him, Mallon and the other men that went hunting with them today, he wanted to celebrate their lucky catch of two deer and a fox, but I

e I went to sleep last night, Maude told me she overheard the king planning the

t give us any time to spend together! He must think himself such a favourable man, that only he alone can persuade Mallon to marry me, of course in his

ed around the kitchen, helping the cooks to ready the food for our mid

Maude?" I a

, it's barely enough for two people, so now I'm going to have

her shoulder "No need to worry, You s

you s

cour

She breathed out in relie

headed down the halls

're going?" Nathaniel spoke ou

thering some fru

s rules, I can't let you go u

long until we reached the woods and I found bushes and trees wi

pick some, several apples rolled out from my basket and bounced on the floor. Just as I started to pick them up a hand came into my view as it grabbed an app

appreciatively an

oblem at al

s I picked some, I glanced at Nathaniel, now he was c

are you,

ty, your

young... I didn't

ll take that a

nned "I mean

ew paces here and there a

agined, when you tra

, your h

, like I'm a child and you'

ss to the people, I'd happily guard your life and k

a small bramble of berries for him to take "her

" He bowed lightly a

athered more mint, he spoke up again

think it's nice to escape out

I enjoy being at the castle, it

t out here, or can hear you, y

is smile was warm, and his teeth were pearly white, unlike the rest of them who

mble echoed from the sky, we both looked

'm afraid it

m with a smile "It's ok, I be

t happier to return" he commented as we

know you could talk!" I jo

u at one of the king's feasts

to be invited, the rest of

e agreed by the look in his eyes. "So, tell me, would you want to be one of th

on, I could hardly turn it down,

you might feel you have to, but i

I laughed "Nathaniel, don't worry, your answer is safe with me... I'm not exactly one

er have. I do enjoy being part of protecting the castle and everyon

at... and perhaps even think it. Can I ask w

stumbling through the hallways or on their way home to their own fam

ing was when he was intoxicated, but I still knew to stay safely out of the way. When I was younger, Maude would always tell me, men couldn't be trusted when they were in that state. She would spend so many nights sleeping in my room with me, in fear that

el got caught in some of the rain and now the hem of my dress was wet and dirty,

ached. He was just about to take a seat opposite me, but just before he could sit, the king put his arm around Mallon's shoulder and lead him to the head of th

w a glint of annoyance and fl

I felt so small and insignificant sitting a

as. He took one look at the king and knew he'd made a mistake "Maybe next time" he quickly checked himself as the king motioned for him to sit, with a glare, daring Matthi

ted back to my room feeling aggravate

x

ered open my eyes to see the sky was grey today, ther

my breakfast of cheeses, raisins and nuts in front of me. I

I told her as she ke

first thing, apparently the prince was adamant to spend som

ts Mallon with him every day, s

as she begun picking ou

ng my drawer in my little dresser she took out one of my mot

mber, be on your best behaviour" Ma

Mallon. He wasn't in the dining hall, the throne room or entrance hall, and I d

w him walking down the long stone cor

allon, go

ed it when you just called me Mal

you didn't spot me" I remarked, I felt a little curious as to why firs

now, why don't you show me ar

already did that whe

are of importance to him, but I feel there's still so

we passed empty rooms and one

no one comes down here?

own here anymore, at le

s, old wooden carved chairs, a rug that covered most of the stone floor, now too old and dusty to see the pretty p

this room would be stunning" he stated

e room in deep thoug

nc

portrait that hung on the wall, it was the only item in here that was free from dust,

that your

he was

get your beauty from,

me wear her jewels and she would do my hair for me and then she would sing, and we would dance, and she w

ul Aurelia, you bot

poke to me when I was a child, so I think she felt she had to compensa

ove... your mot

. he never showed her any affection when I w

my mother's portrait to

es

does he... has h

words that stung more... his evident disappointment for me. I didn't know where the prince stood when it cam

ot at al

o know, you don't deserve any treatment of that kind! Its just... sometimes the way

store this room to its former glory" I looked to him,

how you the rest of the castle... I can introduce you to e

the way, princess"

th a sweet smile "Ri

ather surprised to see him converse with them so easily and respectfully. He didn't look down at them like they were beneath

e castle and memories, I had of growing up when Maude appeared from around

hing ok

wine and music, he's requested that you both join him the moment your dres

ebrating?" I ask

the prince's arrival, there will be nobleman, of c

e to Mallon "Would you like me to e

o hold you up" he smiled, he turned to me, took my hand and

ess "Quick, my lady we can't make the king wait" I could see the worry on her face, so I shimmied out of my dress and quickly

ll, jewelled tiara, one that my mother gi

she took me in "You look ab