KAYLA.

#10

I step down from my horse, my eyes never leaving hers. This copper girl..

"Are you following me? " I ask curiously. Over the past week, I've seen her face more than enough for a complete stranger.

She frowns like I said something insulting. "Sorry no. I have better things to do than follow you Princess "

"Like stealing " I say sardonically but I regret my words faster than I spilled them.

"I'm sorry.." I say wishing she was deaf.

Her face is pretty red with embarrassment and she slowly rubs her other hand with the other.

"You don't have to be Princess. It's the truth. I'm not so opportune to have basic things like food "
She says coldly and I understand she's mentally comparing both of us.

"What are you doing here anyway? "

The leaves crunch under her feet as she makes movement.

"I'm going home. This is the road to the night valley after all " she says matter of factly.

OK. What was I thinking missing routes??

"What about you Princess?  You don't go to the village often "

More like never in actuality.

"No,  I missed my route. "

She nods. Of course it's the most logical explanation.

"Alright, the castle is the other way, so where are you going? "

Is she always this nosy. I might as well tell her, I've got nothing much to hide.

"To Horasse falls. " I deadpan.

There is silence for a while.

"okay then Princess, I shall be on my way. "

She says finally, about leaving.

"Have you ever had to give up on something you love before? " I say. My words ,fluent as they come out and I didn't blink before saying it. She carries a surprised look and I personally do not blame her for I was surprised at myself.

"I.. " she stammers.

"I had to lose something. " she continues.

I turn to her, my ears eager to hear.

"About three years ago,  I lost something..and I was so devastated. I lost it to the most undeserving person in the whole world... "

Was she talking about her virginity?

"But I'm going to get it back. I should never have let it go. " she says blankly with determination in her voice.

So it's not her virginity then.

I sigh. The beautiful ring was pressed in my small bag and I wondered if this is in the same context.

"What if.. What if it's going to kill you? "

Literally.

She smiles reassuringly.  "Sometimes, things or people are worth dying for. "

She dusts her cloak and turns away "Goodbye Princess. Good luck with whatever you want to do okay? "

I nod even though I know she can't see me.

I try to remember her  name. What was it again?

Leah?

Penelope?

Annabelle!

"Hey Annabelle.. "

She stops and turns "Yes your majesty? "