• ɕhapter ʓ


    Ƒor the next few minutes, the queen and the princess stare at each other, the ice in their eyes causing me to shudder. Everyone is silent, not even daring to breathe. The minutes seem to stretch on and on and I begin to wonder if they'll ever speak. This really, really sucks. How do I get myself into these things?

    Finally, the queen breaks the silence, her voice echoing through the room. "I'm sorry, my dear, but why should I spare a thief?" she says, her icy gaze looking down at me. I feel the cold fingers of fear spread across my back but I force myself to look up at her, trying and failing to hide the fear. The queen simply smirks and looks back at her daughter, waiting for a response. The princess closes her eyes, as if deep in thought. She looks so peaceful, so beautiful. I feel the heat rise to my face and I look at the ground, embarrassed by my thoughts.

    The princess sighs and opens her eyes, all traces of anger gone. "Just look at the boy, mother. Do you see how hungry he looks? Even I was tempted by those pastries, I can't imagine being as hungry as him and trying to resist." She smiles and looks at me, her blue eyes looking so sweet. God, she's beautiful. The head begins to rise to my face again and my heart starts beating faster. Her smile grows slightly and she looks back at her mother. I don't bother, my mind can create a perfect picture of the woman all on its own. She must have those bright red lips pressed into a think line, her eyes nothing more then narrow slits. I think she wants to watch me die. I imagine the queens evil smile ans she watches the platform from from under my feet, my relentless gasping, my hands pulling at the noose, then finally, the stillness as I slowly die. A shudder ripped through my body and my heart began to beat faster.

    After what seemed like forever, the queen spoke, "Fine, but he will be your problem. If he so much as breaks one rule, no matter what it is, he will be killed." The swishing of a dress and the clicking of high heels against the stone floor signaled the end of the conversation. "Now go, before I change my mind." The forgotten guards came over and pulled me to my feet then pushed me toward the princess, my raven black hair falling into my face as I stumble forward. I regain my balance then walk toward the princess on wobbly legs. She extends a hand to me and I take it, glad for the extra support.

    We walked down the corridor for a while then the princess speaks, "Today must be your lucky day." Her words are so sudden that I nearly jump out of my skin, "I was walking past the throne room one of the times that you cried out." She looks at me, the slightest traces of a smile on her lips. I blush then look at the ground. It takes me a few more seconds to realize that she's still holding my hand and my blush deepens. Quickly, I pull my hand out of hers and mutter a quick thanks.

    "Felix?" At that, I spin around to look at her. How did she know my name? Clearly she saw the surprise on my face because she smiles and laughs. Her laugh is high and pretty, by far the prettiest sound ever. "I heard my mother say your name before I came to your rescue." Had the queen said my name? If she did, I don't remember. It's all a blur.

    I hesitate before talking, scared of saying anything that I might regret, "Yes, it looks as though it is my lucky day. I'm glad you walked past when you did." I feel myself blush for the millionth time that day and I turn away from the princess, gesturing for the princess to lead the way to... wherever we were going. She smiles that beautiful smile then leads the way to a stone staircase. We start up the stairs, the sound of our own heavy steps following us the entire way.

    "Princess?" I say after a while. I'm curious about her. There are stories about her that are told throughout the villages, but hardly anyone has had proof to back them up. She is a complete mystery to most people, even though they tell tales of her beauty, which, by the way, is way better then in any story I've ever heard.

    Her eyes travel over to look at me and a small smile plays at the corner of her lips, "Yes, Felix?"

    "I want to learn more about you," I say quickly, the words escaping my lips before I could stop them. My blush comes back and I look back at the ground.

    She doesn't respond for a second, I guess I really caught her off guard. Then, after what feels like a lifetime, she speaks, "Don't worry, you will." Before I knew what was happening, she slid her indexfinger under my chin, forcing me to look up at her. Then, something I really didn't think would happen, ever, happened...

    The princess kissed me.




    [End of Chapter ʓ]