"Oh, it's just horrid that you must leave." Lady Alvers complains as she finished tying the laces on her graces dress. "Are you sure that you wish not to take the one I made."
The princess looked at the younger woman sadly. "I want to Kitty, but I'm afraid it can't be done."
Once the royal dress was finally laced, Thief Lance stepped into the room. He glared at her. "Time to go."
With one last hug from Kitty, Thief Lance walked her through the camp and out to the east perimeter. The moon was higher in the sky now as it's silver light pooled over her grace and escort. After a few minutes, they made it to a small clearing and found Lord Dukes and timid Toad standing there, waiting.
Toad was the first to walk up and bowed before her. "I wish you luck your majesty."
"Thank you." She inclined with her head and also said her thanks to Lance as well, who didn't answer her. Slowly, the lastly walked over to the lord and commander of the camp behind her. At first, neither of them really knew what to say and just looked into one another's eyes. She cleared her throat. "Well, thank…"
At that moment he embraced her. "Stay safe wild lily."
She hugged him back, wrapping her arms around his neck. "Stay safe yourself thief."
Fredrick pulled away slightly. "I'll come to see you in five days time, by then things should have cooled down in the castle." He kissed her cheek. "Till then, you will be in my thoughts always."
She returned the kiss on his opposite cheek. "Like wise."
"They're coming," Toad said beside the princess. "It's time."
As she released her grip around his neck, Fredrick bent down and whispered in her ear. "Take care, my love." Then taking her off guard, he softly kissed her lips when he slowly pulled away.
She blinked at him a few time in shock but then smiled softly. "I will do my best my lord." And with one last look at the true man she loved and his people she walked into the woods near the prince.
"Thank the gods she's gone." Lance snarled beside his leader. "She was trouble from the start."
"But Lance," Timid Toad started.
"Silence, both of you," Lord Dukes hissed. "Is that any way to talk to your future queen?"
Thief Lance snorted. "Like I told the woman, she is no queen of mine."
Fredrick rounds on the young thief. "Hold your tongue, the princess is just what my people need."
Toad cuts in. "True my lord, very true. But what Lance is getting at is…well, is that fact that she's a princess. Thief law demands that we don't mess with royalty."
"That and when she leaves the castle," Lance grunts. "The king could send an army into these woods and kill our people."
"That wouldn't happen." Lord Dukes snaps.
Lance sneers at his leader. "I'm not going to let your damned heart get our people…my wife killed."
Fredrick was going to respond, punish Lance for his talk when a short scream split the air. Timid Toad shivered at his master's feet. "What on earth was that?" He whispered in a small, shaky voice and it was a wonder they could hear him at all.
But Lord Dukes knew that high picked woman's scream. "Aprill," He whispered and ran in the way that she just took moments before. Lance and timid Toad ran after their lord, daring not to yell after him. They came to the clearing that the Prince was seen coming into the territory of the camp. Sure enough, the young silver haired prince stood in the center of the clearing. His left glove hand was raised above his head and scowled down at…at…the princess. Lord Dukes looked at her on the ground, on her hands and knees; she held the right side of her beautiful face. Tears ran down her large eyes and Fredrick could already see her cheek swell.
"You filthy wench," The prince snarled. "How dare you leave the castle!"
She took a deep breath. "I just wished…"
"No!" He yelled at her. "I woman doesn't wish, doesn't think, does nothing. You stay in the castle like you're ordered and wait to please me, not yourself." The prince finishes with a snarl.
Fredrick watched in the shadows in disbelief as she slowly rouse to her feet, took a step forward and kissed him on the lips. He gritted his teeth together, knowing that she didn't love the prince but it made him sick to see her kneel like this. When she pulled away, the prince smirked. "Much better, now," He snapped his fingers and the guards started to move back to the castle. "Time give their majesty's their daughter back men." Then he turned back to Aprill. "Let's go woman, and no more running away for you."
She bowed. "As you wish my lord."
His smile was somehow gentler now. "Much better indeed." Wrapping an arm around her waist, they started to walk away.
"Now there is a better reason to leave her alone." Lance whispered from beside his lord. When Fredrick glanced at the young thief, even he was pale. "If she keeps coming back, they will bet her."