The Unknown Princess

A New Connection

"You look beautiful miss.." He finally said, complimenting her beauty. He had to admit, that she was the most beautiful woman he had ever met.

The girl only smiles with a gentle curve on her lips "I think it's me who should said otherwise... You are the strangest person...yet..that I have ever met..you look beautiful too...but you look handsome because of you human figure.." soon the animals start to come closer when they feel it is safe. The small animals like birds and squirrels are now getting on her lap to chill out.

"I'm sorry if our few acquaintances didn't work out as you like...as you can see... actually I'm half human...and half..curse elf...the magical beasts in the forest grant me mortality...as an exchange...I got cursed..good cursed...I can change into any animal I want so I can become one with the forest.." her voice was really sweet, she was so polite and her hand gesture stroking the animals was so gentle "I didn't even get to know you better because I'm scared...like what you see just now.."

Kiyan nodded as he heard her story, understanding now her powers of morphing into animals. It was quite interesting magic. "My name is Kiyan Nightfall, crown prince of the Rosemeyer Kingdom." He introduced himself. Though he does mingle with even the commoners, he still carries his title with pride and so he's used to introducing himself this way. "I'm glad to have met your acquaintance. But you haven't told me your name yet."

The girl was somehow too shy to look into the man's eyes. She only smiles as she hangs her head low in respect of the prince. She kept on stroking the red panda on her lap lovingly "My name is Flavia Fae Exodus..but you can call me Fay...it's what most magical beasts would call me..I'm sorry for my rudeness this morning your highness...I guess it would explain how you are the only person that can see me and not your guard...you are half-elf yourself...thank you...for helping me out from those hunters...I wish I could pay you more than just my life.." she held her head up to look at him with such gratitude and sincerity "If you could name your price...I would like to pay for your deeds.."

Kiyan thought about it for a moment before shaking his head. "I fail to see how monetary reward benefits me now." He chuckled. "I came here of my own volition. It was originally to chase down rumors and to have a sense of adventure, but now I see it's far more interesting than that."

He smiled at her as he saw her look up at him. "But if you wish, I would like you to return with me back to the kingdom. I'm sure I'll be able to fix you with the best accommodations there, Fay." He offered.

Fay was surprised with the offer. She was seriously surprised because she never thought of stepping into the human world for so long. During all those years of her growing up, she never knew what it was like to be in the human world but she really wanted to know and feel the sensation of new experience. She was just starting to get excited but thinking about her responsibility in the forest. Her smile was so fast fading away "I'm deeply sorry Your Majesty..but I have my own life here...and I can't just leave all those animals...they need me.. without me none of them will be safe from hunters..." It hurt to reject the offer, moreover, she thinks that her guardian wouldn't agree with her anyway

Kiyan expected her to say something like that, but it was worth trying anyway. He smiled and respected her decision. "I understand, but I would still like to visit you here in the forest if it's alright with you." He said.

"You're quite interesting for someone who has lived their whole life here. I want to get to know you better." He told her and gently reached out to hold her hand.

The animals on her lap run away and hide behind her. Fay raised her head to look into his eyes with embarrassment. It can be seen because her fair-skinned face suddenly turns reddish on her cheek. Once he held her hand, she could feel a new sensation and it was really warm. Fay gently rubbed his hand with her thumb, it was big compared to her slim fingers. "I...I should ask the authority above me...my life depends on them...I can't just make decisions for myself..."

"I don't mind, but I hope they'll allow it." Kiyan leaned down to kiss the back of her hand. "You are very beautiful, Fay. I..I really would like to get to know you better. A part of me wishes to see you in our next social season back at the kingdom." He remarked. "At least consider it."

Fay can feel her face burning from nervousness and embarrassment. She averted her eyes and gently pulled away her hands, it was sort of shaking from shy because he just kissed her skin. The warmth is still attached to her skin "I will...it's getting late. The moon surpassed faster which could only mean the magical beasts want me to come home...please...don't trouble yourself coming here again..I'm not going to let anything happen to you if they know about you.."

Kiyan nodded once and stood up straight again. "Even so, I hope I'll get to see you again. I'll find a way to." He said sincerely as he turned to walk away. "Fay.. it is quite a nice name." He complimented with a chuckle as he waved goodbye.

Fay covers her mouth looking at him with her eyes wide. her heart beating so fast for the first time ever. she closes her eyes tight taking a deep breath to calm down. instead, she moves away with a broad smile that she can't hold. hoping tomorrow would make her feel the same way

Kiyan looked up at the night sky as he made his way back to the kingdom, remembering the forest path he had taken. "Fay..it was a good thing I chased down those rumors after all."