On Saturday, most of the schools were closed for the weekend, giving kids the opportunity to unwind. As for Jonathan, he was finally visited to hang out with Maria at the castle and, just before noon, he was already making his way through the village.

   Since Maria’s reign, in fact, the village had since undergone transformations as Jonathan had been observing. At some corners, luxurious houses were being built and, at the center, supermarkets, restaurant chains, and shopping malls, otherwise well-known in the cities, were setting up branches. Overall, the village was becoming a small town, and a desired destination for real estate and investors, a vast contrast to what it was just last year.

   After several minutes of walking through the city center, Jonathan found himself over the castle’s bridge, and in the presence of two security guards by the castle gate. Since he was a regular visitor, the guards didn’t hesitate to let him in.

   “Her Highness has been expecting you,” one of the guards told Jonathan.

   Jonathan made his way through the hall and, finally, the throne room. However, he discovered that he might not have been the only visitor that day. Just meters from the throne, Maria was having a discussion with Mr. Ştefan, the village’s mayor. Before Maria’s return, Mr. Ştefan was always the official in charge of the village. Ever since, the mayor’s appointment became part of Maria’s responsibility, as well as the two monitoring the well-being of their citizens on a daily basis. Jonathan, especially, was fully aware of their roles in the village, not wanting to disturb either.

   “Jonathan! Hi!” Maria bellowed, waving at him. “You made it!”

   “Hi!” said Jonathan, then turning to Mr. Ştefan to greet him formally, “Good morning, sir.”

   “Good morning, young man,” said Mr. Ştefan with a wide smile. “I’ve heard a lot about you, It’s a pleasure to meet you in person.”

   “I’m honored, sir,” said Jonathan.

   “Sorry, but let us round up our meeting first,” Maria said to Jonathan. “It shouldn’t take long.”

   “It’s okay,” said Jonathan. “I’ll wait at the hall.”

   “Actually,” said Maria, running towards him, “you can wait for me at the lounge. One of my maids should be around in case you need refreshment.”

   “Okay,” said Jonathan. He waved at both Maria and Mr. Ştefan as he made his way to the lounge, with the two waving back.

   Over twenty minutes had passed, and Jonathan managed to make himself feel comfortable at the lounge. To pass the time, he switched between television channels till he found one that caught his attention.  One of the castle’s maids even offered him a plate of biscuits to go with it, with assortments, which were among Jonathan’s favorites, that were personally handpicked by Maria herself.

   “That girl knows me so well,” Jonathan thought to himself as he observed his plate.

   As Jonathan was down to his last biscuit, the lounge door opened, with Maria making her way through.

   “Hope I didn’t keep you waiting,” Maria pleaded.

   “Not at all!” said Jonathan. “I was hoping I didn’t interrupt your meeting with the mayor.”

   “Not at all!” said Maria, standing right in front of Jonathan. “I’m happy you could join me for lunch today.”

   “Me too,” said Jonathan. “Eating at the school’s cafeteria together was fine and all, but it doesn’t compare to the castle.”

   “I didn’t mind eating at school though,” said Maria, taking a seat right next to Jonathan. “It was a new experience to be sharing a hall with commoners.”

   “So, what did you and the mayor discuss?” asked Jonathan.

   “Just boring stuff,” said Maria, throwing both arms up. “Budget spending, ongoing construction of new roads and infrastructures, those kinds of stuff.”

   “I see,” said Jonathan.

   However, there was one thing that was on Maria’s mind, but she didn’t feel the need to bring it up. The look on her face, as she stared down on Jonathan’s plate, changed from joy to concern.

   “I hope I didn’t spoil your appetite,” she said.

   “No! Not at all!” Jonathan exclaimed. “I’m actually still famished.”

   Jonathan’s words caused Maria to giggle in delight.

   “Okay,” she said.

   “I had biscuits, ” said Jonathan. “I saw you remembered my favorites.”

   “Anything for my man,” said Maria. “I remembered your favorites from my last visit to your house.”

   For a short while, the couple couldn’t get their eyes off each other, just feeling glad that their significant other was right in front of them.

   “What?” asked Maria, wondering what was on Jonathan’s mind.

   “Nothing,” said Jonathan. “Are you alright?”

   “I’m fine,” said Maria.

   As Jonathan proceeded to lay his hand on her back, Maria stretched forward to kiss Jonathan on the cheek, causing the couple to feel bashful but also delighted.

   “Oh, lunch should be ready!” said Maria, getting back up on her feet. As she pointed the way to the door with both her hands, she asked, “Shall we?”

   Needing no words, Jonathan wrapped his fingers around Maria’s hands, much to the princess’ delight, with the couple soon walking away while holding hands.

   The dining hall was massive, but also quite empty with just Maria and Jonathan dining. Jonathan was half-way through his plate when he began noticing something out of the ordinary. Maria was usually a slow eater, often taking her time chewing her food. However, she barely took anywhere close to five bites and, instead, began twirling her fork with her finger. The look on her face, which had a tone of a distracted mind, made Jonathan even more worried.

   “Maria, is something wrong?” he asked with a soft voice.

   This caused Maria to hold her fork in place. Looking up to Jonathan, she said, “I think the mayor may know where my parents are buried.”

   Suddenly, it made sense to Jonathan. Historically, Maria’s parents, who were the monarchs of what is now the village, were slain by Maria’s uncle, King Marcu, but no one knew the whereabouts of their final resting place.

   “That’s great!” said Jonathan. “But, does he know where?”

   “Not yet,” said Maria. “He’s still gathering clues from other scrolls and recordings across the country. He said it may take weeks.”

   “I see,” said Jonathan. “I am a bit worried about you. You haven’t really touched your food.”

   “Thanks for caring for me,” said Maria, placing her hand where her heart was, “but I’m fine really. I was just thinking of the day when I get to find my parents.”

   Having put her thoughts behind her, Maria was able to eat her meal with her mind at ease. While chewing her food, she looked up, and giggled having noticed the prolonged stare from Jonathan.

   “Besides,” she said, as she wiped her lips with her handkerchief, “I want to know what’s on your mind. Anything you wanted to ask me?”

   Since her last visit to the Fiers’, Maria suspected that Jonathan may have had something in mind. Truthfully, he did want to have a serious conversation with her, and had even tried to bring it up at school. But, he didn’t feel like it was the right time, nor had the courage, to tell her anything just yet.

   “Not at the moment,” he said. “Maybe later.”

   “Okay,” said Maria, taking a large bite off her plate. With her mouth full, with purposeful disregard to table manners, she said, “Whenever you’re ready, let me know.”

   “I will,” said Jonathan.

   The couple couldn’t contain their laughter over the bizarre sight of a princess talking with her mouth full. Regardless, it was the intended result that Maria had hoped for, just to entertain her guest.

   “I’m sorry!” said Maria, covering her face in shame.