The Fallen Princess

Seven

The prince leads the princess from the tent and nearly smacks into the knight arriving back with a steaming bowl of soup. “Your highness.” The man says handing the bowl to the prince. “Give it to the princess.” he instructs, and the knight looks down at her with a look of confusion as to why she has been let free. “We don’t have tableware, so you’ll have to sip it.” The prince explains and Zaria nods just grateful to have something to eat.

As they continue on through the camp, Zaria is only now realizing the vast number of knights here under the prince's command. “Not that it’s any of my business as I am merely a hostage, but what brought you to the Southern Continent in the first place?” Zaria asks and continues to sip her soup as they walk along. Prince Callen remains quiet for a few minutes and Zaria takes that as his response to her question, until he answers back. “Your King trafficked my mother's youngest sister.” She looks over and sees his eyes flash gold and is reminded of her dream.

“I’m sorry,” Zaria replies shaking the overwhelming sense of DeJa'Vu. “There is nothing for you to be sorry for princess, you were also a victim of the Lewd King.” they walk silently for a few more moments until Zaria adds, “I am glad you came for her.” she admits sadly. ‘How different would things have been if her mother had been saved?’ She considers.

“She was a rotting corpse when we found her.” he growls, and his eyes shine a pure gold. Zaria drops the bowl and takes a step back. Delayed, the prince looks over and realizes something has upset her. “I’m sorry I-” He starts to apologize thinking he scared her, but he stops when he hears her whisper. “It’s you . . .”

“What’s me princess?” he asks, concerned by the sudden turn of events. Prince Callen reaches out to grab her arm, afraid she might run. “you're the knight, I’ve seen you before . . . It was you eyes, I’m sure of it.” She rambles as her heart continues to race. “You're not making any sense.” He tells her and she starts to realize how crazy she must sound. ‘This is the very reason mother made me swear to never speak of my dreams.’ she scolds herself internally.

She closes her eyes and focuses on regaining her composure. “I apologize,” She starts, opening her eyes and looking up at him. “I just . . . It's nothing,” she says not knowing how to explain her sporadic behavior. “It didn’t seem like nothing.” he tells her, sliding his large hand down her arm to steady her still trembling hand. “Perhaps I have some lingering traumas.” she lies pulling her hand from his and continues walking.

“Your highness,” Each of the knights say as he passes, with a bow. Zaria can see in the distance a group of people in common clothes, sitting near a fire and surrounded by knights. When she spots her brother, she runs straight into him, wrapping him in a tight hug. Tears roll down her cheeks and he wipes them away with his thumb “I am happy to see your safe, I heard there was an incident with some of the wagons and when I couldn’t find you, I was afraid you were involved.” Zaria let out a laugh before responding, “I can assure you I had no part in whatever it was that happened.” she lies blatantly, and he looks at her skeptically.

“Now that I have seen you with my own eyes, I feel much more at ease but where were you?” He asks concerned “They didn’t do anything to you did they?” He asks looking over his sister and she is grateful that her dress covers most of her body. “I need to find our littlest sister; I didn’t see her on the wagon.” She says running her eyes over the large crowd, ignoring his questions. He grabs her hand when he notices her wrists and pushes her sleeves up to reveal deep bruises. “Did they do this to you?” he asks, growing angry. I will tell you once I find our sister.” She snaps at him, “She’s dead Zaria!” He snaps back, angry that she keeps evading his questions and realizes to late how harsh his words were.

“What?” Zaria asks, tears begin to collect in her eyes again. “I’m sorry, I didn’t mean to tell you like that.” Zakai tells her and grabs her hands. “After the prince revealed you were not dead but merely sleeping, he told me to gather anyone willing to surrender and kneel to his knights in the front gardens. When I reached her room, the castle was already in chaos and her maid had taken her life in an attempt to spare her from a worse fate.”

Zaria chokes back her tears, her brother pulls her in for a hug and she unintentionally winces at the contact. “Zaria did they beat you?” He asks upset. “No.” she says through her sobs. “Don’t lie to me,” he responds in a warning tone.

“She tried to run . . . .” a familiar voice calls, “twice.” The princes finishes, while coming to stand beside them. “Where were you going to run too?” her brother asks her both angry and concerned. “To you of course.” She says wiping her tears, sniffling. “You are a mess Zaria.” her brother tells her, using his sleeve to try and rub the streaks of dirt and tears from her face.

“We have to go now princess.” Prince Callen tells her, and Zakai looks between them confused. “She has caused too much trouble already; she will be placed under my direct supervision for the remainder of the journey.” The prince explains, “She will not be harmed as long as she complies.” he adds and her brother nods knowing there is not much he could do about it in their current situation. Zaria gives her brother one last hug, “Wherever we go, we go together.” she whispers to him as she is led away.