Defending Left-Handed

Chapter 11

“I do not have an agenda for today,” the princess said as she peeked outside her room where Liriel was standing. “You can take a break, right now,” she continued. She was actually very tired from the training she had on the gun training center, yesterday. Her arms were sore so she decided to cancel all the plans that she supposed to have. She just wanted to lie down for the rest of the day. She was grateful that the queen approved.

“All right,” he answered and nodded.

The princess nodded as well and closed her door. She immediately went to her bed and lied down. She took a deep breath. She did not want to be with Liriel, as well. It was best for her to have a break on feeling what she’s feeling. However, how could she take a break when she thought of him every time. She shook her head and took another deep breath. She sat up from laying down and grabbed the book on her bedside table. It is better to divert my attention with this book, she said to herself.

Hours passed and the princess realized that she’s hungry. She already heard her stomach made a sound.

She stood up from her bed and went towards her door to go the kitchen. It’s still not lunch time but she’s already hungry maybe because of the training yesterday or maybe because of the book that she’s reading right now.

As she opened the door, shocked registered on her face. It was Liriel. “I told you to take a break for today,” she said as she approached him. She could already see how sweaty his face was. He must have been standing for hours.

“My duty is to keep an eye on you at all times,” Liriel answered without looking at the princess.

The princess massaged her temple. She’s confused on whether he was taking his assignment with dedication or he was just eavesdropping and observing her for a plot.

“Thank you but you do not need to for today. I told you I do not have any agenda and you don’t need to keep an eye on me in the castle. I am safe here.”

Liriel did not listen to her and just stood beside her bedroom door.

The princess sighed. “All right, I am going somewhere. I’ll change first.” She immediately went back inside her room and changed into an outdoor dress.

“Come,” she commanded as soon as she went out of the door. Liriel just followed behind her.

The princess did not really have a destination to go to. She just want to give Liriel a thing to do. She knew him. He gets frustrated when things did not go his own way.

Their feet led them to the garden. Their was a fountain in the middle.

“Can you still remember our memories here?” the princess asked as she roamed her eyes around the garden. It has been so long since she last visited their, too, because this garden always remind her of Liriel.

“Yes,” he answered thriftly.

The princess smiled. At least he admitted that he still remembers our childhood memories, the princess thought.

The garden also had a manmade river. The princess tried to step on the boulders to cross on the other side of the river and she had successfully passed through without having any help from a man.

“Come, Liriel.”

Liriel followed her. She started walking towards the forest around the palace.

“I saw there was a cave here. Ah!”

Princess Slithen ran towards the cave. “I saw it,” she cheerfully said.

“That could be dangerous there, Princess Slithen,” Liriel warned but the princess did not listen to him and instead continued to get inside the cave. He ran towards her and grabbed her by her wrist.

“That could be dangerous there, Princess,” he firmly said.

The princess looked at him. “iIf I don’t ever get inside then I might have my regrets.”

She had been living inside the palace for nineteen years but she never entered the palace’s isolated area.

It was Liriel’s time to sigh. “I will take the lead and you will follow”

The princess’s face lit and and she immediately nodded to agree what he will have.

The cave seemed deep. There was a stairs leading towards an underground. Slithen clung unto Liriel’s arms. They could hear a gushing water as they continued to get down.

“Did you hear that?” Princess Slithen asked to Liriel. Liriel nodded. The moment that they have arrived, the princess was too stunned to speak.

“How could I only see this now? How could I missed something like this?” the princess asked as she slowly stepped forward towards the water.

“Princess, what are you doing?” Liriel grabbed her wrist to stop her.

The princess smiled and suddenly pulled him towards to water. Because he did not expect it, the princess was able to pull him. The water was just below the knee and as they continued to step forward, the water rises and it was now on their hips.

Liriel sighed and continued to hold the princess’s wrist so she would not be able to get away from him.

“Princess, if we stay here any longer, you might get sick,” Liriel reminded but the princess did not listen and instead, she submerged herself underwater for a few seconds.

“That was refreshing,” she commented as she emerged back.

Liriel immediately turned his back to avoid looking at the princess but he was still holding her wrist.

“What is wrong?” the princess confusedly asked. That was when she realized something. She stepped back but a pebble tripped her underwater that caused her to fall and pulled Liriel, as well. Liriel accidentally let go of the princess when he was under water.

“Princess?” he asked as soon as he was able to get back on his feet. After a few seconds, the princess was able to get up, gasping for air.

Liriel immediately went towards her to check on her if she got hurt anywhere or not.

“I am okay,” she reassured him.

Liriel looked at him in her eyes. “We should now get going.”

Princess Slithen nodded. Liriel held her wrist back as they got out of the water. Liriel stopped when he felt that Princess Slithen stopped. Liriel looked at her. She’s looking down.

“What is the matter?”

The princess slowly moved her head to look at him. “ I know it’s already five years ago and this is so shameful of me to ask this after what had happened but, do you still love me?”