Chapter 3: Hide and Seek

ELIZABETH's lips rose when she saw the sun peeking through the lace curtains. But her eyes widened when she realized that it wasn't her room and she was in a strange place. Looking around in panic, her lips parted when she realized that an arm rested on her naked stomach.

"Oh, god."

Her moves are gentle, silent like a feather. She has to leave before the General will wake up and find her in this kind of state. Elizabeth already risked everything last night. Another mistake is not something she needed right now.

Hurrying to put her clothes on, she did not even bother to put her shoes on as she opened the door and peeked outside. No one was visible from her position. Upon hearing the General's groan in the bed, she flinched towards his position for the last time and smiled weakly.

For Elizabeth, it was a night she can never forget. She might not be in love like what two people usually feel inside the books she loves to read. But at least for one night, she was able to feel what it's like to be that close to someone. She is a stranger to him but to her, he isn't.

For the last time, she went towards her mask and placed a kiss on it. Elizabeth placed it on the bed, beside the General who was sleeping in peace. Without a word, she wished that someday the two of them would find each other's soulmate.

AS SOON AS SHE LEFT, the General woke up from his sweet dreams. Dumbfounded when he found her nowhere in his bed. It was, then, that he realized that there was a woman in his chamber who left without even saying goodbye to him. A slight pain in the chest made him regret what happened last night.

Sighing, he got up from his bed and pushed the white blanket off from his glorious feet. As soon as he stood, a red mask caught his attention. Clearly, the woman disappeared and left her mask for what? For him to remember her?

"JOHN!" he yelled his assistant's name as he ran down the stairs, putting his coat on.

"Yes, General?"

John, a young man whose loyalty was only for Aleksander, smiled at him. Aleksander glanced at John before turning to a different hallway.

"I need you to find someone," Aleksander's voice deepened.

"Who?" John followed from behind, catching his master's fast pace.

"The owner of this. I need you to find the owner of this mask," Aleksander pushed the double Victorian door open.

"But, General—"

"What?" he sighed, trying to compose the irritation, "Don't ask me more questions, John. I needed you to find her."

"Her? But, General—"

"Just find the owner of this mask!"

John nodded, and raised his hand instead. In this way, Aleksander was more attentive to what he was going to say.

"Yes, what is it, John?" Aleksander tried to talk in the calmest way even when anxiety began to rise.

"We can't find someone with just this mask, General. We need a face or something that is evidently strong to track down whoever you're looking for."

Aleksander stared at his assistant before closing his eyes in annoyance. He sighed, " Of course, John. What do we need to do to find the owner of this mask? "

"Are you seriously asking me for my suggestion, General?"

Aleksander looked at him, "Just tell me how to find the owner of this mask. "

" We need at least... a face?"

" A face? Right. Right. Right," He massaged his temple, " Get me a cartographer."

"Right now, General?"

"Yes. Now."

INSIDE THE PALACE, Elizabeth was panting heavily as she slammed the chamber doors. When the doors were opened, she entered her room. Anaj was standing on the edge of her bed, shocked at the presence of the princess. She was about to open her mouth and ask a question when Elizabeth raised her hand to stop her.

"Your Highness," Anaj approached Elizabeth and closed the door behind them, "Where have you been? I have been looking all over the kingdom for you. I sent people to secretly search for your whereabouts. How did you even get inside the castle?"

"It's a very long story, Anaj," Elizabeth giggled, " But I had fun."

"Where did you go after the ball? You were out of my sight when it rained."

The two of them sat on the bed. Anaj was anticipating her answers. While Elizabeth couldn't help but recall what happened that night.

"You won't believe me what happened that night," she sneered.

Anaj stared at her, worried about what kind of fun she was talking about.

Elizabeth smiled and began telling Anaj about what happened last night. Right from the moment she entered the ball, met the General and ended up in his bed. She knew that her caretaker would be so mad at how careless she was. But who could blame her? It was an adventure for Elizabeth.

That rebellious night made her realize a lot of things. It included how outdated she was to the outside world and how far she was from knowing who she truly is. In fact, Elizabeth did not even expect that night to end in a stranger's bed. She was grateful to feel the romance she had longed before.

Anaj stared at the princess longer than usual. Elizabeth already knew how her caretaker would react so she took the chance to justify her actions.

"It was just one time, Anaj. It's not like he knows me. And besides, he probably slept with a lot of women to even remember someone as petty as me," Elizabeth shook her head, sighing at the realizations.

" You're right. But why did you give it up? Are you not regretful that you gave your virginity to a man you just met?" curious, Anaj asked.

" All I can say is I wanted it as much as he does. And I have no regrets," Elizabeth smiled.

" I didn't know you were that easy to please, Your Highness," Anaj chuckled.

" Easy? I am not!"

Anaj laughed louder, " Yes, you are not easy."

" It was just...that...he understood me. We have this kind of mutual understanding towards each other's situation, Anaj. What is it that women want the most except for men to understand them?" Elizabeth justified.

Anaj rolled her eyes, " Don't justify it, Elizabeth. Men are men. They only listen to your rants and care about your womanly drama, because they want to drag you to bed. There is no better reason behind that."

"Oh, you're bitter, Anaj, " Elizabeth frowned, not knowing what to say next after her caretaker slammed her down.

" I am not. I just know so many things about men. I should've warned you or atleast stopped you—"

"Anaj."

"What if he has a wife? That will lead you to adultery and—I can't believe this—"

"Anaj!"

Anaj stopped from blabbering and flinched at Elizabeth.

"Don't worry a lot about what happened. It all happened last night. I did not regret a single thing about it."

She nodded. The two shared a short embrace for each other's comfort. Elizabeth pulled away with a smile.

"But who was it? Do you know the man?" Anaj asked, anticipating the princess's answer.

"Oh, you know him all too well."

ALEKSANDER has been pacing back and forth for a while now. He couldn't just sit in that chair and wait for the cartographer to finish his sketch. John looked at his master, worried how Aleksander couldn't even calm himself down.

"Is it done?" Aleksander asked, his hand on his waist.

The cartographer glanced at him before shaking his head, and scribbled another part on the paper. John was nodding behind the cartographer as if he was trying to understand the drawing. Aleksander leaned his hands on the back rest of the sofa.

How can he calm down when there's a woman on the loose? It's not because he felt responsible for tearing her womanhood but because he felt the need of an assurance for her presence. He was sure that he wasn't just daydreaming or it was just a succubus. That's why he needed to find the woman and ask for her hand.

"Is this it, General?" John asked while taking the paper out of the cartographer's hand to show him.

Aleksander nodded and stared at the sketch. That long, loose hair... deep eyes that looked like they were seducing him in every blink, lips kissed by the cupid and a perfectly sculpted face.

"That... is her…" he looked away, trying not to sound too desperate to find this woman.

"Is she missing, General? Did the Queen ask you to find her?"

Aleksander plopped down the sofa and glared at John for throwing questions, "No."

"Then why are you looking for her?"

Aleksander looked at his assistant, "I want you to find who she is and where she resides. "

"Well... everything is just so wrong right now." John shook his head while staring at Aleksander whose eyes were glued on the sketch.

Lord Arthur entered the hall. He glanced at the cartographer who just left before eyeing the paper in Aleksander's hand.

"Is that the Princess?" Arthur asked, standing behind Aleksander.

Aleksander looked at him weirdly, "Princess?" he looked at John who shrugged at him.

"That woman in your hand? It's the youngest Englisian Princess, daughter of the King's first wife, Elizabeth Corvinus," Arthur explained to him. "What a fine woman that she is. The last time I saw her was when she was roaming in the palace grounds."

"Yes, I've heard that the Queen never let the Princess out of her chamber without permission, " John stated.

Aleksander scoffed, massaged his temple.

" Why? Is something wrong with her?" Arthur took an apple and bit.

" Don't tell me, you don't know her, General?" John sighed.

Aleksander stared at them blankly. He was surprised but he hid it behind a cold stare. Arthur and John shared a questioning look. What a day to start with a surprise.

A THRILLED SCREAM echoed throughout the palace. The two women, the Princess and her caretaker dug deep into what happened last night.

"Him?!" Anaj exclaimed, almost throwing out tantrums that were meant to be hidden.

"Shush. They might hear you." Elizabeth laughed while rubbing bubbles on her wet arm.

"Him? The General?" Anaj whispered, shaking her head, " Oh, my graciousness!"

"I have heard a lot of rumours about him, Your Highness. And how a beast he is to the women. A question though." Elizabeth giggled and looked at Anaj, " Was he good? In bed, of course?"

" He was gentle at first, Anaj. And then, he became aggressive. He was good. He wants me to be loud—"

" Oh, good gracious. Stop now. I don't want to hear any more of your mumblings." Anaj raised her hands to surrender and caused Elizabeth to laugh.

Anaj massaged Elizabeth's hands while looking at her eyes, "I know you're new to everything that is happening, Elizabeth. But I want you to know that every action has its consequences. And- And, you need to think thoroughly before making any decision again."

Elizabeth nodded, "You're right, Anaj."

"That's why, don't do anything impulsive next time." Anaj kissed the Princess's cheek.

Elizabeth smiled, "I won't. But can I ask one favor, Anaj?"

"What is it, your Highness?"

"Can you not tell anyone about it?"

Anaj sighed, "Whatever is said in this room, stays in this room, Your Highness."

ALEKSANDER sighed upon hearing how his assistant and his only friend exclaimed about his decision.

"Her hand in marriage?!" John repeated. "Really, General?"

"That is beyond our league, Alek." Arthur shook his head, disagreeing with Aleksander's decision. "But why her?"

"Why not her?" Aleksander questioned them again.

"You're impossible. The Queen will not allow it." Arthur sighed as John nodded to agree with him, "Her Majesty kept that child away from everyone's eyes for all her life. Do you think she'll actually be fine with all that is happening? But wait, where did you even meet the Princess?"

"Last night. At the masquerade—"

"But that's impossible. She was never given permission to step foot outside her chamber." John became curious.

"She sneaked out," Aleksander looked away when they began to eye them with questions.

"Right. Of course, so what kind of a person is she?" Aleksander smirked at Arthur's question.

"Was she kind? Wild?" John teased.

"She's sweet. Entertaining. Brave." Aleksander couldn't help but let out a small smile when he remembered everything that happened last night.

"You're whipped, man." Arthur chuckled at the sight of his cold friend who was trying to pocket a smile.

Aleksander smirked, "Don't I deserve a good beating?"