The Scarlet Lillie

Saved

Chapter 7

I ran straight into the next alley without hearing the horses coming. When I saw them coming, I was stricken with even more fear and was rooted to the spot. Thank goodness the rider had a better reaction time than I did and pulled his horse to a stop before running me over.

"There she is!" I heard the men shout. I looked back to where I came from and saw the men making their way towards.

I didn't even give the rider on the horse a second glance before darting into the alley and ducking behind the corner. I had to catch my breath.

"Excuse me." A new voice said. "But would you mind telling me what is going on?" I peaked around the corner and couldn't believe what I saw; the three men were on their knees in front of the man on the horse.

"That woman doesn't know her place." The one I vandalized explained. "She attacked us for no reason."

The boy looked my way, and I quickly hide behind the corner. "Hm... I see." He said. "Listen, I'm sure she had a reason, but didn't care to share it with you. Please, forget about her and return to your homes." The three men hesitated, but I could tell they wouldn't dare defy this boy.

"Yes, my lord." They said and quietly backed into the alley.

I let out a sigh; They were gone.

"Excuse me." Someone said, right next to me.

I jumped and backed away from whoever it was. Unfortunately, the ground was uneven where I landed and I fell back.

The ally was dark, so I couldn't see his face. But his size told me he was my age, or maybe older.

"I'm sorry if I startled you." He said. "But I don't want to hurt you." Looking up to him, I felt even more cornered then I had before. He held up his hands. "Look, no weapons." He said, then offered me hand up.

I stared at it, then, finally accepted it. He helped me up and waited as I brushed off the dirt.

"What's your name?" He asked.

"It is not proper to ask for another's name when you have not given your own." I replied, keeping my head down.

He looked surprised, but laughed it off. "You are right. How rude of me. My name is Prince Zachariah. It's a pleasure to meet you." I looked up. He was the Prince?! This had to be some twisted thing the fates had conjured up.

"It's an honor, your majesty." I said curtsying. "But I do not think you want to know my name. I am not one people like to know." I said.

The Prince shook his head. "But I do."

I lowered my head again. "I'm sorry, your majesty, but I can't." I tried to turn and leave him, but he placed a gentle hand on my shoulder.

"Why not? Please, tell me." He asked.

I hesitated. "My family does not know where I am nor whom I'm with. I ran away, you see, but now all I want it to return to them."

He backed up and motioned towards the mouth of the alley. "Then let me give you a ride. Please, allow me to do at least that."

I studied him. Nothing about his body language set anything off, and neither did his tone. I nodded.

"If you insist." I followed him out of the alley and to his horse. The second we stepped into the light, I was taken by how handsome he was. With long, dark brown hair and piercing green eyes, he was without a doubt one of the most handsome people I'd ever seen.

He had two other men on chestnut mares, both carrying weapons.

"Don't mind them." Zachariah whispered to me. "They don't do anything unless I tell them." I nodded.

He mounted his white horse, and then helped me up. "Where do you live?" He asked.

"I live outside of this city." I said. "My parents never let me come, and I just wanted to know what it was like inside the walls."

Zachariah urged his stallion foreword. "Well, I hope your experience today didn't send the wrong idea." He said, taking a new road. "Philite is normally a very decent place to be."

I raised an eyebrow that I knew he could not see. "Oh really?"

He nodded as we took another exit. "Yes. I can give my word on that." He replied. We took another road and came to the main entrance. He continued down the road anyway.

"Excuse me, but you can let me off here." I said. He nodded and pulled on the reins. He slid off and then helped me down.

"May I see your face?" He asked.

I nodded and slowly pulled my hood back just enough to reveal my face. He seemed at a loss for words. I giggled at his expression, causing him to blush.

"Um," he said and cleared his throat. "Maybe I can give you a tour one day." He offered.

I smiled. "Thank you, your majesty. Unfortunately, I do not think I will be able to get away from my family again."

He nodded. "I can understand that. But just in case you do, I will have a guard posted at the gate. Just give him your name and he will escort you to the palace so I can give you that tour." I smiled. "A great plan. Now, I must get going. Thank you, your majesty. For everything you have done for me today." I said. After curtsying, I began walking down the road.

"Wait!" He called. "What is your name? You never told me."

I looked at him. "My name is Scarlet. Good day, my Prince." I said and took off down the road.