Lovesick Lunatic

"Chapter" 2

Mr. Striggs backed away and muttered, "Of course, Your Majesty." Before I had a chance to comprehend his words, he whipped himself around and kicked me one last time before heeding the stranger's words and racing back into his bakery. The kick knocked my head to the side so I couldn't see anything. I heard the little boy and the woman get up and hurry away into the wild streets of Libria. Then I heard footsteps coming towards me and I rolled over, expecting another attack. Instead, I was greeted with the kind face of a boy about my age with worry etched into his features. Worry for me.

"Miss, are you okay?" he said, extending his hand gracefully to me. I took note: left hand. He's left-handed. Looking up into his face, I also noticed he was... handsome. His eyes were a murky green and drew me in. The rest of him was flawless, from the top of his tousled hair to the tip of his boots. Warily, I took his hand and he slowly pulled me up to him.

"I'm fine-" at that, I sunk to the ground and felt his arms catch me. My eyes fluttered shut.

"How do you feel?" someone above me said.

I struggled to make my lips move. "I'm okay." I opened my eyes to see the handsome stranger standing over me. The walls past him were covered in a stark, placid white. I was in a hospital. I still wanted to know who this stranger was, which hospital I was in, and how I got here. I decide the best way to find out was to ask. I started easy. "Where am I?"

He smiled. "You're in the royal infirmary. I brought you here. You blacked out from blood loss after I caught you."

"And who might you be?"

"I am a servant here in the castle," he said, "Do you have a place to go?"

I looked down. "No."

The servant brightened. "Then I have some good news. The Prince has decided you are to stay here, if you wish, and become one of his Chosen Ones."

I gasped at that moment. Being one of the Prince's Chosen was a big deal. You got to stay at the palace and compete for the prince's heart. I had gotten the honor of being one of them. I'd get to sleep in a real bed again! And food! Oh, the food! I would have a feast!

"Well, what do you say?" the servant coaxed, seeing as I was not answering.

"Y-Yes," I stammered. I composed myself. "Please tell His Majesty I am honored to be a Chosen One of His Highness."