Episode 10
1263 Words
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"Achoo—"
Awaking from slumber, Emily sneezed loudly. Her nose itched persistently, as if tickled all night by something soft and downy. She blamed the cozy little blanket she had wrapped around herself during her sleep.
Rising to her feet, she noticed from the corner of her eye a stray black hair dangling from her collar. A hair, almost as long as her finger, tapered at the end, akin to a tuft from the tail of a large dog.
Perplexed, the fastidious princess examined it for a long moment.
"Could it be a dog climbed on me while I was asleep?"
Nearby, Sean’s tail grew tense as he attempted to diminish his presence.
Autumn was approaching, after all, and shedding was a natural occurrence for his kind.
Luckily, Emily chose not to dwell on the matter. Handing the folded blanket back to Sean, she gave her dress a quick pat-down to ensure nothing else clung to her before heading to the nearby brook to wash her face.
Sean waited silently on the spot.
The elaborate blanket that enveloped the princess appeared like a tiny handkerchief when folded in his hands, its soft textures slipping through his fingers like the whisper of the princess’s nightgown exposed ever so slightly.
The knight couldn’t resist; discreetly, he gripped it tightly.
He lifted his gaze towards the direction the princess had gone, slowly and cautiously raising the blanket to his nose.
It carried the sweet scent of roses.
Intruded upon by a beast.
"Sean—!"
The call of Emily.
Soft but resounding like thunder beside Sean's ears, startling him from his pleasant fantasy.
His fingers clenched too tightly, and the small blanket instantly disintegrated to powder, swept away by the breeze that erased any trace.
A tidal wave of panic consumed him.
Sean feared he had been caught red-handed.
The mere thought of Emily casting him that look of loathing anew, banishing him without mercy, nullifying all his efforts, nearly drove him to despair.
Frustration, regret, and agony surged to the brink of his control.
Even the beast within clamored for release, a tempest of madness to lay bare his desires before his unsuspecting lady.
But—
Just as these forbidden thoughts took shape, Emily’s voice intervened, pulling him back.
The princess demanded softly, “Come help me tie my hair!”
"…"
Emily had misplaced her hair ribbon yesterday, making it challenging to wash her face and she was only too ready to summon Sean for assistance. Her voice retained its customary innocence and noble-born arrogance, oblivious of his wild imaginings.
By a mere second, Sean barely evaded disaster,
Not knowing whether to feel relieved or regretful.
He sighed and approached Emily, situated by the brook.
Emily’s golden tresses glimmered like luxurious satin in the morning sun, so voluminous that even both her hands struggled to gather it all. She was accustomed to the maids caring for her hair and naturally beckoned Sean.
Seeing his current state, she blinked in mild surprise.
“Oh, Sean, why are you sweating so much?”
The morning forest was cool, its breeze carrying the natural fragrances of grass and leaves. Unlike the artificial perfumes of the palace, Emily adored this aroma.
It was soothing, lifting her spirits.
The princess, heedless of Sean’s tendency to silence, lightly voiced concern: “Are you unwell?”
The knight did not answer.
Emily was used to Sean's silent spells and voiced no annoyance. She intended to take him to a doctor at the next town rather than endure another night sleeping outdoors.
She would forever favor the grandeur of her palace bed.
*
Kingston was a prosperous city, famous for its gold, its buildings adorned with gold filigree. The shine from each façade could even dazzle the princess, who was accustomed to extravagance. Recent years saw the palace under the queen's rule embracing frugality, and Emily’s monthly wardrobe dwindled to fifteen new dresses from thirty.
Since escaping the palace, she hadn’t changed clothes for three days straight!
Utterly dreadful!
Fortunately, Kingston's living costs weren’t steep.
The fortune from selling Sean’s armor was sufficient for a lavish hotel stay, and a small sum remained after expenses. Emily promptly instructed Sean to purchase new attire and perhaps even find a maid.
Sean, concerned about leaving her alone, wished to take her along, but the princess, yearning to sink into the soft embrace of a mattress, ushered him out with a gentle shove.
The soft touch of her palm nearly immobilized him—like petals, like feathers, like the dreams he dared not entertain.
His muscles contracted to a state of tense rigidity.
The next moment, he summoned all willpower to relax.
With immense self-discipline, the beast within barely refrained from pouncing.
A stifled sigh escaped him, touched with resigned helplessness, “Miss, please ensure you remain within the hotel until I return.”
Emily’s attitude was imperious, yet she refrained from wielding a commanding tone unnecessarily. Besides, the hotel Sean found was indeed satisfactory, and the princess saw merit in amiability.
She nodded with a smile, acknowledging her duty-bound knight’s plea, “I understand, Sean, off you go!”
*
Peering out the window, Emily observed the bustling street scene. Her green eyes, flowing golden hair, and delicate complexion soon caught the attention of passersby.
A group of children frolicked below her window, gazing up with innocent awe, “Miss, are you an angel?”
Emily delighted in compliments, tossing them a handful of sweets with a whispered, “Shh, don’t let anyone else know.”
Once the children scampered off joyously, she closed the window.
She had entrusted Sean with a letter for her brother to mail from the largest post station in Kingston. Uncertain how long it would take to reach him, she planned to linger here until a reply arrived.
Hence, the need for an attentive maid.
The hulking knight, while obedient and reliable, was ineptly clumsy. That morning by the brook, while he clumsily tied her hair, he snapped three cherished hairs!
How infuriating!
Pouting with disdain, Emily massaged her scalp as she headed to the bath.
A tub filled with fresh petals and milk—a delightful hotel service—but its scent didn’t quite appeal to Emily. She selected a favored magical bath bomb from the assorted labeled collection and tossed it into the milk bath.
“Pop-pop,” soft white bubbles quickly surfaced, and the sweet scent of cream filled the bathroom.
The picky princess finally found contentment.
Lounging in the tub, she pondered over a peach-flavored cream pudding.
Had she known, she would have sent Sean to retrieve her some too.
Emily puckered her lips, longing for the crystal moonstone—a communication token with Sean she had cast aside.
With a “click," the door gently swung open.
Metal against metal faintly clinked, and the gem of a sword rasping against armor. Heavy footfall padded over plush carpet, precise and deliberate.
Thinking Sean had returned, Emily's heart leapt, “Sean, you’re back so soon—”
Then her voice faltered.
No, it couldn’t be right.
Sean's armor had been sold at the last town for funds.
Moreover, Sean would never enter without her permission.
Suddenly, Emily grew pale.
Moments passed and a foreign voice resonated from outside the bathroom, eloquent and grand, echoing the prestige of palace knights.
Emily’s heart sank heavy with dread.
“Princess, we are here to escort you home.”
Author's Note:
The princess is about to be whisked away XD
A special midsummer gift in the comments~
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- Writer
