It was already deep dark when he infiltrated the palace. It was a stupid idea, he knew. But it has been insufferabley persistent in his mind. Haunting him every second since he learnt of the princess' imminent wedding.
Surely, being the hopelessly romantic she was, she would be over the moon. Busy with preparations for the big day. Fussing over his future husband...his stomach clenched. He didn't know who he was. Even though he would even deny it to himself, he had been trying to get any intel he could on the guy, and was surprised beyond measure to have been unable to find the slightest clue. Anyone would think that the groom to the royal princess of the White Magic Capital would be an easy gossip target...and yet he had nothig. Nor his name, face or how had he appeared in the live of Amelia, just his bitter despise for him. The chimera was perfectly aware of the reason why he hated him so, of course. It wasn't really about who he might be. It was mere pettiness.
He had always known of the childish infatuation Amelia has had for him years ago. And he had done his best to remember himself that it was a mere crush, only brought by the conviniency of the situation. Being together all the time. Alone but for Lina and Gourry, which, councious or not, were already a couple. She was too young. Too idealistic and emotional. Whatever she felt for him couldn't have been real. And yet he felt himself melt to that warmth. He was quite certain he had succeeded in hiding his feelings well enough, but that didn't mean he didn't have them. And so, when they were becoming powerfull enough to spill out of him he simply left. Better to retire with some dignity than fight to end in complete disgrace. But then notice of her engagement reached him in his travel...and...
"Zelgadiss-san!" Oh, crap! Did she saw him? he was about to gave away his position when he realised the princess was looking in his general direction all right, yet not exactly at him. Her eyes were clearly focused on a very exact point. Several metters closer to her balcony was a sturdy branch. It was the branch he used to watch over her while he was on night dutty as her personal bodyguard. It allowed perfect view of the doors of her room, the gardens surrounding it and even the windows closer by. That way he could monitorise at same time her room, the walls and gardens near It. It only had a weak spot. He was in plain sight from her window. Back then it wasn't that bad either. He was certainly more vulnerable to attack, yet not many people was eager to face him in combat, so he also worked as a disuading messure. That was the reason why he had opted for a further away tree. But, if she has not seen him, why was she talking to him? He realised now for the first time that she was barefoot, only dressed in her nightgown. He swallowed hard as he saw the round, fuller forms through the translucent fabric. She never showed herself without her robe at night, And was always cautious to close the dosel curtains before getting into bed. She has grown quite a bit in the year he hadn't see her. He was a little disturbed by how much his own body craved for her, in a lustfull, hungry manner. He scolded himself for It and tried to ignore It by focusing on her words: "I know you're certainly busy, and most probably far away, doing something much more important than babysitte me...I would never disturb you, but, if...if by some miracle...you are not...or have nothing better to do...please, please...come help me? I'm so figthened, and even if I have miss Lina's and mister Gourry's help... It's...I...I need you! ¿Please?
She was copiously crying by now. She shifted into a ball and kept weeping until she felt asleep in the floor of the balcony. Zelgadiss felt angry at himself and anyone who has put her in such a distressed state. And tried to calm himself until he found a logical excuse to go get her. She was a clear shot in the floor like that. He had to prevent the peril...he told himself, while a part of him laughed like a wolf at his own attempt of justifying his owns needs of holding her. He raywinded to the balcony, and carefully, not to disturb her sleep, he lifted her in his arms. He wondered with anger how was it possible that an outsider could infiltrate de Palace and get hold of the Royal Princess and nobody was even trying to stop him. But he decided not to duel on that for the present moment. He would take care of it in the morning. He also tried to ignore the intoxicatig smell of sweet vanilla, the silky smoothness of her skin, the warmness... All his magically enhaced senses were drowning him in her presence and yet it felt as if he was a castaway whom had miraculously find his way home. He could almost hear his heart howl at him when he left her on her bed.
He was about to close her four poster bed's curtains when a little muster from the princess made him freeze. "Zelgadiss-san. Thanks heavens you're here". A tear run down her ivory cheek. Her body sifted, aparently just dreaming.
And just like that, the mighty warrior lost all his resolve to dissapear once more. He has heard...he thought...He believed the princess did not need him anymore. That this selfish visit to engrave her on his memory would be the end of their relationship. That she wouldn't want a human sized rock to burden her anymore. But, as It often happens to anyone blinded by grief, he was wrong. In fact, he was so shocked he let down his usual barriers and decided to indulge himself on the moment. And even was so bold as to left a creack of the curtains open. Barely enough so he coul see her sleeping face and went back to his othertime usual branch, and sat there. Morning come, he would ask for a formal intervew with crowned prince Philionel and ask for his old post. He was now sure as hell he wouldn't take no for an answer.