Beauty and The Key

Escape

Song of the chapter : A Thousand Years, Christina Perri

[vote if you wish you could have a fairytale]

Three

"Don't tell Axel I'm leaving!" I hissed. Mother winked and I was on my way. I changed so he wouldn't know what I was wearing. So instead of a dress, I wore a flow skirt with a loose top and flats. My hair blew in the wind, my feet carried me wherever. I'm going to find this boy.

The morning sunshine showered me with warmth. Where to start?  

"Brown hair, blue eyes, jaw." I repeated over and over as I stepped over leaves and branches. I ducked under low logs and jumped over tree stumps.

Why do I want to search so bad?

I have to know...his name..

Hours later Axel still hadn't found me but I didn't find the boy either. I decided to give up for the day and go to the market to get a snack. If I went home Axel would be upset I left without him. We were suppose to say hi to Tessa today.

I headed to the nearest Bakery to get a cupcake. 

"Hello." I smiled at the lady behind the counter. She smiled back and bowed out of respect. "May I have a vanilla cupcake?" she nodded.

I paid her and thanked her before heading back to the forest. I munched happily though several things weighed me down. "This is poop." I said out loud. My head hung low in sadness.

"Why so down princess?" a faint whisper reached my ears. I smiled, I knew he was real. I looked around with no sign and began racing in circles watching the trees.

"Where are you?" I removed a fallen branch from my path. "Please come out so I can see you. I only have one thing to ask you!" I pleaded. The wind blew around me but I saw no other movement than the trees.

"As you wish."

I turned, there on the path beside the pond stood a tall muscular boy with a grin. His light brown hair was longer now, it grew out in all directions with a part covering his face. His broad shoulders blocked the sunlight streaming through the open spaces between the tall oaks. I held my breath as he stepped closer to me, my heart stammered like the sound of a horse galloping.

"You've grown." I said breathlessly.

He grinned more, bowing down. "So have you, an older princess now." he said standing up.

"Where have you been?" I asked.

He gave me a confused look. "I do apologize for ..not being here? We have not spoken before have we?"

I looked down at my cupcake. "What's your name?"

"Nathan Redoux." he replied. His voice melted my insides. I cast a look at him to see him bending down looking into the pond. He traced circles in it with a large slim stick.

"It's a pleasure to finally converse with you Nathan."

He looked up to smile at me. He brushed off his pants. "The pleasure is all mine princess."

"Would you like to go for a walk?"

He nodded, without thinking I slung my arm through his as if he were escorting me somewhere. I didn't see him as a threat either so I felt able to be myself. We walked on through the forest laughing and joking. I found out quite a lot of things about him.

"So how is life at the Castle? I hear royalty gets to have all the fun." he teased.

I shoved him playfully. "It's boring and bland. I'd much rather be out here.. So much beauty and adventure."

"Adventure?" he scoffed. "You come across as the dandy innocent princess!"

"I could surely show you then. Starting today this moment."

"What have you ever done that makes you act irrationally?" he chuckled.

"Left without an escort." I nodded confidently.

He burst out laughing clutching his sides with his hands. I liked the sound of his voice. It soothed me for some reason I didn't know. Then some more laughing and more question asking until I looked up and saw a dark night. Crap!

"Oh my It's getting late. I must be on my way back.." I bit my lip. I didn't want to walk alone..

Nathan felt my fear, reaching over to hold my hand. The first affectionate thing I've done with a boy. He looked at me quite seriously. "I'll make sure you are home safely princess."

"You really don't have to."

"I care about your safety. And I know your father will be looking for you unless he hasn't noticed your late absense yet." He pulle dme along with him, through the dark forest, with frogs croaking and the sounds of the splashing water in the pond.

Even in the moonlight Nathan looked like an angel. "Thank you." I said once we reached the main path, the castle was within seeing distance.

"Of course." he answered with a genuine smile.

More silence.

We walked on until we reached the gate. I wanted to tell Nathan to head back but he insisted on walking me to the door for safety. I couldn't say anything after that, I was too happy for words.

Father stood on the steps, e didn't look angry though, just annoyed. "Oh there you are Serenity. I thought you had gone with Axel?"

"I left without him to have time to myself." I answered.

His eyes shifted over to Nathan standing beside me. "Who is this?"

Nathan bowed, "My name is Nathan. I just came to make sure your daughter got home safely."

My father looked a bit perplexed but nodded with a slight smile. " I do thank you for caring about my daughter."

Nathan bid us both good nights and left the way we had come, taking his time in the dark as if he had nothing to be afraid of. I admired his bravery, watching him walk further and further until he disappeared from sight.

Nathan..

His name brought a smile to my face.

Father glanced at me with a strange face. "Alright get inside and get ready for bed." I nodded and headed inside. Later that night I had been falling asleep when I felt something ta my window. I got up to check, Nathan stood at the bottom with that bright smile showing his white teeth that shined in the darkness.

"Princess I'd like to talk with you again if that's alright? I tried to go home but I couldn't until I asked you."

I grinned. "Of course. I shall see you tomorrow morning. Where can you meet me?"

He grinned back. "I'll come to you princess. I'll go wherever you go." My heart fluttered at his words.

He waved and threw up a flower. I waved back and opened the window more to take it off the window.

A blue rose?

I had no idea such things existed..like Nathan.

I drifted off to sleep, holding the rose in my hands as many memories drifted through my dreams.

And so the beautiful friendship began, with a blue rose.