Dinner 2
761 Words
As I guided the princess down hallway and down the stairwell to the dining area, my mind was in a sort of haze.
The magnetic attraction that I felt towards the woman beside me was intense, if not unbearable. She didn't even know what kind of hold she had on me. She was a few years younger than me, not by much but just on the brink of being a woman.
If I was going to do this correctly, I would have to be patient. she was widely pliable and trying to please her family which young children do, she was not used to thinking for herself as she had not been able to her whole life. I know her pain as I was there. A lot of people think royal children incompetent and spoiled however, we are raised to be completely and blindly obedient. We are raised to not lift a finger, or think for ourselves. We are raised to do our parents bidding until they pass, really.
I heard the princess side beside me. I looked out of the corner of my eye to assess the situation. She had a small frown on her face obviously thinking hard on something.
"Is there a problem, Peach?" I asked pretending to be nonchalant but really dying to know if she was unhappy.
"I wouldn't say it's a problem, more of a worry. I wonder if your brother will like me enough to accept my father's proposal for suit." she answered, anxiously.
"My brother likes no one. Unless you are a mirror, he will not like you. I'm not trying to hurt you princess... but maybe it would be better if you simply made him dislike you enough to send you away. Your life would be better for it."
She gasped "Surely he isn't that horrendous.."
I stopped and looked at her trying to convey the sincerity of my previous statement.
"He is..." I heard footsteps of servants coming down the hall, I turned sharply to the left opening a door that led to a sitting area that wasn't frequented. I pulled the princess in behind me and locked the door.
"Wh-what are you doing? This is inappropriate if we are discover-"
I put my finger up to her lips and put my ear against the door. The footsteps passed.
" I cannot be heard talking I'll of my brother or he will charge me with treason. He only waits to be rid of me. Peach. He is THAT bad. I would rather you not have to see, but if you insist I will help you navigate dealing with him until you have seen all you need to. I will get you out. I will keep you safe."
"What? Now why would you do that? He is your brother and I'm a mere stranger....How do I know I can trust you?" She questioned she twisted her hands anxiously, good.. she was taking me seriously.
"You can always trust me. I will always have your best interest at heart. I'm no monster." I stepped closer to her, moving my face close to hers to maintain eye contact "I will ALWAYS protect you, Peach. Always." I pressed my lips to her forehead and stepped away
She looked terrified, and for a moment I was sure she was about to burst into tears. instead she straightened her back and raised her eyes to meet mine.
"How can I trust you?" she started with an icy edge in her voice, "You've taunted me so far, now you have me in an indecent position." she flung her hand around to point out the emptiness of the room.
I opened my mouth to answer and she shook her head silencing my explanation.
"I've never trusted anyone with my safety. I will not start now... and DEFINITELY NOT a stranger who THINKS he knows me." she glared at me "I can protect myself. I am here to do a job. and I shall see it complete."
My stomach twisted at her words. She was determined to preform her duties, she had been raised well. But she was mine. She didn't know it... but she was.
"Now, if you'll excuse me, I'm rather hungry and I am no longer interested in what you have to say." she turned sharply and walked to the door yanking it open.
"Ouch, Peach, you wound me" I said playing off my panic with humor.
If looks could kill, I would have been a dead man with the look she gave me after my comment.
- Writer
