Philip was leaning against the wall, staring out of the window, with the sun shining on his face. He could picture her, walking out of the stables, dirt coating her dress, ash on her face, and mud on her boots. He had watched her from this window every day since that fateful night at the ball. One day, he was not content watching her anymore, and he decided to see what she was up to.
It was strange to see her standing next to his white stallion. His horse had a temper with most people. She gently stroked the horse's face and whispered something to it with a smile. It shook its head and snorted, which made her laugh. “Ashes doesn’t like people very much.”
Geneva jumped back, startled, “Your Highness…”
“I wondered why my horse is always in the best of shape – brushed and cleaned…” Philip took a step forward towards Ashes. “He is my pride and joy.”
“He is handsome,” Geneva said.
“As he should be if he is to be considered worthy of my horse. I am supposed to be the white knight after all.”
Geneva laughed.
“Why are you laughing?”
“No, Sire, it would be inappropriate.”
“What is it?” Philip asked, genuinely confused.
She tried to step to the side and avoid his question, but Philip blocked her path. “Come on, tell me. I won’t get mad. You are Geneva, right?”
Geneva answered him. “I never quite pictured you as a white knight, not since the incident with that tree…”
“I swear to you, that was magic! The branches grabbed my shirt.”
“Your Highness, from my point of view it looked like you ran straight into them,” she replied.
Philip shook his head and threw his hands into the air. “You always remember the worst things about me, don’t you?”
“Not always,” Geneva whispered just as Philip turned around. He stopped in his tracks and swung around.
“So, what is one dashing, and inexplicably charming moment you remember of me? Come on, that’s the least you can do after thoughtlessly insulting your prince,” he crossed his arms and leaned against the beams. It creaked and he stood up straight again.
“I suppose it was when you stood your ground with your father, with the farmer who could not settle his debts…and you had it settled for him.
“Oh,” Philip frowned. “How do you know about that? It was supposed to be confidential.”
“That farmer was my father. A month before he passed, he could leave us at home, knowing that we were safe again,” she said, as she stared at the ground and then back at the prince. “One act of kindness, Your Highness, changed the course of my life. I might be considered a lowly servant now, but what I might have been, had you not interfered-” Her words trailed off. “Anyway, I better leave, I mustn’t be caught alone with the prince. You would be caught in a scandal.” Geneva walked past Prince Philip who had remained still as he heard her story.
It has been three years since Geneva disappeared, but he could recount every memory of her as if he was seeing them play out in the present. His train of thought was interrupted, as his uncle, Windsor entered the room. Phillip straightened himself up. His uncle was a pain. He constantly reminded him of his lack of an heir and berated him for not getting over his so-called ‘silly crush’. However, Phillip could not lift a finger against him as long as he still had his status and support from the aristocracy. He would not falter if Windsor made a treacherous move, although he was doubtful if that day would ever come. Despite his sharp tongue, he was not known as a man of action. Luckily, just as Windsor started approaching, the door burst open to reveal Rowan following short on his heels. Talk about good timing.
“The scuffle between the Tudor families has thankfully been resolved, however, your soldiers’ chaotic conduct needs to be addressed, especially their commander’s-”
“Understand the difference between a sharp tongue and a sharp sword. No offense, Duke, but my men got the job done. Furthermore, some stray soldiers were caught from the Western Clan, Your Majesty. They seemed inclined to talk about the fire in the village south of us,” Rowan interjected.
“Good work,” answered Philip. He stared at Rowan. “I Like the beard...”
“Your Majesty,” Rowan muttered. “I had not the time to shave, as Windsor walked ahead of me to deliver his distorted bucket of news.”
“Hardly distorted,” Windsor muttered. “Surely, Your Highness, is not a ball in order? I have princesses from the Loria Falls eager to come to introduce themselves. Any of them would make a fine match for you,” he changed the subject swiftly.
“Again, with this…” Philip started walking away.
“This kingdom needs to be secured with an heir, Your Majesty.” Windsor started. “It is time for you to forget about the common maid and find a suitable partner, capable of running this kingdom alongside you.”
Philip froze, clenching his fists to restrain his anger. He took a deep breath.
“Am I interrupting something?” he heard the voice of his sister Kara. She stepped over the threshold into the room. Rarely did she suspend her trips to Willow Lake without good reason. Judging from her wide-eyed expression, lazy braid, and rumpled dress that was still coated with the history of her travels, she must have brought news. She would not even consider approaching most of the servants in this state unless she had other priorities at hand.
“Word has reached my ears in the Woodland village that a wizard of great magic has come to town. He is staying in the dark caves northwest of the village, close to a waterfall.”
“Dark or light?” Rowan asked. A blush crept onto Kara’s cheeks. “I did not realize you were here too.”
“Dark or light, Kara?” Philip asked.
“Grey, but-” Kara said, before her brother or Windsor could speak. “He has been known to find the impossible. Magic or no magic.”
“Such as green magic?” Rowan asked.
“Allegedly,” she replied.
Kara took a step closer to Phillip. “I know this is only a slight possibility, but as you said, if I come across any chance of finding her-”
“You should take it,” Philip finished her sentence. He pulled his sister into an embrace.
“We will find her,” Kara whispered. “And we will bring her home.”
Grace had a bounce in her step as she headed toward Gwen’s house. She checked the time on her phone. She was told to come strictly at five. She increased the volume on her headphones as she dodged the pole in the middle of the sidewalk. She came to stop as she spotted an apartment that had its door wide open. It was a very unusual sight in the middle of a busy city/suburb. The entryway was pitch-black. To her own surprise, she took a step forward instinctively, but thought better of it and kept walking. Another trick of the light.She slung her bag over her shoulder and walked for a few five minutes before she reached Gwen’s place. It was quaint, with a master bedroom on the second floor, a spacious living room, and a tiny kitchen. There was also a picturesque garden outside, with a pool and red rose bushes lining the walls.Grace took off her headphones and knocked on Gwen’s door. She stuffed her phone back into her bag when she heard Gwen’s footsteps.
“Be careful your majesty.”“Rowan, you should know by now, that caution isn’t my thing,” Philip slid off his horse, staring into the dark cave ahead of them. He turned to look at his men, he could tell they were nervous.It was only natural because this cave happened to harbor a wizard. “Be brave lads, if your king can do it, then so can you.”Windsor sighed and shook his head, following Phillip’s lead. “Your majesty, may I just remind you that entering a cave is begging to get yourself injured, or worse...?”“I made a promise to Geneva, I intend on keeping it. I will find her,” Philip said as he took a step forward. He was about to take another into the cave.“Your majesty.”“What is it now!?”“How do you expect to see in the cave without a torch?” Rowan pulled out the wooden sticksand walked towards him.“I knew that,” Philip said. “I was just waiting for you to catch up.”“Of course, you were,” Rowan took a step forward with a flint. He scraped it against the rock a few times, all
Grace scooped a big chunk of mint ice-cream as she sat outside with Gwen. They had walked to the convenience store and back. Tim was nowhere to be found when they returned. Grace teared up, “I can’t believe it… He’s actually gone…he didn’t care.” “Maybe it’s for the better,” said Gwen. “Come on, let’s finish our ice cream.” Grace pulled a face; the cold made her brain ache. Even ice cream had a limit for happiness.She was so miserable right now. Her day had gone amazingly well, only for her to lose the one relationship she had hoped would last. “What happened to the prince charmings we always talked about when we are young?” Grace muttered. She shoved her spoon back into the container. “I keep thinking of the play that we’re supporting, about happily ever after, and I wonder if I will ever have that...” “Wait, you didn’t seriously think that you and Tim were meant to be?”
“Geneva?” Grace frowned. “My name is Grace…” The man took a step towards her, then another and another. Before she knew it, he wrapped her into a tight hug. “You’re here!”“Erm…” Grace frowned. She pushed against him and he immediately let go. He took a step back, looking slightly puzzled. “Sorry, erm… Look, I’m okay with hugs…generally, as a greeting and stuff but…Do I know you?”The man straightened up slightly, gauging the group’s reactions. “Do you…do you not know me? “Eh, no…” Grace whispered. “Am I supposed to? … “The wizard did comment that she might not be in the right state of mind.” Grace looked at the man who said it. He had a dark and intense stare. It was intimidating, but when he looked at her, his expression softened.Graced turned to the blo
Philip could barely contain his excitement. She was really here. Right in front of him after all this time. It has been agonizingly long. As Grace took his hand, he could not help but smile. He was making sure to restrain himself. If she had no memories, then he would treat her gently. He learned that the hard way, many years ago when a witch had wiped all of Geneva’s memories.He remembered that he chased her into the sunflower fields. She saw him and took off like a frightened deer. She had thought that he was trying to punish her for her father’s debt, and he tried explaining the situation to her rather unsuccessfully.“Geneva! It’s me!” Philip took a couple of steps toward her. She was out of breath and stumbling back. “I would never hurt you.” “You, I don’t know you! Who are you?”
Grace sat on the edge of the cot. She was starting to feel overwhelmed by the events of the day. She leaned over and rubbed her eyes. “Wake up, wake up, wake up.” She dropped her hands to her lap. She had tried many different things like pinching and slapping herself, none of which have worked so far. She thought of Gwen, and how scared she must be, even though she would love the idea of Alloria itself.She laid down on the cot and stared at the top of the tent. The men were chattering amongst themselves outside. It was somewhat soothing but she could not get over how awkward she felt when she was around them. Although they were not supposed to exist, she felt like the odd one out. She considered that someone could have knocked her out, dragged her here, and they were all just a bunch of freaks cosplaying, but some things didn’t add up.She definitely saw fairies, and most certainly felt the ground shake with minitour storming towards her. She felt like it was real, even though she d
Grace clung to her horse as they galloped across the fields. When they came upon the village, Grace could barely believe her eyes, but there it was, three creatures with an uglier disposition than she could ever have imagined. They slowed down for a moment. “Your orders, Sire?” Rowan asked. “We target them one at a time. The trolls are dispersed, if one targets you and you are on your own, you run.” “Yes sir,” they answered together. “Grace-” “Sir.” Grace stumbled over her words, realizing t
“Your Highness-” “Please don’t call me that,” Philip glanced at Geneva. “Please,” he pleaded. Geneva took a deep breath. “It’s never going to happen. You and I both know that we are not destined to be together. You will marry some princess from far away land, for the sake of the kingdom.” “No, we can work this out,” Philip slammed the bars of the jail. Geneva had been locked inside, she had been charged with theft and treason. He knew that none of it was true, but his father used every means necessary to end their relationship. “I swear to you, I will find you a way out.” “It’s okay…it’s really okay,” Geneva took a step cl