"I would do anything to leave the castle, even if it was just for a few hours."

Maka's stare felt bone-crushing; it left Soul's lungs feeling restricted. He wanted to desperately say he didn't understand where Maka was coming from, but he couldn't. He knew exactly where Maka was coming from. He could read the pain that plastered itself on the blonde's face clear as day, he could hear the desperation that laced her every word, he saw the way her eyes wavered for a moment over him before flickering towards the floor with hesitation.

"Its stupid to think that way," She was quick to say, "Im sorry. Forget I said anything."

The Princess's expression went stony cold quick, the tone of her voice turning into something that Soul couldn't decipher. He didn't like it. He didn't like how quickly the Princess was able to mask her emotions like that. It reminded him of something he wanted to keep hidden in the back of his mind until the day he died.

He knew that people only masked like that when they wanted something out of someone, and yet, he walked willingly into the awaiting trap laid out in front of him. Part of him hoped that Make wasn't trying to do what he was thinking she was doing. He hoped Maka wasn't trying to use him as some scapegoat out of this castle. Maka wasn't like that.

Maka wasn't a royal brat.

She wasn't going to use him.

But history tends to repeat itself, doesn't it?

"Do you-" He paused, practically choking on his own words. What was he doing? Was he really about to offer to take the Princess out of the castle? How stupid was he?

This would be breaking guard code- he knew it would be. He knew that god forbid, if something went wrong, his head would be served on a silver platter to the King and Queen in an instant; and yet, all the same, he knew what it felt like to long for freedom, to long for a breath of fresh air.

Maka's eyes flickered back up to meet his, her eyebrows raised with interest.

"Do you want to get out of the castle for a few hours?"

Maka blinked up at him way too innocently, as if she's been expecting the question.

"Are you offering to take me?" She questioned all too quickly, a faint smile perking up on the ends of her lips. "Because if you are, I am not going to say no."

Soul should have known better.

He really should have.

"Yeah, I'm offering to take you," He answered with a steady voice. "We can sneak out tomorrow morning. The village is busiest on Mondays. We can blend in with the crowd better."

"You better be making a promise here, Soul."

"I am."


His heart was racing.

All he could hear was his frantic footsteps and his own heartbeat pulsing in his ears.

There were too many trees to avoid them all. Every few seconds he was half dodging trunks only for his other arm to get snagged on rough bark. It burned his exposed forearms but he couldn't afford to care. He would tend to it once he got far enough.

With a huff of a breath, still mid-stride, he began to pull off the remainder of his torn coat, tossing its tethered pieces behind him. He knew that they'd leave a trail to him, but he had a head start. He knew he could lose them; it's what he'd trained for his whole life.

The crossbow that had been attached to his belt was feeling heavier with every stomping step. If he couldn't shake him, He'd have to use it.

God, he didn't want to do this to him.

He never wanted to hurt him.

When another arrow came wheezing by the side of his head, only to land itself in a tree just a few inches away from him, he knew he had no other choice than to finally fight back. He gave them a good run. He gave them enough time to finally give up, but they were persistent.

It only took him a moment to scope out a tree that had a large enough trunk for him to hide behind. Diving into the freezing cold snow bank, he threw his back up against the trunk, his hands fumbling with the clasps of his belt.

"Solomon!" A desperate voice called out from somewhere in the thickened woods behind him. "This isn't funny, you know!"

"Shut up," A feminine voice growled. "This is your fault. You gave him an inch of freedom and he ran with it."

"Medusa, you know i never meant to-"

"Shut up! God damnit!" The girl screamed. She was loud enough that whatever remainder of birds that had hung around this long flew from their barren tree limbs, screeching in terror. "I know exactly what you were trying to do, and it's still your fault! Romance was never in the job description."

"Don't be so harsh, Medusa. You know it's not his fault."

Their bickering pauses, and Soul tries his best to ignore the heaviness that was starting to sink into his chest. He, instead, busied himself with rigging the crossbow, pulling it back as he peered around the trunk just the slightest.

Several yards away, he notices the trio that had chased after him. The woman with the braided ash blond hair is standing with her bow pulled, aimed towards the forest behind him. One of the men, who had an odd looking beanie pulled over his head, had his sword drawn, looking over to the woman with a pleading look.

The third person in their party had no weapon drawn. He was vulnerable. A perfect target, whether Soul had attachments to him or not. All he had to do was land a good mark on one of them; that would slow their team down enough if it was a near fatal shot.

He never wanted to hurt him.

He never wanted to kill him.

But when their eyes meet through the snow covered tree limbs, he knows what he has to do.

"Solomon!"

He doesnt waste a second; he gets to his feet, brings the bow to his face, and shoots. The bullet directly lands in his target's chest hard enough to send him flying back into the snow.

Theres a horrifying crack of muscle and bone that tears through the forest, a murderous scream following not long after.

Crimson blood stains the once white snow, and he instantly regrets every single moment that landed him where he was.


That Monday morning, Soul wakes up in a cold sweat with hands wrapped around his shoulders. "Soul?" A quiet voice he doesn't quite recognize in his tired state calls out. "Are you alright?"

It takes him not even a moment longer to tear his eyes open. His cheeks are cold and wet with what he presumes is tears.

Its been a while since he's had that nightmare.

Emerald colored eyes are blinking down at him, golden flakes shimmering in the low light. Maka always had the prettiest eyes, he had to admit.

"Im fine," He mumbles quickly, rolling his shoulders out to rid himself of Makas hot grip. "Has the sun risen yet?"

"No but it should be coming up soon."

Just like Soul had ordered her to do, Maka had snuck into the guard's quarters just before the sun could rise.

Looking around the dimly candle-lit room, Soul takes notice of the other two sleeping bodies in the room. As quietly as he can, he pulls the sweat-filled sheets from his body, pulling himself out of his bed with aching joints.

She dressed casually, wearing a cream colored button-up blouse, black pants and leather shoes. All the fabric was a little too clean for village wear, but he didn't complain. It surely wasn't an outfit that would grab anyone's attention, but just to be safe, Soul would be lending her one of his older cloaks.

He motioned for the Princess to sit on the edge of his bed. "Let me get ready and we can get going."

Maka complies quietly, plopping herself down on the cricket mattress with a sour face. "Not so comfy now, is it?"

"I didn't even say anything."

"You didn't have to," Soul whispered before making his way across the room. "Your face said it all."

To his surprise, Maka doesn't have a reply. Instead she turns to face the opposite wall away from Soul, giving him privacy to change.

Soul didn't really think about the new and foreign company in the room as he quickly changed out of his night-time clothes and into his clunky armor. He was used to changing in front of the other guards by now, they all respected their boundaries at least.

If Maka had taken a few glances while he was getting ready, he surely didn't notice.

Pulling his own dark red cape on, he opened one of his forgotten drawers, pulling out a navy green piece of beaten up cloth that used to be his old cloak. Without a second thought, he threw it across the room, giving a half-whispered warning before returning to his belongings.

Maka made a some-what squeaking sound behind him, but didnt say anything as she pulled the old torn cloth over herself.

Throwing his head over his shoulder quickly, Soul took a moment to take in Maka's appearance. It wasn't anything special, it wasn't supposed to be. He was sure that the normal kingdom dwellers wouldn't be able to pick Maka out that easily, but he had to be certain that the Princess's identity would be hidden well enough; for both of their sakes.

It only took Soul a moment to swoop back to his cot, grab Maka by the wrist, and pull her out of the room in silence. As they made their way through the elongated hallway, Maka tied her hair into low pigtails.

"I'm surprised you followed directions so well," he whispered as they made it to the main room.

Maka gave him a questioning glance as she pulled her hand away from her hair. "It wasn't that hard. It was only the last room anyway. I am surprised though, I didn't know you guys shared rooms? Were those two your friends?"

Soul rolled his eyes. The day had barely begun and Maka was already asking questions.

"Yeah, that was Kilik and Blackstar. I'm pretty sure you met Kilik the other day."

"Oh, right," Maka sighed as Soul pushed her out the front door and into the darkness outside.

"The walk from here to the village shops should take until sunrise, so get ready for a long walk, Maka."

"I-" Maka started, confused. She quickly shook her head and gave him a look. "Stop it, Soul. Dont say my name like that. It's weird."

"C'mon, let's get out of here before anyone wakes up."

To his surprise, Maka barely spoke as they made their way down the gravel paths and out of the castle boundaries. Maka was scanning the dark area around them with a still expression.

It didn't take long for the sun to finally rise. They treaded down the gravel roads of Eibon in carefully crafted silence, the castle behind them growing smaller and smaller.

"I'm surprised no one stopped us," Maka finally commented after what had seemed like an eternity.

"None of the night-time guards are ever alert, it was the perfect time to sneak out right under their noses," Soul pointed out, remembering the tired guards that would scuffle back into the guard's quarters right before his morning shifts in front of the kingdom gates.

He'd be lying if he said he didn't miss his old position. He got to spend the majority of his days outside, spending time with the other guards that he felt comfortable around enough to drop the 'sophisticated' persona he tried to maintain with Maka. It was failing, obviously, but it didn't seem like Maka cared all that much.

When they had made it to the roads that were just a few yards away from the village market-square, Soul grabbed hold of Maka's arm, pulling her off to the side of the quiet road.

In the distance, they both could hear the bustling of the market-square. People were talking, kids were screaming, and carts were moving. It was a familiar sound to Soul, and a comforting one at that.

Maka looked interested in all the commotion, her attention lying just behind Soul.

"It sounds so loud." She whispered just under her breath.

"It only gets louder as the day goes on," Soul assures her before grabbing at both her arms, forcing her to look at him.

Maka blinked up at him aimlessly, her lips slightly parted. In the cold October air, Soul watched as their breaths mingle together before dissipating in front of them. Her pale cheeks were dusted with a light pink blush from the cold air.

It looked nice on her.

Without saying another word, he pulled the cloak's hood from her shoulders and settled it atop her head. With Maka looking pleasantly confused, he pulled the cloak tighter around her shoulders. His fingers lingered on the rugged fabric of the hood a moment longer than they should have, but neither commented when his hands dropped to his sides limply.

He was satisfied with how covered Maka was.

"No one will suspect a thing. Just try to keep your face covered."

"I could have done that myself, you idiot." Her tone held no malice, and yet, her words took Soul back a bit.

"It was faster I did it myself." The excuse slipped easily through his lips as he turned on his heel and started back down the road. "Keep up."

Maka follows after him like a lost puppy. The two of them made their way down a couple more long roads before making one final turn that led them to the entrance of the marketplace.

It was an open area filled with at least a hundred different stands. The stands were placed so close to one another, practically taking up every inch of space in front of them. Most of the stands were covered with multi-colored tarps, others just simply open in the sunlight.

With the upcoming birthday celebration that would be happening in just two weeks from now, the townspeople had already started decorating. Lights were strung from stand to stand, garlands that reminded her of Christmas hanging from the tops of the stands.

While of course, the main celebration took place in the castle, the townspeople would still gather in rejoice for another year of health to the royal family members.

Soul thought it was weird, and yet, he had still attended each celebration since he had entered Eibon.

At his side, Maka stood rather still. While he couldn't quite make out her expression, he could tell that Maka's mouth was open in a gaping motion. "There are so many people here," She whispered, turning her head up to Soul with a smile. "What's with all the decorations?"

"It's for the Princess's upcoming birthday celebration," Soul answered, lifting his eyebrows in a humorous way. "I'm surprised you didn't know."

The blonde didnt reply as she turned her head back to the packed market-square. "I didn't think the townspeople liked the royals all that much."

"They adore them." Soul remarks, honestly. "It's just the guards that hate them."

Awkward tension wavers between the two of them. He can't help but notice the way Maka stiffens at the comment.

They don't stand in silence for long, as more people pour into the Market-square and they're practically pushed into the moving traffic of townspeople. Out of the corner of his eye, he watches as Maka is bumped into several times under the first stand's tent. A couple of people break a space between the two and Maka quickly looks up at him, pushing through several people before placing a hand on the back of his elbow.

"We're going to end up separated quickly if you aren't careful," Soul points out the obvious. Maka huffs, adjusting the oversized cloak around her shoulders.

"Really? I couldn't tell."

The two of them end up locking elbows as they make their way into the heart of the market-square. It's not as uncomfortable as Soul thought it would be- walking with someone with linked arms. It's actually a bit comforting having Maka's warmth radiating at his side.

Every now and again, Maka pulls the two of them in front of a stand, looking at the neat trinkets laid across the table. To his surprise, Maka seems more than intrigued with crystals and rocks, having already inspected a good portion of them that they had walked by.

Soul doesn't spend much time lingering on Maka's actions like he would usually do. Now that he'd broken the guard code and taken the practically defenseless Princess out of the castle, he had to be on guard.

His eyes lingered on the crowd around them, watching as people passed them without batting an eye at Maka. He watched the shop-keepers carefully, making sure none of them had weapons at hand.

He was the only defense that Maka had, so he had to be on top of his game today if he didnt want either of them getting caught and possibly injured.

The two of them end up making their way through a couple stands. At one point, Maka ends up trading a few pieces of gold she'd brought with her for a few white crystals she'd taken interest in.

"Look how pretty they are," Maka had cooed as she waved the crystals in front of Souls face.

They glistened in the little rays of sunlight that had poked between the stands. They were quite eye-catching, honestly, and he could see why Maka's attention had been caught by them.

"I've seen prettier, but-" Before he could finish his sentence, a familiar feminine voice called out his name so loudly it had him stiffening. Maka had quickly pulled the crystals away from him, his grip on her forearm tightening.

"Soul!" The voice called out again, and suddenly, people were parting in front of them.

Sure enough, standing just a few feet in front of them was a short woman with dark brown hair. She was dressed in a simple brown dress, a few flowers dangling from her fingertips.

He relaxed at the sight, recognizing her quite easily.

"Jackie," He greeted calmly, a breath of relief escaping him. Jackie was a good friend of Oxfords. She had come around the guards quarters a couple of times, offering to help clean and repair things. When she was done, she always left a beautiful bouquet of flowers in the main room.

She also manned one of the stands here where she would sell flowers and sweets. Almost every day he had paid her a visit, grabbing a few sweets before his shift began with Kilik.

"What are you doing here?" She questioned, her eyes flickering to Maka. "I haven't seen you in like, a week, nor have i seen Kilik." She averted her gaze, meeting Souls eyes once more.

"Our posts were changed," he explained, his grip around Maka's arm loosening. "We're both working inside the castle now," He further elaborated. He's sure that Maka didn't miss the way Jackie's face screwed up like she had eaten a whole lemon.

"You? In the castle?" She laughed so hard that some flowers she had been holding slipped through her fingers. "Wow, Soul, stepping up in the world, are we? I could have recalled not that long ago you-"

He cuts her short, knowing exactly what she was going to bring up.

They had a conversation not long ago one morning when the townspeople had first started decorating. He had made an off-handed comment about how utterly spoiled royals were but honestly, out of all people in the world, he felt like he had a right to make the comment.

"Have I introduced you to my new friend?" He quickly changed the subject. At his side, Maka finally let go of his arm.

"No, you haven't," Jackie replies, turning her attention back on Maka.

And so, his lying began. "She's a new guard. I thought I would take her around the village on my day off," He speaks calmly. Lying didn't come hard; it was rather easy, but that didn't mean he didn't feel bad about it.

"Have you picked out a name yet?" Jackie humors, knowing how the guards around here worked.

"Oh- i haven't," maka is quick to reply, picking up on whatever scheme Soul was trying to pull. "It's nice meeting you though!" She extended her hand towards Jackie, who took it happily and shook it gently.

"It's nice meeting you too," She laughed, turning her attention back to Soul.

"Congrats on your promotion," She laughed, putting air quotations around the word promotion. "What's your new position? Door guarding?"

He weighed out his options. If he didn't tell her the truth now, she'd end up hearing it from Oxford, and then he truly would be in some deep shit. It would be very suspicious if she found out he was lying-but, if he told her the truth, she'd be even more concerned why he was given a day off.

He decided the second was the best option. If Oxford found out he was lying about his new position, he'd be concerned. It would make sense to keep it disclosed to the general public but not someone the guards considered a good friend.

"I wish," he laughed nervously, hoping it didn't offend Maka. "I'm actually a royal personal guard now?"

If Jackie had not looked completely floored earlier, she did now.

"Soul," She hissed through gritted teeth, taking a step closer to them. He felt Maka shift at his side, tucking herself behind his arm. "You said yes? What happened to all the crap you used to talk about- how you thought roy-"

Soul cuts her off rather quickly once again. "It doesn't matter anymore," He said sternly, "I didn't have a choice."

Jackie shuts her mouth quickly, crossing her arms over her chest. "Who picked you."

It wasn't a question.

"The Princess."

Her expression changes drastically. "That cutie?"

He can't stop himself from laughing when she dramatically grabs him by the forearm, motioning for him to follow her. Turning over to look at Maka, he grasped The Princess's hand, tugging her along after Jackie.

"Guess you're lucky then, I've heard good things!" She exclaimed, not asking the question Soul had been dreading for her to ask.

"She's alright," Soul confesses, refusing to turn around. They make it to Jackie's market stand rather quickly. She slips behind the stall, ducking under one of the cabinets.

"Flowers to celebrate, on me." She insisted, pulling two circular containers filled with flowers. "What color?"

"Blue, please."

In a matter of moments, she's extending a small bouquet of blue flowers, all of different shades, towards Soul. "Visit more often, okay?"

He takes the bouquet carefully. "Thank you Jackie, I will."

She waves them off rather quickly as people begin to walk up to her stall again. Easily, Soul finds himself wrapping his arm around Maka's as he tugs her down the path a little ways. They walk past several stalls before Soul finds a quiet space between two stalls and tugs Maka into the small alcove with him without warning.

"Woah!" Maka gasped at her arm." What was that all about, with Jackie?" Maka paused, watching as Soul fixed the hood on her head.

"She can be weird like that," Is all Soul says as he plucks one of the flowers from the bouquet. "She's not a fan of you know… the royals. I don't know why, but she's always taken a liking to you. Said you gave her different vibes wor whatever." Maka's eyes follow his movements, watching as Soul breaks the stem in half before presenting the flower to her.

"For you," He sighs before tucking the flower behind maka's ear. The Princess pauses, watching Soul's hands cautiously with dark eyes. The blue flower clashed with the dirty green hood, but he didn't pay much attention to it. The blue of the flower however, complimented Maka's bright green eyes nicely.

Soul doesn't know why he did it, doesn't know what impulses told him that doing that was okay, but it was too late to retreat from the action.

Maka's eyes finally flicker back up to his face, her eyebrows drawn down carefully. "Thank you?" She spoke, as if it was a question.

The sight before him brings forth a memory he hadn't thought about since he was seventeen, just a few weeks before he'd arrive in Eibon.

It was when he was with him, sitting in one of the many fields of Cinder with the moonlight shining down onto both of them. They were quiet for a while before he shifted, suddenly sitting in front of Soul. A dark green flower stuck out between his pointer finger and thumb as he waved it in front of Souls, a smile that reminded him of his childhood lingering on his face. "Sometimes, you remind me of a dream; a dream that's waiting to come true." And with that, he places the flower behind Souls ear, his warm fingers grazing his cheek.

The memory had Soul faltering. He felt a tremor in his hand as he dropped it back to his side.

Crimson red blood flashes before his eyes- snow a deep color of red.

He felt like puking as he took a step away from Maka, his stomach lurking at the memories that swirled through his head.

Maka looked at him concerningly, dropping her hands to her sides. "Soul? What's wrong?"

He shook his head.

Maka didn't need to know about his past.

"It's nothing." he insisted, rolling his hands into fists at his side. "Lets keep going."

For the rest of the day, he refuses to let his thoughts linger on the memories of his life before he became a guard. He knew that his nightmare was just faking him out. None of that mattered anymore; he wasn't the person he used to be anymore.

He didn't live that life anymore.

Maka seemed content after that as she happily tugged Soul along with him through the market stalls. She bought a couple more things too that Soul ended up carrying for her. There were two new books she had bought to add to her collection, a few oddly colored rocks, a dark blue and silver pendant, and a few hard candies.

And odd collection of items; but he didn't make any comments about it.

"Wait," Maka suddenly said from his side, pausing. She let go of Soul's arm, turning around just the slightest. "I changed my mind on something at the last stall- I'll be right back."

Before Soul can protest, she's already turning around through the crowd. He stays in place, stepping up on his tippy toes to watch as Maka rushed back to the stand they had just left. He kept his eyes on her carefully as Maka said something to the stall keep, exchanging something in her hands before turning back to Soul and making her way back in just a couple of moments.

A small leather pouch was clutched in her hand as she grabbed back onto Soul's arm.

"Want to head out of here and grab something to eat before we make it back to the castle?"

Maka nodded hesitantly. "I doubt the food would be any good- no offense- Kim makes the best recipes."

"Would it really be a day out of the castle without trying the commoner food?" Soul laughed, and Maka agreed with a sigh.

With that said, Soul brought Maka along with him to a place that he used to frequent before the whole "post change."