The Shadow Princess

Chapter 2

Only on the next day Laila was called tothe main hall to meet the knight. When she arrived, she looked at the stranger with her usual bored and indifferent air. For her, he was just another pretentious stranger who was trying to save her with the intention of getting her hand in marriage. Save. A word widely used by the people around her when they talked about her, although she did not understand the motive behind it. After all, her life wasn't and had never been in danger, in contrast with the ladies of those nonsense stories she read from time to time. In such stories, the use of the term was well justified, for they were often locked in towers, kidnapped or threatened by dragons, and a knight always came to save them from these dangers. Interestingly, at the end of the stories, the donzels and the knights always "fell in love" for each other and lived "happily ever after", whatever that meant. However, despite not understanding the exact reason, she knew that her parents went to great lengths in order to "save" her. Well, giving attention to a knight more or less wouldn't make a big difference.

She was interrupted from her daydreams by the voice of the Queen:

– My daughter, please be polite and greet this young knight.

– Yes, mom. - replied Laila and bowed. The knight did the same and smiled:

– It is an honor to meet you, Your Highness.

– The honor is all mine, Sir ...

– You can call me Darius.

– As you wish, Sir Darius.

Then Laila went to sit on her place at the table, while the knight went over to his. The Queen, the King and the remaining courtiers left, and only the servants who brought the food entered the dining room. These came in quick steps and left as quickly as possible.

Laila and Darius, each arranged at the head of the long table, began to talk. In fact, the one who spoke most was Darius, as Laila was not in the habit of talking much.

– Have you been to the Amber Prairies, Your Highness?

– No, never been there.

– It's a fantastic place, I assure you. When you have the opportunity, it is worth going there to see the landscape, especially from the top of the hill, from where you see fields as far as the eye can see. From afar, you can see the orange rocks here and there shining under the sunlight, hence the name of the place. It is especially beautiful just before dusk.

– Should I undertake a trip there just to enjoy the beautiful view?

– Doesn't it seem justifiable?

– No.

– I see. Well, I would make the trip again just for the view, but this is just one of the attractions of the place. The peach liqueur form that region in said to be the best in the whole Kingdom, attracting people even from outside our borders to taste it. Of course, I never tasted all the liqueurs in the Kingdom, but I'm forced to agree that it is difficult to find something better. Have you already had the opportunity to try it?

– I never drink.

The conversation went on for about another half hour, but no matter what topic Darius started, Laila responded with negative or short answers.

Dinner ended early that evening, and everyone went to their rooms.

The next day, Darius invited Laila for a morning walk. She accepted politely. Shortly after, they were walking along the bank of the castle's lake. Again, the knight asked questions and Laila answered, but she never asked him anything. Finally, Darius ran out of ideas for new topics and let himself walk in silence beside the princess. She certainly wouldn't mind.