Royal Reject

Just us Two

Maze P.O.V

It felt like everything was in slow motion. We just kept staring into each other’s eyes and couldn’t seem to break apart. Our faces got close, to the point that we were only inches away from each other.

    “You’re not so bad, Princess~,” said Damien with a smirk,

    “Neither are you, bodyguard~,” I said back to him,

The soft wisp of wind passing around us and leaves being brushed by them was all we heard until,

    “Maze!” Screamed Ashley;

I jumped at her scream and almost fell, but Damien caught me before I could. 

    “Thanks,” I said to him,

    “If this is what my jobs coming to I’m done,” said Damien jokingly,

I chuckle at his remark and we make our way down the tree. As we reach the bottom, we begin to rush back to the campsite, where Ashley was.

    “Well~Where were you two?~,” said Ashley with a smirk on her face,

    “Damien was just showing me around the area,” I said hesitantly,

    “Sure~Anyway’s isn’t time to head back?” She said teasing me,

    “Yeah! Yeah, let’s head back,” I said nervously,

We walk down the trail, back to the castle in complete silence.

    “Did I interrupt something?” said Ashley whispering into my ear,

I looked down in embarrassment. Ashley put the pieces together of what was happening,

    “Didn’t know you caught feelings so fast~?” she said Cheekily,

    “Shut up!” I said embarrassed,

    “Ok, ok!” She said laughing, I’ve never felt more embarrassed. I could tell Damien was also laughing, I just wanted to curl up into a ball.

    “Hey, maybe this was your early birthday present.” Said Ashley joyfully,

    “Birthday?” said Damien confused,

Ashley rushed past me and said, “Yeah, her birthday’s tomorrow, but she doesn’t like telling people.”

    “Ashley…” I said annoyed,

Ashley walked away towards the castle. Leaving Damien asking me, “So you’re not a big birthday fan?”

I chuckle and say, “I like it, but like right now, with everything going on, I just don’t see a time to celebrate.” 

Damien nodded in understanding and didn’t say another word. We arrived at the castle and said goodbye to Ashley and headed to my room. 

    “Well, that was weird,” I said nervously,

    “Your friend likes popping out of nowhere huh?” He said jokingly,

    “Yeah,” we stayed there in silence for some time, and then I said, “Well goodnight.” 

He got close and whispered, “Night Princess~” with a smirk.

He walked away and I closed my door. I felt like my heart was going to beat out of my chest. I don’t understand why this was happening to me. I feel the need to have myself in his arms. I jumped into the shower to forget my thoughts, but they still clouded my mind. I finished and laid on my bed, looking up at my high-end ceiling, reliving what happened with Damien. I felt my face glowing bright red, and I turned in my bed and went to sleep.

        ~Next Day~

I wake up to the sound of banging on my door. I bolted out of bed and grabbed my heel and slowly walked to the door. I slowly grabbed the door handle and pulled it open;

    “HAPPY BIRTHDAY!” Screamed Ashley while blowing pieces of torn tissue in my face.

    “What the hell?! You scared me to death.” I said, calming myself down.

    “Well, you were two hours late for breakfast so I thought I’d treat you to a birthday wake up.” She said smiling.

Two hours?! Why didn’t Damien wake me up? “Alright, Let me change,” I said exhausted.

I closed the door and changed into a green long lace dress and cream sandals. I hold my mother’s necklace while saying, “Love you mom” I open the door where Ashley is there with a smile. I walk down to the kitchen with her, but a question that was in the back of my head was,

    “Did you see Damien when you came to see me?” I asked her,

    “Why? Do you miss him?~” She said teasing me

    “Stop. He’s just usually by the door when I’m in my room.” I said 

    “Maybe he had to do something. Don’t forget he’s the top guard in the castle.” She said

I guess that makes sense, still, why wouldn’t he tell me yesterday.

Ashley opens the door to the kitchen and I hear a bunch of voices saying, “Surprise!” It was my friends and all the workers from the kitchen and blacksmiths.

    “Wow, you guys did this?” I said surprised,

    “Yeah. It isn’t much, but it’s the best we could do.” She said smiling

I hug her and then start talking with the others. Mary gave me a notebook to write anything on my mind and it was very thoughtful. I don’t think I could survive without her to guide me.

I notice that Kyle was without his mask and his vitiligo marks. I also saw he was holding Austin’s hand and it clicked. I was so happy for him. I run up to them and hug them both.

    “Was my brother the one you were talking about? Since when? Were you planning to tell us later?” I asked these questions rapidly.

    “We found out last night and we were going to tell you soon but we were nervous.” Said Kyle smiling,

    “I’m so happy for you two.” I gave them another hug. I couldn’t contain my excitement.

We continued to hang out in the kitchen. Everyone was so friendly with each other, I wished the world could be like this. Soon, it was time for my studies and everyone said goodbye and I headed to meet Emily. 

        ~After Studies~

-It’s finally lunch- I thought to myself. I was about to head out, but Emily stopped me.

    “You can’t go to lunch yet,” she said smiling,

    “Why?” I asked her,

    “There’s one more thing you have to do.” She said pointing to a box,

I looked at her confused, but I knew that it wasn’t bad. I walk and open the box. Inside was an outfit for outings. Along with some boots and a letter. It said,

-Put this on and go outside.- I couldn’t tell who wrote this, but I decided to change into the clothes and head out. On my way outside, I hear a voice behind me,

    “Maze, wait,” it was the king. I hadn’t talked to him since the dinner incident.

    “You need something, your majesty?” I said,

    “About what happened. You were right.” He said guiltily. “I was too focused on trying to make my son like me, that I didn’t bother to learn about his interest. I'm glad my son has a friend like you.” He said smiling.

    “Thank you, your majesty, but you should say sorry to your son,” I said,

He nodded, “I’ll go now. Good day Maze.” He went to find Kyle and I walked out of the castle. I notice Damien and Mary waiting for the carriage. 

    “What’s this?” I asked them.

    “Since it’s your birthday, Damien thought that he would take you to the town for a surprise.” Said Mary

    “Actually? Is this a joke?” I said suspiciously,

    “No, I’m actually a nice guy.” He said annoyed,

    “Really? I don’t see it.” I said teasing him.

He looked annoyed, but I found it amusing. 

    “What about my studies?” I asked Mary,

    “Don’t worry, Emily said it wouldn’t matter.” Mary touched my shoulders and said “Enjoy yourself.” with a smile. 

We wave goodbye and we get in the carriage.

    “So what are we doing?” I asked him,

    “Just wait and see.” He said as the cart began its departure.