As Bella found her way through the palace, she made it to the grand doors. Spotting Clarissa sweeping nearby, she quickly walked toward the red head, blanket in hand.
Bella tapped on her shoulder, "Clarissa, do you know a secret way out of the palace? A hidden door I can take? I need some fresh air, and I don't want to confront any guards by the grand doors."
Clarissa laughed and nodded, "Miss Swan, I completely understand. This palace is big, and everyone needs a breath of fresh air."
Leaning closer, Clarissa whispered, "At the end of the hall, there is a small door leading to the outside fields. It's hidden behind a chair, so move it aside and I'll cover your tracks."
Breathing in relief, Bella gave a thankful smile. "I'm so glad there's a way out. I appreciate the help, Clarissa. Please don't tell where I am, and if anyone asks, I'm exploring the palace. And please, call me Bella. I am definitely no one special."
"Of course, Bella. Now hurry! I'll cover for you." Clarissa winked and continued sweeping casually.
Bella turned and walked quickly to the end of the hallway. Finding the velvet chair, she looked around before moving it out of the way.
Searching the now exposed wall, Bella spotted a small metal latch and a barely visible outline of a door.
Silently, Bella opened the door, careful not to make a loud noise. The passage opened easily, and Bella pushed the blanket through to the outside. Then, she curled up and passed through.
Bella fell onto cool, soft grass. The breeze immediately making her feel relaxed. She laid there for a bit and looked up at the stars.
Then, Bella remembered why she came out there in the first place.
Rolling over, Bella gathered her blanket and stood up, brushing off her silk pajamas. She looked around, her only light coming from the moon and palace windows.
The fields were open and broad, the trees moving with the wind. Bella began looking for the stables, and spotted it upon a hill nearby.
However, she was confused when she saw a light on in the stables. Was someone in there? Bella thought to herself. Feeling brave, she went to go investigate.
Maybe it was a clumsy maid or butler that forgot to turn it off after cleaning. It was only right to turn it off, plus it gave her an excuse to go there.
Making her way up the hill, Bella savored the cool air and the smell of the fresh grass.
Upon reaching the stables, Bella ducked down and slowly made her way to the gates. She didn't want to get caught, especially if someone was still in there.
She could clearly hear the soft noises of the drowsy horses from her spot outside the door. Looking through a window, she spotted three beautiful black thoroughbreds and two brown mustangs.
However, Bella spotted a pure white Arabic horse laying in the corner.
While caught up in the white horse's beauty, Bella heard a loud bang from the other side of the stable.
Was someone there to harm the horses? A thief, an intruder? What if it was an animal? Bella started to panic at the thought.
Ducking lower, Bella slowly approached the door and looked through the crack. She didn't see anyone or anything in the corners.
Maybe it was the wind, she thought. Her parents did always say Bella had an overactive imagination. She felt a pang of sadness at the thought of her parents.
Deciding it was just the wind, Bella pushed open the door further, allowing her an opening into the stables.
She started making her way to the white, Arabic horse in the corner. But when she passed the others, they aroused from their sleep-like state and started to panic at the sight of a stranger.
The five horses started kicking wildly, making alarming sounds as they tried to break free.
Bella cringed at the loud noises in the silent night, and prayed they would calm down. She didn't want to get caught, she just got here!
She noticed the white horse in the back still lay relaxed, unmoving and looking completely unaware of his panicked friends.
Suddenly, Bella heard a loud cracking sound and realized with horror that one of the horses broke through the latch on his gate.
Bella backed up immediately, scared that the beautiful creature would trample her out of fear.
As the horse was kicking wildly and quickly approaching a helpless Bella, she heard a sharp whistle from the the other side of the stable.
She couldn't see anyone through the chaos, but the horses almost immediately calmed down.
The once dangerous horse backed into its stable and laid down, completely tranquil. Bella observed the scene in shock, but then heard a beautiful calm voice call out to hear near the location of the whistle.
"Are you okay?", said the mesmerizing voice, filled with concern.
Bella couldn't talk or move, but she heard footsteps carefully walking towards her.
Suddenly, a man emerged from within the shadows, breath takingly gorgeous. His golden hair bristled in the breeze, pale skin flawless and smooth, and beautiful green eyes the color of the sea.
He was dressed in a simple grey long sleeve shirt and black pants.
The beautiful man cautiously and softly approached her, and Bella took in his other features. His perfect face was lined with concern, lush lips curved into a slight frown.
Though, his eyes showed more than just worry. Bella could see surprise, interest, curiousity, and even a little bit of amusement. Her breath was stolen by his god like features.
As he approached closer, Bella began to recognize his face through the shock. He looked familiar, but she couldn't quite pin point why.
The man offered his perfect hand to help her up, but Bella refused and jumped up quickly.
He looked confused, the laughed a musical laugh.
Bella felt a surge of anger. "Why are you laughing?", she huffed.
The man's face wore a beautiful crooked smile. "Because, Miss, I just quite possibly saved your life and you refuse my simple gesture to help you up."
Bella faltered, she didn't mean to seem rude. "Well, I'm glad you got a laugh out of a possibly traumatizing experience."
His smile faded, and his facial expression grew serious. "My apologizes, I seem to have forgotten my manners. But really, are you alright?"
Bella thought about it. Was she alright? Her parents were dead, she just completely embarrassed herself in front of a complete stranger, and she had no idea who she really was.
No, she was definitely not okay.
But he didn't need to know that.
Bella stood up straighter with a more assured expression on her face. "I'm okay, really. Just shaken up a bit. Thanks for saving me, I guess."
"It's no problem, I'm used to saving beautiful girls from horses at 11 O'clock at night." He grinned.
Her breath caught. Did he just call her beautiful? "Wow, you're really my knight in shining armor." Bella said sarcastically.
"You're lucky I was here. Speaking of which, why are you here, in the middle of the night?"
Struggling to come up with a casual answer, Bella responded with another question. "Well, Why are you here in the middle of the night?"
"You first," he chided.
"Well, I guess I needed some fresh air. I'm staying at the palace with my uncle, and I needed to get away. I'm not used to this lifestyle."
Bella continued, "My father used to take me horseback riding when I was young, and I saw a light on in the stables. Wanted to make sure there was nothing bad happening, so I decided to investigate. You're not a thief, are you?"
He laughed. "No, I'm afraid not. I like to catch my breath out here as well. The fresh air relaxes me."
"The horses don't freak out when they see you?" Bella questioned.
"No, the horses only act up around strangers."
Bella was about to question him further, but a strong breeze came through and passed through her silk pajamas. She shivered.
He frowned, then spotted the blanket Bella brought with her. He picked it up and tried to hand it to her.
"I-I'm find, r-really." Bella said through chattering teeth. She didn't want to seem weak.
The man laughed. "Does your father ever tell you how stubborn you are?"
Bella felt a rush of sadness at the mention of her father. She shouldn't have brought him up. "He used t-to." Giving in, Bella took the blanket.
"You'll thank me when you don't get sick." Then his focus shifted. "Used to? What happened?"
"He died," Bella said, her eyes watering. But she was determined not to cry. "Both of my parents were murdered."
"Oh! I'm so sorry I asked." He didn't want her to feel sad. Immediately feeling guilty, he said, "My mother died when I was five. I never really got to know her, but father said she died of an illness. I guess that's why I don't want you to get sick." He laughed slightly.
Bella smiled through the hurt. "You're right, I do need this blanket. Thank you."
There was a silence as they both stood there, millions of questions floating between them. Bella didn't even know his name.
Suddenly, her gaze shifted to a figure in the window of the palace. Bright red hair shown brightly, as Clarissa waved her hands frantically, waving Bella back over.
"Oh, no." Bella whispered to herself.
His eyes filled with worry. "What's wrong?" He said, immediately concerned.
"Thank you. For everything. Really. But I have to go." Bella turned and started to run out of the stables.
"Wait!" He called. "I don't even know your name!"
She turned back quickly and smiled. "Don't worry, I have a feeling this isn't the last time we'll meet."
Bella continued running back to the palace, though her blanket fell off her and landed by the stable doors.
The man sighed in defeat and disappointment. However, his gaze shifted to the blanket left behind.
Picking up the blanket, he remembered her words about her staying in the palace.
Maybe she was right. Maybe this wasn't the end of their meeting.
Maybe it was only the beginning.