CHAPTER ONE;

An outsider

I remembered father telling me stories about prince and princesses every night before I go to bed.

That from far away land, there lives a princess. Her life was pretty much better until a catastrophe appears. The princess faces a great suffering until her prince comes and save her. Then, both of them will live happily ever after. I remember how fascinated I was at first, telling how amazing it was.

Well of course, it was fantasy.

Father also once said that I am a princess, since I am born with royal blood. I was happy; I thought that I too soon will meet my prince riding on a white horse. But my father, the king, said I was slightly different from the princesses from the fairytales he told. I remembered asking him why.

"That's because you, our little princess, bears a heavy burden." He said, patting my head softly. "You are not someone that who needs saving, but you are the one who's saving, not just a prince out there, but all of our people." My six years old mind could not understand him; I just furrowed my brows and nodded, as if I got what he said.

Father laughed, said that it was already late and tucked me in my bed after kissing my forehead and saying goodnight. I then fall asleep after, my mind forgetting what the king said.

--

Morning, seven years had passed since that night. I am already thirteen years old, doing my usual early stroll outside of the castle. Well, not really outside since I am still at the castle's garden. Not that I can even get out from this maze like garden, or the tall gates, not to mention the stand-by knights and the patrolling knights.

The life inside the castle is pretty strict, but I can say that it's okay since it is part of my training as the princess. It's a little bit boring too though since I can only see the maids, my personal teacher and the king's face. The scenery is also the same every single time. I want to try and go outside but I never bring this topic up to my father because I deemed it unnecessary. I kind of regretted it though.

"Princess..." I almost jolted at the surprise but remembering the voice of my etiquette teacher, I just froze elegantly. "The king is asking for your presence."

I cleared my throat, "The king is?" I asked, satisfied with my straight voice."Yes," the maid castle said. I nodded; my back is still facing her, pretending to watch the bushes of roses. "I will come, tell the king."

"...Understood." The maid hesitated before leaving. She knows that I needed to come right away and must not let the king waiting. I know that, but there's something urging me to stay for a little bit more.

Garden of Roses, I read at the sign. True enough, the maze-like garden is full of roses. It was a magnificent sight because the roses are not just deep red, but it has variety of colors. They are too beautiful that even makes me forget about the thorns it bears. I stayed for a minute standing idly there before remembering the king's summon. Not wanting for him to wait any longer, I turned to find the path that I grew used to after the years of wandering around.

Rustle- but before I can even move and walk away, I heard a rustle not so far away. I thought I was just hearing things but the rustling sounds continued, as if someone is trying to make its way out from the bushes of rose. Why though?

An intruder?!

Foolishly, I stood there like a nail. I know that I should be going and call royal knights but I just foolishly stood there; waiting for something to happen. Scanning the surroundings incase the intruder appears from the bushes.

"Man, I thought my sense of direction is enough for me to get the hell out of here but- ugh, where am I?" A child? The voice is coming from behind the bushes that I am facing right now. Even not looking at his face, I can feel his frustration.

What is this? Why is it that I can feel excitement rather that fear? I must be reporting this and retreated back at the castle- but why I am approaching this child? Is this what the books said? Am I in my rebellious stage? I was currently circling the tall bushes of roses to get on the other side, but to take counter measure; I manifested a sword out of nowhere gripping it tightly with both hands.

I can hear my heart pounding loudly as I approach the small figure that is turned his back at me. Looking closely, I noticed how dirty his clothes are. There are dirt and leaves on his clothes and even on his hair. Did this gentleman crawl his way here? Or was he swimming on a mud of dirt before somewhat stumbling here?

"Who are you?" I asked at the figure that obviously jumped upon hearing my voice from behind. He immediately whipped his whole body at me and formed a rather flimsy stunt. I almost laughed, but forced to maintain my stoic expression. Rosalia, do not forget that this man- or rather, this boy is a trespasser of the castle. He could be a thief, or a murderer- which is, by the way, I doubt.

"Wha- A child in a castle?!" He said, stunned as I was when I realize that he was a child. His gaze scanning me bottom to top. "Who are you?"

I furrowed my brows. "Imprudent child!" I said, thrusting my sword forward, but not enough to hit him. "I must be the one who's asking you that. State your name and your family's blood name or I will order the knights to punish you!" I didn't mean to get rude, but as the future leader of the kingdom, I must do something like this or otherwise I won't stay that long.

The child (who I think is younger than me by five years) was clearly intimidated. His cute sparkling eyes bulge and he raised his small hands. "W-wait! I just somehow ended up here! I don't know the area, so I got lost!"

"Lair!" I said, "Tell the truth or else I'll cut your hand!" Not that I can though.

"F-fine!" He said, defeated. "I just want t see the castle up close, that's all! But I lost my way after entering the garden outside and I just stumbled in here! I-I swear! I am not lying!"

Outside? "You mean; this garden is connected at the garden outside the castle's wall?"

"W-well..."

The child's eyes were avoiding mine, so I forcefully ordered him to speak. He jolted and answered while stuttering that it was not. I asked him why and his answered almost made me want to shackle his hand and feet; he climbed the wall. I glared daggers at him and he straightens up while saying he's sorry many times. My gaze lingered at him before remembering his words that he wished to see the castle up close.

Will I let him see it? But father will no doubt get mad. He has these strict orders not to expose me with people outside the castle, even my maids, my teachers and my other attendants are different every week. The reason? I do not know. I asked his name once again and he abruptly answered; Fabian Naso.

Sighing, I withdrew my spell. The sword I was clutching suddenly turned into small bits of crystal and obliterated away, then composed myself. "It is better for you to go back home, the faster the better, before any royal knights see you."Oddly, he did not answer but his eyes are once again getting bigger. I called his name out, stirring him from where his mind is. "Sister! How old are you?"

Sister? This kid has the audacity to call me that? "I am merely thirteen, why you ask?"

"Thirteen?" He asked, voice lacing with confusion. This kid, why is it that he's surprise with anything? "You are only thirteen but you were able to create solidified magic already?

"What is this kid talking about? Of course I can, it is just nothing but too easy for me. My teacher said that it's just one of the basic, so what's the big deal? I was about to asked him this but I heard the heavy footsteps not so far away. Both of us tensed, and I did not understand why I motioned him to stay silent. He nodded in agreement, cautiously looking left and right. What should I do? The footsteps are going louder and louder, it means: they are growing closer from where we stand!

Meus Rex, Regina meis, forgive me! I just found myself guiding the child towards the way that I know opposite from where the footsteps are. He eyed me in question but I just shrugged at my foolishness. I will just pray that both mother and father will forgive me if they will somehow found out about this. I lead the child towards the storage room that is only a few run from the garden. I hurriedly opened it while constantly looking from our backs and then it finally opened awfully slowly.

As the footsteps grew louder and louder, I am greatly growing impatient and frustrated as the door still can't let two humans to get inside. But I saw the shining metal that the knight's wears and I panicked then not-so-gracefully pushed the child inside while shouting silently to zip his mouth and make no noise while I deal with these guards. I then closed the door and stood in front of it.

"Your majesty!" One of the knights called out. "What are you doing here?"

Did they saw it? "Nothing," I answered. "Why you ask?"

The knight stood straight along with his comrades, not daring to meet my eyes. "It's just that, the king was calling for you! And it was reported that an intruder is inside the castle! Did you perhaps saw them? Or do you know something about them?"

So he knows nothing! Thank heavens!

"No," I lied," I know not about the intruder you just mentioned, nor did I saw them."

"Is that so, you majesty?" I nodded. "If you say so! But please let us check the storage room!"

Wah! Did he saw it?! Did he saw through my lies? Is that why he want to check the storage room?

I asked him why that is necessary, and he just answered that they are just merely doing their duty. I mentally panicked and immediately regretted my actions, but I heard myself lying again! Telling them that I was inside and I saw no intruders. Why is it that I kept on covering for him? The knight hesitated until I brought up my authority, rendering them immobile and apologizing before leaving in haste.

I could not move until I was certain enough that they are indeed out of sight and hearing range. Scolding myself, I turned to open the door. I entered and saw him crouching on the floor while leaning on the wall not so far away from the door. He was hugging his knees and his whole face was buried on them.

What is he doing? Does he have a stomach ache or something? I approached the somewhat depressed figure, and he seemingly heard my footsteps because he lifted his face up and asked; are they gone?

"Yes," I nodded. "They are. Kid, I did many unnecessary things just for you. I am expecting compensation the next time."

He fervently nodded, "Of course! Anything you asked as long as I can do it, I'll do it!" He stood. "D-do you want me to do something right now?"

I glared at him while he cowered in fear. This boy, he made it sounds lewd! I was about to shake my head but something popped inside my mind. "Not now, but maybe later. Will you wait for me here?"

He nodded, confused but did not answer. "Later then. I expect you not to get hungry for you are inside the storage room, you can eat but stay silent and hide if someone enters, understood?"

"Understood!" Without a word, I turned my back from him and exited the storage room before heading towards the castle.

Not realizing that I forgot something.

--

"And where have you come from?" I stood frozen as soon as I heard his booming voice.

Oh, now I remember.

I forgot my father.

Cautiously, I tuned to face him. In front, there was an elevated platform where three seats proudly stood. The walkway towards them was covered with red carpet. The chandelier was hung at the high ceiling of the castle. I gulped, straightening my posture, facing the intimidating presence sitting in the center.

"Meus Rex," I carefully said. Careful with everything I do just to not trigger a volcanic eruption. "I beg for your forgiveness, I was lost in thoughts and before I know it, I was wandering everywhere."

There was silence before he spoke with his booming voice."So you forgot about you king?"

"No!" I said rather fast. "No, of course not."

"Is that so?" I nodded, "Very well. Now, I want you to go back in your chamber. There's an intruder, better to be safe than sorry, was it?"

I bowed and said I understand before turning to leave, or so I thought I will. But I stopped dead on my tracks. The king noticed this, asking me what and why I was doing it.

"Father," I said, dropping the formalities upon noticing that we were the only ones who are here. "What if I'll go outside the castle?"

There was silence before he asked. "...Why you ask?"

"Oh. It's nothing. "I replied before turning to leave.

"It's nothing but a mere fleeting thought."