Robert winced as the Princess, pressed the wet cloth against his side wound. They were in his tent, back in their camp located in the sandy hollow.
"Sorry." She said, lifting the cloth from his stinging wounds. Robert sighed and sat upon his bed.
"It's fine." He said, noticed the strain on Amanda's pale face as if she never did first aid on anyone. Though that was understandable. "You don't have to do it, Princess. " He said taking the wet cloth from her. Their fingers brushed, and her cheeks tinted rose pink. She snatched the cloth from him and dipped it in a bowl of ointment.
"I know," she started. "But it is my fault you were captured in the first place."
"You know that isn't true." She looked up at him, and Robert could see her dark eyes were full of pain.
"Your men don't seem to think so." She lifted the cloth from the bowl.
"They may seem to mean at times, but they do mean well." He said, defending his friends.
"You ready?" She asked. Robert nodded. He clenched his teeth as the princess pressed the cloth on the wound on his side. He squeezed his eyes shut as the fire roared through his veins, killing off any infection. Once it was clean, she bandages it and tied it off it a tight knot.
"There, "she said in a shaky breath. "You're finished." Robert sat up to put on his shirt. "Thanks."
"Your welcome." Amanda smiled but the warmth did not reach her eyes.
"May I ask you a question, Princess?"
"What's the question?"
"Why did you stay? When I first met you you were determined to get to whatever destination that you threatened one of my men." Amanda cheek's burned. She looked away.
"Ah yes, sorry about that."
"You were running away from the queen, yet you decided to stay. What changed your mind?" The princess sighed and stood up and approached him. Her eyes were glossy with tears.
"It may sound silly, but hands with you and your men in the past week really opened my eyes. When I was living in the castle, I was very certain of the reality and I thought I knew who was bad and who was good when in reality the world wasn't as black and white as it seemed. It was rather a murky grey, some people you, Robin who is viewed as menaces are actually good people trying to make a difference, while people like my uncle, King John who are beloved are actually the monsters in the world." She said. she looked at him as a tear rolled down her cheek. "He was the one who killed my father."
"I'm sorry to hear that. " Robert said sympathetically, remembering the death of his father.
She let out a hollow laugh. "He was the one who allowed me to escape in the first place. Isn't that strange?" She whipped the tear from her cheek. "But not just murder, he is responsible for the poverty this kingdom faces." She said in anger.
"Children who have no future other than to be thieves and become prisoners, that isn't what I want my kingdom to end up being. Suddenly her expression darkened. "And the queen, she is so much worse." She uncurled her fist and sighed. "How can I leave when my kingdom is in turmoil?"
"So what are you going to do about it?" Robert asked.
"I am going to overthrow them and become a better ruler England has ever seen!" Robert smiled.
"You will need an army for that, luckily for you, I know some reliable men who would love to be on your side." The surprised look on her face made his smile grow.
"You are willing to work with me, despite everything I have done to you?" Robert scoffed.
"You're not the only one who desires change." He took out his hand. "So do we have a deal, Princess Amanda?" She grinned and shook his hand.
"Its Queen Snow to you."
YOU ARE READING
A Diamond Among Men
Fantasy*First Draft Warning* We all know the story of Robin Hood. A thief who steals from the rich and gives to the poor. In this story, however, Robin Hood is a heart-hardened thief who meets a runaway princess who will be the key to restoring the kingdom...
