Edward. "Two hours?? Were you awake the whole time?" I ask. "Of course, Your Highness, and the rain hasn't stopped at all," he says. "Then how do we return?" I ask worriedly.