January 11th, 1323
With the wind beating against his face, Austin felt like he was flying as his horse Gallica galloped with all her might, her strong legs carrying him miles and miles away towards a place he didn't know himself. All he knew was he wanted to get away from the bustle of the Palace, as today was the big day. Don't get him wrong, he didn't hate it, he was thrilled. It's just that if you continue to be examined for the perfect dress, the perfect shoes, the perfect everything for the last one week, escaping will feel like the only option.
So here he was, riding into unknown lands of Hallowywoods without informing any of his brothers but just his aide, Raul. And like every good aide, Raul threw a fit, panicking the living daylights out of himself as he feared where his Lord would end up in. Nonetheless, Austin left anyway, and he was grateful he did.
"Faster Gallica! Faster!" He commanded a grin breaking out on his handsome face as his soft chocolate brown hairs slapped his face because of the wind, his eyes the colour of sweet honey glinting in the sunlight. As the young prince continued on his little adventure, he had no idea where he had ventured off to, but he knew that it was a meadow. A very beautiful meadow.
"Wow!" Austin gasped, admiring the view before him. the grass around him was lush green, while further in front of him was a carpet of colours, ranging from white to yellow to red to pink and so forth. The beauty was endless, and Austin felt like he could stare at it forever.
So enthralled by the beauty before him, the young Prince had little to no idea that there was a second horse approaching him from behind, or more like a second rider. And by the looks of it, the second rider wasn't seeing him either.
"Do you see this Gallica? Isn't it just so beautifu- woah!"
As much as he wished he hadn't, an extremely unattractive shriek left Austin's lips at the abrupt appearance of the second horse, the two almost colliding had the second rider not stopped their horse the last minute. The pitch-black horse neighed wildly, taken aback by his master's sudden command to stop.
"Easy Ares, Easy." Came the voice of the second rider, and it was only then did Austin pull himself together, realizing who the voice belonged to. Or the gender at least.
It was a woman.
With his eyes wide in fury for almost being run over by a much larger horse, Austin glared at the rider as she slowly dismounted from Ares, her face shrouded by her cloak. But the moment she approached him and pushed her hood backwards, Austin felt the breath being knocked out of his lungs.
"Apologies, my Lord, I didn't see you there." Said the girl, lowering her head in a curt bow, her raven black hairs cascading down her face with no emotion whatsoever. Her voice, to Austin, felt like the rustling of a silky curtain, smooth and lavish. Raising her head, the girl watched him from head to toe. "Are you hurt, my Lord?"
But Austin made no reply. All the boy did was stare at her shamelessly, drinking in her beauty. All of a sudden, the meadow he had been admiring didn't feel all that beautiful, failing in comparison to the beauty before him. Suddenly, she was the most beautiful being he had ever seen as he studied her face, realising then why he was comparing her to the meadow so much.
Her eyes. They were green like a forest. Like the grass. The lush green grass of the meadow.
They were breath taking and captivating.
And as he admired her more, his senses slowly returned, and he started seeing the situation more for what it really was and not his foolish day dreams. Her face, which he claimed was prettier than the meadow, was emotionless. Her eyes, that he claimed were green like the grass, were void. The air surrounding her said she wasn't like this all the time, but almost too often, given her dressings.
She wasn't wearing what a normal woman her age would for riding a horse. She was dressed like a gentleman. She wasn't an average lady.
And as he watched her much longer, he realized her face wasn't just emotionless, she was just merely bored. Of him.
Of…me?
"N-no. I'm not…hurt." Austin found his voice again, gaining his composure more by the second when he realized what kind of woman he was dealing with. The girl merely nodded. "That is good then. Once again, I apologise."
"Are you?"
As the girl prepared to leave, Austin's question caught her midway, making her raise an eyebrow at him. "Beg your pardon?"
"I asked," Austin spoke now confidently, watching her with the same look she was giving him. "Are you really apologetic?"
No. she was not. She didn't give an ounce of care whether the man was hurt or not as long as she knew he was alive and standing. She had too much on her plate to care for a pompous noble at the moment. Yes, she knew he was a noble given his riding costume.
For a spilt second, the young girl took her time to think about an answer, looking away as a scoff left her lips. When she looked back at him, he was watching her incredulously. "What if I'm not?"
This made Austin scoff, a smirk appearing on his face as he glared at her audacity. "You are not? Do you know who I am?"
Ah. There it is. That ridiculous question every noble asks. That egotistic sentence to silence those below them. The young girl thought to herself as she stared him down, a smirk appearing on her face. Well, it doesn't really matter. Whoever he is, I'm pretty sure I'm higher in position than him. Once I tell him who I am he will-
"I'm a Prince. Prince Austin Ingram Robus, third in line for the throne of Hucklebee." The words left Austin's lips with confidence, and the reaction he received from the girl had his smirk widening.
That's right. I'm a neighbouring prince. No matter what your station is, being rude to a foreign delegation is punishable by law. Let's see how far you can go.
But what happened next had his smile faltering.
The girl broke into laughter.
Holding on to Ares, the girl continued to laugh, which would have felt like music to his ears had the situation been a bit different. Because now it felt like she was mocking him.
She is, isn't she? She's mocking me right? Why else would she laugh?
At long last, her laughter subsided, and the look she gave him made him squirm in his place, feeling exposed. Tilting her head side ways, this time she studied him.
So you are Prince Austin, huh? The infamous Prince who was born on the same day as me. Zoronus chuckled at the thought. Mother would tell us how our births strengthened the ties between the two nations even more. She said you were a precious little boy who was as rebellious as me.
But all I see, is an egotistic royal who is too full of himself.
Suddenly, telling him her title didn't feel right anymore. Or more like, it didn't feel fun anymore. Because at the end of the day, their stations were of equal value, none being higher than the other.
Which made things more fun for her.
"And I'm supposed to do what with that?" The sly smile on her face as she said this had Austin's eyes going wide, making him release a frustrated chuckle as he ran his fingers through his hairs. "Did…did you hear a word I said? I'm a prince! What title do you have for you to be so brash with Royalty?"
What a precious little boy indeed, mother. So precious, that it seems like he had been coddled all his life. While we both lost our parents at the same time, he was made to believe he was entitled to anything, and everything.
We might be born at the same day, but we are nothing alike.
He is nothing like me mother.
"Is this how things work here at Hallowywoods?" Austin was saying, pulling her out of her train of thoughts as the boy internally fumed. "Is everyone like this here? Tell me, lady, which family do you come from? I shall let Her Highness know about your impertinence and- hey! Where do you think you are going? I'm not done ye- hey! Hey!"
Without a care in the world, Zoronus mounted Ares, that sly smile still intact on her face as she watched him one last time. Once she was done taking him in, she placed her hand over her chest in mock salutation.
"Please do so. I shall wait for Her Highness's call. Whichever Highness's you shall call, that is." The last part was meant for her ears only, but the young Prince had already heard it, his eyes going wide at her audacity. He tried to call out but it was already too late. Princess Zoronus was already riding away.
-------
"What a waste of time." Zoronus muttered under her breath, dismounting Ares while the stable boy took charge of the large beast. She made her way towards the Castle, Dany following behind her. "Your Highness, it is almost time. Please allow me to escort you to your quarters to help you get ready."
At the thought of what was to come next, Zoronus beamed, the horrible encounter being pushed in the back of her head as she sped up. Dany went on. "Princess Marona has ordered that I take you to her quarters once you are ready. Princess Chiffery shall be waiting there as well-"
"Chiffery? Isn't she ready already?" Zoronus stopped midway, looking at the girl questioningly. Dany shook her head. "I'm afraid not, my Lady. Her Highness left the Castle not long after you. Reina is still waiting for her."
Knitting her eyebrows, Zoronus asked again. "Where did she go?"
"I cannot say, my Lady. I believe she left to get some air like you."
"Huh." Zoronus mused, heading towards her quarter. It was unlike Chiffery to do this. She was the most excited of all for this day, so much that she couldn't stop herself from the preparations. Trying on every dress, every little details. And to think she now left for the same reason Zoronus did, it was hard to believe.
"Perhaps it was getting unbearable for her as well." Zoronus said, receiving nothing but a nod from Dany.
"Perhaps."
-------
Sure enough, Chiffery had left the safety provided behind the Palace walls and ventured out into the forest for some much needed fresh air all on her own. As much as she enjoyed everything regarding the preparations for the Coronation, she knew she needed a break. For the extreme work load was starting to take a toll on her.
For those that are still unaware, among the three sisters, Chiffery was the least sound of health. Given she didn't fancy the same activities Marona and Zoronus did, the Royal Physician deemed her heart too fragile for extremely stressful works. Once of the reasons why her coveting the throne was a story too farfetched. And thus, she was honoured with the reward of becoming the Minister of Royal Administrations, while Zoronus was given the rank of General of the Royal Army after their coup to capture the traitors had succeeded.
So there she was, sitting cross legged on the dewy grass as she splashed the cool river water on her heated face, feeling the heat succumb to the coolness of the water. She released a breath she was holding, closing her eyes and sucking another in.
What a tiring day. And I have to return again. Well, at least all the preparations are over without a hiccup.
Chiffery opened her eyes, staring at her quiet surroundings, not ready to leave just yet.
Reina will get worried if I don't return soon. Just a few more minutes then.
Turning back to the water, the young blonde splashed another round of water on her face, but the next time she opened her eyes, her heart leaped.
Beside her reflection, there was another. Holding a bow.
With a reflex, Chiffery pulled out her dagger, swiftly turning to face the stranger and raising her dagger from her leaning position with a glare on her eyes. And the stranger? He had the bow pointed directly at her.
"Don't move!" Chiffery shrieked, her eyes ablaze as she watched the stranger, a small smirk forming in his lips as the words left his lips. "Too late."
With her heart in her throat and eyes turning wide at the meaning, Chiffery watched with baited breath as the man let go of the arrow, watching it swirl in the air and coming straight at her.
She closed her eyes.
She waited for the arrow that never came. And the longer she kept her eyes closed, the sooner she realized it would not come. And yet, she didn't dare open her eyes. Because a million thoughts were already rushing inside her head.
Where on earth did the arrow go if not on me? Did I…imagine it all? Am I losing my senses?
"You can open your eyes now." A smooth, silky voice whispered in her ear, making her flinch at the sudden closeness. But she did as commanded. Slowly but surely, she peeled her eyes open, only to be greeted by the dashing face of the stranger.
He was beautiful.
With his black hairs tousled around like he had run for miles, Chiffery watched as an uneasy smile grazed his perfectly shaped lips, his tanned skin glistening against the soft sunlight that fell on him. He looked like a Greek God.
"Are you alright?"
That was enough to snap Chiffery out of her delirious thoughts as her eyes that stared at the man with admiration suddenly shifted back to a glare, and the first thing she did was shove the man as hard as she could.
"Ouch!" The stranger grunted, falling on his butt as Chiffery pulled herself up, pointing her dagger at him again. "You have ten seconds to name yourself! Speak man!"
Said man stared at her incredulously, and once he was sure she was serious, he scoffed at his fate. "Well that is an unexpected thank you."
Thank you? Is he insane? Chiffery only glared at the man's audacity. "Do you know who I am? I could have you hanged for shooting an arrow at me. name yourself or I shall end you right now!"
But the man paid her no heed as he slowly got to his feet, dusting off the dirt around him as he decided to match her tone. "Guessing by how well you are dressed, you must be a noble. No wonder you are so full of yourself."
"Full…of myself?" Chiffery couldn't believe what she was hearing. She was almost shot to death and yet called full of herself. She hated the guts of this man. "And a noble? Do you not know who I am?"
The stranger raised a questioning eyebrow at her pompous question. This made Chiffery smirk. "Judging by the fact that you do not know me, I'm guessing you are from one of the delegations attending the Coronation, Yes? Fine then, let me introduce myself to your pathetic self. I'm Princess Chiffery Gonzel Seth of Hallowywoods, second in line to the throne."
Chiffery's smirk grew as she noticed the realization on the man's face, his eyes slightly going wide.
So this…is Princess Chiffery. The infamous Princess that played the traitors their own game and captured them. That ruthless Princess…is this?
Other than her astounding beauty, she's as dim-witted as she sounds. That's really her?
Is she lying?
Without a warning, Minder broke out into a fit of laughter, the smirk falling from Chiffery''s face. she didn't know what was so funny as she watched him furiously. All the while, Minder couldn't hold himself.
My my my! If this really is the infamous Princess Chiffery, then this makes everything so much more interesting.
I don't even have to tell her who I am. We are both the second to the throne anyway. We are equals.
Minder finally quit laughing, eyeing her with interest which only made her fume.
How…How dare he laugh…at me? does he think I'm joking? Does he not take me seriously? I will show him! I'll sh-
"Well then, Princess Chiffery, if you really are Second in line for the throne, at least make sure you watch your surroundings when you are on your own." Minder said, confusing Chiffery even more. She stared at him with doubt as he approached her with confident steps, making her raise the dagger higher. Just when she thought he would touch her, Minder knelt down, grabbing something from the grass.
It was only when he had raised his hand up and held it in front of her face for her to see did she realize what it was, and what had happened.
The arrow he shot had struck a snake. One that had most likely snuck upon her unnoticed.
Shame and guilt crossed her features as she looked away from the dangling creature, which only made Minder smile at her.
Cute.
"I… I wasn't aware. I hope you understand given my status I have to be cautious about-"
"I know." Minder cut in, silencing her. "But it won't hurt you to apologize."
Now why would I do that?
The rude expression was back again. "In case you might be forgetting, you shot an arrow at me."
"At the snake."
"You aimed at me."
"To save your life."
"I guess we are even then." Chiffery replied with a tight smile plastered on her face. she had too much pride to admit that the reason she wouldn't apologize, was because she is a Princess.
But of course, Minder already knew that. "Are you denying me an apology because of your status?"
"That," Chiffery replied in between gritted teeth. "Is certainly not the case."
"Then say it."
"You don't deserve it."
"Why not?"
"You haven't told me who you are yet."
Ahh. There it is.
Minder smirked, enjoying this game a lot. However he knew he had little time left, and as interesting as this game was, it was time to end it. but he would do so, on his own terms.
Approaching her, he levelled his face to hers, looking into her deep green eyes much to the girls surprise. "You'll know. Soon enough. Also, you are welcome."
With that, he withdrew himself, grabbed his bow and walked away, the girl never calling out to him even once.
She was too stunned to speak.
Her heart was too stunned to slow down as well.