Chapter 7:

Nathan and Peyton were walking towards the gate of the palace. "Excuse me. My father told me that you two should come with us in case we would head for the village. So, can we go now?" Peyton asked the two palace guards. The guards nodded and off they went.

"When was the last time you were able to go out into the village? I can't even remember if you won't count the parade." Nathan said.

Peyton giggled because of what happened earlier. "This morning…That's why I was late."

"So…You snuck out?" Nathan joked. "Tsk Tsk Tsk. What kind of princess are you?"

Peyton hit Nathan's arm as they both laughed. "An adventurous one." She said smiling. "At least now, I know my way around here."

They bought things and shared more stories. Peyton even shared the robbery incident that had just happened. People were all talking about them and smiling at their sweetness. Nathan, of course, had no idea but he didn't really notice the people's reactions towards them. He just enjoyed his time with Peyton.

ON THE OTHER HAND

Lucas was talking a walk in their small farm when his dad told him to buy something from the market for their dinner. So, he took the money and left. He arrived at the market and noticed some people fussing over something. Lucas wasn't really the type of person to follow trends and fusses. He just went on with his business.

As he was buying vegetables, he noticed the crowd around him was getting bigger and it was becoming noisier. Before he knew it, Nathan was standing beside him looking to buy some fruits. He looked at Nathan and stepped aside to show manners.

"It's OK. It's not like I'm royalty or anything, and besides, you were here first." Nathan said to Lucas.

"Well I'm almost done, but thank you." Lucas replied. He picked up his vegetables and once he turned to leave, he saw Peyton and all at once, he felt mesmerized, embarrassed and happy. So, he bowed down at once and said, "Your highness, I'm sorry about this morning. I didn't know. I really didn't. It's a very long story."

Peyton smiled because the sight was so cute and funny. "I figured. It's all right…Lucas? Right?"

Lucas looked back at her and smiled. "Yes. You know your majesty I—"

He was cut off when Nathan finished buying and noticed the two of them, "Excuse me. You know him?" He asked Peyton.

Peyton put her hand on Lucas' shoulder and told Nathan, "This is the guy who caught that thief I told you about."

"Oh…I see. Well, I'm Nathan Donne and you are?"

"Lucas. Lucas Oliverus. It's an honor to meet you sir." Lucas replied as they shook hands.

"Oliverus? I've never heard of that name before." Peyton said to Lucas. It's an obligation for her to know most of the surnames around so people will see her well. "Are you from around here?"

Lucas has always been told by his parents to never tell anyone about his condition because that would make him very vulnerable. So, he said, "Well, our house is very far from here. Far from civilization, but it is a beautiful place. It really is."

Peyton nodded and smiled to think that there was such place. A place she didn't know about where there lived people she also didn't know about, so she had an idea. "Sir Lucas Oliverus, I would really like to meet your family and see this place if it be alright with you."

Lucas was caught off guard and thought about it. "Well…I have to ask my parents because it might not be so prepared for the princess and Sir Nathan."

Peyton laughed on her own and said, "Please Lucas. You made me experience how it was to become normal and for some reason, it felt exhilarating. So I'm sure it would be just fine with me if I came to your house casually."

"Well…" He said, thinking hard. "Ok. Follow me please."

The whole time, Nathan was watching them feeling a bit bored and jealous.

They arrived at the place and it took Peyton's breath away. "This is…This is like paradise!" She said smiling.

Nathan thought it was OK so he told Peyton, "Peyton, I'm gonna sit down first OK? Just take the palace guards with you if you'd like to see this place more."

"Don't you want to come see it?"

"I'm going to rest first. Go on." He said as he sat down.

"Well. I guess it's you and me now." Peyton told Lucas. Lucas wasn't stupid and he knew this meant nothing but still, to be told those words, he had to feel so jumpy inside.

"I guess it is." He said being so cool on the outside. "Shall we Princess Peyton?" He offered to take Peyton's hand as he laughed. Peyton laughed at his sense of humor mixed with coolness.

"We shall." Peyton said folding their arms together and laughing. They let go at once because it was inappropriate. Nathan saw this and felt insecure, but he just brushed it off. He wanted Peyton to have a good time.

Lucas introduced Peyton to the family (big fuss and excitement. Blah3x), then they went outside to see the farm, the lake, and the grassiest part of the place and maybe even the forest.

"Your family's really sweet. They raised you well too." Peyton said as the walked towards the lake.

Lucas didn't really know how to react since he has only been raised for at least 5 months, but he had to disguise, "Yes they are. How about your family?"

"Well, people find this hard to believe, but my parents are just as great as your parents." She boasted.

"And they still have time to be king AND queen of Armedes." Lucas followed through with it.

"Yes." Peyton said even more boastfully, but she was joking so they laughed at the end. "Can we sit here and?" Peyton asked Lucas as they reached the lake.

"I always sit here, so I guess it's ok." He joked. "You can even dip your feet into the water. It's very clean."

"Really?" Peyton said excitedly. "Ok then. Here I go." She said as she dipped her feet. "It's cold…But it's nice." She said smiling at Lucas. "You do it too."

Lucas was charmed by Peyton. He did it too, and it was silent between them.

"Have you ever been to the palace?" Peyton asked.

"Never. I don't have any reason to…But I'd like to see it." He said.

"Well you're very lucky now that I'm your friend. You can come to the palace anytime! I'll clear it out with my father."

Lucas laughed because he thought Peyton was joking.

"Hey. I'm serious. The palace needs more life, and you…You're like this free spirit out here."

Lucas was flattered to hear such thing. "Maybe I will visit after all."

"Under three conditions." Peyton said.

"What may that be your highness?" Lucas asked nicely.

Peyton stood up and walked barefoot. Lucas was shocked to see the princess walk barefoot so he laughed slightly. "Number one." She said as they walked towards the big grassy field. "You are to allow me to come here anytime I want…Of course, if you're here. I don't want to burden your parents."

"Well. Ok princess." Lucas said smiling at her.

"Second, you are to call me Peyton. Just Peyton." She said as she lied down in the grass.

Lucas was amazed by everything Peyton was doing. She seemed so carefree and beautiful. "Is that OK with the guards and…everyone else?"

"Of course. Right?" He asked the two guards who were still following them. "Why don't you sit down here?"

So Lucas sat down beside Peyton. "Ok then…Peyton." He said hesitantly.

"Lastly, when we're not in the palace…" Peyton sat down from lying down and faced Lucas. "You are to treat me like any normal villager of the palace."

Lucas wasn't so sure about that condition because it had a lot of risks. "Are you sure about that?"

Peyton smiled at him and explained something. "I've always been different the second I was born. If I had been normal all my life, I'd want to know how it feels to be special. So since I've been so special all my life, I'd like to be normal outside the special palace. You…You do that so well. When we met earlier, that kid was so scared the second he recognized my face. You on the other hand, you're just so…cool about it. It's like. I can feel satisfied if someone like you…or better yet, You yourself would treat me like I belonged."

They smiled at each other. Lucas was overwhelmed at all the happenings in just one day. It's like living the impossible dream for him. "Ok then Peyton. You got it."

Peyton smiled at him and for some reason, the way Lucas smiled at him that last time, caused a little flip in her heart. So she broke the stare between them. She looked at the guards who were smiling at them. Then she laughed. "You know, it's getting late. Poor Nathan. I have to go ok? Bye Lucas." She said, touching Lucas' hand. Then, she, the guards and Nathan left the place. As they went home, Nathan was pretty quiet, and Peyton was thinking of something else. Point is, Nathan didn't do anything to give a lasting impression.

Once they were gone, Lucas lied down with the biggest smile on his face. Then he yelled to the heavens, "THANK YOU!!!"

Peyton, on the other hand, while sitting in the balcony, couldn't stop smiling. The only vision in her head was Lucas, smiling at her when they sat down at the field.

AN: Deeaaaang! Hope this is ok with you. After all, Lucas was the last person who was sweet and nice to her. Haha. R&R PLEASE!!!!!!