Chapter 2: King Dominique

A young man wearing a black mask stood outside of Amsterdam's princess' chamber. Carefully scanning his surroundings, trying to look for the person he was looking for.

One soldier approached the man and bowed respectfully. His hands clasped together and with his head faced down, he reported, "Your Majesty, our men failed to capture the King and Queen of Amsterdam. But we managed to track them. They are heading north."

The man moved his gaze towards the soldier. His eyes squinted and behind his mask, a frown was clearly showing on his face. "What about the crown prince?"

"The crown prince is with them. Before our soldiers break through the crown prince's chamber, they managed to escape him first, together with the King and Queen. But don't worry King Dominique, our men are already heading north to capture them."

"What about the princess?"

"No one has seen the princess, Your Majesty." King Dominique rashly took his sword and pointed it toward the soldier.

"What do you mean no one has seen the princess? One young lady, without any soldiers protecting her, and none of you have seen her? Are you taking me for a fool?!" The soldier dropped to his knees in fear.  He's also ashamed about it. But what can he do?

Even the shadow of that princess is nowhere to be found. "It's our negligence that the Princess managed to escape. When we reached her chambers, no one was there. Even the servants serving in this place haven't seen the Princess together with her personal maid."

King Dominique stood still. Listening to the report of the shaking soldier on the ground. "So you're saying she vanished? Is that even possible?"

"Your Majesty, according to the servant, the Princess didn't leave her room. We are also puzzled by how she escaped if she was in her room. All the doors are blocked and the only way towards the Princess' room is through the study. But we have already blocked the study so there's no way she can escape. So, it's a puzzle to us about how she escaped from her room."

A distant memory instantly flashed in King Dominique's mind after hearing it. It was the memory of a young beautiful lady clad in a crimson-white dress leaning on a cherry blossom tree.

Her eyes shone so brightly while looking at the birds flying in the sky. Her blonde hair that reached her waist gently swayed in the breeze of the wind.

'It's peaceful, isn't it? Do you know that this place is my favorite place in the whole kingdom?'

'Why?'

'Because this place connects to my room and no one knows this place except you and me. This place is my safe haven and my only sanctuary. It's a gift given to me by my grandfather and now I'm giving it to you. Remember this place as to how you remember me. Who knows it might save a life?'

A small smile escaped from his lips after relieving that memory. He took back his sword and glanced at the soldier.

"I need to go somewhere. Don't follow me. I have to go there alone. Wrap everything up here. Find the crown prince together with the king and queen, then bring them to the barracks."

"What about the princess, Your Majesty?"

He looked back at the princess' chamber before answering, "No need to find her. What can a young lady do? She's just a girl and not a threat to us. Focus on the task I ordered and report to me once you capture them. I'll handle them myself when I get back."

King Dominique took a step away but threw a last glance at the soldier. "Remember, don't let anyone follow me. If someone looks for me, tell them I'm doing something important and I'll be back immediately."

From a distance, enormous trees stand tall at the entrance of the forest. The darkness of the night is slowly invading the whole place.

As King Dominique rushed towards the entrance, he noticed a small figure sitting alone in the corner. A pile of wood is placed in front of her where a small fire is illuminating her, keeping her warm.

King Dominique sighed in relief as he saw the face of the woman he was looking for. Her bright eyes clouded his mind. Her lips invaded his system, even his dreams. And her face made him happy despite his problems. She's there, sleeping peacefully while leaning her back on the tree.

He approached her slowly, his heart beating rapidly. When he was already standing in front of her, he didn't manage to control himself and immediately hugged the woman in front. "Everly! My Everly!"

Disturbed by the sudden action, Everly woke up from her deep slumber. She blinked her eyes to clear her vision. When she noticed that there was a man caging her, she struggled for a moment until she heard the voice that she knew very well.

Tears trickled down her face when she glanced at the man in front of her. Her right hand went towards his face, caressing it gently, feeling his warmth. "Reyl! It's you, right? I'm not mistaken. It is really you, my love?"

He immediately held her hands and smiled gently at her. "It's really I, Everly. It's me."

Everly instantly hugged the man tightly. Her tears continued to flow so hard, not minding what she looked like. "You're alive! I thought I wouldn't be able to see you. I thought you were already gone! What a relief! Thank you for being alive! Thank you!"

King Dominique continued to pat the back of the woman. Gently comforting her. Happiness is also showing on his face. Since the time they invaded the kingdom, all his thoughts had drifted to this woman in his arms.

He did his best in delaying their journey to give enough time for the people at the palace to escape. He knows that Everly is a smart princess but still can't help but worry about her welfare.

So, when he heard that she vanished from her room. This place instantly flashed through his mind. The pain in his heart finally vanished when he saw her safe and sound in this forest. It took him a long time to calm down his beloved.

Fortunately, Everly finally managed to control her emotions. She looked at the man's face intently. Relief is clearly showing in her beautiful eyes.

"How did you manage to escape? I heard that they first attacked the West part of the kingdom. You told me it's where you live, how did you escape?" He looked away because unease showed on King Dominique's face.

He didn't know how to explain to her the whole situation. Including his real identity. He was sure that if she learned that he was King Dominique, everything would change. She would loath and hate him.

He knows he can't handle it if she hates him. Everyone can hate him but not her. A small hand covered his hands. He glanced at her face and saw her smiling gently at him. Different thoughts and reasons ran through his mind. Looking for an explanation for her question.

Should he tell the truth or not? How can I even explain that it was me who destroyed her beloved kingdom? Everly patiently waited for his response. She could feel the trouble he was feeling at the moment based on how tight he was holding her hand.

But, as always, she waited. After a couple of moments, he opened his mouth. "My love, there's something I want to tell you."

"What is it? I'm here. Don't worry, I will patiently listen to it."

"My name is not Reyl but-" He stopped when he heard the sounds of horses running towards them. He took his sword and immediately stood up. "Let's go! They're coming, I need to get you out of here."

Everly looked puzzled at his reaction. "What do you mean?"

He suddenly leaned forward and gently kissed her parted lips. Their lips stayed locked for a couple of seconds before he moved away. Looking intently at his beloved, he gently whispered,

"No matter what happens, always remember that I love you. No matter what you learn or hear, please remember that my love for you is true. You are the only woman who made me feel loved. You taught me what love is Everly, so I hope you will forgive me."