Aurora smiled nervously at the stranger in front of her. He reminded her of something from a story book. Something about him both excited and frightened her. Such a man should not have existed but for the pleasure of a free woman, and there she was as less than a slave to her own family's wishes.
"Tell me, Miss, what brings you here to town? Surely you didn't come here just to watch the horses," He laughed.
She blushed faintly, biting down on her lip as she listened to his words. In all honesty, she didn't know much about why she had come. She had been so severely desperate to see more than just the palace walls that she had to escape them in order to have some happiness in her life. She believed, in that moment, that perhaps she had found, with this man, exactly what she was looking for.
"I was taking a stroll through town, that's all. I need to stretch my legs sometimes, just as any other person." She whispers.
"I see," He hummed, watching the Princess with interest, "And they agreed to let you out completely unattended like this? I am surprised by the bravery of your family."
Phillip leaned back against the edge of the stables, smiling in amusement. He wanted to know what sort of excuses the young woman had for her escape from the palace. Of all people for her to run into, he was the only one who knew she should never have left the palace for fear of her own life.
He scanned the gentle, china doll face that appeared as if it had never seen the sun once in its life. Then his eyes wandered across the delicate skin of her swan-like neck and across to her purple clad shoulder. Slender arms extended from slim shoulders, ending in the most delicate hands to ever exist on a woman. She was the most beautiful woman in the world, and it excited him to think that he had a chance now to win her over for his own.
"Admittedly, my father does not know I have left the palace, and I doubt he should realize it for quite some time. He is a man drowned in his own work and troubled by his pen. He'd sooner spend time with his desk and his papers than with the flesh and blood of his own descendant." She sighed heavily.
"Ah, that is what I thought." He chuckled and shakes his head, advancing toward her. "Well, since you have rebelled to the fullest extent a child could, Princess… I'd like to offer you a ride upon my trustworthy stallion, Samson here." He pointed over to a beautiful grey horse the colour of snowfall.
Aurora gasped in surprise, looking over the horse with an awestruck smile. Here she was, taking to a perfect stranger and being offered the opportunity of a lifetime. She knew she had no choice but to accept the tantalizing offer.
"I would like that very much, good sir." She smiled happily, biting down on her lip. "I've never ridden such a majestic creature before. I'm afraid I'm going to need some help, if that is alright?"
The young man smiled and nodded, making his way over to the horse. His only possession he had brought with him after war had plagued his country, Samson was the sole reminder that he had once been a Prince. He had once had everything that he could need, and now he was a sojourner in the land of his future bride. Hopefully, he could still convince her to be his.
He helped her onto the horse, smoothening out her skirts so she wouldn't be uncomfortable during the ride. He wanted her to be as happy as possible while they made this small journey together across the forest near town. Carefully, he climbed up after her and urged the horse forward at a slow pace so as not to frighten the Princess.
"Are you doing well, your highness?" He asked, smiling at her gently.
She nodded faintly, watching as they entered the green vastness of the forest. Everything was so full of life; she almost dreaded the thought of ever leaving. It was the most peaceful thing she had ever experienced in her life. It felt like the dreams she often had in the past, and now it was a reality she was savoring while she could.
Suddenly, the horse had a terrible fright as a flash of dark magic struck right in front of the happy pair. Phillip and Samson remained close together, the latter being clung to by the former. Aurora screamed in panic as she was thrown from the horse, falling a few feet away. Her head struck against a rock violently and darkness fell across her as she slipped into unconsciousness. Just then, midnight struck in the town and the sleeping Princess was now sixteen and soon to face her fate.