The Crimson Contract

Chapter 2

"Princess!" Leonna shouted for Eleanor, chasing her as the princess ran through the castle. "Prince Alexander is waiting for you! Please stop."

Leonna was one of the youngest of Eleanor's many ladies in waiting. Usually, she would help in dressing the royal, not interacting with her otherwise, but today was different. All the others were busy at the Queen's request, so Leonna had to look after Eleanor.

"Tell him I don't want to see him," she stopped for a second, before running off again. Leonna sighed, regretting her decision to let her blonde hair loose today. Eleanor was usually a pleasure to be around, she was much kinder than the King and Queen, but it seemed her fiance seemed to change her.

"Don't worry, I'll handle her," Leonna felt a hand rest on her tiny shoulder. She turned to see Prince Alexander, dressed in a soldier's attire, his other hand on the handle of his sword. She jumped back, surprised by the interaction, but nodded.

"Yes, your Highness."

Alexander had dealt with troublesome soldiers all the time. Most of them were kids, but he was sure he could handle a childish princess. At least she didn't have any weapons to hurt herself.

He followed Eleanor down the long hall, much faster than Leonna. This castle was unfamiliar to him, the dark brown walls engraved with designs he had never seen.

He snapped his attention back to the brunette princess, her hair floating as she turned a corner. Alexander sped up, Eleanor almost within his reach.

She threw open the library doors, her chest rising and falling as she hurried to find a hiding stop.

Alexander was mere seconds behind her, but the library was a maze, one that the princess had learned to decipher as a child.

She slid between the shelves, her steps slowing down to not make a sound. She held her dress, a modest pink, that fell just above her feet like a stream.

Alexander tried to follow her into the maze of books. His instincts of a soldier shot up, trying to pick up any noise between the shelves. They were made of dark wood, so smooth to the touch that it could be mistaken for marble.

Books filled the shelves, most of them showing their old age with yellowing pages and worn covers, while some stood out with brighter colours.

If he didn't have a task at hand, Alexander would've considered picking up one of those books, settling for a few hours in the dark corners and reading.

A crash reminded him of his current task. A few shelves away, Eleanor winced at the stack of books she had sent falling over. She quickly moved away from them, in an attempt to escape Alexander.

"That's enough of your hide and seek," a voice made her freeze. It came from behind her, satisfaction slipping from the prince's voice.

"Who said we were playing hide and seek," Eleanor replied with a surge of courage. "I appreciate your concern for me, your Highness, but I'm perfectly fine, so I'd prefer you leave me be."

"As much as I would love to do that princess, I'm assigned to look after you," he glared. "So unless you want to start another war, cooperate."

"How about," Eleanor crossed her arms. "We make a bet."

As much as she wanted to keep the peace, she would do just about anything to escape the confinement of Alexander's protection.

"Three different competitions," She decided. "If I win, you leave me alone for the month."

"And if I win?"

"Then you get anything you want from me," Eleanor finished. She exhaled confidence with her every breath, hoping her desperation wouldn't seep through.