The man offered me his arm as we walked to the entrance of town. The guards around the area gave me a sidelong glance as the man kept forward with a firm gaze ahead. My grip on his arm grew tighter, though he showed no sense of worry. We finally made it pass the gate. "Farewell, Prince Eugien." A guard said. And he said he was just a noble. He's a goddamn prince! I snuck a look at Eugien. His orange eyes locked with mine. I felt him come to a stop, and he gave the area a good look. "The coast is clear. So you may hurry along now." Eugien said, shooeing me away as he got on his horse. "Thank you, Eugien. Where are you headed now?" I asked. He motioned north. "It is Prince Eugien. Now I must be on my way. If we are to ever meet again, I shall be most pleased. Farewell." He said, then rode his horse down the valley of grass. The flowers bloomed ever so beautifuly. I had not seen flowers in years. It filled me with such profound grief to know this was not going to last. Soon the empire would take over everything and leave us with nothing. And unfortunately, Eugien was a part of all of it, him being the son of the founder of the empire. It had been hard to keep up with current affairs, but I was able to. I took a moment to take in the stunning nature around me, and then I went north. With any luck, I could see Eugien again. The air around me was chilly and calm. Though my body couldn't take much more activity, I continued to walk. The fresh air made me feel almost rejuvenated. I took a moment to sit down and take a break by a tree and gazed out into the wilderness. No dragons or giants around today it seemed. Everything was quite peaceful, though it wouldn't stay that way for long. I have heard much about spiders, dragons, bears, giants, and wolves. I know how dangerous it is to be out here. But I'll take the risk for my freedom. I got up slowly. My muscles ached, but I kept moving. I knew I would never catch up with Eugien but it was worth a shot. If only I had something to ride.. I looked over at a nearby moose. I slowly moved behind it, the jumped on its back and grabbed its antlers. It ran with such force and speed I had almost fallen off! Soon enough I reached a small town and the moose kicked its back legs and made me fall off. It ran away and disappeared into the valley. I dusted off my clothes once more before heading into town. I had heard it this place before, some guards used to talk about how small and lousy it was. To me, it was an escape. And it was gorgeous. I found a quaint little inn to rest the pain off. Inside, I had to hand over my belongings, then I went into the wrong room to my luck. That room belonged to.. "Eugien!" I said. "Fancy seeing you here, miss.." Eugien trailed off, due to the ignorance of my name. "It's Aetanna." I said, sticking a hand out. Eugien gave me a puzzled look, but shook my hand. "Well, Miss Aetanna. Have you, by chance, been following me?" He asked, then dropped my hand. "Now why in the world would you think that?" I remarked playfully. Eugien glared at me, then began undressing out of his formal wear. "Wait, what are you doing?" I asked. Blush crept up in my cheeks. It was silent for a moment, then I saw his shirt slide off his shoulders. "You ask that, yet you are the one who is staring." Eugien said bluntly. "Shut up! I couldn't find my room, what else was I supposed to do?" I yelled. "Quiet." Eugien said. "Oh, I shall be quiet, I can assure you-" He put a hand over my mouth and an arm around my waist as he hissed in my ear. "I said, quiet." I could feel his warm breath on my neck, and his grip on me was strong, yet I did not resist. Moments later he took his hands off me and backed away. "Care to explain?" I asked in a hushed voice. "There were guards outside. They could've caught you." He answered. "Turn around for a moment." I turned around and gave him an annoyed tone. "Those guards from your town spread rumors about us. Now you are a wanted woman." Eugien said. "Low class are not meant to have affairs with those of higher class. Especially not royalty." He said, then turned me back around. I looked into those fiery eyes of his and felt so safe. "Please listen to me." He said. I nodded and kept eye contact. "You may stay here with me, but stay hidden. I shall protect you the best I can." Eugien said. "I couldn't possibly do that to you, Eugien." I said. "Do not worry about me. I will be fine." He said. I gave him a warm look, then proceeded to leave. He grabbed my wrist and pulled me towards him with great strength. "I do not know you well. But.. I know you are a brave and wonderful woman. As Prince of Dhasherha, I command you to accompany me." He said. My face was against his chest, and I could feel his chest hairs tickle me. "If you insist.." I said, then backed away and looked at him. He had changed his pants but never put a shirt on. "Get dressed, I will be back shortly." I said, then left the room. As I went to get my luggage, the innkeeper recognized me. And not in a good way. "You're the prince's mistress! Get out of my inn! Or I'll get the guards!" They yelled at me. "I need my things, sir." I said. The inkeeper spared me no mercy. I felt a hand on my shoulder. I spun around and saw a guard there. "You're under arrest." He said. Shit. I forgot about the guards around here. That's why I was supposed to hide in the first place! I'm such an idiot! I ran pass the guard and upstairs to the room with Eugien, whom I bumped into as soon as I got there. "Eugien..the guards are after me..and-" He brushed past me with a cold look on his face. He closed the door and I hid in the nearby closet. I heard muffled arguing, then the door opened. "Aetanna." Eugien said. I opened the door and he helped me up. "Let's get out of here." He said. "Okay." I said, grabbing his hand and walking alongside him as we walked out. "What about your stuff?" I asked. "That does not matter currently." He said. His broad shoulders faced forward and the profile of his face showed all of his elegant features, especially when the moonlight hit his skin. His pale skin and sharp, pointy nose. His prominent cheekbones and sultry lips. I almost ran into someone because of how intoxicated I was by Eugien's appearance. I held on tightly to his hand  and we hurried out of the village and made sure to keep away from people as much as possible. As we reached the forest, Eugien gave a sigh. "I told you to stay out of sight." He said. I nodded. "Sorry. I just wanted my stuff back." I said. "They took your things?" He asked. "Yes. All my money and my dagger." I said with disappointment. Eugien pinched the bridge of his nose and sighed again. "Let us just go." He said, dragging me along through the forest.