The Key ♕

9

Sophie's Point of View

A knock on my door interrupts my daydream about Lucas's strange behavior. "Sophie?" Nathaniel's gentle voice calls out, "are you awake? Can I come in?"

"Yes, please come in," I call.

He enters my room wearing a less formal beige shirt and black trousers. My heart skips a beat at how well those clothes compliment him. "Sophie, sorry for disturbing you. I want to talk to you about Prince Lucas."

"Not at all, Nathaniel," his name still leaves a tingle on my lips. "What is it?"

He smiles, perhaps to my riddance of the formal demeanor. "Did he do anything to you after I left today? Say anything to you?" Worry forms in his captivating eyes.

I smile at him and put a hand on his arm to pull him into the room, "everything is fine, Nathaniel. Don't worry about me." I scowl slightly when Lucas's laughter wanders in to my mind.

"I heard about what happened with Lucas," he says.

I blush and bite my lip, "I know I was extremely rude. I regret it with all my heart. It hurts me to know that I was willing to throw away what you gave me just because I was angry."

His gaze softens as he reaches out to touch my hair, "it's alright, Sophie. I'm glad you stayed." I look at Nathaniel, finding myself unable to peel my gaze away from his beautiful green eyes. He pulls his hand away and I snap out of my trance.

"I'm glad I stayed, too," I smile.

"Please promise me if he does anything to you, you have to tell me," he says sternly and presses his lips into a thin line.

"I promise, Nathaniel," I giggle when his name slips out of my mouth so smoothly.

He grins, "what's so funny?"

"Being able to call a lord without his title... it's quite strange."

"Well, you're a lady yourself," he chuckles.

"I know, but a few days ago, I was just a plain old farmer's child who worked at a bar. Now, I'm the princess's lady in waiting. This all happened so fast."

"But do you like it? Your new life?"

"I do, Nathaniel. It's all thanks you," I smile genuinely, looking admiringly at him.

"I'm glad you're smiling more," he says.

I blush madly, charmed by his charisma. "It's all thanks to you," I repeat.

We just stand there, smiling at each other. After a few dreamlike moments, he speaks up, "well, I should get going. See you tomorrow, my lady."

I gasp, "my lady?"

"Yes, lady Sophie," he grins widely.

I grin back playfully, "I thought we agreed to call each other by our names only."

"You agreed, not me," he jokes, the smile never leaving his face.

"I guess I'll have to get used to that," I reply teasingly.

We say our goodbyes and I press my back against the closed door. Nathaniel... I'm so glad you found me.