Yours Truly

Chapter 5

(Edited)

"Oh my-" The female smacked her head, muttering minor profanities under her breath. Quite un-lady like though — if one would have heard them. The Brunette ran down the lane to reach Matthew, who was now under a pile of leaves, while the wheelbarrow was lying next to him, upturned.

"Sir, you O.K?" She enquired, feeling genuinely concerned.

"After being hit straight by a wheelbarrow of leaves, I am mighty fine-" The prince shook his head disapprovingly, dusting the leaves of his broad shoulders. The female held herself from rolling her eyes at his sarcastic response, though the concern in her eyes did not weaver at all.

"I sincerely apologise, sir. You see, the wheelbarrow couldn't see a man standing in its way," She tried to sound serious, but the humour in it was clearly visible. "Here let help you-" She grabbed his arm and pulled him up gracefully. Matthew could feel the firmness of her hold. She had more strength than a lady would actually have.

Now he could see her countenance more closely. The female standing in front of him indeed had a certain charm even in her facial features, but what caught his attention was her dark brown eyes that held a sparkle of mischievousness.

There was nothing like Ophelia in her beauty.

'Stop comparing every girl with Ophelia.' His conscience grunted in annoyance.

"So you are new here." Her words were more than a statement than a question. Matthew nodded slightly in response.

"Ah! So where are you heading?"

"The Palace of Celio."

"Oh," The brunette tapped her chin, trying to hide her amusement. "A blue blood?"

"Yes."

"Who are you exactly?"

"Matthew Adonis Reynard."

Her eyes widened slightly "The Prince of Jevanna?" 

Matthew nodded again in response.

'So this is the prince that father was talking about.' She wondered.

"Could you take me there?" His deep voice stopped her train of thoughts to proceed further.

'Rude much?' She thought, narrowing her eyes on him.

"Only if you say please." She crossed her arms.

Matthew rolled his eyes "Please?"

"Of course!" She replied cheerfully. "But first- I have to return this wheelbarrow to its owner."

She went to check the wheelbarrow for any flaws. The lady sighed in relief when she found none and turned it back to its former position.

"Okay, let's go then." She smiled, moving forward with the wheelbarrow with Matthew trying to keep the same pace with her.

xxxxx

After returning the wheelbarrow to its owner. Matthew began to head towards the Palace of Celio, Of course being escorted by-

Who?

He didn't ask the lady her name, right?

"Who are you exactly?" He repeated the words she asked him before, breaking the silence between them.

"A human, nothing much." She shrugged nonchalantly, while her eyes glimmered with the same mischief he saw before.

"Really? I wasn't aware of that fact."

"Well, now you do." She smirked.

"One frustrating woman you are." He rolled his eyes once again.

His words reminded her of someone, not just an ordinary someone. It reminded her of 'him'.

They used to ride on their horses in the fields. They would race past the fields of golden corns ready to be harvested and she would always win the race against him. He used to chuckle at her childlessness for taking mere challenges seriously, she would stick her tongue out in response and then he would state:

'One frustrating lady you are...'

She clenched her fist in ill humour, but of course she wouldn't let her guest know about her painful thoughts.

"For now you can just call me Patricia~" She beamed childishly.

Matthew glanced at her for a second before looking ahead once again. A comfortable silence enfolded both of them, while the moon peeked through the curtain of clouds and the breeze whispered through the empty lane. Their walk continued for another ten minutes before they finally reached The Palace of Celio.

Matthew gazed at the majestic palace that stood proudly in front of him. The Palace was as huge as their own but every corner of it seemed to shine so brightly as if it had never seen any dark days. It gave away a wonderful aura of mirth and merry. Just by looking at it any gloomy person would forget all his qualms.

But Matthew wasn't just any gloomy person, he was a Reynard.

As stubborn as a mule.

"They say that The Royal Palace is a reflection of the realm it rules." Patricia smiled, her eyes sparkling with pride. Matthew knew that here he would learn a lot about how to rule a kingdom in future.

Upon entering the Palace, an old guard halted Matthew.

"And who you might be?" He questioned in a loud, strict tone.

The prince cleared his throat "I am-"

"He is the Prince of Jevanna." Patricia cut in smoothly. The guard looked to his side and saw,

The future Queen of Cyrail.

"Princ--"

Patricia silenced him by putting a finger on her lips. It looked more like a plea than a command. Confused, Matthew turned around to look at her and she immediately looked at the sky.

"Oh look! Sirius is visible tonight." She tried her best to act natural, though she knew her act wasn't the best. She looked at Ronald, the Royal guard who was mouthing a 'but why?' at her.

Matthew turned back to the guard again who, faked a yawn. Patricia rolled her eyes at him and mouthed 'because I said so' as a reply.

"Look, I have no idea what you two are up to but can I just go inside? I need to retire to bed soon, this long journey has drained my energy," He stated, trying to keep his annoyance at bay. "Please." He added sincerely.

"Alright." the guard saluted him in respect and Matthew nodded slightly in response before looking back at his 'escort'.

"Thank you for showing the way." He bowed.

"The pleasure is all mine." She smiled and bowed back. The Prince gave a small smile before entering inside the Palace.

The brunette let out of sigh of relief.

"But Princess Jenavive, why didn't you tell him who you are?"

"Well...." She smiled with mischief playing on her lips, yet her eyes held pure innocence in them. Ronald shook his head and chuckled at her childishness, looking at her with fatherly affection in his eyes. Despite being hurt at a very young age, she knew well how to keep her true feelings concealed, just for the sake of her realm.

"Goodnight, Princess."

"Goodnight, Ronald."

He smiled waved at her before going back on duty. While she grinned and went inside the palace, knowing exactly why she wanted to keep her identity hidden, after all she loved giving people surprises.

She was Jenavive Maria Celio after all~