A FATEFUL ENCOUNTER
1107 Words
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Chapter 2: A Fateful Encounter
The figure that stepped out from the shadows of the forest seemed unreal, like something from one of the old stories that Nelly's aunt used to tell her before bed. He was tall, with black hair that caught the dying sunlight through the trees, and his clothes—though simple—were of fine quality, unlike anything Nelly or Nadia had seen in the market. His light skin glowed in the twilight, and his piercing eyes held a mixture of curiosity and confidence.
"Who are you?" Nelly's voice trembled slightly, betraying her unease. Nadia stood frozen beside her, clutching her bouquet of wildflowers as though it might offer some protection.
The boy smiled softly, stepping forward with an air of calm, though there was something undeniably powerful about him. "My name is Joshua," he said simply, as though that explained everything. "And you are?"
Nelly blinked, feeling the weight of his gaze. "I'm Nelly," she replied, her voice steadier now. She could feel something stirring inside her, a subtle energy that she didn’t quite understand but knew was significant. "And this is my friend, Nadia."
Joshua’s eyes flickered over to Nadia for a brief moment before settling back on Nelly. He took another step closer, his presence commanding but not overwhelming. “It’s nice to meet you both. What brings you out to this part of the woods?”
“We were just… looking for flowers,” Nadia spoke up, though her voice was quieter than usual, her usual confidence wavering under the boy’s intense gaze.
Nelly felt a spark of curiosity. There was something strange about Joshua—something different from the other boys in the village. His demeanor, the way he carried himself, it was all so… regal. And his name, Joshua—it was the same name as the prince who lived in the palace, the same prince that every girl in the kingdom whispered about in hushed tones.
She couldn’t help but wonder—could this really be him?
“You don’t look like someone who’s just ‘passing through,’” Nelly said, narrowing her eyes slightly. She wasn’t sure why she felt the need to challenge him, but there was something about him that both intrigued and unsettled her.
Joshua chuckled softly, clearly amused. “You’re very perceptive, Nelly.”
Her heart skipped a beat at the sound of her name on his lips. “So, what are you really doing out here?” she pressed.
Joshua’s expression shifted slightly, a more serious look crossing his features. He glanced around as if checking to make sure they were alone before answering. “I was… taking a break from the palace.”
The word ‘palace’ hung in the air like a spell, heavy with meaning. Nadia’s eyes went wide, and she let out a soft gasp. “You mean… you’re the prince?”
Joshua nodded, though he seemed less concerned with the title than the girls were. “Yes, but I’d rather not make a big deal out of it.”
Nadia stumbled over her words. “Oh my gods, I-I didn’t mean to—”
“It’s fine,” Joshua interrupted gently, smiling again. “I’m just a person, like anyone else.”
Nelly’s mind raced. She’d just met the prince of Malia—the same boy she’d seen in royal processions, the same boy everyone whispered about. And now here he was, standing in front of her like he was just any other boy from the village. But there was something else, too—something more than just his status as a prince. There was an energy around him, a subtle hum of power that she could almost feel. Her heart pounded in her chest as she tried to process it all.
“What brings you to our part of the woods?” Nelly asked, trying to sound casual, but her voice betrayed her curiosity.
Joshua hesitated for a moment, as if weighing whether or not to answer. Finally, he sighed. “I needed a break from everything—being a prince, the expectations, the constant pressure. Out here, I can just be myself.”
Nadia nodded, her eyes still wide with awe. “That sounds amazing. It must be so hard living in the palace.”
Nelly, however, wasn’t so easily convinced. “But why us? Why talk to us?” Her gaze was sharp, searching his face for any hidden motives.
Joshua’s eyes locked onto hers, and for a brief moment, the world seemed to still. “Because I sensed something in you, Nelly,” he said quietly, his voice almost a whisper. “Something… different.”
Nelly’s breath caught in her throat. She had always known she was different, but she had never known how. Her invisibility power was faint—barely there, really—and she had long ago given up on thinking she was special in any meaningful way. But hearing those words from Joshua, the prince of Malia, sent a thrill through her that she couldn’t explain.
“I don’t know what you’re talking about,” she said, her voice more defensive than she intended.
Joshua smiled again, but this time it was softer, almost reassuring. “You will. Soon.”
The cryptic nature of his words left both Nelly and Nadia in stunned silence. Before either of them could respond, Joshua glanced over his shoulder toward the palace. “I should go,” he said, his tone suddenly more urgent. “But I’ll see you again.”
“Wait!” Nadia called, but it was too late. With a graceful movement, Joshua turned and disappeared back into the shadows of the forest, leaving the two girls standing there, speechless.
Nelly stared after him, her mind spinning. “What just happened?” she whispered.
“I think we just met the prince,” Nadia said, still clutching her wildflowers in disbelief.
But Nelly wasn’t thinking about titles or royal encounters. She was thinking about the strange pull she had felt toward him, the way his words seemed to stir something deep inside her. Something that had been dormant for years.
“What did he mean when he said I was different?” Nelly muttered under her breath, more to herself than to Nadia.
Nadia shrugged. “I don’t know. But whatever it is, I bet it’s important.”
Nelly glanced back toward the palace in the distance, a feeling of anticipation building inside her. Whatever had just happened, it was the beginning of something big. Something that would change her life forever.
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End of Chapter 2
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- Writer
