(The Present)

Will continued to prowl the streets in search of any free life. Most of humanity was chained in servitude to the Supreme Emperor. Literally in chains. The hot iron was plastered on at birth and so humans were now growing up with chains engorged to remind them of whom they served. Evil had befallen humanity. Such that was never before. Will could not believe he had let this befallen fate ruin humanity.

(Medieval time)

Will awoke the next morning and was frying potatoes, peppers, and sausage when the princess joined with her numerous servants and chefs. But she stopped and asked what smelled so delicious. Will replied that it was breakfast.

"I've had breakfast before, but it never produced an aroma like this. May I try?"

"Anything for you my princess."

The princess loved it and said, "You, chef, learn immediately. For I wish to have this every day for at least a year."

"I'm afraid I can't do that." said Will. The entire room gasped. How dare someone defy the future ruler? Will realized he needed to continue or risk his situation and compromising his powers. "I mean, I can of course, but your chef lacks the skills and proper ingredients."

"Go on", the princess asked annoyed, although a bit intrigued at the brazen Italian.

"You see, cooking is like making love. I have no experience at either. Which is why I cannot teach it. Every time I make it, it comes out differently. I don't use the same amount of peppers or kinds, same goes for sausage, the temperature, the oil…you see your majesty, this cannot be perfected. I can only hope that, like myself, if I am myself, someone may find something pleasing about me and my cooking." And when no one was looking he winked at her. She did her best to cover the blush, but when their eyes connected… well he knew at least his heart melted. She had the most beautiful eyes he had ever seen and her entire face was as if carved by Michelangelo himself. I wonder if he's alive at this point. I really have no idea when I am.

"Very well then. I will just have to join you for breakfast each day and sample your methods. Be off, he's my guard anyway."

"But mi lady…" said a Brit who was trying to protest. "Your father wished for you to be guarded by the best. Surely you do not think this one man can best even one of my men not to mention me or all of us combined?"

"If my majesty would will it, I can demonstrate how I would be able to ensure no harm came to her." And with that Will stood up, his button up had been undone before, and now his full muscular chest was exposed. Will towered over the British guard and flexed his muscle as he tauntingly reached for the salt next to the guard. Seeing an opportunity, the Brit slammed his metal glove on Will's arm, only it never connected. Will's other arm grabbed the man by the elbow and held it in place while his other arm grabbed the salt and sprinkled it on his food. He then handed the plate to the princess in his free arm and winked at her again. This time she could not hide the blush at all. And then with his arm holding the Brit, flipped him over.

"Draw your sword." And the Brit did. Will did not however, he simply waited patiently. The Brit jabbed to which Will merely sidestepped. A repeat jab followed by another simple dodge.

"You're quick."

"No, you're just slow."

And the Brit captain lunged again only this time Will tripped him jammed his elbow on the man's back, pinning him to the ground. Instead of doing the honorable thing and yielding, the captain called for the guards to attack Will, and so Will picked up the captain and threw him at the charging guard. All but four were knocked out. At this rate I won't even have to use my sword, much less my powers.

Technically, Will was at an advantage, His body had been training for nearly a century without aging, so his muscle density and bone mass were beyond comparison. Such as that he could dent steel without any injury to himself. His broad forearms were the best shields in all of Europe. He blocked the charging onslaught and with jabs to the abdomen decommissioned the guard in a matter of seconds. He was not aiming to kill, only assert his dominance and stake his claim as the princess' champion.

"My hero." He heard playfully and sarcastically from the princess.

"Forgive the mess, your highness. I only wished to demonstrate my resolve and abilities."

"And that you did," said the king as he entered. Will immediately went to one knee.

"My lord, I wish to apologize for this brawl. I merely wished to defend your honor in choosing me as the princess' champion."

"And that you did. I wish all my soldier fought like you. Then all of Europe would be at my knees!" He laughed at the joke and offered his hand to Will.

"Come, you need not kneel before me. How else could you keep your eyes on protecting my daughter?"

At this the princess replied, "Indeed. Come. I wish to walk in the gardens." And Will joined her.

"I see you still wear a ring but there is no love in your eyes nor any talk of wife or children."

"And I see you have not even commented on last night."

"Then let's play truth or dare." suggested the princess. I will start.

Will replied, "Truth."

"Explain the ring."

"My greatest fear is to be alone. I have forsaken love, but keeping this ring avoids uncomfortable gazes from strangers. They cannot judge what they believe to be a married man. And it keeps the young floozies away.

"I wanted to know more about the woman who gave it to you."

"Maybe next time, ;)" And she blushed again.

"That's not fair and you know it." replied the princess.

"Her name was Marie. We had been dating for two years, and I loved her. But she broke my heart when she slept with my best friend and blamed it on me. And I took it because I was afraid."

"You do not seem cowardly in the slightest sense. And why would anyone cheat on you? I mean you're practically a work of fiction. You're witty, strong, humble, softly spoken to those you care about, and you treat all with dignity. Your hair is beautiful and your eyes…"

"I appreciate the kind words, but I must desist. I am but merely your servant. You are to be courted by royalty and will rule nations. I am but a lone broken warrior."

"Being royal is not desirable to me. The royals who courted me broke my heart. And Prince James…"

"What?"

"He robbed me of my virtue. Unless I am to be killed, I cannot wed or I must wed him. For any man would notice I am not pure."

"I would not kill you."

"You would also not bed me, I think. Don't think I forgot about that display last night…but by the way," she whispered, "you'd be one hell of an entertainer for my bachelorette party." And she sashayed away.

Damn she has a nice ass…wait I'm supposed to be protecting her not watching her walk away. And Will moved next to her, hoping she wouldn't look down. Instead she did much worse. At the bench, she pushed him onto it and sat on his lap, carefully avoiding his manhood, almost as if she was expecting it.

"I can't figure you out" she said. "You're gorgeous, you're a brilliant fighter, and you're kind and compassionate. I read through your log and I must say I haven't seen more impressive math figures in all of the colleges. Your mind would rival the best of all Europe. Why are you here? I noticed you from afar and you did not have to run into the fight. Tell me the truth or else."

"I simply wanted to serve my king and princess." And as he finished that, she edged closer to his manhood and applied a little pressure to it.

"I said no lies."

"I do not know whether it was a dream or real, but I was saved by you. You flew down and saved my life as I was falling. I do not know how, but it was you."

She backed off. "Your eyes don't lie, but I believe you are mistaken."

"I know beauty when I see it."

"That must have been a great dream then."

"It must have been."

"I don't dream. I have no reason to be happy."

"I used to be like that up until a few days ago." And Will smiled a handsome smile at her. But she looked away and began to walk away.

"Truth or dare?" Will called to her. She was puzzled. "It's my turn," he replied.

She smiled and said "Truth."

"What is your name?"

And it is the most beautiful name ever uttered by a human being. Her full name. Because many people have her first name, and some have her last name, middle name, confirmed name, etc. But her name, was simply beautiful.

"My turn," she said.

"Dare," said Will.

"Remove your ring and throw it as far…but only do it when you have found love."

"Alright," said Will. And the two walked out. Later that night, Will stood before the river. He spoke the princess' name followed by three words. "I love you." And he cast his ring far into the river. It was never to be seen again. He knew he had found the love of his life. But would she ever love him?