8

"I never knew it was going to be this lonely...How come there is nobody around here?" Anna walked around in the corridors hoping that she would meet a human, but just like every other day, she was all alone. Sometimes she felt like everyone in the palace was avoiding her, Because she did often come across a few maids but they would change their path after looking at her. Anna dragged around the Palace hoping to find something amusing. And without noticing she wandered off into the garden.

The place was something straight out of a fairytale, there was a fountain in the center of a tulip garden. The waiter that rained down didn't look like water, it seemed like crystals falling from the sky. Anna walked with her eyes wide open, she was trying to take in all the beauty while strolling deep into the garden. After a long walk, Anna stopped and her face paled. She looked around at the garden and noticed that she could no longer see the palace from there. Anna hurriedly walked back on the path that she had walked but the place wasn't familiar at all.

"What should I do? Should I call the Prince?' Anna wetted her dried-up lips while trying to think of an escape plan. Luckily she had her cell phone and she called Syrus.

"Yes?" HE picked up the call in less than a second, Anna felt her heart leap out when she heard his soothing calm voice, She bit her lip while she beheld her heart with her other hand.

"It's just that, I came out to the garden for a walk and I got lost," Anna felt bad for disturbing Syrus for such a stupid reason but she didn't know anyone else who would help her.

"hmm...Stay where you are," after these words he ended the call.

"Huh? He ended the call?" Anna looked at the screen with a dumb face. "But he said to stay here so I should wait." Anna looked around for a place to sit, Her feet had started to hurt because of the heels she was wearing. To her left she saw tall fencing trees blocking her view to the other side, She walked along them hoping to find a place she could sit. The wall of trees was a few meters long. When she reached the partition she decided to enter the place but her feet stopped, she saw a girl on a garden chair, silently looking down at the open book in her lap. The sun didn't hit her directly because of the umbrella blocking it. The round table beside her had thick books piled up. Anna stared at her dumbfoundedly, she was mesmerized by her beauty. She shrank herself into the trees so she wasn't visible.

"Her cheek is healed...It must have hurt a lot." Anna thought to herself, "And I haven't even thanked her for the favor yet."

Anna heaved a heavy sigh and stared at her with envy, The girl before her was everything she ever wanted to be, She was elegant, well-refined above all she was stunning. Her heart almost throbbed at her face. Myrtle was so immersed in reading that she didn't even notice Anna's gaze on her. "Should I talk to her? I should thank her properly." Anna breathed in with determination and stepped out of the tree so she could walk up to Myrtle but just then a hand wrapped around her mouth while another hand tugged her backward. Anna was caught by surprise that a scream escaped her lips, Though her mother was shut by the hand a mumble came out. But due to Anna's rough movements, she stepped on the person behind her and tripped him. They both fell on the grass, Anna's back met with a firm surface while her head hung down the person's shoulder.

She heard a low groan, while her mouth was still under the pressure of a hand, she tilted her head and saw Syrups with creased eyebrows. Anna gasped and got off Syrus, She crouched beside him and helped him up, His eyebrows were knitted and his face had a painful expression.

"I am sorry Prince! I didn't mean to hurt you, it's just you popped out of nowhere and I was caught by surprise." Anna spoke without stopping as she felt very guilty for her actions, Syrus was staring at her dumbfoundedly as she spoke, He wanted to quiet her down but due to guilt Anna continued to blabber, Syrurs straightened his back and wrapped his hand around her mouth to shut her up.

"Shh...DOn't speak,"

Anna who was not ready for the touch felt herself melt under his soft fragrant hand. Her eyes widened and she looked at Syrus innocently.

"What were you doing?" HE asked in a whisper.

"I was looking at the Princess…" Anna whispered back after Syrus moved his hand away from her.

Syrus's eyes narrowed. "Myrtle?" Anna nodded in reply.

"Let's get you out of here, YOu can't be here." Syrus grabbed Anna's hand and got up. Anna followed but before she could get up her eyes came across another figure standing at the threshold of the partition of the trees. Anna let go of Syrus's, her face painted with guilt when she looked at Myrtle.

"Princess?" A small voice came out of her mouth. Syrus turned his head around where Anna was looking and saw Myrtle. She was holding the book of medicine, her eyes were plastered on Syrus's hand that Anna just let go of.

"It's not what you think," Anna stepped forward to explain but Syrus stopped her by grabbing her arm and pulling her behind him, Myrtle bowed lightly and greeted Syrus.

"My Apologies if I disturbed you two, I just heard sounds and I was afraid there might be intruders in the King's garden." In a low respectful tone Myrtle explained herself, SHe didn't lift her head until she had spoken the sentence. "Now I shall take my leave…"

"Wait!" Syrus called out, Myrtle's steps paused automatically and she turned around. "Don't tell the queen that Anna was in the garden," Syrus ordered.

"As you wish your Majesty," Myrtle replied and vanished into the trees.

"Why didn't you let me say anything?" Anna mumbled. "I am sure she was hurt." Her eyes were plastered to the place where Myrtle stood a while ago. Syrus too followed her gaze and shook his head sideways. "She doesn't feel those things." Said Syrus under his breath, and an uneasy feeling grew in his stomach.

"Let us get out of the Garden or you will be in trouble." Said Syrus and sneaked her out of the garden.