Outside the Palace (1)

Ryker stared at the page in front of him, trying to read the words written on it but the ink seemed to blur, making the whole thing tiresome.

Finally giving up, Ryker shut the novel he had been attempting to read and placed it down on the glass table he was sitting by. Three days had passed since that awkward tea party with the Crown Princess and Ryker still couldn’t focus.

His mind kept drifting to the Crown Princess. He hadn’t expected her to be so….

Attractive.

Sure, he hadn’t expected a hag but neither was he expecting to see a woman that gorgeous. She had curves in all the right places, a toned body from all the training she probably did and a pretty face with eyes that sparkled like jewels.

Even if half of her face was hidden by that mask…

But at the same time, the mask made her mysterious and Ryker wondered what she hid under it. A scar perhaps or maybe her curse marking. The princess did seem quite normal so perhaps the curse thing was a fake rumor.

But who would start a rumor about the princess being cursed? One of her half-siblings or perhaps her stepmothers.

Ryker sighed, annoyed with himself. He needed to get over whatever it was he was going through and get back to wooing the princess.

The only problem was, the princess seemed to have completely disappeared from the palace. No matter where he “accidentally” wandered, much to the annoyance of the Head Maid, he couldn’t find her.

Is she maybe avoiding me? Ryker wondered to himself. For Adath’s sake, I’m such an idiot. I was meant to seduce her but by the looks of it I got seduced. I shouldn’t have been staring but damn…

“My lord?” A voice called out suddenly.

Ryker turned to see Lord Myster entering the parlor with a tray of refreshments. The older man quickly placed the gold tray on the glass table before taking a seat across from him.

“Is something the matter?” Lord Myster asked as he poured some tea for both of them. “You look frustrated…”

I am…In more ways than one. Ryker thought before muttering aloud, “It’s nothing really…Just a little distracted, that’s all.”

“Hmm…Then why not get some fresh air. You’ve been stuck in this palace for so long and haven’t seen the princess in a while. Maybe going out will help clear your head.”

“I suppose so…”

“Then I’ll let the Head Maid know.” Lord Myster said, getting up.

“Alright.” Ryker replied before grabbing a pastry. “Just let her know I’ll be going alone.”

Lord Myster paused for a moment before sighing, “As you wish my lord.”

***

Ryker wandered through the busy streets of Linbourne, gazing at various street vendors as well as some of the stone buildings around. After leaving the palace two hours ago, Ryker had wandered away from the rich part of the city, landing up in a commoner’s market area.

He wasn’t sure how he got there but he was regretting not accepting the Head Maid’s offer of having one of the servants guide him.

The smell of grilling meat and spices suddenly filled his nose and his stomach growled in response. Maybe he should get something to eat. It was close to lunchtime after all.

He walked over to the nearby street vendor who was grilling kebab sticks over a fire pit. There were a few people around her, obviously drawn in by the delicious smell.

After waiting a few minutes, Ryker was able to grab two kebab sticks. The meat was a little tough but considering it was commoner’s food, it was okay. Plus it quelled his hunger.

Ryker finished the last stick when he suddenly bumped into someone. Looking down, he noticed it was a woman wearing a thick cloak. She stumbled backwards and Ryker instinctively reached out to grab her, dropping his kebab stick.

“Are you alright?” Ryker asked, noticing her hood had fallen off.

He let go of her arm in shock, the woman straightening herself. The familiar black hair and purple eyes with a black mask could only mean.

He was looking at the Crown Princess.

“Well if it isn’t the perverted duke.” Raquel stared at Ryker. “What brings you to these parts of Linbourne?”

Ryker’s eyes widened. “Your-”

A small hand covered his mouth, quickly stopping the rest of his words. “It’s Ricki. I’m just Ricki. A normal woman with no fancy titles.”

“Ricki?” Ryker asked, pulling her hand off his mouth. “Like that romance author?”

“Yes…Wait, how do you know that?” The princess asked, looking at him suspiciously.

“Well my sister is a fan of the author’s work…” Ryker said, deciding a half truth was better than the whole truth.

“I see…” Raquel murmured, lifting the hood of her cloak. “Well, guess I’ll be going then.”

“Wait!” Ryker called out, grabbing the princess’s arm.

“You dare?!” The princess looked at him with rage.

“You said yourself, you were just Ricki…” Ryker exclaimed. “You have denied your name and-”

“Just wait until we get back to the palace…” Raquel retorted back, interrupting Ryker. “I’ll make you regret every-”

“Well I’ll need to get back to the palace first. That’s what I need your help with anyway…” Ryker muttered. “I’m quite lost you see.”

“How did you even get here? The palace is on the other side of the city…” Raquel sighed in anger. “Do you not have a servant with you?”

“No….I wanted to be alone.” Ryker responded. “Also, I wanted to apologize for my ungentlemanly behavior last time.”

“Okay well… I guess I’ll let this slide since you are a guest of the palace.” Raquel said, grabbing Ryker’s arm. “Let’s just never speak of it again.”

Ryker nodded his head about to respond when his stomach growled again. The two looked down at his fallen kebab, Raquel sighing.

“Guess we can stop at a café before heading back.” Raquel muttered. “I owe you for bumping into you.”

“Alright, then lead the way Miss Ricki.”

Raquel smirked but said nothing and instead pulled him to the direction of the café.