Becoming Queen: A War of Two Kingdoms

Not a Runaway

    Prince Marcellus mounted his horse in the stable yard. It was a marvelous specimen of a war horse. Dark, midnight black coat, well trained to read the situation and act accordingly. When the prince was in the saddle, it was like the two could read each other's minds and worked as one. That wasn't the case, they just had trained together for many years and learn each other's behaviors, but that didn't stop the knights from talking and spreading gossip.

    There were only a handful of knights accompanying the prince on this excursion to find the runaway servant girl. This needed to be resolved before the king found out she was missing first. After bringing her back, the prince intended to get to the bottom of this then approach his father. In the seventeen years that the girl has been in the castle, she had never once gone outside the castle walls. So he was curious as to why she did this now.

    With a gentle tap of his heel, the horse jumped into action sensing the urgency of its rider. The knights followed suit, and they all headed towards the gate. It didn't take them long to get through the gate and on their way to the woods. The thundering hooves as they galloped across the field could be heard for miles in the quiet evening.        

    Once the small group reached the woods, they slowed down. The main road through was clear enough for the horses to continue running, however, if this girl was running away she wouldn't have stuck to the main road. "Leon, Gavin. You two head that way. If you find any traces that she went that direction alert the rest of us. Jeremiah, Isaac. You two are with me." Marcellus was not unaccustomed to giving orders like this. As crown prince he had to learn strategies for things. This was just a simple hunting party.     

    "Understood, Your Highness," the knights said in unison before splitting into the two groups and heading off the main path.    Marcellus looked around for any signs the girl had gone this direction. Things like broken twigs, disturbed leaves, over turned rocks, and churned up mud would all be signs to look for. It wasn't long before he did pick up a trail of a person. It could be hers. The foot prints looked to be small, like that of a woman's. He, Jeremiah, and Isaac began to follow the trail.

    Rosalina was clutching her chest in fear as the panic set in further. Her rapid breathing began to make her dizzy. With her free hand she braced herself against the trunk of a tall oak tree. She needed the stability it offered her in this moment. It's unwavering steadfast strength. She had heard when the horses reached the woods and slowed down. They most certainly were there looking for her. Maybe if I go to them and explain myself... Maybe they'll believe me? I mean, if I go to them and not try to hide it would look better one me.

    She wasn't exactly sure if they would even give her the chance to speak, but she had to try. Taking a deep breath and wiping the tears away from her eyes, she straightened up. She had to show confidence right now. She was out here on orders, surely they as knights would understand how one can't ignore the orders of their lord.

    Continuing to support her self on trees, she started to hobble her way back in the direction she had just come from. Her whole body was trembling in fear, but this was her best chance at getting a lesser punishment than if it looked like she was running from them. Of course, she still kept her eyes out for the dog too. She began calling for it, if she could find the dog before the knights got to her, then it could be more easily explained. Unfortunately for her, there was no dog to find, the princess made it all up just to get her in trouble.

    Marcellus heard someone calling for something. It sounded like they were searching for an animal. Someone's pet was lost most likely. He turned his horse in the direction of the voice he was hearing. This was going to make it easier to find her. As his horse continued on, he thought to himself, If she is truly a runaway, why is she making noise? Doesn't she realize that we will find her faster?

    Something wasn't adding up with this. Her trail wasn't in a direct path away from the castle, in fact it looped and doubled back on itself a few times. With this realization, he knew he needed to be the one to find her first, in case the other knights didn't listen to his direct order to bring her to him.

    It wasn't long before he started to hear the rustling of foot steps in the foliage. This person wasn't trying to hide at all. Suddenly, the girl appeared in front of his horse from behind a tree. She wasn't paying attention right away, so when the horse snorted and blew some of her hair she jumped and let out a startled scream.

    Rosalina fell backwards as she screamed in alarm, landing on her bottom. She looked up at the large black horse that just eyed her for getting in its path. The horse's large head obscured her view of the knight that was on its back. "I'm so sorry, sir, please forgive me." Her voice was soft and warm like honey even though it trembled in fear as she spoke.

    Marcellus dismounted and moved to where he could get a better look at her. She was much more beautiful up close. Even with her unkempt appearance. It seemed his sister did not provide her hand maid with decent livery. The dress she was wearing was threadbare, there were rips and tears in the sleeves, and the skirt looked shorter than what was appropriate in society. As his eyes continued to scan her appearance, he noticed the makeshift bandage on her ankle. It matched the material of her dress. She had ripped her own dress to tend to her wound.

    "Why are you out here?" His voice wasn't exactly gruff, but it certainly sounded authoritative. Jeremiah and Isaac appeared just then. They stayed mounted just in case the girl tried to run, they didn't notice she was hurt.

    "Your Highness!" Rosalina exclaimed before getting herself into a kneeling position and bowed her head. She winced in pain as she moved her ankle beneath her. "I was ordered to find the Princess's personal pet dog, Snowflake. He went missing earlier today. I know I am not supposed to leave the castle grounds, but Her Highness was so distraught and wailing over her lost dog that I had to help her find it." She kept her head low, so she did no notice the glances that Isaac and Jeremiah passed between one another.

    "I see." Marcellus frowned. "Princess Penelope had her dog earlier while she was in the captain's office, exclaiming she saw you sneak out and was running away." He watched her carefully for her reaction. She needed to be very careful of the words she chose next, because to call a royal a blatant liar could get her in more trouble than just being out.

    Rosalina sat there. Shock and realization at what the princess had done this time settling in. "I'm so happy her beloved pet was found, Your Highness." Her voice did not reflect happiness. There was no emotion to speak of.

    The prince moved closer to her and knelt down in front of her. Reaching out his hand, he didn't even hesitate when she flinched away from him, and gently lifted her chin with his finger. "I do not believe you were running away like my sister claims. I know how she is and the joy she derives from being cruel to her personal hand maids." His voice was softer, like a gentle caress.