A new era

CALLAN

When she returned, she somehow looked different.

Not physically. She was still attired in that same off-the-shoulder red gown that should have been outlawed if it were up to Callan, and that same persistent frown upon her face, adamant to remain despite his wishes. But despite all that, she looked different. As if in that small space of an hour or two, she had aged fifty years or so, new bags under her tired eyes and the presence of grief behind that hardened wall she seemed to have put up around her. Her face betrayed nothing but Callan had come to know the face of grief and the princess's was no exception.

The carriage was waiting patiently outside the foot of the castle when she made her first steps down the stairs and Callan leant lazily against the carriage, awaiting her arrival as he caught up in current affairs back in Acraeneia with much- appreciated aid from Faramond.

And then he caught sight of her.

For a princess from such a shallow dignified line of royalty, Paige proved rather different, seizing each opportunity to surprise him. Two maids trailed after the princess, both red in the face, running lightly as if struggling to keep up with the Princess's steady walk. They hauled only one luggage, a measly looking thing, and the princess walked before them, clutching what appeared to be a pair of red heels in her hand. It was a sight that brought a faint smirk to Callan's lips.

It felt like an aeon before the trio finally reached the carriage and even then, he noticed how Paige would not once raise her eyes to meet his, instead adopting to allow her eyes to wander the endless realms of the pastel blue sky above. The weather seemed to be in an awfully cheery mood for a day that seen so many unnecessary deaths.

"I see that the Princess hasn't felt the necessity to change," Callan remarked partially because he hadn't felt the need to address the Princess directly since she hadn't even bothered to simply cast a glance his way. But also because he wanted her to respond.

He'd been fooled. Once again Paige stood her ground, eyes fixated on some faraway distant attraction clearly more entertaining than the Prince's face.

"And she doesn't speak," he muttered just about inaudible that his words skipped the ears of the Princess. However Faramond wasn't so far away from him.

"Cut her some slack your Highness," Faramond advised, placing a firm hand upon Callan's shoulders. "You are stealing her from her home, sire." Callan wished to protest, that it was not him who had bargained her freedom for victory, but with Faramond's words ringing in his ears, Callan saw the princess in a new light. Her mask of dignity and pride fell away and he saw the sheer vulnerability concealed within.

"You are to ride with the coach," Callan said, purposefully ignoring the addition of her title, just to spark something in the girl who seemed to have absolutely no interest in him. "We'll reach Acraeneia by sundown." He watched her for a moment longer, inspecting her distant dark-coloured eyes and tilted thoughtful face, almost begging for a response.

And just as he lost hope, turning reluctantly to head for his own trusty steed, she surprised him once more.

"I won't be riding with the carriage if it does not bother you, your Highness."

Callan halted in his tracks, frowning as if he had misheard the soft words uttered in the form of the princess's voice.

"I beg your pardon?"

PAIGE

She could feel his deep blue eyes searching her as she gazed faraway into the empty pale sky, hoping, no yearning, to catch Aiden's voice hanging onto the gentle breeze tugging at the loose strands of her hair.

"I'd rather prefer riding my own steed if it pleases you, sire," she said respectively, allowing her eyes to finally meet the Prince's. And instantly she wished she hadn't. "I-I want to feel the wind on my face. It's been a while." She despised how small her voice sounded especially in front of him.

When she was but a child Paige had heard rumours that the glances of the Acraeneia eye could be deadly. And now, at her twenty year old self, she could confirm that they were true. Callan had these eyes that were blue but not quite blue if you watched them carefully, for you would surely catch a glimpse of the most intricate flecks of green and grey sparking inside those deep blue orbs for eyes.

She averted her eyes immediately.

The prince didn't say anything but Paige was sure that he had caught her brief glance and her moment of hesitation but had resorted to remaining silent, watching her thoughtfully. Prince Callan was proving rather difficult to read.

"Very well," Callan sighed, turning away from her and facing his most trusted knight. "Faramond please accompany the princess on her journey. I shall ride ahead and lead the guards."

Paige was tempted to open her mouth and deny company, however she knew not the journey or the roads and would sooner end up lost. Although Paige was somewhat experienced in horse riding and navigating, the woods of Askemia were the only place that Paige knew like the back of her hand. Acraeneiae was a strange realm and she would not know her up from her down without company. Besides Faramond seemed trustworthy enough.

Callan was about to turn around for the final time, however Paige sensed a hint of hesitation in his step and she could have sworn that just for briefest most subtle of moments, so subtle that it barely attempted to exist, Callan's eyes drifted back to Paige, just before he turned and walked away from the carriage leaving Paige alone with Faramond.

"Your Highness, if you have a certain horse in mind I shall get the guards to fetch it for you," Faramond said, his eyes gentle and kind, completely different from the courageous firm expression she'd witnessed him bear in the throne room.

"I'm not a princess anymore sir," she said simply. "And I believe it is best if I fetch my horse. Orion doesn't like to answer to strangers I'm afraid." Faramond smiled down at her and she tried to smile back, with the few glimmers of hope that still strived within her.

"Very well my lady. But perhaps we should hurry. The prince does not like to be kept waiting."

I should think so, Paige thought, watching his figure thin to a slight silhouette in the distance, swiftly diminishing from her sight. Well, if the Prince didn't like to be kept waiting, then that was exactly what she'd have to.