The Abandoned Princess: Promises Arc

Chapter 8

𝕾𝖔𝖓𝖌 𝖙𝖔 𝖑𝖎𝖘𝖙𝖊𝖓 𝖙𝖔: 𝕳𝖊𝖞 𝕾𝖙𝖊𝖕𝖍𝖊𝖓 𝖇𝖞 𝕿𝖆𝖞𝖑𝖔𝖗 𝕾𝖜𝖎𝖋𝖙

***

Stunning as the water droplets created many hues, he became my comfort when I was unable to shake my previous daydream. The way his warm skin touched mine, the way his bright smile lit up my face, and the way he looked at me as though there was nothing more than any hope for me

What is it about him that makes my chest feel at ease all the time? Despite the fact that I was submerged in water, I was able to float above it. I just don't know sometimes.

Though I've learned in the past that knowing something could be dangerous, maybe knowing it would be preferable. I would be happy to know nothing more about this if it weren't harmful.

"Come on, this would be fun," he said softly, eclipsing the strange emotions I'd managed to push aside. I smiled and shook my head. Perhaps today would only be enjoyable if I accompanied him on his adventure, hopefully by the end of this week.

"Try this," he said, entwining our hands. When I turned to face him, he was directing me towards the various stools. Though I could hardly hear Sir Francis and Anna trailing behind, I knew Henry would not let go of my hands.

Not when I sensed his hold tightening. It was me who seemed to release his grip on my hand. He stopped and forced me to test out a few of the clips on a stool. An elderly woman grinned at us as she sat in front of us.

She laughed even as she glanced down at our hands and at Henry. She shook her head and moved towards us, albeit still not quite as close as Henry and I were.

The old woman said in a lovely, cheerful voice, "I guess even children nowadays would be couples," but my eyes widened when I saw what she meant.

"Ma'am, we are not---" Henry tightened his hold on my hands before I could even finish speaking. I looked from the giggling old woman to Henry, and I couldn't resist opening my lips to speak, though nothing came out.

His face is reddening, as though he's picked up a fever somewhere along the route. He might have been urging me to proceed by tugging on my hand, but that would explain why he would still want me to attempt the clip.

"I would want to give you this as an early gift for the festival tomorrow night, tiny ones. Therefore, if you come by after tomorrow, I hope you remember to wear these." The elderly woman gave Henry and me two pieces of jewelry. I have a clip with a crimson lock in the shape of a heart.

Henry had this necklace that looked like a key and was golden with a red end when I glanced at it. I thanked the woman and gave her a grin. She would just smile and brush it off, even though I was ready to pay.

I didn't know what to think when the elderly woman said, "I just hope that you two will enjoy this day," but I bowed to the elderly man, who merely waved at us with a smile. Henry then hurried me out of the location.

Actually, since Henry was holding my hand, I was just going with the flow. However, as of right now, I have no idea where we were going or how we ended up here in these bushes. Before I knew it, my gaze was aimlessly roving.

"Where are we?" I asked, not once glancing at Henry. But he only asked me another question, not providing me with an answer.

"It's beautiful, isn't it?"

"Yes, but where are we?" When I asked the same question again, something told me to turn to face the young boy, and when I did, he was staring back at me with a strange smile that was too real to ignore.

He came in closer to me, his voice still a whisper, and said, "I guess it's your first time in a place like this; no wonder." This brought back memories of the evening he initially offered me his coat, which I still own today.