Hidden Princess

Chapter 9: Staying up late.

Tatyana walked through the broad, vacant hallway with a nagging thought in her head. It irritated her that she had to inform Darryl every time that she wouldn't be using the carriage. Not that she didnt appreciate the fact that he was saving her an hour trek to and from the castle everyday, giving her some time to herself. She was an independent person who didn't lean on anyone for support. It was something that she had grown accustomed to. Ever since Darryl came into her life, she seemed to be losing her sense of independence slowly and was beginning to grow dependent on him.

She rapped her fist on the study door twice and a muffled voice groaned 'come in' from the other end. Stepping in, she sank into a curtsey out of habit, just in case there were any prying eyes. Taking in his dishevelled appearance, she noticed the piles of official documents scattered on the wide, mahogany desk in front of him with public seals at the top of each. He pinched the space between his eyebrows, something he did when he could not come to a final solution to something. She couldnt be able to force back the smile that was already taking its place on her face. He looked every ounce cute but manly at the same time; he even failed to notice who was in the same room as him.

Slowly walking towards him, she gently touched his shoulder upon confirming that there was just the two of them in the study room. His eyes instantly darted towards the soft hand that was laid on top of his right shoulder and once he took in the caramel skin colour, he knew at once who it was and leaned his head on it, drawing a sigh out of his lips.

"Let me guess, you came to tell me that you shall not be taking the carriage I had assigned to you," he said, more of a statement than of a query. When she nodded her head, he got up from his seat and towered over her so as to look at her from head to toe.

"May I ask why, or will it be meddlesome of me?"

"I have some errands to run before heading home," she said, looking at him in the eye.

"One moment." After saying so, he slipped through a service door to his quarters to have a change of clothes with the assistance of his valet de chambre. It did not take him long because shortly afterwards, he marched out of the same hidden door adorned in a peasants attire. He took her arm and placed it at the crook of his elbow, leading her out of the room.

"I saw it fit to accompany milady out on her errands, or maybe I might be intruding on yet another date?" he inquired with a raised eyebrow.

"Sadly, no, your highness. I am just buying some goods from the market," her tone was calm but the word she used forced a groan out of him.

"If you keep using formalities between the two of us, some might notice I am the crown prince despite my disguise."

"Oh please, if you thought that the garb you are wearing is helping, then you are wrong. The red hair atop your head is proving not to be in my favour." His hands raked through his hair at the mention of it, almost at instinct. Indeed, it did attract attention as a maid nearby shot him a squint-eyed look, trying to place where she had seen him before. To throw her off, he shot her a wink that left her bewildered for a moment. As quick as he could manage, he snatched a wool hat from one of the many coat hangers around the palace, not caring who it belonged to.

"How about now?" he asked with an innocent look on his face and when she slowly nodded her head, a smile stretched on his lips.

Darryl gave her a tour round the castle, to the places which she had yet to set foot on or lay her eyes on, all while never leaving her hand, not even for a minute. She had to admit that she relished the way her skin tingled at his touch and the way his beautiful silver eyes twinkled at twilight. His demeanour was as cheery as always, the broad smile never leaving his freckled face. Seeing that the sun had already set and the market would be closing soon, she dragged him out of the castle gates and out into the surrounding village, much to her dismay.