1.3 A Nighttime Frolic

The palace grounds were a daunting maze of corridors and pathways, each intersecting with one another. Statuary of the Elven gods littered the palace, silent guardians, ever watchful in the moonlit night. Setia silently prowled through the halls, searching for the way to the garden courtyard. Finally, after longer than she'd like to admit, she was out under the beautiful moon.

She stared up at the sky and the bright stars and sighed. Were these still the same stars she was used to seeing daily? She was really in a different world. The moon was a beautiful, illuminated blue. It bathed the grounds in an ethereal light. She scanned the grounds for evidence of the prince, whom she had sworn she'd seen earlier, running across the lawn.

As she walked through the courtyard, she saw the bushes rustling nearby. She jumped into the hedge as she heard rising voices carrying over the hedge.

"Her being here changes nothing!" A hushed whisper pleaded.

"You know I have to do what's best for the kingdom." An aggravated voice of the prince answered.

"I don't trust her! She's one of them. How can she be what's best for the kingdom?" The female voice growled. Setia heard a deep sigh, and the sound of movement. She imagined the prince taking this girl into his arms.

"We will have to see what happens. It's all in the name of peace." The prince said with finality. So the prince wants to avoid the war as well. She could use that to her benefit. This girl must be the second lead.

"Your highness," a fresh voice chimed, deep and gruff.

"General Elarion! What do you need? Lina, we'll talk later." She heard him ushering the girl off. Lina huffed, and Setia heard footsteps retreating.

"Your highness, I wanted to discuss your first impressions of the princess." Elarion Liandris sighed, his voice heavy.

"We've barely spoken, but she seems to have a firm head on her shoulders." The prince said in a breath.

"She has cause to be seeking information, your highness." The general warned.

"You think I'm going to reveal battle plans to the enemy?" The prince scoffed. Setia winced, the enemy.

"Just proceed with caution, sir." General Liandris said.

"I will sleep with one eye open, general." The prince mused. Setia heard general Liandris sigh and turn away from the prince.

"Enjoy your evening, sir. Do come to me if you have any concerns." He said sweetly and strode off.

Setia sighed in relief and waited until it was safe to leave the bush. As she was about to step out of the hedge, a hand grabbed her arm and yanked her back through the other side of the bush.

"Ah!" she cried, falling backwards. Strong arms wrapped around her and pinned her arms to her sides. They held her against a cement wall of a chest.

"Well hello, Princess. Out for an evening stroll?" The voice whispered in her ear. She shivered at the proximity. She stamped her foot down on top of him and he yelped, letting her go.

"Unhand me, sir! How dare you grab me so!" she said, outraged. She crossed her arms over her chest and stared up into the emerald green eyes.

"What are you doing, listening in a bush?" He said with a raised eyebrow.

"I was out for a stroll when I heard you and your companion. I didn't want to intrude, so I made myself scarce." She humphed.

The Prince's gaze travelled up and down her body. She saw his eyes trace her curves through her tight pants and tunic and his eyes darkened with what appeared to be hunger.

"Out for a stroll dressed like a common thief?" He said, gesturing to her outfit.

"Women do not need to wear skirts all the time!" She said. "In my kingdom, women are treated as equals to the men, in battle and in society. We are warriors." She tilted her chin up. Of course, she was referring to modern society, but she hoped he didn't know enough about the dark elves to confirm if she was telling the truth. She knew she was a warrior, and she assumed she didn't do that in skirts.

(Ding!) 'Dark Elf society has battle maiden women, the valkyrie.' Eli's voice chimed in her head.

"Why are you out here, Princess?" The prince sat on a stone bench, nursing his sore foot. Setia bit her lower lip, considering her answer.

"I was curious about you." She said honestly. He looked shocked.

(Ding! Love meter has raised to 10%)

"Curious about me? The man that your kingdom is forcing you to wed? How can you want anything to do with me?" He said, the bitterness in his voice clear. Is that how he saw her?

"I want what is best for our kingdoms." Setia brushed a stray hair behind her ear.

(Ding! Love meter has raised to 15% Mission meter has increased to 10%)

Wow, this was being raised much faster than she expected. Who knew this would be so easy?

'Don't get ahead of yourself, 15% is on the level of an acquaintance.' Eli said sassily.

"You're not what I expected." Niall said, standing slowly. His expression was curious.

"Try not to have expectations of me, I defy them." Setia said with a wink. Niall moved closer to her and held out a hand between them.

"I'm sorry I was rude to you earlier." He said with a smile. Setia smiled and placed her hand on his. Maybe this was the start of them being friends?

"I understand," Setia chimed in return, shaking his hand. A gentle breeze blew past, and his auburn curls danced in the wind. His green eyes shone in the moonlight. He was breathtaking.

His smile and the moonlight enraptured her. Her gaze stayed on his face, which appeared genuine. As they made small talk in the evening, Setia didn't see the dark figure hiding in the forest line.