~THE DIAMOND AND THE RUNAWAY PRINCE~

00

"I ASSUME THAT THE QUEEN WOULD NOT BE PLEASED SEEING AN INTRUDER WITHIN THE GROUNDS OF THE PALACE" A voice teased.

"A gentleman does not intrude if the grounds are the land of his own" He spoke as he stared at the wall feeling the presence behind him get closer, imagining the multiple ways he could escape from the eyes of the American Ton. His hold tightened on the sword in his grip as he felt the wind tickle his cheeks. "Besides, the Queen does not do well with intruders and if anything, I would be correct to assume that you do not belong on the palace grounds as I have never seen—-" Arthur lost his voice as he turned to face the intruder to his escape.

The air was knocked out of his lungs as he gazed at the lady in front of him. Surprise took over his features before it was replaced with interest at the sight before him, of the lady that managed to catch him in the act of his attempted escape.

A short, curly-haired brunette lady stood opposite him leaning against the pillar of the small garden house that he and his father had built back when they were Farmer George and Just Arthur. Her dress stood out against the colors of the garden as she was soaked in the rays of sun, staring at him in curiosity as if she were an angel descended on Earth. She was beautiful, an ever-lovely jewel staring at him with a look that made him feel complete. Her dress was a light shade of cream, lace patterns traced the edges of her dress and were lined with small flowers. He found himself taking a liking towards her for she was not like the rest of the ladies of the Ton throwing themselves at him upon realizing that he was the heir to the throne and an eligible bachelor of the season.

"I find myself amused by the idea that someone would successfully manage to break into the palace grounds." The lady said as Arthur cleared his throat, managing to muster up the courage to continue the banter between them. "And what would you do if this intruder takes a step closer to the palace?" He asked as she glanced at him before her gaze fell to his sword, to the sword with the Royal family's symbol engraved on the hilt.

"An intruder and a thief?" If the lady knew of his identity she did not speak of it as she shifted under the weight of the silence.

Arthur brought a hand behind his neck and rubbed a hand across the back of his head as he spoke, a fluttering feeling made a home in his chest. "I-If a thief as handsome as I were to break into the Palace then I assume that the rest of the Ton would see me as their prince rather than an intruder." His eyes fell to the Emerald green book in her hand.

"I take it that if you claim to be the prince then the real prince must either be a beast or a troll to not be seen within the public eye."

"And why is that?"

"Why is he a beast? Well, if I must humor you... No one will speak of him, no one. He is clearly a beast or a troll" Arthur chuckled as he felt himself start to smile at the lady's sense of humor.

"Would you think he is that hideous to have all the ladies of the Ton swooning over him?" He asked as he watched her, her features morphing into confusion.

"It is not about whether he is handsome or not, it is about whether the ladies of the Ton truly see him for who he is." Arthur smiled, registering her words.

"And what is this prince wanting to accomplish by sneaking into the palace?" The lady tilted her head in the direction of the palace turning her attention back to the original conversation they were having as Arthur swore. If she continued to look at him like that he was ready to be undone by her, to have his secrets laid bare and to kneel before her. "To get the name of the beautiful lady standing in front of him."

"And what would I get in return by giving you my name?" She teased as he took a step closer to her, making the distance between them smaller. The distance between them was a few steps which Arthur had bridged, leaning closer to the lady who looked at him through her lashes.

The tension between them was thick as Arthur subtly glanced at her lips. He leaned closer to her as he whispered and tucked a daisy behind her ear. "A scandal." He felt the brunette laugh at his words as Arthur grinned, accidentally inhaling her scent of Macadamia mixed with a sweet tickling smell of rose water. "Oh, the horror for us to end up within the title of Lady Whistledown's columns."

"Well, then we should be grateful to be away from the watchful eyes of the Ton." Arthur said as he watched a cheeky smile fill the brunette's features.

"Oh, it is certainly a relief to be within the scandalous American society." The American society... the society he did not belong to but had to fulfill his duty of establishing a relationship between himself and the Duke of Tintagel as the heir to the throne.

He watched as she gently pushed him away, the warmth from her hand spread through his body as he watched her grab the sword from his sheath and pointed it at him with a sheepish smile on her face. "Well, my prince, I might have to kill you for the ruin of the Queen's diamond."

"And I would be delighted to die at the hands of yours, my lady." Arthur raised his hands in surrender as he placed the blade of the sword on his shoulder. "If you're going to draw the blade, make sure you know how to use the sword first, my lady." A blush tinted the brunette's cheeks and Arthur felt a surge of pride fill him, he liked the power he had of being the one to make her blush.

"All of this just because I caught you within the act of fleeing the palace grounds." So she knew, she knew of his true intentions and yet, continued to treat him as a normal human being. She pulled the sword away from him and handed it to him.

"Edwina Sharma." She introduced herself.

"I am Prin– ...I am Just Arthur," He replied.

"I take it that you are the Runaway Prince." Arthur shifted uncomfortably at the mention of the reputation he had earned from himself as the lady, Edwina Sharma, gave him a reassuring smile. "I'm only curious, I suppose I didn't expect you to be handsome." She joked as Arthur grinned realizing the meaning behind her words.

"Only if you are Mother's favorite Diamond." Edwina nodded at him hesitantly as Arthur took a seat on the stairs of the garden house. "I must take my leave; the sun is starting to set." Disappointment filled Arthur as his grin fell and he nodded at her words. "I– –Would I see you again, Miss. Sharma?" He found himself asking as Edwina giggled.

"I thought we were past formalities Just Arthur, please call me Edwina." Arthur's heart skipped a beat upon hearing the endearment of 'Just Arthur' spoken by the ethereal beauty known as his mother's favorite Diamond. "I do believe we shall cross paths and if we do not then it will be I that will sneak into the palace grounds." Her tone carried amusement as Arthur chuckled.

"Then I shall ensure that you are successful in your break in, Edwina."