Love isn't playing around

"I noticed that the Crown Prince is different when you're around." I looked at him.

"Different in what way?"

"You didn't know?"

"You for real? Maybe because I can't see the way he acts when I'm not around because if I try to see it for myself then that means I'm around him. How could I possibly compare? I thought you were smart the first time I saw you."

"Well I thought someone could have already told you."

"I only have three someone who I can always talk to inside the palace."

"You know I'm holding my questions back since I just found out that you're the Princess?"

"I know." I said in a low voice. We were filled with silence for a while.

"What I'm saying is, he turned soft when you were there. I can see how deeply he cherishes you."

"How does he acts without me?"

"You can feel the authority on every word he says. Not in a bad way though."

"I guess he's really born to be a King then." I felt proud of Shaun. Minutes later we were standing in front of a huge tree. Its color is so vibrant and it feels so alive. It makes my blood pumps more faster as if responding to the nature. "Wow! I've never seen a tree so beautiful."

"Me too. Look how alive it looks." Its branches sways along the wind.

"How old do you think this is?" I reached towards the trunk wanting to feel it. As my hands came in contact with it, I felt a tingling sensation. No, not tingle, it feels more powerful, like I was electrocuted and it glowed so brightly. I immediately pulled my hands back.

"Why?" Harris did the same. "There's nothing here. What just happened?"

"Nothing. It just felt rough. Let's keep going."

"Ok. Let's speed u- Wait!" He yelled.

"What?"

"What did you just said?"

"Uhm... It felt rough?"

"No. Before that."

"How old is the tree?"

"Before!"

"Why are you yelling? It's disrespectful enough to demand a Princess what she-" He suddenly hissed. "Ok. Ok. I think I said 'this is my first time seeing a tree so beautiful'." I said in mock.

"You said this is the way you came, right?"

"Uh-huh!" I raised an eyebrow at him. What is his deal?

"Then how is this the first time you saw this tree?"

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.

.

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For the longest time, my mind went blank. "Do you think they just plant it earlier?" My face lost all expressions.

"Sheen!"

"Sheen? You just called me Sheen?"

"Now's not the time." I looked at the tree.

"Do you think this is a magical tree that just appears when it hears a certain word? Or a special person came?" I'm panicking right now.

"Hey!" He grasped my arms.

"W-what... This..." I continue talking hysterically but my voice didn't manage to come out strong.

"Princess, we're lost." A tear suddenly escaped from my eyes.

"It's my fault?" I sobbed.

"No... No, it's not. Stop crying." He held me in his arms. I tried to break free but he didn't let go.

"What are we going to do? Is there a possibility that someone will come here? Are we gonna die?" He chuckled. "We're gonna die and no one will found out." I cried harder.

"Princess get a hold of yourself. No one's dying. We'll find our way once you stopped crying." He patted my back. "You will want to stop crying because it is getting dark already." I realized what he said and composed myself immediately.

"Let's hurry up." My voice cracked and he laughed.

"I should've stopped you earlier when you seemed unsure of the way."

"Should you constantly remind me?"

"Ok. I won't talk about it. Just follow closely behind me, we need to move faster since the dark is catching up." I did as he said, I scooted closer to him and he laughed again.

"What?"

"Just hold my hand." Then he held my hand. My breath got caught somewhere I don't know, I was unable to breath for a short moment. I looked at our hands together then I heard Harris chortle a laugh. I furrowed my brows. "You don't know your way around men, don't you?"

"You're so full of yourself." I took my hand away but he caught it.

"I can't really survive if I lost you here. It's either I'd die here with you or I'd die in the hands of your brother. So, we need to both get out of here alive."

"Is this necessary?" I mentioned our hands.

"Don't worry I love my girlfriend." I let out an exasperated breath.

"It's not like I would fall for you."

"How many boyfriends you had so far?"

"That was such a blunt question."

"Are you trying to ignore my question?" He smirked.

"The number of girlfriends you had may be more than the number of guys I knew for my whole life."

"That means you never had one." He laughed. "And for your information, Elisse is my first girlfriend, I'm positive she's gonna be the last."

"You want to bet at that?"

"Why would I? Love is not playing around Princess."

"Bummer."

"There!" I looked at where he's looking and my face finally brightens up. "Let's ask around." We went down to the village we saw, at least that's what I think it is.

"Hey kid." I tried to catch the attention of one young lad. "You know what's the name of this place?"

"It doesn't have a name."

"What do you mean?"

Harris pulled me away from the crowd. "I'm not feeling good about this." He told me.

"What?"

"Something's not right." I looked around. It seems pretty normal. Except that this place looks less civilized. Something that you can see on old history books. "Don't you feel it?" Goosebumps suddenly raced through my skin. He feel it too? I ignored it because I thought I was just being paranoid but...

"What do you think it is?"

His eyes suddenly widen. "Princess!..."

"What? You're giving me anxiety."

"They're not light."

"W-wha-" He pulled me away before I could utter a word.

"We need to get out of here-"

"Where do you think you're going?" Two huge guys stood in our way.

"We were just passing by." I told them.

"This is not a place where light faes can pass around freely."

"A-actual-ly we're kinda l-lost. Yeah. We would not force you to tell us the way back but we'd appreciate it if you just let us p-pass." Why is Harris not speaking? I'm so damn nervous right now.

"Call Keensword right now. I think they're spies." What!?

"No we're not spies! We're just t-travelers and we can't find our way." I pleaded, my stomach's all tangled up. "Harris." I nudged him.

He threw a punch at one of the guys. "H-har-" one guy dropped to the ground in front of me. I tugged on Harris' shirt. "What are you doing? You're making it worse." I half shouted. He dragged me towards the forest running. We almost reached the forest's entrance but suddenly... "Harris I can't see!"

"Princ- Sheen!"

I felt so anxious. "Harris what's happening?" I was halfway crying. "Harris where are you?" I reached out my hand and I think I have felt him under the tip of my fingertips but I collapsed when I felt something hit the back of my head.

The darkness swallowed me.