Stop moving

Wura yawned once again as she rubbed her eyes and Liam could not help but laugh, he thought that she looked cute when she looked tired, and also it would seem that when she was tired, she did not have enough energy to be very offensive.

"Are you sleepy?" asked Liam as he smiled at Wura.

"No, of course not… for your information, I usually wake up early… I do not know why I am yawning" said Wura as she yawned again, now she was getting annoyed, she did not know how to stop herself from yawning.

"Well maybe once you will the cold morning wind in your face you will stop yawning" said Liam as he smiled.

"Hmm, maybe" said Wura as she yawned.

"Your horses your Majesties" said the stable master as he smiled and he gave a quick bow as he led Ayo and Nolan to Wura and Liam.

"Thank you" said Liam as he smiled and the stable master bowed his head as he walked away.

"I think Nolan has a little brother now with Ayo being here" said Liam as he laughed.

"Oh that is very funny Liam, but I am sure that Nolan is a very good big brother" said Wura as she walked to her horse and she mounted herself on him as Liam smiled at her.

"You seem all prepared and ready to go" said Liam as he smiled, Wura did not waste a single second at all.

"Well of course I am, this will be the first time I am riding my horse without any help at all" said Wura as she smiled.

"Of course, how could I forget?" asked Liam to himself as he laughed and he mounted on his own horse as he urged Nolan to start moving and they walked out of the stable gate and Wura followed behind him.

"So where exactly are we going Liam?" asked Wura as she looked around, it was so quiet.

"Just around" replied Liam as he always used to follow the pathway, wherever he felt led to.

"And you enjoy just walking around aimlessly?" asked Wura as she moved Ayo to walk beside Nolan, but not too close so they did not collide with each other.

"Well sometimes, when you have already had your entire life planned for you… it is enjoyable to walk around aimlessly for a little while" said Liam as he smiled and he turned to look at Wura who was looking at him.

"You do not enjoy your life?" asked Wura as she had finally stopped yawning, the gentle cold wind blowing on her face as Ayo steadily galloped calmly had seemed to do the trick, just like Liam had said.

"Well it is not like I do not enjoy it, I know that I have responsibilities, and many people looking up to me, and I do appreciate that, and I know that I have to uphold my responsibilities, but sometimes, it is just nice to relax, and not have to think about anyone or anything, just yourself" said Liam as he smiled.

"Out here, it is just you, your horse, and the quiet, peaceful world around you" said Liam as he took a deep breath.

"It is calming and relaxing" said Liam as he smiled and he looked at Wura.

"I did not think that you were such a serene man" said Wura, she had never heard Liam speak like this.

"You never asked" replied Liam as he smiled and Wura kept quiet.

"Have you not ever just felt like you want the world to stop moving, even for a little while, just for you to breathe and relax?" asked Liam as he looked at Wura.

"Well… if I really think about it no I have not…" said Wura.

"Actually, I am quite the opposite" said Wura.

"I have been used to being confined in one space for such a long time that I wished the hours would pass by quicker, I always wanted to go out, explore and see different places, people, I never wanted the world to stop moving, I wanted it to move quicker" said Wura as she gave a little laugh.

"You are I are quite the opposites are we not?" asked Liam as he laughed.

"Well yes, I guess we are" said Wura as she smiled.

"We grew up in different homes, with different views and ideas, and that is why we do not get along well" said Wura as she looked at Liam.

"Who said that we do not get along well?" asked Liam.

"Personally, I think that we get on nicely, only with some occasional playful bickering" said Liam as he laughed.

"Oh please do not start Liam, It is too early to start bickering" said Wura as she laughed and she looked at him as she shook her head.

She did not know why, but right now, as they were alone, with nothing but trees surrounding them as the sun was starting to rise, Wura just felt like Liam was easier to talk to now, in this atmosphere.

"I do not start our bickers, you do" said Liam.

"Oh that is false Liam, very false, you do start them, in fact, you are starting one right now" said Wura as she scoffed.

"Alright, I do agree with that, fine, I will not continue this any further" said Liam as he laughed.

"That is better Liam, yes, leave it like that" said Wura as she laughed and she shook her head as Liam smiled at her.

He was used to being alone, for a long time… and well now that Wura was with him… he no longer felt lonely, right now, whenever he was with her, her mere presence could lighten his day, but at the same time it could darken it, she had such an effect on him that he himself did not know that it could be possible.

"I like hearing you laugh, it sounds wonderful" said Liam as he smiled.

"Sadly, I cannot say the same for you Liam, your laugh just annoys me" said Wura as she laughed.

"And why is that?" asked Liam.

"Well because… well you do not need to know" said Wura as she could not find a valid reason why his laugh would annoy her… the truth was that it did not annoy her, not at all, whenever he laughed, she found it funny, but of course she could not tell him that.

"Ahh, I see" said Liam as he laughed, he knew that she had no valid reason for what she said, which made him know that she was lying about his laugh annoying her.

"So how do you like the early morning stroll?" asked Liam as he smiled.

"Well it is calm, relaxing, peaceful, and the fresh air is wonderful" said Wura as she smiled and she looked ahead, she felt calmer, she felt like this was a very peaceful way to relax if you had been stressed, Liam was right about one thing, it was just calming.

"I am glad that you think so" said Liam as he smiled.

"Maybe next time we can have a race" said Liam as he laughed, the sun was starting to rise.

"Hmm, maybe, as long as you do not go too fast" said Wura as she laughed.

"No, I will not, I will wait for you" said Liam as he smiled and Wura looked at him, why did she feel like his words had double meanings? Or was she just overthinking it?

"Well then, you will have to wait a long time" said Wura as she shot him a quick smile.

"I told you… I will wait for you, you are worth the wait" said Liam as he smiled, and Wura felt her heart beat quicken… he thought that she was worth the wait… it made her feel weird… that he would say such a thing about her.

Liam just chuckled as he saw Wura's confused expression as he quickened his pace, he was sure that he had given her something very important to think about, like they said, patience was key.

"Come on, this is the best part" said Liam as he smiled and Wura followed after him as suddenly Liam made Nolan stop as Wura stopped Ayo as well.

"You like to watch the sunrise?" asked Wura as she looked at Liam, she also liked to watch the sunrise back home, she thought that it was beautiful, her room was opposite where the sun would rise, and she would wake up early and watch the sun rise from her window.

"Yes I do, I think it is beautiful… just like you" said Liam as he kept that last part to himself as he looked up and the sun began to rise from the horizon.

"I think so as well" said Wura as she smiled and she looked up as she watched the sunrise, she could tell you that this was the most peaceful way to start your day.

The beautiful yellow sun rose from the horizon as all in a quick moment, it rose to its place in the sky, and morning had finally broke.

"Such beauty that only last for a short time" said Liam as he smiled.

"Yes, the way God intended, man might want to covet the beauty for himself, so the sun quickly shows its beauty once, before hiding it again" said Wura as she smiled and she looked at Liam and Liam looked at her as he smiled.

He really wished that his moment could last forever, just the two of them, speaking with no one watching, just them being themselves, no fights, no bickers, just a normal, peaceful conversation, with them being honest with each other.

Wura was the first to break their gaze as she turned and she looked away, she scolded herself internally for being so comfortable with Liam, the early morning effect on her had worn off, and she had realized just how comfortable she was with Liam.

"We should be going back now" said Liam as he smiled.

"Alright" said Wura as Liam turned Nolan around and they walked in the direction that they came from and Wura followed after him.

The ride back was rather quiet… Wura wondered what Liam was thinking about, maybe he got bored of talking to her, she did not know why she cared so much, but she took the silence as a hint that she should stop getting too familiar with Liam, after all, she did not trust him, not at all, there he was being sweet and easy to talk to again, and then out of nowhere his mood changed and he went back to his quiet self.

As they rode back into the stables through the gate, Liam stopped Nolan as he got down from him and Wura got down from Ayo, she could not help but feel a tiny bit sad that they were back to the Castle again, if she could she would have loved to stay out there for a little longer.

"Well that was fun Wura" said Liam as he smiled.

"It was…" said Wura as she smiled and she did not know what else to say, they were back to their silence, it was just… so weird.

"Well let me take my leave now" said Wura as she cleared her throat, she saw no reason for her still here with Liam.

"Alright then, I will see you later Wura" said Liam as he smiled.

"Hmm" replied Wura as she walked away, she knew that Liam would take care of Ayo for her, she just felt the sudden urge to leave, and she knew that it was because of Liam.

Liam just smiled as Wura walked away…. There she was running away from him… again.

…

"*Sigh*" said Wura as she walked into her room as she sighed as Nora was there waiting for her, and her face lit up as soon as she saw Wura.

"My Queen, you have returned" said Nora as she smiled and she bowed her head.

"Yes I have Nora" said Wura as she sighed and she sat down on her bed.

"How was your morning stroll with his Majesty my Queen?" asked Nora as she smiled.

"Wonderful…" said Wura as she sighed.

"Then why do you not sound happy my Queen?" asked Nora.

"Because it was wonderful… his Majesty and I spoke and well… *Sigh*, I think that I dislike him a little less now" said Wura as she shook her head and Nora could not help but smile at Wura's logic, she was happy if Liam and Wura got together in the end, and if they did not, well she was only concerned about the happiness of her lady.

"He can say things that make you… well think…" said Wura as she sighed.

"Think on what my Queen?" asked Nora as she smiled.

"Well think of many things…" said Wura as she looked at Nora.

"Nora, I am rather tired, I would like to have my bath now" said Wura as she looked at Nora, she did not want to discuss this any further, before she started to question herself internally.

"I already made your bath my Queen, it is still warm" said Nora as she smiled, she had checked a few minutes ago, and the water was still warm.

"Oh thank you Nora" said Wura a she smiled, she really needed a nice, warm bath to relax in, so she could stop overthinking.

"My Queen, shall I bring your breakfast up to your room?" asked Nora as she smiled.

"Yes, please do so Nora, thank you" said Wura as she smiled.

"It is my pleasure my Queen" said Nora as she smiled and Wura smiled at her.

…

After having her bath, Wura ate her breakfast in her room as she felt much more relaxed than before, and then she decided to go through some records that Lady Marli provided her, while Nora just stood here, watching her work.

"Nora, is something the matter?" asked Wura as she noticed that Nora had been more quiet than usual, and she did not look so good.

"Ah… my Queen I… nothing is the matter…" said Nora as she cautioned herself.

Wura closed the records that she was reading through and she looked at Nora, she knew Nora well, and when she was awfully quiet like this, then there was something bothering her, but she did not want to say it out.

"Nora, you know that you can trust me, and there is something bothering you" said Wura.

"If you tell me what it is, I might be able to help" said Wura as she smiled and Nora looked down.

"Nora, tell me, what is bothering you?" asked Wura as she smiled and her voice sounded gentle, she knew that she had to be very gentle when it came to Nora, or else, she would not speak or say what was actually bothering her.

"My Queen… I" said Nora as she hesitated.

"Yes Nora, go on" said Wura as she smiled.

"My Queen, may I request for some leave?" asked Nora as she raised her head and she looked at Nora.

"My Queen, I received a letter from home, my father, he is very ill, and I want to go and see him" said Nora, when she had gone to get Wura's breakfast from the kitchen, she had received a letter from her mother, saying that her father was ill, and that she should come home as soon as she could.

"Oh Nora, why did you not say so before?" asked Wura.

"I thought that you would be upset…" said Nora.

"Oh Nora, that is nonsense, I will not be upset, of course you can go home" said Wura as that was very serious, if her father was ill, she would go to him immediately, and that would also be the case here.

"Oh thank you my Queen, thank you" said Nora as she bowed.

"You do not need to thank me Nora, of course you can go home and take care of your father, I would do the same if I was you" said Wura as she smiled.

"Oh thank you for being so generous to me My Queen" said Nora as she smiled.

"Oh Nora, you are welcome, you should not keep things like this for me, I care for you, and whatever bothers you, bothers me as well" said Wura as Nora nodded her head.

"So you can go home, take as much time as you need, until your father recovers, then you can come back" said Wura.

"Oh but my Queen… are you sure? Who will take care of you if I leave?" asked Nora.

"You do not need to worry about that Nora, go take care of your father, I am not a child, of course I can take care of myself" said Wura as she smiled.

"Oh thank you my Queen" said Nora as she smiled.

"You have said thank you enough Nora, go pack your things and go home" said Wura as she smiled, she could just imagine how worried Nora felt right now.

"Alright my Queen, I will and thank you once more" said Nora as she smiled, she could not help but say thank you.

"You are welcome Nora, go home, and I wish your father a speedy recovery" said Wura as she smiled.

"I appreciate this so much my Queen" said Nora as she smiled and Wura smiled at her.

"I will miss you Nora" said Wura as she smiled.

"And I will miss you as well my Queen" said Nora as she smiled.

"Can you give me a hug then?" asked Wura as she smiled and Nora nodded her head as she hugged her.

"Thank you my Queen" said Nora as she hugged Wura, she was so thankful, words could not explain how relieved and grateful she felt for Wura letting her go and take care of her father till he recovers, her mind would have always been by her father's side if not for Wura allowing her to go.

"You are welcome Nora" said Wura as she smiled and Nora broke their hug.

"Before you go, please inform Lady Marli that I have given you permission to go" said Wura as she smiled.

"I will my Queen… thank you" said Nora as she smiled and Wura smiled at her.

…

Wura was idly reading through the records in her room, when suddenly she heard a knock on the door, she could promise you that she was waiting to hear Nora's voice telling her that she would get the door, but then she remembered that Nora had gone home, and she was the only one in her room at this time.

Wura laughed at herself for being so silly as she stood up and she walked to the door and she opened it.

"Good Noon my Queen" came a voice of a guard as he bowed.

"Good Noon" said Wura as she smiled.

"My Queen, his Majesty asked me to send for you, he would like to see you" said the guard.

"He would?" asked Wura in surprise as the guard nodded his head, Wura wondered what this was about, did they not see each other in the morning? Then why did he call for her now at noon?

"Did he say what for?" asked Wura.

"No, he did not my Queen" said the guard as he shook his head.

"I see…" said Wura as she did not like the sound of this at all.

"Yes my Queen, he asked for you to meet him in his study" said the guard.

"His study?" asked Wura, she did not think that she had ever been there before.

"Yes my Queen, his Majesty asked me to escort you there" said the guard.

"Alright then, let us go" said Wura as she wanted to get to the bottom of this.

"Please follow me my Queen" said the guard as he bowed.

"Alright" said Wura as she closed the door of her room and she followed behind him.