·✧•· 𝑭𝒂𝒍𝒍𝒊𝒏𝒈 𝑭𝒐𝒓 · 𝑻𝒉𝒆 𝑪𝒓𝒐𝒘𝒏 𝑻𝒉𝒊𝒆𝒇 ·✧•·

· ⋄ 𝐂𝐡𝐚𝐩𝐭𝐞𝐫 𝟓 ⋄ · ﴾𝑵𝒐𝒕 𝑨𝒔 𝑰𝒕 𝑺𝒆𝒆𝒎𝒔﴿ ·

"A few weeks?" Esmeralda questions, trying to mask the glee in her tone.

"Yes. But don't worry we will return before you know it." Her father assures, briefly resting a hand on her shoulder.

The royal looks to her mother who simply nods in accord.

As the princess ponders all the adventurers she could go on in the time their time away, a sudden realization strikes her excitement. She reflects on a few nights ago when her parents were discussing her betrothal.

"What kind of trip is it?" She queries, hoping not to come off as suspicious.

The King and Queen glance at each other, their stoic expressions a second from caving in.

"Just the ordinary." The Queen expresses, not meeting her daughter's gaze.

"Why don't you use this time to relax." Her father comforts her, flashing a weary but affectionate smile.

"Alright..." Esmeralda mutters. Collecting herself, she smiles thinly.

She watches her mother and father quickly exit her room. Pacing to the doors, she presses her ear where they meet.

She hears the familiar flickering of the locks. The faint chorus of armor ricochets through the hall. The ruckus is followed by each of the royal's guards saluting to the monarchs as they depart.

Her parents' footsteps eventually dwindle into silence. A wave of relief washes over her as she suspects it's only a matter of time before they are far away from the palace and even further away from Moominhollow.

Esmeralda lays on her bed, cheek resting on her hand, she jolts down every painfully long minute that passes.

"An hour and 60 minutes... An hour and 61 minutes... Wait, no that can't be right." She groans as she crosses out the incorrect tally.

The royal jolts as metal banging rings throughout her chamber. Glancing at the windowsill, a familiar silhouette lingers in the arch.

She jumps out of bed.

Throwing the heavy gates open, she stares up at the mumrik. He smiles down at her as he casually leans against the frame.

Before he can utter a word she places a finger over her lips. "Shh... Keep quiet. The guards are in the hall." She whispers.

A look of understanding washes over the outlaw's face. "Ah." In a tamer tone, he continues. "Sorry if I kept you waiting. What were you writing?" He asks curiously.

"Oh, just counting down the minutes until I went completely insane." The Princess jests.

The young man chuckles softly. "Well, then it's a good I came just in time." He jokes back, a playful smirk on his lip as he meets the girl's eye.

The royal finds herself smiling back.

She takes a moment to take in the shift in energy between them. It was different, lighter, and fond. This new side to the criminal was infectious, Esmeralda could get used to it.

The thief also seemed delighted by her company.

"Right then. Are you ready to go?" He asks, walking to the window sill. He skillfully leaps onto the edge, still startling the girl as he does. "I hope you are better prepared this time." He says, holding his hand out to her.

The princess is quick to politely reject it.

"Actually! That won't be necessary. Luckily for us, I've found a better means of escaping the palace." She declares confidently.