Once upon a time, there was a very normal prince of fifteen. His name was Leopold. He was the prince of Montorellia, a small nation on the southern border of Scoughtlyn and the northern border of Inglin. He was a bit vain, as all princes were, but he had a good heart. One morning, Leopold sat in his room, jadedly twiddling his thumbs, sighing loudly, as if someone would hear him from the hall and come entertain him. Heaving a final sigh, he stood from the bed and pushed the heavy wooden doors to the hall open. Sauntering down the hall, not completely sure of his destination, he began to hum to himself. It wasn't a specific tune, but it was jolly and merry in every way. After a few minutes, he found himself in the kitchen.
"Good morning, your Highness." The fat cook, Roana, said, tossing him a cheese roll. Leopold caught it deftly and chuckled, lowering himself onto a stool in the corner. "And might I ask what you are doing up so early?" Roana asked, turning back to the large pot of stew simmering on the fire. "I went to sleep earlier than usual last night, so I hazard that my internal clock is a bit off." Leopold said, running his hands through his not-yet clean hair. Roana shook her head and laughed. As she and the prince continued their conversation, Leopold was unaware of a young girl moving around behind Roana, kneading dough and forming it into the cheese rolls our prince loved so much. She sneezed squeakily into the crook of her arm, and Leopold jumped.
"Hello then! Who are you?" Leopold asked, rising from his chair and moving closer to her. The girl curtseyed deeply, only rising when Leopold grabbed her hand and hauled her up. She looked at her feet, refusing to meet his gaze. Leopold grinned. "What is your name?" He asked eagerly, trying to catch her gaze. "Elmira, your Royal Highness." The girl spoke quietly, still lot looking at his face. "I have not seen you about the kitchens before. Have you just been hired?" The girl blushed and shook her head. "I have been here for about half a decade, your Highness. Roana is my aunt. She managed to find work for me here after my mother passed, when I was ten." Leopold was shocked. How had he never noticed her before? Elmira finally looked up and, seeing the surprise on the prince's face, hurried to console him. "I understand why you don't recognize me. I have only just started to be a servant. Until now I have stayed in the kitchen cleaning pans and such, not out in the open where someone would need to know me." The girl's voice sounded a little sad, and Leopold shook his head.
"Do not apologize. It is my fault for not knowing you." Leopold mentally slapped himself for not becoming acquainted with her. The girl shook her head again. "No, your Highness, it is not your fault in the slightest. You are the prince, and I am just a servant." Leopold said nothing more. "Oh, leave her be, Leo. The poor girl's obviously not used to speaking to Royals quite yet, so just let her alone." Roana said, twisting a cloth into a tight rope and whipping his shoulder with it. "Ow!" Leo jumped and rubbed his arm. "That hurt!" Elmira suppressed a giggle and turned back to the bread. "Fine, Roana. I'm going to prepare for the day." He turned to Elmira. "Girl, please make sure there are servants in my room to help me ready." Leo said. Too shocked to respond, Elmira nodded and curtsied once more.
"This would be a good chance for you, Elmira." Roana said, not looking up from the soup. "Are you sure, Auntie?" Elmira asked uncertainly. The fat on Roana's chin jiggled as she nodded. "Yes. Helping one of their Highnesses dress is a major responsibility, and it is a good chance to earn a reputation in the castle." Elmira nodded and left the kitchen in search of the aid of Lise, a more experienced serving maid. Turning around the corner, Elmira smacked into her, and there was a clatter of trays and silverware as they hit the. "Oh, Lise, I am so sorry! I was not watching where I was going. Oh, please, let me help you." Elmira knelt next to Lise and helped her to pick up the silverware. Lise chuckled and brushed her off. "Where are you off to in such a hurry?" Lise said, laughing. Elmira bit her lip and played with her hands. "Actually, his royal Highness Leopold has requested servants to help him ready, and Auntie told me I should do it, but I admit that am frightened to do so by myself. I was querying whether you would assist me or not." Elmira said, color rushing to her cheeks. Lise laughed again. "Yes, I shall help you. Fetch the fresh clothes from the line and I will meet you at the prince's room." Elmira hurried out to grab the clothes.
When she reached the prince's room, Lise was tapping her foot impatiently. "Finally! Elmira, what took you so long?" Lise didn't wait for a reply and rapped her knuckles against the thick wooden door. "Your Highness? We are here to help you ready." Leo told them to enter. Lise pushed the door open and stepped in, a timid Elmira trailing behind her. "Ah, Lise! What a surprise. It's been quite a while since we've last chatted hasn't it?" Leo clucked his tongue at his messy hair, not turning to look at the two servants. "Has Roana sent only you today?" Lise shook her head. "I've brought Elmira here with me to help." Lise replied, winking at Elmira. Leo froze and turned slowly. "How lovely to meet you, Miss Elmira." He said. Elmira was confused. Had Leo already forgotten who she was?
"The pleasure is mine, your Highness. Lise has been so kind as to allow me to come and help, if it so pleases your Highness." Elmira replied softly. Leo grinned. "Of course. Well, I suppose you two had better start, I am beginning to feel quite disgusting in these clothes." The prince sighed in despair at his beautifully crafted robes. Elmira was a bit offended. Did he not realize that most of his servants had been wearing the same set of clothes for the past week? Elmira shook the anger out of her mind and bit her tongue. "Elmira, you run the bath. Pour half a glass-full of each oil to the side of the tub in when it is full." Lise instructed. She pushed Elmira towards the bathroom. The prince followed lazily.
As Elmira bent down to pour the oils into the water, she heard the familiar sound of clothes sliding over skin and clamped her eyes shut. She could feel the heat boiling on her cheeks, and her eyes snapped open when she felt a new, cooler presence against them. Leo was pressing the tips of his fingers to her face, and Elmira forced herself not to flinch away, completely aware of the fact that Royals were allowed – for the most part – to do whatever they pleased. Elmira thanked the Triune Gods – Regunin, Caxon and Jylla – that he was still wearing the leggings of his outfit. The tunic, however, had been removed, and Elmira struggled to keep her eyes away from his torso, toned by years of combat practice, sword fighting and fencing. "Why are your cheeks so flushed, Miss Elmira?" Leo asked, fully aware of the reason. He grinned mischievously and Elmira felt irritation bubbling in her core. She stood up abruptly, knocking the prince onto his bottom, and paced away quickly from him to collect the "dirty" clothes from the floor. Elmira went to leave and help Lise in the other room, when Leopold objected.
"Where do you think you're going, Miss?" Leo asked. Elmira froze and turned around slowly. "Please forgive me, your Highness." Elmira hated how her voice wavered when she spoke. "I don't understand." Leo smirked. "Lise said you were to help me ready, correct?" Elmira nodded, still confused of the situation. She snapped her eyes shut like traps as Leo removed his trousers and underpants and stepped into the hot water. "Open your eyes and come along, girl. I haven't got all day." Leo said, mock impatience lacing his words. Elmira forced one eye open and stared, mouth agape, at Leopold. "Are you simple? You are to help me bathe girl. Now." Leo was actually beginning to get impatient.
"A-Am I t-to…strip?" Elmira asked, hugging her arms around her body. Leo chuckled. "Only if you wish to." He teased. Elmira shook her head and walked shakily towards the tub. She kneeled at the edge and rolled up her sleeves, roughly pulling Leo closer to her. He soon felt the coarse-haired brush scrubbing over his bare back. Elmira took a large rinsing ladle off of the wall and dipped it into the water. "Please tilt your head back, your Highness." She said quietly. Leo could have sworn that he could hear the thickness of tears in her voice and felt guilty for having teased her so thoroughly. He tilted his head back and closed his eyes. Leo felt Elmira's hand at the top of his forehead, keeping the water out of his eyes, and he sighed pleasurably. As soon as the breath escaped his lips, he felt Elmira's hand tremble slightly. He turned so she could wash his stomach and chest, waiting for her to stare at his muscular build, but she gasped and shut her eyes again. Leo felt the guilt overcome him completely when he saw the tears running freely down her face. "You may leave, I can handle the rest. Wait with Lise in the bedroom until I am finished." Leo said. Elmira nodded and left quickly, hastily wiping the dampness off of her cheeks.
When Leo emerged, he was – thankfully – wearing underpants. Elmira gave her praise to Regunin once again. "What would you like to wear today, your Highness?" Lise asked. "My riding clothes, Lise. I have a feeling I won't want to be around daddy today." It must be so strange for him to refer to his father as "daddy" when everyone else calls him "your Majesty". Elmira thought. Leo was dressed quickly and was about to dismiss the girls when a certain thought popped unto his mind. "Oh, Miss Elmira?" Leo asked. Elmira sighed and turned around. "Yes, your Highness?" Leo's cheeks reddened a shade. "Please stay for a moment. Lise, you may go." Lise curtsied and shot Elmira a glance that asked What did you do?, but Elmira simply shrugged, so Lise left. Elmira turned back to the prince, playing with her apron nervously as Leo stared at her. She cleared her throat lightly, pulling Leo out of his trance.
"Yes, well. I'd like to apologize for my behavior, Miss Elmira. It is only your first time helping me prepare, and it wasn't fair to tease you so much. Please find the heart to forgive my awful manners." Elmira nodded but was silent. "You might be wondering why I acted like I didn't know you earlier. It was only because I wasn't supposed to be in the kitchen this morning. If Lise found out, she would have used it to black-mail me somehow. That girl is trouble." Leo chuckled nervously. "Thank you, your Highness. But please don't feel the need to apologize. I understand your situation." Elmira waited desperately to be dismissed. "Well. Would you like to accompany me to the stables? I am about to go there now, and I wouldn't mind the company." Elmira's eyes widened and she shook her head. "Thank you for the kind offer, your Highness, but I must refuse. Auntie would have my hide if I wasn't making myself useful." Elmira would have loved to go to the stables – horses were her favorite animal – but what she said about Aunt Roana was true.
Leo looked disappointed. He sighed and sat on a red velvet-laden sofa, putting his face in his hands. "You are dismissed, then." Elmira curtsied as deeply as she could, but Leo's words when she was at the door stopped her in her tracks. "But…I wish you would come." He said quietly. A smile spread across Elmira's face as she turned back to him. "I suppose that if you could convince Auntie to let me come with you, then it is fine with me, but otherwise, I'm not allowed, your Highness." Leo's face brightened, and he grabbed Elmira's hand and dragged her back towards the kitchen.
Fifteen minutes, a threat and an enormous butcher knife later, Leo was making a mad dash to the stables behind the palace, practically dragging Elmira behind him. When they reached the stables, Elmira stood quietly as Leo caught his breath from the run. "How are you not huffing and puffing as I am, Miss Elmira?" Leo asked, leaning on his knees. Elmira smiled at looked at her feet. "When I was little, I would run myself sick so, if and when I became a servant, I would never be out of shape or get tired running errands for your royal Highnesses and Majesties." Leo looked at her in admiration. She walked over to the horses. "Bernard! Bernard, where are you?" Elmira called into the stables. A boy a few years younger than Leo emerged from the corner, struggling under the weight of a large bucket of oats. Elmira rushed over to help him. "Thank you, Ellie. Hello, your Highness." Bernard bowed. "Shall I fetch Clementine for you?" Leo nodded, and Bernard went to prepare the horse. "Clementine? That's a lovely name for a horse." Realizing her inappropriately casual tone, Elmira hastily added, "Your Highness." Leo brushed her off.
"Please, don't bother yourself with such formalities. Outside the castle, you may refer to me as 'Leo'." Elmira nodded. "Yes, your…Leo." She blushed. "'Your Leo'? I think I like the sound of that." Leopold teased. Elmira snorted and rolled her eyes. "Oh please." Soon remembering her status next to his, Elmira cleared her throat and smoother her dress. "If I may ask…ah…Leo, why are you being so kind to me?" Elmira asked. Leo colored slightly. "It is my duty to know all of the servants." He replied. "I understand that, but I don't believe all of the servants have taken a stroll to the stables with you." Elmira said simply. "I suppose I've just been lonely, is all. I haven't had a true friend in a while." Leo said sadly. Elmira smiled. A smile that made Leo's chest burn. "Well, I don't think I would mind being your friend." Bernard returned just as Elmira finished her sentence.
He handed the reins to Leo, bowed, then walked towards Elmira. The two performed some strange greeting, obviously not from this country. They slapped their hands to their shoulders, crossing them over their chests, then against their sides. One hand formed a fist and pressed into the open palm of the other, and they bowed deeply. When they rose, Bernard snaked his arm around her waist. Leo thought the action completely inappropriate, but Elmira didn't seem to mind. She smiled and laughed and began conversing with Bernard in a tongue Leo had never heard before. Apparently, Bernard must have said something terribly funny, because Elmira burst into fits of rich, rolling laughter, and for some strange reason, Leo felt his knees begin to weaken.
Elmira finally composed herself and kissed Bernard's cheek lightly, sending him on his way. "What was that language you were speaking?" Leo tried to calm the swirling emotions inside of him by taking a deep breath. "It is the native tongue of Bernard's country." Elmira replied. For some reason, unbeknownst to Leo himself, the prince stepped forward and struck her across the cheek with the back of his hand. She cried out and fell to the ground, clutching at her rapidly swelling face. Tears poured from her eyes as she stared at Leo in horror, but she made no noise. "Oh my goodness! Elmira, I'm so sorry. I don't know what came over me!" He held his hand out but she shook her head. She struggled to stand on her shaking legs, but was able to lean against the stable for support. When Elmira removed her hand from her face to straighten her skirts, Leo saw that he had broken the skin just below her eye. Blood mixed with tears dripped down her face, over her neck and chest, soaking into the front of her dress. She pulled the apron from around her waist and dabbed at the fresh wound gingerly. She curtsied deeply, eyes downcast.
"Your Royal Highness." Elmira said quietly. Leo felt a horrible sensation behind his eyes and looked to the ground. When he looked up, all he could see was Elmira's long braid flicking around the corner as she rushed away. Leo collapsed onto the ground and stared at his shaking hands. Had he gone mad? One minute he's being entranced by the sound of Elmira's voice, and the next he's damaging her face, possibly beyond repair. How funny… Even after I'd hit her, she still looked beautiful. Leo shook his head firmly. "What am I doing? She's a servant, Leo. You're not falling for servants. You're being stupid. Not thinking with your head. Now shut up." Leo spoke to himself. He dragged his hands down his face. He had to go find her and make things right.
Elmira stumbled into the kitchen, gasping for air like a fish out of water. Roana saw the state her niece was in and dropped her spoon, rushing over to Elmira. "Elmira, what happened? What happened to your face?" Roana asked frantically. She sat her on a stool in the corner, wiping the blood softly from her cheek. As she went to fetch a herbal remedy, Leo barged in, eyes darting frantically about the large kitchen, when he spotted the slight girl, hunched over herself.
Elmira was crying in the corner, her shoulders racking with silent sobs. "I'm so sorry." Elmira flinched when she felt Leo's hand on her shoulder. She shrugged it off before Roana returned. "Hello, your Highness." Roana said, distracted by Elmira. She rubbed a horrid smelling, clear ointment onto Elmira's cheek. "How did this happen, girl?" Leo swallowed. Oh no, he thought, she's going to tell them I did it. "I'm sorry, Auntie. I slipped on a puddle of tea I spilled and hit my face on the door. It was terribly clumsy of me." Elmira laughed falsely. Leo breathed out, realizing he'd been holding his breath. Roana clucked her tongue and wrapped Elmira's cheek in a clean, white bandage. "Well you can't very well wait on the Royals looking like this, girl. I guess it's in the kitchen for you." Elmira sighed. She had only just gained her freedom from the kitchen's clutches, and now she was being thrown head-first right back into it. Roana took away the bloody rags and went back to cooking her stew. "As for now, go into your room and rest a while. I don't think Jezebelle could stomach your looks so soon." Elmira stood from the stool and trudged away, sighing at her dirty room, then falling onto the bed.
Leo stared desperately at her. He wished he could comfort her, but how could he when he was the one who had caused the discomfort? Elmira sighed heavily again and rolled onto her back. When she saw Leo, her eyes widened and she stood up, curtsying and looking at her hands. "Your Highness." She said quietly. Leo looked at his own hands. "Thank you for not telling them that I hit you." Elmira nodded and rubbed the corner of her apron between her index finger and thumb. Leo stepped closer. He moved his hand to cradle her bruised cheek, but when he saw her flinch slightly, he let his hand fall back to his side. "Did I really do that?" Leo said incredulously. Elmira shook her head, eyes glistening. "No, your Highness. I was simply clumsy and slipped on some tea I had spilt and hit my face on the door." Leo was horrified with himself. How could he let her take the blame for his misdeed? "Please do not bother yourself with my faults, your Highness. 'Twas not you who gave me such long, gangly legs." Elmira laughed, but it sounded forced.
"If it so pleases your Highness, might I be left alone? My vision is starting to swirl slightly, and I fear that if I do not sit down and rest, I will surely collapse." Elmira tried to curtsy again, but her joints faltered, and she fell to her knees. Leo helped her to the bed, and as soon as she was under the covers, her head fell to the side and she was asleep. Leo thought to pull a chair next to the bed and wait until she woke up so he could apologize properly, but knew that the others would get suspicious. A strand of Elmira's dark hair had fallen in front of her eyes, and Leo's hand itched to brush it away, but he held it with the other, turning on his heel and striding out of the room without a parting word to Roana.
"How could you hit her, Leo?" Leo's older brother, Willem asked. Leo put his face in his hands. "I don't know, Will. First, I'm losing myself in her voice and the way she flows around so easily, and then I'm slapping the beauty right off of her face." Willem shook his head, laughing deeply. "You can't fall for this girl, Leo. Servants and royalty don't mix well." Willem had told his parents, the king and queen, that he no longer wished to be the Crown Prince, and they had actually accepted his decision and passed the responsibility down to Leopold. "You are the Crown Prince now, and tradition says that you must marry a princess, not a peasant. The feelings you have for this girl are merely…concupiscent, in a word. You don't truly love her, and you know it. You've known her for a day Leo." Leo nodded and his brother left. "Willem is right, Leo. You don't love this girl. You are simply oversexed." Leo convinced himself. But that didn't get rid of the guilt he felt for hurting her so badly. He truly must be going insane to have just slapped her so easily. In the morning he would have to visit her again, try to amend his…actions.
As Elmira lay in bed that night, she felt her body slipping into an odd numbness. She wasn't angry with Leo for hitting her, but she wasn't ready to forgive him either. She sighed deeply, turning over and letting her eyes droop closed, falling asleep with the picture of the prince's face in her mind.
The next morning, Leopold woke early, bathed himself, dressed simply and headed towards the kitchen. Not even the chefs were awake, and Leo gave his thanks to the Triune Gods. He opened the door to the female servants' dorms and stepped in, closing it behind him quietly. He tiptoed over to the room where Elmira slept separate from the other servants. For some reason, they had allowed her to have the separate room as her own, and the door was painted and carved beautifully with flowers and vines. He turned the handle and pushed in, closing the door silently behind him again. He walked towards the bed and rubbed Elmira's forehead gently with his thumb, attempting to rouse her from her slumber. "Miss Elmira. Please wake up." He said soothingly. A small smile danced over her sleeping features, but soon faded and she stirred slightly, rolling onto her other side, facing him, still asleep. Leo's breath caught in his throat. When she settled again, he exhaled and rubbed her upper arm gently. "Miss Elmira?" Elmira's eyes opened slowly, and when she saw Leo, they widened and she bolted up. She smoother her hair back and tied it, desperately trying to cover her legs, which had popped out from under the blanket. She was blushing something fierce, and Leo almost couldn't stop the smile from creeping onto his face.
"Your Highness! I do apologize. Is there something I can get you? I'm usually the first one awake, but it seems I've slept late. Forgive me, if you please." Elmira stopped and brought her hand up to her cheek. She sighed sadly and looked at Leo. He stared back, entranced by how swollen her face had become. The bruising had spread over her eye and across part of her nose, covered her whole cheek and part of her chin. There was even some on her forehead. It looked as if Elmira had two different faces, split perfectly down the middle. "Did I do that?" Leo asked again, pointing to her face. Elmira shook her head. "No, your Highness. I slipped on a puddle of tea that I spilt and hit my face on a door. 'Twas horribly clumsy of me, was it not?" Elmira laughed, but unlike yesterday, this one sounded a bit more real. Leo felt horrible. He wanted her to make him feel guilty. He wanted her to scorn him and tell him off. Her being so nice to him made him feel a million times worse. "Is there anything I can do for you? I feel awful about hitting you. I wish you could forgive me. It was a horrible thing to do, and I don't even know why I did. Please, try to find it in your heart to forgive me." Leo begged. Elmira smiled minutely, and Leo felt he had a chance. She nodded, and Leo grinned goofily. "Thank you. I would like to keep you company today, is that unheard of?" Elmira laughed quietly.
"You are asking me what you can do? Please, your Highness, I do not matter enough that you would waste your time on me." Elmira smiled, but Leo heard the small hint of sadness in her voice. "But you do matter. I would like to get to know you better." Leo said. "Well, I suppose that is fine, but can I ask one thing, your Highness?" Elmira asked shyly. Leo nodded. "Might I please bathe first?" "Oh! Of course. Shall I leave or…?" Elmira bit her lip. "Well you can't very well go back out there, all the servants are waking up, so… I suppose you'll have to stay in the wardrobe." Elmira said, smiling. She went to her wardrobe and pulled out a simple, lightweight, white night gown, ideal for days spent in bed. She pushed the other dresses aside and motioned for Leo to step in. She laughed as he squeezed in, and she closed the door. "Please bathe quickly, Miss Elmira. 'Tis rather stuffy in here." Leo lied. It actually smelled absolutely fantastic in the small wardrobe. It was an exotic scent, something he couldn't quite put his finger on.
Leo could see the littlest bit out of a crack between the doors of the wardrobe, and when Elmira emerged from the bath a few minutes later, he found his eye glued to the split, watching her bare back as she dressed slowly. He tried to swallow, but his throat suddenly felt very dry. Her skin was smooth and brown, much darker than most he'd seen in Montorellia, and he wondered how much time she spent in the sun. His licked his cracked lips and tried to tear his eyes away from her beautiful body, but couldn't. Her long, slightly damp hair swung around her hips, and Leo shivered. She finally finished dressing and walked to the wardrobe, opening the doors slowly. Leo tumbled out. Elmira wondered why his cheeks were so red and why he was breathing heavily and looking at his feet.
Elmira walked to the bed and patted the space next to her, signaling for Leo to come sit with her. He shuffled over. "How old are you, Miss Elmira?" Leo asked. Elmira's eyes widened. "F-fifteen, your Highness. I am fifteen years old." She smiled. Leo's heart rate increased. "As am I. Hmm… you're not originally from Montorellia, are you?" "I am, your Highness, but my mother and father were from a country far away from here." Leo smiled. He was impressed with himself for knowing that she was at least some small amount foreign, like Bernard. His mouth hung open for a long time until Elmira reached over and closed it. "You will catch flies that way, your Highness." Elmira teased. Leo's skin tingled where she'd touched him, and he felt very happy suddenly.
"Miss Elmira? I apologize again for striking you yesterday." Elmira held up her hand for him to stop. "I understand, your Highness. I know you didn't mean it. I forgive you." Leo leaned over and shyly took her hand, bringing it to his lips and kissing it softly. "You said you would like to know more about me. What would you like to know?" Elmira said, a blush burning on her cheeks. Leo thought. "I'm not sure. I feel now that we can never truly be comfortable with each other." I think that eventually we shall reach a comfortable point. Until then I'm not sure what we ar-" Elmira's breath caught in her throat as she realized how close Leo was to her face. Her breath swirled and mingled with his, and she had the sudden urge to lean forward. Apparently, so did he, because the space between their lips was suddenly closing, and Leo soon felt the blissful warmth of Elmira's mouth on his.
Leo wrapped his arms around her waist, pulling her closer, pressing his body against hers, and a small whimper escaped from her throat. Leo kissed her harder. His tongue found its way into her mouth, and Elmira sighed in pleasure, her hands tangling in his hair. This was so wrong, but it felt so right, and Elmira soon found she had somehow moved on his lap. When Leo released so they could catch their breath, he stuck his face into her neck, biting it softly and planting soft kisses on it. "Leo, this is not right. You are a prince and I am a peasant. You are supposed to marry a princess." Leo didn't listen. He kissed her again, his arms moving swiftly up and down her back, making her arch slightly. She moaned and fought his tongue with her own. "No, Leo… stop… this is not right." Leo pulled back and looked into her eyes. 'This is right, Elmira. I knew I was in love with you the first time I saw you. I am the Crown Prince, and if mother and father do not approve of you, they can find someone else to take the throne." Elmira stared into his handsome face, tears welling in her eyes. His golden brown hair shone in the sun filtering through the window. His eyes were bright, despite their dark color, and his lips were pink with the heat of her own.
"No, Leo. You're parents would banish you. They especially wouldn't have their son marrying someone as hideous as I. Half of my face is swollen and purple, Leo. I'm horrendous." Tears streaked down her face and Leo brushed them away. "You're beautiful to me, Elmira. I love you." Leo tangled her lips into another kiss, and pushed her back onto the bed softly. He straddled her, leaning over and kissing her deeply, hands running over her body. Elmira caught his hands and she looked worriedly up into his face. He grinned and began to kiss her neck. She wriggled out from under him and slid off of the bed. "What is the matter, Elmira? Did I hurt you?" he asked softly. Elmira shook her head. "Are you in pain?" Elmira shook her head again. "What is it?" Leo asked. "I'm not ready for this Leo. I barely know you. And you're not supposed to marry for three more years." He strode up to her and hugged her tightly. "I'll wait. It shall give me time to figure out how to break it to mummy and daddy. I will wait because I love you, Elmira."
Elmira pulled out of his grasp and wrapped her arms around her body, rocking slightly, mumbling to herself. Leo's shoulders sagged slightly. "You don't love me." Leo said sadly. Elmira turned to look at him. "I am simply a girl your, Highness. I cannot fall in love in a day. But…" She trailed off. "Yes? Please continue." Leo pleaded desperately. "I believe I could grow to love you. But…it is forbidden, Leo! It simply cannot happen. It's…it's unheard of!" Elmira slumped to the ground pitifully. Leo sat next to her. "I know. I know." Leo ran his hands through his hair. They sat like that for three hours, until there was a knock on the door.
"One moment, please!" Elmira gasped and stood up, grabbing Leo and pushing him towards the wardrobe. "You have to hide! No one can know you're here!" Leo scrambled into the wardrobe, and Elmira shut it tightly. The crack had been covered, so Leo couldn't see who Elmira had let in. He could only hear their voice. "Elmira! The king and queen are frantic! They can't find Prince Leopold anywhere, and his Majesty is about to send an army out to find him!" Leo recognized the voice as Kaleesy, a scullery maid. Elmira sighed, a sound that made Leo smile and bite his lower lip.
"I'm not sure how I'm supposed to help you, Kaleesy. I've been in my room all morning, and I can't very well leave to help look for him with my face like this." Leo desperately tried to find the crack in the door again, and almost laughed in victory when he did. He saw Elmira's back and Kleesy paced about the room. Her dress was slightly transparent, and Leo felt his throat go dry again. He couldn't keep his eyes from her backside, and cursed himself for being so perverted. But still his eyes wandered to that particularly luscious part of her. He chuckled nervously and pulled the collar of his shirt away from his neck. The wardrobe suddenly felt like it was on fire.
"Fine! If you're not going to make yourself useful, I will." Kaleesy threw her hands up and stormed out of the room. Elmira was on her heels, closing the door and locking it behind her. She sank onto the ground and wiped her hand over her face. "Um, Elmira?" Leo called from the wardrobe. Elmira gasped and rushed over, opening the doors. Leo tumbled out again, his face looking the same way it had the first time, red and hot. "Why is your face so red?" Elmira asked. Leo blushed harder and looked at his feet. "You'd be angry if I told you, milady." Leo said quietly. Elmira chuckled and shrugged her shoulders. "You should go and end all of this chaos, Leo. Leave through the window, please. I don't want to get mixed into this overly." Elmira said. Leo shifted his weight from foot to foot. He stepped forward boldly and grabbed Elmira's face in his hands, kissing her long and hard. She squeaked and smacked her hands on his shoulders. Leo ignored her, kissing her harder still. Elmira gave in and melted into his arms, which she found, were extremely strong for someone of his age. He released and bit her neck softly, then went to the window. "Will I see you soon?" Elmira asked hopefully. Leo grinned sultrily and nodded, crouching in the window. "Until then, my love." And with that, he was gone.
Leo walked into the halls and smacked into a royal guard, falling onto his backside. The large man helped him up. "Forgive me, your Highness." The guard bowed, and Leo mirrored him. "Please come with me, your Highness. Their Majesties have been looking all over for you." Leo nodded and followed the guard down one of the many halls to the drawing room.