This story follows the life of Princess Maiena, the second and youngest child of King Thaddeus-- the strong, wise, and uncompromisingly orthodox ruler of Reidonia which is a kingdom set in the modern age with customs, laws and traditions that seem t...
I wasn't really surprised to see her there at that hour. She was in her usual spot under the tree by the lake inside the 2,000 acre estate. She was just sitting on the grass in a yellow dress and black coat.
What surprised me was that she didn't attempt to go further. With the head start that she had, she should have headed for the garage or the stables to get a ride to the gates. Not that she'd get past it, but at least she'd try to. That's the fiery Princess Maiena spirit that I know.
Today, she was different. As she quietly stared at the sunrise, there was a passive mood around her.
Even as it has started raining which has been happening for the past few days, she didn't even flinch. It was like she has surrendered her spirit to the gloomy weather.
When I started walking towards her, she finally spoke, "Is anyone there?" She then got up and turned to face me. She smiled weakly as I approached her with an umbrella.
I stopped right in front of her to let the umbrella take her under it's shelter. "Are you trying to catch a cold?" I frowned.
"No." She pouted. "I have a question for you too. Are you stalking me? Do you have a tracker on me or something?" She asked as she started patting her shoulders and her arms, looking for a tracker.
"Those are two questions." I chuckled as I watched her continue to check her clothes and boots. "Although to answer... No. I'm merely doing my job. And no, I don't have a tracker on you. But Gali might since he's never bothered when you sneak out of the castle." I shrugged. "Must be because he has a tracker on you or spying on you in some manner."
"It could also be that he has no idea that I'm gone or he does but trusts me enough to take care of myself and allows me a little time to breathe." She said.
"Knowing how my brother cares for you, it's the latter." I told her truthfully.
"I agree. That's why I know not to break that trust." She then looked at me directly. "Why can't you trust me that way? You're always on my heels, always following me. Why, Aidan?"
"I trust you, Maiena. But I don't trust the world around you." I sighed as I reached out and carefully tucked some stray hair behind her ear. I let my fingers play with her silky hair and my thumb caress her cheek as I spoke. "I always worry about the things that could harm you. I always fear about people who could hurt you. So even if you despise me for being overbearing in my attempt to protect you, I can't take that risk, Maiena." I looked deep into her eyes and confessed with all the sincerity in my heart, "I care about you too much."
Her eyes widened in disbelief as she stared at me wordlessly. To be honest, I was surprised at my own confession. I knew it was wrong. I knew I shouldn't have said that but I did.
I scrambled to correct my mistake and apologized. "I... I'm sorry, Your Highness... I wasn't thinking. I shouldn't have... Mmmp..."
She kissed me!
All of a sudden, everything felt right in the world. Her soft lips gently touching my lips, her dainty hands on my shoulders, her heart beating with mine.
No reason nor logic, no rules nor oaths mattered.
Just her and me and the few unguarded and breathless moments of the warmest, most elating and most beautiful feeling I have ever experienced in my life.
Then it was over.
She pulled away from me with a gasp and covered her lips. "Oh my God! I can't believe I did that." She was flustered. "I shouldn't... I promised Nikolai. Oh my God!"
She was embarrassed and remorseful.
I had to relieve her from that guilt. She was not a bad person for doing what she did. I was the bad guy.
I had to confess.
"I wasn't completely honest with you, Maiena."
"What?" She asked, still shaken.
"I have a girlfriend."
She gaped at me as if waiting for an explanation. When I didn't give one, she nodded her head, "Of course."
She then turned her back on me and spoke in a voice colder than the North wind that blew that day. "Let's forget any of these ever happened."
She walked away.
I knew she would hate me but it was for the best.
***
A/N:
Well that happened... 😅 Sorry about that. 🙏
We're not even halfway through the story so who knows what will happen, right?
Here's the prompt for this chapter.
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'Til next chapter. Hope you stay with us despite the little road bumps. 🙂
