The Prince & the Girl Excerpt

Avellana 

Night had fallen, giving me a view of the starry night sky. The moon shone brightly and fell against the pebbled ground which gleamed.

I smiled; it was beautiful.

“May I sit with you?” A deep voice startled me, making me jump and yelp.

“I did not realize I had company.” I set a hand over my startled heart.

 He seemed to be waiting for an answer.

“Oh, yes, please sit.”

I could not see him well in the dim light, save for the outline of a masculine figure. The torch only shadowed his features, but by his silhouette, I could see he was of impressive stature. The man was well above my height with broad shoulders and a confident posture.

“It is beautiful.” I commented, after silence descended and he had settled down next to me. My labored breaths had finally returned to its normal tempo.

“What is?” His evident confusion made me realize that I was speaking my mind.  

 I clasped my hands in my lap and studied the white rose I had plucked on my way here. My long hair created a curtain between him and me.

 There was no harm in speaking to this stranger who I would not meet again.

“The sky, chirping of the crickets, the breeze, the garden.” I sounded strange even to my own ears.

 How long had it been since I acknowledged the beauty of other things?

 The answer was simple.

 Too long.

“Carry on.” He gently encouraged.

 This man’s presence brought a sense of calm to me.

 I felt myself squirm and hugged myself around the waist. All too uncomfortable with the realization.

 Just as I moved to leave, I heard him sigh.

 It sounded like a heavy burden was on his shoulders.

“Is something amiss?”

“No, not at all.” I could hear a hint of a smile in his voice.

“I-”

“E-”

 We both spoke at the same time.

“Carry on.” He repeated.

 We both chuckled.

After a prolonged moment he spoke, “Ever feel as if… our thoughts and worries are great, yet we are but one person in this vast world?”

 I took a deep breath as I leaned back and stared up at the stars. It was a thought I had experienced but had never voiced.

 He must have mistaken my silence for disgust or annoyance, for he said, “Forget it. It was a senseless question.”

“No, no.” I quickly responded, “You are quite right.”

“Are you here as one of the prince’s ladies?” He asked.

“I came here with my sister; she was the one with the invitation. I am only here to participate in some of the activities”

“But are not all the ladies eligible?”

“Yes, but I am not looking to be the prince’s bride.”

“Then why are you here?”

“It is better to be here than elsewhere…” I left the sentence hanging. This man did not need to know my intentions.

 I frowned, who was this man, “And you are…?”

 He chuckled, “I enjoy calling myself a ‘faithful servant of the king’.”

 Suspicion arose and my senses alerted me, “Which means?”

“I prefer to keep my identity to myself.”

 I squinted in the dark, attempting to see who he was. When I could not, I decided to retire to my chambers, “I am afraid I should not be out here… alone.” It was on the tip of my tongue to say with you.

“Do not worry. I am one of those in elite ranking. Furthermore, there are guards everywhere. We are surrounded with chaperones.”

 His voice sounded smug.

“You are right.” I agreed.

 It did not hurt that I was trained beyond this man’s abilities. I had to play the part of a helpless maiden.

“Do not worry, I will not hurt you.”

 Strangely, I knew he was harmless, “So, what should I call you, Stranger?”

 He laughed, “Whatever you wish.”

“Then, Stranger it is.” I shrugged, “My creativity is suddenly lacking.” I chuckled, “If I think of a better name, I will let you know.”

 I could hear his smile when he said, “Oh, please do so!”

“So, Stranger, is the reason why you will not reveal yourself because you are… ugly?” I teased.

 He laughed, a sound that resounded and made me go warm inside. Somehow, I knew that he was the opposite of a hideous being, but I could not be sure. Afterall, I could only outline his profile.

“So?” I prodded, feeling more like myself, “Maybe I should call you Ugly.” I teased further.

 He chuckled, but said, “Most people would not go as far as calling me ugly.”

“Then I’ll be the first.” I admitted proudly, “Afterall, how can I be sure you don’t look like an ogre.”

“You do have a point.” He agreed.

“What about you? What should I call you?” He asked.

 Giving away my name did not sound as appealing, so I said, “Whatever you wish,”

“Hmm,” I could hear the beginning of teasing, “How about…” I could not help but laugh at his struggle to find a name.

 Faintly I could outline his hand holding up a finger, “Hold on, I am thinking.” He was enjoying this entirely too much.

 After a moment he sighed, “I cannot think of a name.”

“Call me, Ava.” I blurted.

 I held in a gasp. What was with me? I had not meant for that to come out.

“Ava,” he said, “Is that your real name?”

“No. I will reveal my identity when you reveal yours.”

“Fair enough.” He agreed.

“Do you live here?” I asked, changing the subject.

“Yes, I have all of my life.”

 I took in his answer, wondering if I could truly trust this stranger. Something told me to be cautious. I was not naïve, and I knew that all the men I had known were not noble; what was to say that he was an exception?

 Yet, he was part of the Kingdom of the Rose. They took their code of honor to a different degree of seriousness. Something I had never seen, save[PC2]  for when I had visited.

 There was a small part of me filled with excitement. I hardly recognized it at first. The feeling was unfamiliar yet pleasing. It was the excitement of truly knowing someone, and it was the only thing stopping me from demanding his identity. Yet…

“May I ask of you something?” I inquired

“And what would that be?”

 I felt my courage falter, but I cleared it of my mind.  

 “What reason do you have for veiling your identity?”

 As he began to speak, I interjected, “Look, I am not a naïve young woman, unlike those you may have met. There must be a reason as to why you will not reveal yourself, which has filled me with many doubts.”

 I was nothing if not blunt.

 I took a deep breath; so what if he looked like an ogre?

“I take back what we agreed.” 

Silence settled around us, save for the crickets chirping in the background and the song of the night birds that filled the air. I twisted my hands as I felt nervousness creep into my heart.

 When I could not take the silence any longer, I urged, “Please reveal your identity.”

“I am afraid that will not be possible.” I could hear the formality going back into this stranger’s voice.

“Why not? I beg of you to give me a suitable reason.”

“You will not speak to me in the same manner.” His voice became guarded.

“Why not? Are you a servant of the palace? I care nothing of those things.” In fact, I would be pleased if he was. It would make my stay much more bearable.

 His bitter laugh hinted at his suffering, “If only!”

 Confusion settled in my mind, but I swiftly inquired, “Then what is the matter?”

 I heard his hard sigh; desperate to think of a fit motive, I voiced, “Both of us are in positions that are not agreeable. For some unspoken motive, you do not wish to reveal your identity.”

“It is best if you disregard it.” His deep voice startled me.

 I continued without regard as to his words, “If you assume I will not be speaking to you, you have my word that I will meet and speak with you without regard to position, rank or any nonsense that might prevent you from revealing yourself.”

 I knew he was harmless; he was most likely exaggerating.

“You solemnly promise?” He asked cautiously.

 I could hear his decision wavering. It made me smile; an unfamiliar feeling.

“I solemnly promise.” Before he could leave, I stood and grabbed the nearest torch.

 I saw his silhouette stand.

 Not wanting to frighten him away, I directed the light towards myself.