9

"That- is crazy," Althea exhaled as I finish my story about the invasion.

I laid down on the carpet we settled and sighed. "I told you. The world is giving me everything lately."

She laid beside me and said, "By everything, you mean Noah too?"

I stiffened and she laughed. "Don't tease me like that. Nothing is going on between us," I explained.

Why is she even having those thoughts? I haven't even spoke about Noah yet and she only saw him once! And it was while he was serving us food!

"Eh- don't put it that way. I didn't even say it like that." and she teased me even more.

She laughed and I laughed too, but then I felt my chest tighten that I had to place my hand on it.

She suddenly stopped. "Are you okay? Is it the wound?" She softly asked.

I smiled at her. "It’s like some side effects. I guess the wound was too deep after all. It was weird for it to miraculously heal so fast."

She hugged me lightly. "I guess we can spoil the little details from now on."

 Suddenly, there was a knock from the door. We stood and straightened our night gowns before Althea opened the door.

"Please excuse me, Your Highness, but it is time for Princess Ruthy to head back to her room," Sir Angelo said with a bow.

"Aw, you have to leave already?" Althea complained with a pout.

I giggled and squeezed her cheeks. "I sometimes forget you're a year older than me, Althea. Good night."

I grabbed my robe from the rack then went outside with Sir Angelo. It was already 9:47 in the evening, and it was the usual time where we all head to bed, so the hall was quiet.

"How are you feeling, Your Highness?" Sir Angelo silently asked. He's still addressing me that even when we’re alone.

"The wound is slightly making me uncomfortable, but no pain at all," I casually said.

I heard him sigh. "Please be careful next time."

I stopped when I was in front of my room.

I smiled at him. "I will. Good night, Sir Angelo."

"Good night, Your Highness." He opened the doors for me then left.

--

"Ruthy..."

"Ruthy...!"

I wiped my eyes and stood. What? I looked at my window and it was still dark. Is someone calling me?

Suddenly, someone threw a stone at my window and I flinched.

"What in the world..."

I went to the window and peeked. At first, I saw no one, but then I saw a silhouette just beneath my window.

"Thomas...?"

I leaned closer and huh- what do you know....it is Thomas.

"What are you doing?!" I mouthed and he laughed. He motioned for me to come down.

I wore my robe and when I went out. When I first stepped out, a guard was outside my door. The lights on the halls were dimmed but the shine from the moon that went through the tall windows lit up the floor.

"Is there a problem, Your Highness?" He asked.

Oh shoot. I forgot there would be guards at post every time. I weaved my hair then cleared my throat. "I- uh- I'm just going to get a glass of milk. I can't seem to sleep." I made an excuse.

"Would you like me to accompany you, Your Highness?"

I almost choked. I cleared my throat again. "No! I- mean, it’s okay." I insisted and whew, he didn't try to resist. I immediately went down the stairs to the garden, but when I was just about to turn to the hall where the door to the garden is, I saw Sir Saint by the door.

"What?" I silently exclaimed. If Saint was by the door, how did Thomas manage to go out?

I turned and thought of a distraction for Saint. I noticed a chair just by the end of the stairs, so I kicked it then ran to the other side to hide. When I noticed Saint fixing the chair, I silently ran barefoot to the garden.

"Thomas!" I half-whispered, half-shouted.

"Hey!" came someone who carried me by my waist from my back. I almost screamed!

Then I heard him laugh. When he placed me down, I punched his shoulder.

"Ow." He teased with a grin.

"What are you doing here?!" I demanded.

"I can't sleep. I was thinking about what my Dad said during dinner," He explained then rubbed the back of his head.

I sighed and crossed my arms. "So, you're bothered by it too, huh? Well, if you don't want to, why can't you just refuse it?" I asked.

"I wouldn't mind marrying you, Your Highness," He teased again and I jokingly kicked his ankle.

He laughed, but then stopped. "I'm just not really ready, I think. To be the King," He silently said.

I looked at him. Maybe this is why he changed. He was finally feeling the pressure of being suitable for marriage. Thomas and Althea are in the same age, but Althea is just months older, and besides, she's already in a relationship. I guess, he's just as worried as I am.

"So am I. I'm still clueless of everything. I don't even know if I'm fit to be Queen, you know. What if the people don't like me? What if I can't do things right?"

I felt his hand on my shoulder. "Hey, hey. What are you saying? You're going to do amazing! You're tough and smart," He complimented.

I giggled. "For a second you were sulking there, huh?" I teased and he chuckled.

"Is someone there?"

We both froze in our places. I immediately pulled him to the wall on our back, accidentally stepping on some flowers and other plants on the grass.

"Darn, Mom is going to kill me," I whispered. I noticed the ray of light searching by the fountain and I stiffened. Suddenly, there were soft hands by my waist, supporting my weight. I looked up and saw Thomas looking at me.

"Why are you so tense?" He whispered with a smile. I bit my lip. What is he trying to do? I looked down when I felt my face get hot. Oh no no no...don't tell me I'm feeling shy? What’s this embarrassing attitude?

"I think he's gone," Thomas whispered. I turned and saw that the ray of light was now gone.

"We should head back," I suggested then pushed myself away from him. I just can't stand being pinned against his chest anymore, he might feel the pounding of my heart. Why am I even acting like this…?

That's when I felt something on my ankle, something climbing.

"Eeck!" I shrieked. I lost my balance, and when I was about to fall, I accidentally pulled Thomas with me. Can I disappear for now?.......I can never be more embarrassed than this! Thomas was laying on my chest with his face on my shoulder. I can just feel the shock on his face right now.

"I- I'm deeply sorry, Thomas! I didn't mean to pull you!" I immediately apologized.

I heard him chuckle. "It's okay. You are still so clumsy, aren't you?"

When he was about to stand, we were blinded by light.

"Y-your Highness?"

We both turned and saw someone pointing at us with a flashlight. My face stiffened. My eyes widened and my mouth flew open. I felt speechless and motionless.

"S-sir Angelo! I- I can explain. This isn't what you think it is!" I immediately fired back.

Thomas stood then pulled me with him.

"Are you alright?" Thomas asked. He didn't seem to be bothered by Angelo at all!

"Pardon us, Sir, we were just having a talk," Thomas casually said while rubbing his pants.

"It's 3 in the morning, Your Highness," Sir Angelo said.

"Is there a problem? We were both awake, anyway," Thomas replied. I pinched him on the back. What did he mean 'we were both awake'? He was throwing stones at my window, for goodness' sake.

Sir Angelo didn't seem to buy it at all, but he didn't push it. "Fair enough, let me escort you both back inside, Your Highness'."

I was feeling so awkward between them when Thomas suddenly placed his arm on my shoulder.

"What are you doing?" I whispered at him. Oh my gosh, Angelo is just beside me.

He just chuckled. "Might as well practice, future fiance."

My back stiffened. I can't believe he called me that with Angelo beside me. I can't believe this is happening. I can't believe Angelo saw that. I can't believe this-