Chapter 13: The Kiss

May slowly pressed a bandage onto Drew's wounded cheek. He smiled at her.

They're in her room after telling the King about what happened during their walk. Paul was taken to the dungeon, and the Guards informed the Captain on what happened.

Now…a knock sounds at the door.

"I got it." Drew said, standing up. He went to open the door. A Royal Guard is on the other side.

"Drew, the Captain wants you to report to him immediately."

Drew's smile fades. The Guard leaves. "Immediately? Am I in trouble?"

"I'm sure you aren't." May said.

"But…it's the Captain of the Royal Guards. He's like my boss. If I did something wrong…watch out."

May giggled. "Don't worry about it. You saved the Princess's life. I'm sure he only wants to congratulate you."

"I hope you're right…"

"Since you're so nervous about it, how about I go with you?"

"Really?"

"Sure." May stood up.

Drew smiled. "Thanks. You're the best."

"What are friends for?"

Drew gulped, walking down the hallway of the Guard chambers. The nearby future guards turn to look at him. May is walking beside him.

They stop in front of the Captain's office. May looks at Drew to see his hands shaking.

("Becoming a Guard is my only chance to prove that I'm not evil anymore…") Drew thought.

"Drew?" May questioned.

("If I did something wrong, the Captain could make sure that I never become a Guard.")

"Drew?"

May's voice gets through to him. He looks at her. "Are you okay?" She asked.

Drew smiled softly. "With you by my side…of course I am."

May follows Drew into the Captain's office. He looks up from his desk. "Princess."

"I just came to hear what you needed to tell Drew if you don't mind." May said.

"Not at all." The Captain stood up and walked around the desk. "Is it true that you're friends with the Princess?" He asked Drew.

Drew gulped. "Umm…y-yes, sir. I am."

"Well…that sure is interesting…" The Captain leans on his desk.

"Sir? Is it bad that I'm friends with her?"

"Well, I'm sure you heard that Princess May is to decide who the next Guard will be."

Drew nodded.

"And I'm sure that the other Guards think that you'll use your friendship with her to guarantee your spot on the Royal Guard."

"I won't do that. I swear. I only want it to be fair."

"And I won't pick him just because he's my friend." May said.

"Hmm…" After several seconds of thinking, the Captain finally spoke again. "…I'm sorry, Drew, but…you are off the new recruits list."

Drew gasped. "What? I-I promise I'll be fair to everyone else. Please give me a chance to become a Guard."

"I have another idea."

"What's that?"

"Well…a few Royal Guards informed me of how you bravely saved the Princess from danger. You even grabbed one of their swords when I did not teach you about swords yet."

Drew gulped.

"But I figure…that someone with that kind of bravery is just too good to be a Guard."

"Huh?"

The Captain smiled. "How would you like to train to be the Captain of the Royal Guards?"

Drew's eyes widened. "No…way…"

"That's great, Drew!" May said happily. "You should do it! You'll be great!"

"I-I…" Drew is left speechless.

"Well? Would you like to become Captain?" The Captain asked.

Drew blinked. "B-but…what about you? I can't just take your place. You're a really great leader."

"It's about time I retire. King Norman actually suggested you as well for this role."

"H-he did?"

"My Father is finally starting to trust you." May said.

"Wow…I'm glad that he does, but…" Drew frowns. The Captain perks up an eyebrow. May stares at Drew with confusion.

"Drew?" May questioned.

After a few seconds…

"…Can I think about it first?" Drew asked.

"Of course." The Captain said. "You're free to go now."

May followed Drew out of the room, still confused as to why he couldn't accept the position of Captain yet. "Drew, what's there to think about? You wanted to be a Guard, and now you'll be the Captain! Get excited that my Father and the Captain chose you!"

"May…I'm honored. Really. But…that's a big job to do, and…am I really the right person for the job?"

Back in May's room, Drew plopped down on her sofa, staring at the floor. She sat on the bed.

"I'm glad that the King and Captain are beginning to see me as trustworthy. I just don't know if becoming Captain is what I want."

"Hmm…how about we go for another walk?" May suggested. Drew looked at her. "It'll help clear your mind."

Drew smiled. "Sure. But umm…will we need Guards to accompany us again?"

"Maybe. Why?"

Drew blushed and looked away. "I kind of just want some alone time with you."

May's face heats up. "I-I'll ask my Father."

Surprisingly, King Norman had let May and Drew go for a walk alone. They chose to walk to a place they haven't seen in a while.

Drew smiled. "We're here…My campsite."

May and Drew walk into the forest behind the tent. That's where the waterfall is. They sit by the water, staring at the beautiful waterfall.

"Wow…it didn't change at all." May said. "Your campsite is still really nice."

"Yeah." Drew agreed. He exhaled. "I missed this place."

May looked at Drew. "Do you…wish you could live here again?"

"Sometimes. But…" Drew looked at May, and smiled warmly. "I'm more happy to live close to you. Even if it is in a dungeon."

May giggled. "Oh, Drew…"

When May's laughter dies down, she stares into Drew's emerald eyes, a blush growing on her face.

("That smile…takes my breath away.")

("Meeting the Princess…was part of an evil plan, but…I'm really glad to have gotten to know her.") Drew thought. ("She's something special.")

Drew isn't sure what he's doing, but he found himself leaning in closer to May. She doesn't move. It's like she's hypnotized by his eyes. They don't look away from each other.

May isn't even thinking about this all the way through. Her eyes flutter closed just as Drew's lips connect with hers. He closes his eyes.

Fireworks. This kiss feels like a million fireworks going off inside of both of them. May never knew she actually felt this close to Drew. She had said before that she likes him, but…does she actually love him now?

This is her first kiss. She never let Brendan kiss her before. Or anyone. She only wanted to kiss the one she felt most comfortable around. And…

…that's Drew.

Drew pulled away, smiling at May's red face. But then, all of a sudden, May stood up. "I-I…"

Drew stares at May in confusion. ("Why does she look a little sad?")

May slowly backed away. "I umm…" Without another word, she turned and walked back into the forest.

Drew frowned. ("What did I do?")

Drew followed May back to the palace. He knocked on her closed bedroom door. "P-Princess? Are you okay?"

No response.

"Listen…I'm sorry. I don't know what came over me. Can we talk?"

Still no response.

Drew tried the doorknob and found that it's unlocked. He slowly opened the door, peeking inside. "Princess?"

He could hear sniffling and quiet sobs coming from the bed. He entered the room and closed the door before approaching the bed. There's a visible human-sized bump under the blanket.

"P-Princess?"

The sobs stop.

"Why are you crying?"

May slowly sat up, hiding her face from Drew. "I-I'm not crying."

Drew sat down at May's feet. He took her arms, bringing her hands away from her face. "Talk to me, May. Did…I do something wrong?"

May shook her head, wiping her eyes. "N-no. It's not your fault I'm crying."

"Then why?"

May looks down at the blanket.

"I understand if you don't want to talk, but…just know that…I'm here to listen."

May looked into Drew's worried eyes. She took a deep breath. "…we…kissed."

Drew nodded.

"And…I actually enjoyed it."

Drew smiled softly. "I did too." His smile fades. "Is that the problem?"

"N-no. Well, yes."

"Why?"

"Because…I love you, Drew."

"I…love you too, May."

"But you can't. My Father won't allow this. I'm to become Queen, and…they're looking for the person who will be the next King. I…need to love whoever they choose. I…I want to love you. You make my heart beat rapidly in my chest. And…now I don't know what to do!" She threw herself backward.

Drew smiled softly. "It's okay to feel confused. I kind of do too. I can't believe that…the Princess was my first kiss."

May sat up, and shyly looked away from Drew. "…you were mine too."

"And…if we really hold strong feelings for each other…your parents shouldn't stop us."

"Y-you don't understand. They're the King and Queen. You're a commoner. They won't let me near you ever again…"

Drew frowned. He took May's hand. She looked at him. "If I become the Captain of the Royal Guards…" He started. "They can't keep us from seeing each other. Being together is a different story. Whoever they choose to become your King…I just hope he treats you like the Queen you are."

May shook her head. "But I love you, Drew."

"You what?!" A shocked voice comes from the door.

May and Drew gasp and turn their heads. Norman is standing in the doorway with anger written all over his face.

"F-father-" May tried.

"Not now, May. Drew, I order you to go back to your dungeon cell."

Drew stood up. "Y-yes, Your Majesty." He walked past Norman and left.

"Father…"

"I'll see you in the Throne Room." Norman said sternly before leaving.

May took a deep breath before entering the Throne Room. She stares at her father's intense stare. Her mother has a look of confusion on her face.

"Mother, Father." May curtsied.

"May…explain what I overheard you and Drew talking about." Norman said.

"W-we were just talking about how…we enjoy each other's company."

"No. There was something more to the conversation."

"L-like what?"

"Don't play around, May. Tell us what you told him!"

May frowned, taking a step back. "I…I…"

"You what?"

"Norman…maybe you should calm down." Caroline said.

"No. She has something to get off her chest."

"I…" May said.

"Just tell us already, May!" Norman yelled.

"I love him!" May yelled back, not wanting to hear her father's orders anymore.

Caroline gasped. "What?"

Norman narrowed his eyes.