It was a good day to fish. There was nothing to hear but the gentle current of the river, the wind gently blowing around us. There were frogs close by, a few of them croaking loudly. The sun was out but it wasn’t that hot as the clouds slowly passed under its light, giving us shade every once in a while. James and I had been sitting on a rock for quite some time, waiting for something to bite. The guards had their own time together, not far but close enough to keep an eye on us and to make sure of our security. The silence between us was so thick, you could pierce a sword through it and it would bleed. But for the first time in such a long time, the silence didn’t feel hostile. We were spending time together but not in the way where we needed to talk. Somewhere, we understood one another, read each other’s minds that it was better if we kept our words to ourselves. My thoughts were interrupted when James finally spoke, “I trust that you have taken care of all the needed work for to

As we arrived at the stables, no one was waiting for us. I looked around once more, making sure that I’m not missing anything or anyone. “I thought you said your friend’s here,” I said, turning to her. “I hid her somewhere here. I’ll go ahead and get her,” she replied as she walked away. “This won’t take long, right?” I asked, putting my hands behind my back. She didn’t answer and began checking each empty stable. When there was no sign of someone hiding inside the stables, she went back to where she started and began knocking three times on the wooden gates. “Mallory?” a voice suddenly came from the very last stable, one where Elizabeth’s horse was being kept. Mallory rushed over to that stable. As she looked over the gate, she talked to someone I couldn't see, “What are you doing in there?” Mallory quickly opened the gate, careful not to let the horse escape. I started to hear shuffling where Mallory was. “You told me to hide,” a faint voice replied as I heard more shuffling

After a bit of riding, I finally arrived at the hills. I immediately started my search for Laura. And after a bit of time, I finally found her. She was on top of a hill, under a tree. Leo peacefully grazed grass right in front of her. I slowly made my way towards her. And when I arrived behind her, I got off of Lady and walked up to her. She didn’t say anything or moved a muscle. She kept her eyes out to the big, open field before us. I already sat down beside her but she continued to act as if I wasn’t there. Her cheeks were damp, clear evidence that she had been crying. Her eyes were puffy and she quietly sniffled in an attempt to hide it from me. “Laura,” I spoke with caution after a deep breath. She turned her head to the side, wiping her face. “What are you doing here?” she asked. I cleared my throat as I readjusted my posture. “I figured that you headed here after that… disastrous scene in our stables,” I replied as she turned back to the side. “Mallory may be looking for

When I turned to my corridor, Gonzalo was already waiting at the door. “Your dinner is already inside, Your Highness,” Gonzalo bowed as I reached him. “Thank you, Gonzalo,” I nodded as I opened my door. “Is there anything else that I can help you with, young prince,” he asked as I stepped inside. “There is nothing else for me, Gonzalo. But, I would like for you to bring a glass of water for my sister. Her handmaidens are nowhere to be seen and she needs it right away,” I replied. “As you wish, Your Highness,” he bowed. I continued, “Also, talk to the handmaidens about this matter. It’s a rule in this castle that at least two servants are to accompany a monarch at night. Just because you are allowed to do other tasks at night, that doesn’t mean that they get to the same.” “Yes, Your Highness. I will speak to them first thing in the morning,” Gonzalo replied, bowing once again. Slowly, I closed my door and headed to my writing desk. My food was already there but something else ca

“Is it a custom in your kingdom to make your guests wait for an incredibly long time?” A disappointed voice came from the main hall as I rushed down to Queen Marta. “Your Majesty,” I spoke as I walked down the stairs with my hands behind my back. “Ugh! Finally!” she sighed, closing her fan as she walked towards me whilst our guards a death stare. “I supposed that time runs rather slower here than what’s in the norm,” she snarked. “I do apologise for the delay, Your Majesty. We’re currently in the middle of an emergency–” “Emergency or not, you and your people should value the worth of time! You and your mother should’ve greeted me by the door in the same manner that I did for you when you came to our kingdom,” she complained. She continued with, “I didn’t expect a grandiose welcome. But the least that you can do for me is a warm and friendly hello. But what happened? I endured such a long journey, just to be greeted by no one.” She added, “This meeting must be dealt with as soon