Edaedien

Chapter III

Adrian.

Come back soon!

The baker girl's words stick inside my head like honey, refusing to be cleaned away despite my best efforts to do so. Come back soon, she said, as if she were sending off a cousin after the holidays, as if Paisley and I, complete strangers to her, were her own family.

How could she be so nonchalant? How was it that she was so completely fine with us-so accepting? How did taking a strange, lost child to her private home not bother her? How was she so... so...

So, what, exactly? The farthest corners of my consciousness can't seem to comprehend that girl-or her actions towards us-and I can find no satisfactory word to describe her.

What was her name again...? I can't seem to recall her telling me, and I somehow doubt Paisley can recall anything but the chickens. Perhaps I can ask her what it was when we return for another visit...

No. What am I thinking? I realize, shaking my head, Paisley and I can never return there-that was too close of a call.

I cannot allow any citizen to discover that the crowned prince and princess were wandering through an indiscriminate village located a two hour trip-if one happens to have a horse-drawn carriage-away from the palace. I can only imagine how quickly rumors would spread-and what types. At least, if that baker girl discovers us now, only a few villagers will have seen us. They may tell whomever they want-they will only seem crazy with such little proof.

I sigh to myself, alerting Paisley, who turns her golden little head towards me and blinks slowly, then reassumes her position watching the forest glide by from the window.

Of course, I'm only intoxicating myself with fantasies of an impossible future. I can't go back to the village, not because I don't want to, but because it's my responsibility as the prince. I can't allow rumors about me and my family to spread; if I want my family to be respected, I must ensure it remains respectable.

So, why does it pain me more and more to make decisions like these? It's what I've always done-always had to do. Perhaps I'm tired of responsibilities. Perhaps I want a break from upholding this godly image that's been placed on my shoulders. Perhaps I'd enjoy a moment to relax, free from all these tiresome obligations.

Perhaps, deep down under my façade, I just want a moment to be freely and truly me.

* * *

"Prince Adrian! Are you awake in there?"

I peel open my eyes, forcing myself to squint into the morning sun streaming through the windows in my bedroom. It's time to start the day.

"Yes," I call back to whatever servant stands outside my door, "I'll be out shortly."

"Of course, your majesty."

I wince at the title. Oh, how I wish I could just be a regular peasant, being called by my name-and my name alone-rather than those two stifling words that elevate me to a place above everyone else. But, as I always reason in the end, I am above them, in some way, whether I'd like to be or not.

Yawning, I rise from bed and stretch my sleep-heavy limbs. Today is going to be a long day; I'm scheduled to meet the Duke of Criliwa and convince him to restore his trade agreement with Edaedien. It's not of the utmost importance to our economy-Father's lovely precaution in case I should fail, regardless of his claim that he trusts me entirely-but it will, according to Father, allow me to "develop my ability to negotiate."