In the enchanted realm of Kenichi, where men and elves coexist in harmony, a shadow looms over the once peaceful kingdom. At its center stands Prince Sugi, a young heir to the throne whose journey from entitlement to enlightenment will shape the fat...
My stunned face made Sugi smile yet again. It was cute how he hid his laugh behind his hand. I knew my face was red every time the prince showed a bit of interest in me and this was making me more nervous, the feeling that I don't belong more evident. My discomfort so novel to the prince it seemed to entertain him.
Sugi leaned forward and handed me the outside fork. His eyes glittered like amethysts as he stared intently into mine. My hand shook as I took it from him and he said, "start from the outside in."
I picked up a piece of fruit and put it in my mouth and started to chew self-consciously hoping I don't choke and embarrass myself even more.
"Do you like it?"
"Yes, thank you," I said trying not to meet his gaze again. It was just too nerve-racking.
"I'm glad, I really enjoy your company and I hope to have breakfast with you every day."
"Thank you. It's beautiful here." I said looking around the garden."
"It is a close second to you," Sugi whispered the compliment.
Oops! This image does not follow our content guidelines. To continue publishing, please remove it or upload a different image.
"You are really lucky."
"Well, I wouldn't say that. I'm cursed. I can't show my eyes to my family or my close friends for fear of hurting them."
"Oh, I'm sorry. I didn't mean anything by it. If you don't mind my asking, why were you cursed?"
Sugi suddenly looked melancholy and I was even more curious.
Sugi looked at me then and turned his gaze towards the woods. "It was a fine morning like this one. I was hunting for rabbits in the woods not so far from here when I noticed a slight movement. I stared intently thinking it was the prey I pursued but was surprised by how well she could blend into the woods. It was like she sprung up out of the shrubbery made by some magic there. She was lovely with bright green eyes and wore a warm vest the same shade of green as the forest and her dark skirt was wrapped around her legs to make running easier."
My eyes grew wide at his words and I asked him, "Was she a sorceress? I've heard they live in the woods."
"She noticed me and poised her bow at the ready to shoot me. Our eyes met as tiny droplets of sweat rolled down my face. The only sound I could hear was the whispering of the trees and the pounding of my heart. Thankfully, finding me an unlikely threat, she put down her bow, smiled at me and whisked away before I could speak. Intrigued I followed her. She giggled as I matched her every step. Just then she stopped and held her hand up to stop my progress. She held up her bow again and shot a rabbit. She picked it up and put it in a sack that she carried on her back. We spent the next few hours hiking and hunting but never exchanged a word."
"The next day I couldn't wait to do it again so I sneaked out escaping my dreaded lessons. I didn't care if I would be punished, I had had a grand time looking for rabbits with the beautiful girl. I found her again in the same spot as the previous day. It was as if she was waiting for me. She smiled and turned away from me on the hunt again. She ran swiftly between the saplings making it difficult for me to keep up until she tripped on a root and hurt her knee. Huffing I caught up to her and offered to help."
