Fate of deception

Chapter 4 - Umaizah's POV

A little longer than five minutes went by, as we followed a path. You could see the housing of others from afar. There were only a few people around, accompanying some faint chatter.

The view was breathtaking. The sun gently ascended above the mystical village. Only leaving a dozen of stars to be seen. The sky transformed into a canvas of soft pinks and oranges, casting a warm and gentle glow. The air felt refreshing, carrying the promise of a new day filled with endless possibilities.  It was a magical moment where everything felt serene and full of hope. It never felt like this near the palace.

Amir placed his hand behind my back, with his left hand holding onto the railing guiding me down the few stairs. My eyes landed on a small building. Maybe it was the café Amir was talking about.

The entrance was treasured with ivy-covered archways. With only two more steps left, Amir pointed to the building. Close ahead was a sign, "Enchanted Brews Café".

"There it is. Doesn't seem like there's many people in at the moment." He tried looking in to get a glimpse.

I caught a glance inside the café. Thankfully, there were only around two people sat around a hearted table.

We walked in together with heated air blown in our faces. My eyes widened. The café had exposed brick walls, along with wooden furniture. The room had a vintage charm with minimalistic looks as it gave out a unique aesthetic.

It was my dream to visit a a café like this. If I ever wanted something to drink back home, I would be given it by the same servant every time. I felt the inner child in me come alive. I tried to keep my calm and embrace the excitement bubbling within. The nostalgia washed over me, transporting me back to the carefree days of laughter. The whiff of freshly baked goods filled the air.

Amir gestured me to sit on one of the nearby seats as he was going to take care of our orders. Without thinking anything of it, I made my way to sit at the corner table which made me feel hidden. I watched Amir make his way to the counter as the worker sent him a welcoming smile. I found myself unable to look away, completely captivated by his presence.
My gaze fixated on Amir's side profile. Mesmerised by his chiselled features and strong jawline.

Unaware of my surroundings, Amir returned carrying a tray of delicious baked goods and drinks. He carefully placed it on the table and settled into the seat opposite me. The aroma of the food wafted through the air, enticing me with its delightful scent. My eyes were caught on a croissant filled with chocolate and slices of bananas. The way it shimmers in the light, invited me to indulge.

Feeling the delicate layers beneath my fingers as I had taken in the scent, a tantalising blend of butter and warmth. Now I took in and savoured the first bite, allowing all the flavours to unfold on my tongue. I haven't had such baked goods like this before. The royals always kept it simple for breakfast, but also in general: unless the press was near. Even then I wasn't allowed to eat too much. I had to watch my weight to not look out of place. Besides that, the food was amazing.

Glancing at Amir, I noticed he took some of the macarons and ate half a croissant. I laid my eyes on him. He carefully ate his food as if he was on some sort of TV show that advertised his way of eating. Almost like he belonged to be in a commercial.

Without realisation, we locked eyes. It felt like time stood still every time I locked eyes with him. My heart skipped a beat and butterflies fluttered in my stomach. It felt like a spark of connection. I wanted to look away but my brain refused. A smile grew on his face. We stared into each other's eyes as we continued eating in  silence. I took the last bite of the croissant and gently took a sip of the coffee Amir bought. I looked up from my plate and saw what seemed to be Amir staring at the corner of my lips.

Why is he looking at me like that?

"Is there something wrong?"

"There's chocolate on the side of your lips," he replied. I felt myself tense up. Amir reached in the side of his pocket, revealing a handkerchief. With a swift motion, he gracefully swiped away the remnants of the chocolate from the corners of my mouth.

I froze not knowing what to do. Amir let out a chuckle, taking himself back, wiping his mouth with the same handkerchief. The ambiance was quiet. I coughed hoping it would help to break the awkwardness between us. Why would it though?

"So... do you live in this village or elsewhere?" I wondered since the Serendrian village seemed quite big when we first came.

"I do live in this village actually. It's just near the end towards the long river. I live with my parents and younger siblings."

So he has siblings.

"I have a 14 year old sister and a 5 year old brother, which leaves me to be the oldest."

It must be nice to have siblings. I'm an only child, leading me to play alone as I grew older. At times I was glad I didn't feel the need to share any of my belongings. Although, I had little to no experience socialising with others.

We can tell.

It didn't hit me as it did now that I wanted siblings. My parents never showed any affection to each other, clearing things that they didn't want a second child. It would be useless to have a second child when they had me as a heir.

Amir started to tidy the table, getting it ready for us to set off. He took the leftover food and put it in a to-go bag. I thanked the workers and headed out, following Amir. He reached for my hand, holding it tight. I closed the door, realising that the morning had started.

The sun ascended. Vibrant hues of gold and crimson painted the sky. The clouds weaved a tapestry of pink and orange, while the quaint cottages bask in the warm, ethereal glow. The breeze was filled with a sense of enchantment as nature and magic converge, creating a breathtaking spectacle that captures the heart of all who witnesses.

I snapped back to reality. Father hasn't caught me yet. I'm surprised his men haven't found me. It didn't seem like there was a search for me anyway. The streets of the village were empty only leaving elderly farmers out. It would be impossible if they don't find me in less than a week. The royal security are heavily trained to find any missing royal immediately. They could be watching me right now and I might not even notice. That was the scariest part.

I was cautious throughout the whole time I was with Amir. I felt bad knowing that I'm putting not only myself in danger but also Amir. Should I leave after this? I don't want Amir to face the consequences because of me. This was due to the fact that father would be more angry with 1) me running away and 2) meeting a total stranger who I just met almost 2 hours ago. I didn't want to kill the mood so I acted like nothing was bothering me, deep down knowing that there definitely was something.