The Princess and the Protector

Part 2

Ashley Delarosa slipped through the town like an experienced assassin. The generous night did justice to her burgundy cloak turning her into a human chameleon and the working locals were oblivious to the royal on the run. After a series of huts and cottages, she caught sight of the Sundry store and made a quick left turn toward the back entrance of the castle. Her royal home stood firm on the grounds of Fabramond. Located in the kingdoms bullseye, inhering five grand towers supported by stone and walls made of the finest brick. She crept into the thick woods nearby, slipped out her cloak and dug for her barrette. After realising it was gone, she retrieved a fresh bag of apple pie and put her hair up in an elastic instead.

The steak sizzled and released a fragrance into the musty kitchen. The humble abode rested beside a quiet stream, far from the town bustle. Childless, with deceased parents and miles away from his sisters he had sent away to hide, Markus had so much love to spare for the woman in his thoughts. He flipped the meat and his gaze disengaged from the sputtering oil and met with an embellished hairclip on the counter by the flowerpot. He smiled. And so the princess leaves a trace. He gently pocketed the clip from the table, killed the fire and poured himself a drink. Sensing the growing appetite of the impatient beast, he headed out to the porch with the fresh piece of grilled meat.

"Atta Girl." The Mastiff licked the Lord's sleeves as he sat the dog dish onto the ground. A few barks of gratitude later, the dog churned down the food like a feral, relishing every bite. Markus turned to look at the tall castle peaking on his right, over the stream and across the lush forest. He set his eyes on the luminous square by the tallest tower, Ashley's room. He had always thought meeting his life-long partner was when his life would end. But, he knew, in his heart, meeting Ashley was when it started. Forbidden love. As they say. The light flickered off. If only he could tell her how much he loved her. How he would give her the rest of his life. Perhaps, he thought, he could.