Chapter 3:

Nathan woke up very early to explore the palace he hadn't seen in years. He got ready and walked down the halls, up to the portrait room, then the music room think medieval instruments or even older…like Mesopotamian or others, the kitchen, the 'library' , the throne room and weapon room.

On his way out to the fields, he saw a girl picking some apples from the trees. She was a blonde girl wearing a beautiful red dress Think "Ever After" kind of dresses in this story.. It was too god of a dress to be used out to just run in the fields and pick fruits.

Nathan approached this girl. She was reaching for a higher apple so she tried to climb. Nathan laughed because a lady in their time should be more gentle and feminine. As he walked nearer, the girl fell more off balance.

Nathan walked faster because she was about to fall. Luckily, Nathan caught the girl and put her down gently. The girl was perplexed and said thank you endlessly. She couldn't help but blush because it was this guy who caught her. She just laughed it off and so did he.

"Hi. I'm Nathan Donne." He said offering to her a handshake.

She shook his hand and replied, "I know. I'm Haley Drayton." She smiled. "Everyone's fussing over your return." She said as she walked towards a cabin.

"I don't know why it's such a big deal. I've lived here when I was young." He said following Haley.

Haley sat down on the steps in front of the cabin and signaled for Nathan to sit beside her. "Well…It's been 13 years. You've trained from age 7 until you were 17. For 3 years, you've been causing straight victories for Armedes, and most importantly…" She smiled at Nathan with some big secret.

"Most importantly?" He was left hanging, but he was flattered by all the other achievements he's been recognized for.

Haley stood up and walked away saying, "It's a secret that I must not tell. You will hear it from others…when it's time." She laughed and turned back to Nathan with a pitifully curious look. She laughed out loud and finally toned down her laughter to a smile. "Excuse me Sir Nathan. I'm leaving now."

Nathan was a bit disappointed because he wanted to know the most important thing. Then he smiled at how this girl had acted towards him. Then he continued to explore the palace.

NEXT

Haley knocked on Peyton's door immediately. "Cousin? Are you awake? It's me, Haley."

Peyton was just painting in her balcony, so she stood up to open the door. "I was just painting the beautiful scenery. This morning seems so peaceful and beautiful."

Haley stepped inside and went over to the balcony. She nodded and caught sight of something. Then she smiled slyly at Peyton. "I can tell you why."

Peyton was confused. "What are you talking about?" She asked as she walked over to Haley.

Haley pointed over to Nathan in the fields roaming around. "It's your fiancé." Haley joked.

Peyton was shocked to see him there. Then she looked at Haley and explained. "He wasn't there a while ago. Look at the painting. There's no man in there. Please. He doesn't even know it."

"You're so uptight Princess. I was joking. I know he wasn't there before." She said as she sat down on Peyton's chair in front of the mirror.

Peyton sat back down and continued to paint. "How did you know?" She asked casually.

"I was picking apples and he was walking around in the fields. I climbed the tree and he caught me when I fell. Afterwards, we bonded." Haley told Peyton as she played with Peyton's accessories.

Peyton was taken back just a little bit. She stopped, and faced Haley. "What did you two talk about?"

"Well…" She started still playing with Peyton's things. "Not much really. He was just curious about the commotion over his return. I almost told him about you marrying him, but I stopped immediately."

"Oh…I see." She replied.

"He's a good person. Very friendly, charming and…well…everything that everyone says about him. You're very lucky." Haley joked.

Peyton laughed along but couldn't help but feel a bit jealous. She then looked at Nathan still roaming around in the fields.

"Well Princess Peyton." Haley joked as she finished playing with Peyton's things. "I'm going to eat now. Would you like to come?"

Peyton thought about it and decided she kind of lost her appetite. "No thank you. Maybe later."

"Ok then. I'll see you." Haley said as she left the room.

Peyton sat there just staring at Nathan until he left.

AN: Please keep reading and reviewing. It would really help if you guys would tell me what you think. 