Waiting several minutes, Bryony left the temple and made sure to go in the opposite direction of Sedrick. Yet she couldn’t help but repeatedly glance behind. She felt like she was being followed. Could it be Sedrick? Quickening her steps, Bryony rushed around a corner -

“Hello, Princess Bryony.”

Flinching, Bryony came to a halt. Stopping in front of her with head held high and back straight, Anya was in a lovely gown that was possibly kept clean by her glaring the dirt away.

Bryony greeted her with a curtsy. “Hello, Anya.”

Anya nodded curtly in return; older and higher in rank, she didn’t have to return the curtsy with her own. “Princess or Lady Anya, please remember that. I see you’ve gotten…” Anya glanced over Bryony. “Actually, you haven’t changed much at all,” she said dryly. “Still wild as ever.”

Swallowing hard, Bryony forced out, “A pleasure to see you, too, Princess Anya.”

Narrowing her gaze, Anya stated, “I should let you know, Prince Sedrick has been looking for you.” She smirked as Bryony stiffened. “Oh. Someone doesn’t want to see their sweetheart.”

“He’s not my sweetheart,” Bryony said tensely.

“I’m sorry, you would rather roll around in the dirt instead?” Anya sneered, glancing over Bryony’s dusty shoes and dress. “Ugh. I can’t believe your parents let you act like a wild animal.”

“I was just running around, Anya,” replied Bryony, deliberately forgetting her title. “Trying to have fun. You know what fun is, right?”

A forced smile crossed Anya’s face as she stepped forward, and Bryony resisted the urge to step back. “What good fortune you have as a seventh daughter; no chance of inheriting the burden of a throne and taking care of others. To do as you please.” A strange emotion flickered across her face, then Anya finished by hissing, “Enjoy it while you can.” Then she stepped around Bryony and walked on, leaving her blinking in surprise.

Was Anya… jealous?

Shaking her head because she must be mistaken, Bryony started walking again but didn’t get far before tensing again. There was no doubt someone was following her now, the feeling stronger than ever. Ignoring her panic, flittering between fight or flight, she waited till there was a sharp turn in the path, one leading to a small stone bridge with no place to hide until it was crossed, then bolted. Crossing it in seconds, Bryony slid to the side, basket bagging against her leg as she hid, heart beating hard in her chest. Now they wouldn’t be able to see her.

A long minute later, Bryony heard someone hesitantly step off the bridge, and she leaped forward with a shout.

Her stalker yelped, almost stumbling to the ground before quickly bowing. “P-Princess! I’m sorry, I didn’t mean to–”

“Who are you?” Bryony asked, confused. It was a boy not much older than her. He glanced up briefly. “Wait. You’re the boy from this morning. You were with the knight.”

“Yes, Princess,” he answered carefully.

Arms crossed, Bryony spoke so sharply the boy flinched. “Why are you following me?”

The boy hesitated before finally straightening, head hanging low as he shuffled his feet while Bryony stared him down despite him being several inches taller. He wore clothes that were worn and dirty, and his hair was cropped short.

“Well?” Bryony pressed.