“We aren’t supposed to be here,” Elizah said as she broke the silence.

She hadn’t said a word since the two of them left the school grounds. Mostly she was wondering what exactly the prince was doing this far in the woods. The woods were a place of forbidden entry by order of the king due to some magic around the region.

“It doesn’t matter. The guards don’t usually do checks in this region,” Jayden responded.

They soon reached a small clearing with lush green grass and warmth and tall trees surrounding it.

“How is that even possible…” Elizah said as she gasped and looked around, limping her way forward.

The area was like a small springtime oasis amid the cold winter outside. The grass was still fresh with dew, and small white flowers were blooming around. There was a large pond, which surprisingly hadn’t frozen over in the cold, and its water seemed like a mirror. On closer inspection, the water even appeared to be glowing. The sky wasn’t seen under the canopy of the large, green trees, but it wasn’t too dark or too bright.

“I was always drawn to this place. It’s where I can be alone and peaceful,” Jayden said as he rested on the trunk of a tree.

“It’s beautiful,” Elizah said in awe as she settled in the grass. She put her hand close to the glowing water, and Jayden stopped her instantly.

“I wouldn’t do that if I were you, the water has some strange abilities,” Jayden said, and Elizah retracted her hand.

An utter silence settled over the two of them, which was only filled by the chirping of birds and the occasional ripple of water.

“Thank you,” Elizah said with a small laugh, “If you hadn’t shown up, I would have probably been there in the grass for hours, your Highness.”

“You have no reason to thank me,” Jayden said, “I’m impressed by your skill if I am being honest. If the boy had challenged me, I would have been in big trouble, and please call me Jayden.”

“What do you mean?” Elizah asked, mildly confused.

“I can’t even aim a dagger right, let alone fight with it,” Jayden responded with a bitter laugh.

Elizah’s eyes widened as she turned to look at him.

“Are you serious?” she asked incredulously.

“I’m not lying. I’m terrible with a dagger or a sword in general,” Jayden said.

“But you’re the prince-” Elizah began.

“So what if I’m the prince? Does that automatically mean that I have to be perfect? Because I know I’m not,” Jayden said, with a mild note of frustration in his voice.

Jayden’s sudden change in tone had surprised Elizah, so another awkward silence set over them.

“I’m sorry about that. It wasn’t directed at you. I just hate how everyone expects me to be flawless at everything,” Jayden said softly.

“It’s alright. I’m a bit of a hothead myself,” Elizah said with a small smile, “Besides, it’s okay if you’re not the best at everything, no one is.”

“Can I ask you something?” Jayden asked her.

Elizah nodded and looked up at him from the blade of grass she was toying with.

“Why are you always looking at me with so much curiosity?” Jayden asked.

Elizah turned slightly red at that and said and said, “I was surprised to hear there was someone else like me, and I wanted to get to know you if you give me a chance.”

“Hm. What do you mean give you a chance? I doubt you have done something despicable,” Jayden said as he looked at her curiously.

“You know, the rumours about me. I assume you have heard them,” Elizah said as she buried her head in her knees.

Jayden raised his eyebrows, he had heard people telling him to avoid Elizah, but none of it made sense.

“I heard them, but none of them make any sense,” Jayden said, and Elizah looked up.

“What’s so hard to understand? My father was a traitor, so potentially I could be one too,” Elizah was nearly shouting now, and tears were brimming in her eyes. Because of the number of times she had heard this, she had slowly begun to accept it as the truth.

“That has nothing to do with you, you are your own person after all,” Jayden’s voice was gentle, and Elizah was surprised by his reaction.

“Then explain to me why my brother was taken. If he isn’t bound by my father’s mistakes, why haven’t I seen him in eight years now?” Elizah asked accusingly, and Jayden gave her a confused look.

“Your brother was taken as payment for your father’s mistakes?” Jayden asked, and Elizah nodded.

“He was taken when I was young, so I don’t know the details. All I remember was my mother’s friend blaming my father’s mistakes. He joined the ground troops is what he tells me in his letters, but I wish I could see him again,” Elizah said with a sigh, and Jayden was surprised by this accusation.

Elizah was suddenly startled as she looked at her pocket watch and said, “I’m so sorry, I have to leave. I have to help my mother with chores back home. We’ll talk another time.”

Elizah slowly stood up and winced slightly but could walk soon enough with a limp. She waved at Jayden, and he waved back. After Elizah disappeared into the woods, Jayden laid down on the grass, wondering what truly happened to Elizah’s family.