My face got splattered by blood. Just the feeling of someone else’s blood on your face got me goosebumps. Once again, someone saved my life.

‘Are you okay?‘.

I finally opened my eyes as I heard those words. He took off his cape and revealed his face. He had black hair and brown eyes, just like the rest of the folk. But he was a

an outstanding beauty. He went on his knees to be on my level as I sat on the ground.

I admired his beauty for some time without saying anything. He looked regular yet so unique.

,Hey, hey. I asked if you‘re Okay?‘ he asked while snapping his fingers in my face. I stopped dreaming and suddenly was back in the moment. I smelled the blood on my face and saw how dirty I was laying on the ground full of trash and fecals. 

‘T-thank you, but why did you save me?‘ I asked. 

‘Because you were in danger.‘.

‘Sorry I don‘t have any money. How can I repay you?‘. I was sure no one would do something like this just for the sake of it.

But he started to laugh and shook his head. Did I say something wrong?

‘I don‘t want anything from you. I saved you because you needed help. It‘s that simple.‘ he said while putting up his robe like he wanted to show me something. As he revealed his shirt underneath, my eyes shut wide open.

‘See, it is my duty.‘.

He wore a badge which showed two roses wrapped arounf a knife. It is the badge of a rebellious cult named ‘The Rose‘. They are known for their rebellion against the crown and gained a following after being formed when the civil war ended. The Rose incited many riots which led to the crown accepting some of their conditions. 

Their rebellion helped the common people to earn more and have a better life. The ultimate goal is to start a revolution and destroy the crown. They think every human should be equal in status.

They are also known for being a brutal terrorist organization which once killed the old king‘s adviser many years ago. Because of that they are also feared among the higher royals. I only heard myths of them and their brutal fight against the crown but now I am standing in front of a member. But he didn‘t seem like how The Rose was described in many stories. 

The feeling was unfamiliar. My face got warm and my stomach felt like it was turning around when I saw him. I never felt like this before.

He stood up and gave me his hand to help me get up as he saw how weak I was. 

‘You look lost and like you haven‘t eaten anything in days.‘ he said as he judged my looks. 

‘I-I got kicked out of the house by my parents.‘ I told him as I made up a quick lie on the spot even though it wasn‘t very convincing. But he didn‘t pay any attention to it and turned around.

‘Keep yourself safe, go find some shelter. It‘s dangerous for a girl like you to be alone here.‘ he said as he put his robe on and started to leave. I panicked as he left and couldn‘t move. He made me feel safe and gave me hope.

‘Please, don‘t.‘ I said as I finally managed to run after him and stop him. He turned around and was confused.

‘Let me go with you! No matter what you do and where you go! Please, I am scared out here.‘ I begged with tears in my tears.

‘I‘m sorry, but there is no way.‘ he answered with a cold voice.

‘Being seen with me would put you in even more danger. It would put you on the target of many enemies because we are still at war.‘. 

He wasn‘t wrong. The streets are full of soldiers and the army. It would be dangerous. What if someone notices me? Now that I realize that the assassin from earlier was probably sent by Levla to kill me, it could happen any time again. I will always have to 

watch behind my back.

But I had nothing to lose. I had no plan, no shelter, nothing. Either I stick with him and risk getting caught or I will die in the next couple of days. Didn‘t I try to kill myself? Meeting this boy gave me hope. He gave me more attention than anyone has in the past 18 years. I had to convince him to take me with him.

‘I‘m a princess.‘ I said.

He stopped and looked at me from head to toe. I didn‘t make the impression of a princess of course. My hair was black, I only wore a ripped robe and sandals and was completely dirty. 

‘What are you talking about?‘.

‘I was accused of killing the princess of Kingdom Zatros but it was my step sister. I got exiled and my royal status was taken away.‘

‘But your hair is black, like the common folk. The royal family has blonde hair.‘.

I couldn‘t respond to that because he was right. My story was just unbelievable - no matter how true it was. I still don‘t know how my hair changed its color.

‘I heard the news about the princess. She got poisoned. Why would such a cute girl like you do that?‘ he said. I was speechless. 

‘But I didn‘t! Please trust me. I know that it doesn‘t seem believable but I‘m telling the truth.‘ i desperately said. 

He took a few seconds to think about something.

‘You know what. I believe you. No one would have the courage to talk to a member of the rose about this. If you want, you can join me.‘.