LOST AND FOUND

NINE

I throw on my disguise and head to Max. I barge into his house.

He chuckles, "I'm glad I pulled out two mugs. Tea?" I nod.

I plop myself on the bean bag. He chuckles, "You must love bean bags, I mean there's other places to sit but you always limit yourself to that one specific seat."

I smile, "Yeah, they're comfortable." He nods and hands me a hot mug.

I smile, "I told my dad that we need more guards." Max glances at me, "Oh. Why do you need more guards?"

I frown, "Last night the rebels broke in and my sister has fallen in love with one of them. She then left with him."

He glances at me before getting up and handing me a tissue. He wipes my tears before planting a kiss on my forehead.

We both stop. He blushes, "Sorry. I didn't mean to do that." I shake my head, "No-no it's alright." He smiles.

"You know, I could never really see myself leaving this place. Although I'd leave if I got the chance, I just never thought about leaving."

I furrow my eyebrows, "Howcome?" He shrugs, "I try my best to protect the village people."

I nod, "I understand. So you're like a king to your people. Always looking out for them and protecting them." He smiles and  nods, "Yeah." I stare at my mug, "Tell me, why are you out here on your own?"

He takes a moment before saying slowly, "I was uhm, abandoned when I was small. My parents had me out of wedlock and my mother gave me up."

I stare at him, "Aw Max, I'm so sorry. I did not mean to overstep my boundaries." He shakes his head, "No, you didn't."

-Later-

I'm lying in bed when I hear a knock on my door.

"Come in." I see my father. I smile, "Hi father, how can I help you?"

He smiles, "I know it's late. But tomorrow morning there will be all the men from the village and you will help me decide whose guard worthy."

I chuckle, "Alright then father, is that all you came to tell me?"

He hesitates but shakes his head, "Thank you for agreeing to marry Edward." I freeze, but smile and nod.

With that said, he closed the door and I drifted off into a deep sleep.

-Next Day-

As soon as I walked downstairs I see a whole lot of men.

I furrow my eyebrows as I sit down for breakfast. My father clears his throat. I finish up my breakfast and then head to him.

The chattering ends and I have all eyes on my father and I. A sigh of relief exits me as soon as I see Max. He was to busy drinking in the castle to notice me.

My father smiles at me to signal that it's my que to talk. I nod.

"Alright then, thank you to the forty of you for agreeing to come to the castle. So my father and I have selected you for training. This week will involve guard training as we are in need of more guards for the castle's protection. Lucas will be working with each of you. I look forward to welcoming new members to this castle."

They all clap and cheer. I catch Max smiling at me, which for some weird reason makes me blush.

Lucas directs all of the men outside to the courtyard.

-Later-

I decide to check up on Lucas and the men. I smile when I see Max running alongside Lucas.

I feel two hands on my waist. "Morning my love, did you miss me?" I nod. Edward kisses my cheek, "Everything alright, my love?"

I turn around and hug him. He chuckles, "I'm here to help Lucas. I cannot stay to long though, as I have other arrangements for the day." I nod.

I see Max staring at us. I quickly pull away from Edward and head inside the castle.

-Evening-

Lucas gets everyone's attention. "Alright, out of the forty of you. Half will remain. The ones who will remain will receive their guard uniform."

I watch to see who will receive their uniform. I smile when I see Lucas hand Max his uniform.

I wait for the rest of the men to leave before I go and congratulate the new guards.

I shake their hand, I grin at Max as soon as I reach him. "Well done." He chuckles, "Thank you, princess."

I say slowly, "Garden tonight. Meet me there." He nods.

-Later-

I wait patiently for Max to meet me here. Seconds turn into minutes, and minutes turn into hours.

I felt my body starting to give into fatigue, but an adrenaline rush kicked in when I saw Max enter the garden.

"Hey, I'm so sorry that I took so long. None of the guys could settle down." I smiled, "No worries."

He takes a moment to stare up at the stars. I smile, "It's beautiful, isn't it?" He smiles, "Yeah, I can see why this is your spot."

Max updates me on how much he loves the interior designs of the castle. He also told me that all the new soldiers have an attraction to me.

I was uncertain as to how to comment on that. Then it got me thinking.

Does all the new soliders include himself?