The Runaway Crown

Zeena

“Do you have to stand there, you look like a creep.” Ariella says, rolling her eyes at me.

Ariella is relaxing in the garden, sitting on a bench near the flowers, meanwhile I'm standing three feet from her, staying aware of our surroundings.

She folds her arms over her purple dress corset top, the purple matches her eyes, purple eyes run in the royal family here. Her long straight platinum blonde hair sways in the wind.

“It's my job, Your Highness.”

“To look like a creep?” She asks, I sigh, Ariella is a wild card, she likes to be independent and hates that she can't be.

“Basically,” I say with a shrug, Ariella rolls her eyes again but I sew a faint smile tug at her lips that are painted a bright red.

“You're insufferable, you know? Never a moment of peace with you around.”

“I'm assigned to you personally, I take my job very seriously, it's an important job.” I say, this isn't the first time we've had this conversation and I'm sure it's not the last.

“Blah, blah, protecting this, watching this, safety blah, blah, blah.” Ariella complains, I sigh.

“It's for your own good, Your Highness.” I try to explain, she huffs in response.

“No one's attempted to hurt me since I was twelve.” She says.

“That's because after that you were given more safety measures, and better knights.”

“Like you?” She says.

“I'm one of the best.” I admit, I may sound full of myself but it's simply a fact.

“Has your ego always been so big?” She asks, but she's smiling, I faintly smile back.

“No, not until I was able to beat every knight I trained with, and was assigned as the Crown Princesses special knight, in charge of protecting the future queen at only twenty-one years old.” I told her.

“Only two years older than me, yet my babysitter.” She complains, I can't help the laugh that escapes my lips.

“Babysitter?” I chuckle, amused.

“Basically,” Ariella frowns, she then stands up and takes another look around the garden. “I'm tired of the same scenery, I want to explore and travel.” She says wistfully.

“I apologize that you cannot.” I say, truly feeling guilty that she can't, simply because she was born first, and into a royal family.

“Have you done a lot of traveling?” She asks me, turning to look at me.

“A bit, not for pleasure though, I did enjoy the scenery wherever I went but it was always for training, guard training and work.” I told her.

“Better than being stuck in the same place forever, never allowed a moment alone.” Ariella says mournfully, I don't know what to say and decide to say nothing, she just looks at me her purple eyes piercing.

“Let's go back in, it's getting close to dinner.” Ariella says, walking past me back to the castle, I trail behind.

Ariella heads to one of the sitting rooms, where her younger sister is sitting by a window looking out, her knight and my close friend Sage standing beside her.

Ariellas sister Amara has almost the same face, the same freckles under her eyes and over her nose, the same royal purple eyes of course, and the facial features themselves are very similar. The main difference is her hair, it's cut to her shoulders and is wavy, it's also a dark blonde, and she is just about an inch shorter than Ariella, they're very close as well since they're only two years apart, which is how me and Sage became so close. Sage is standing beside Amara, she has dyed Teal curly short hair which is a bright contrast from her dark olive skin, I give her a nod when she notices us come in and she nods back.

Amara turns to see Ariella come in, her smile wide.

“Ariella, I saw you out in the garden!” Amara says pointing out the window where you can see where we were.

“My peaceful place, minus the stalker.” Ariella thumbs over pointing to me, Amara laughs.

“Tell me about it, I can't even sit at this window without Sage two feet from me.” Sh sighs, glancing over at Sage who's smiling faintly.

“Now we got two people hovering over us.” Ariella says to Amara as she sits down next to her by the window, they laugh, Sage and I smile.

One of the maids comes in to tell us it's time for dinner, Sage and I follow Ariella and Amara to the dining hall, only to see an unfamiliar face at one of the seats, a man who looks to be about Ariellas age. He has dark brown skin and eyes to match, he looks very tall and is dressed like a royal, he's got curly black hair that's gelled to stay neat.

Ariella stops and crosses her arms, looking at her parents who sit at the ends of the table.

“Another suitor?” Ariella complains, the man in question looks around nervously, clearly unaware Ariella didn't know he was coming.

Ariella is nineteen, and her parents have been pushing for her to get married, having her meet with Princes nearby to also secure a good royal ally, Ariella who has never shown interest in anyone ever, has been very displeased with her parents sneak attempts to meet these suiters. The man stands up to introduce himself.

“I'm Prince Ezra, of Culin.” He says Ariella seems uninterested and waves her hand dismissively.

“I'm Ariella, I'm sure you know.”

“Ariella!” The King bellows, I see the slight flinch she does from his level of volume, she sighs and bows, lifting her dress to do.

“I'm Princess Ariella, of Florence, pleased to make your acquaintance.” She says monotoned, the King sighs heavily and turns to Ezra.

“I apologize for her initial behavior, she hasn't been very open to suiters.” He explains.

“It's okay, Your Majesty, meeting strangers with the intent of marrying them can be off-putting.” Ezra admits, Ariella says nothing as she sits down across from him, Sage and I are awkwardly standing against the wall, even Amara sits looking down, clearly uncomfortable. We should be used to it, Ariella being set up and her being angry only to reluctantly be respectful for the duration of the visit before turning them down, often with the King having to yell at her to at least entertain the possibility of finding a partner.

“Knights,” The King says, Sage and I look at him, standing to attention. “You can be dismissed, eat your own meals and return in an hour.” He commands, we bow and take our leave. 

We usually eat when they eat but always have to wait to be dismissed, Sage and I head to the knights quarters to eat.

“Do you think Her Highness will ever pick a suiter?” Sage says, I shrug.

“With Her Highness, it's hard to tell.” I admit.

We get to the quarters and get our dinner, the other knights are eating theirs, Sage and I sit with Naoki.

“Guess what happened at dinner again?” Sage says to Naoki.

“Another suitor?” Naoki says with a smile.

“And of course Her Highness expressed her disdain of the idea.” Sage explains, Naoki laughs.

“Never a dull day with the Princesses, huh?” They say, taking a bit of their meal, I laugh.

“That, I agree with.” I admit, though I don't mind being Ariellas knight, she's a bit of a troublemaker but she's good, and definitely keeps me on my toes.

“We just ran laps all day.” Naoki says, sighing heavily, clearly exhausted.

“Ew, I much prefer being a personal knight.” Sage says.

“Not all of us get that lucky.” Naoki points out.

“Or is as good as us.” I say, winking, they both laugh.

“True, and in particular why no one likes you, but Naoki and I of course.” Sage admits.

“Have to be if you want to protect the future Queen.” I say.

“So how's your boyfriend?” Sage asks Naoki, Naoki smiles.

“As sweet as ever, he recently moved outside the castle so he can be close by, and see me more often even though I stay here.” They say.

We all chat and eat while watching the clock. When Sage and I head back to the dining hall, we stand in front of the entrance archway until the King officially beckons us in. I'm not sure what happened but it's clear something did, Ariellas eyes look wet and looks like she's been crying, Ezra looks like a sad puppy, Amara picks at her empty plate with her fork, and the King's face looks faintly red as if he's been yelling, The Queen is sitting quietly as she usually is but she does look unsettled.

“Ariella, Amara, you're dismissed, Ariellas Knight,” The King looks to me, “Take her to her room and keep her there for the remainder of the night, she will not leave until the morning.” He tells me, I nod and bow.

Ariella quickly stands up, her chair creaks on the wooden floors. Without even looking at the rest of the table or excusing herself properly she just starts heading to her room, I follow behind. She's quiet the entire walk to her room, when we get to her room Vivian, her head maid, is already waiting in the room, Ariella runs to Vivian and hugs her, Vivian hugs her back.

“Oh, sweetie, was it another suitor?” Vivian asks her while rubbing her hand on her back reassuringly, Ariellas head bobs yes.

“Was he yelling?” Vivian asks softly, Ariella again nods and Vivian just holds her for a couple minutes before Ariella pulls away.

Vivian hands her a handkerchief to blow her nose and she wipes away her tears with a towel, Ariella turns to face me. Her eyes are red and puffy, tears still running down her cheeks quietly.

“You're dismissed.” She says, I bow and head to my room that shares a door with her room. I sleep next door in case of an emergency but the regular knights stay stationed outside her door and her maid helps her get ready. At night I'm dismissed but have to stay in the room in case she needs me. It's much better than the kights bed chambers, I have a full sized bed that's actually comfortable, fluffy pillows and blankets and a nightstand, I even have my own bathroom. I pick a book from my nightstand to re-read, I don't go to sleep until Ariella goes to sleep.

The maid comes in to wake me up when The Princess gets up, while she bathes so do I. I'm quicker though, in five minutes I'm done and getting dressed and ready.

I tie my long wavy hair into double braids, it's black down to my ears and then is dyed gray below that. When I'm all ready I stand outside Ariellas room waiting to be summoned, I stand for a while since it's usually more of a process for her to gst ready. When she is all done though the maid knocks on the door to summon me, I enter.

“Morning, Your Highness.” I say, Ariella still looks down from yesterday's events.

“Morning, Zeena.” She responds tiredly.

“Let's go to breakfast.” I say, I see her clearly nervous to see The King again, but when we get to the dining hall there is only The Queen and her sister, The Queen looks up at Ariella.

“His Majesty is busy, he's eating breakfast in his office.” She reassures Ariella, Ariella nods and sits down, seeming more relaxed.

“You can be dismissed.” The Queen says to Sage and I, Sage was already here first with Amara and standing beside me, we bow and head to the knights quarters.

Naoki is already at our usual table, they look exhausted, their short light brown hair looks messy, and when we sit down they look up to see Sage and I, their hazel eyes squinting up at us, bags right underneath.

“Rough night?” I ask them, raising an eyebrow.

“I got a letter from Aspen, it was a sweet letter. I just miss him a lot, it's been three months since I've been able to see him.” They say, talking about their boyfriend, Sage puts a reassuring hand over Napkins.

“I'm sorry, hun, do you know when you get your next break?” Sage asks, Naoki shrugs.

“No, and I don't want to ask, that usually ends with a lecture and more laps.” They complain.

“Hopefully you can get a break soon, if it's been three months you should not have too much longer before it's offered.” I say, Naoki nods.

“You're right, I just have to try to not think too much about it.”

We finish eating and head back to the dining hall.

“I'd like to go to the library.” Ariella says to me.

“Okay, let's go.” I say, following her to the library.

We get to the library and she sits down, looking up at me.

“You never got to ask what happened at dinner yesterday.” She says.

“It's not my business, and I can take a guess. If you wish to tell me or complain I'll listen but I'm not gonna press for you to tell me anything.” I explain, she smiles.

“Aren't you a good little knight. I would like to rant, will you sit with me and drop the formalities while I tell it though? It feels like therapy if you just stand there silently listening, waiting for my next command.” Ariella says, I can't help but laugh.

“A therapist, huh?” I joke, sitting down across from her. 

It feels weird to drop formalities but its also nice, feels like we're just a couple of friends instead of her being the Crown Princess and me just being the knight assigned to her. And sitting across from her makes me take her in a little more, she really is very pretty. Her facial features are soft, the red painted lips bringing attention to how full they are, her purple eyes are the most striking feature and are beautiful. She has freckles that go over her nose and under her eyes which are adorable. I shouldn't be thinking about her like that and especially not thinking of her as adorable. I try to clear my head and focus back at what she's saying.

“Dad just won't drop it, he's been having me meet a suitor about every other week, the guy was nice enough but I want to fall in love, not just marry someone and hope I eventually do.” She says, exasperated.

“Not one's ever caught your interest? You've met about six so far, including Prince Ezra.” I ask.

“Maybe it's just the fact I'm meeting them with the intent of finding a husband. What if I don't fall in love with any of them? Will I be stuck settling because I happened to be born first and need to marry to carry out the family line.” She complains, she brushes over not being intrested in them though as if she expects it.

Ariellas has never been a fan of the idea of becoming Queen, she often complains that Amara should've been born first since she actually likes royal life, and has mentioned she wished she was going to be Queen. Ariella talks of wanting to escape and travel, a minimalist just enjoying life, I can't imagine what it's like to have your life chosen for you. To be unable to travel freely.

“I'm sorry, it does sound awful to be stuck in this life.” I admit, her eyes got wet.

“It does, and when I told my dad I didn't want to marry Ezra, he started yelling about how I never want to marry anyone. Yelling about how I was a disappoitment and about how I have a royal duty, that I am lucky to be born as a Crown Princess and people dream of this. But if that's the case, why can't they be Queen? Why can't Amara, she's only twice years younger and she would actually want to.” Ariella says.

“It's a silly rule that it goes to the oldest, I think as long as they're part of the Royal Family it shouldn't matter.” I agree. Tears welled in Ariellas eyes and started to fall. I've gotten so relaxed without thinking I reached my hand up to wipe away her tears, as I would with my friends.

As soon as I'm doing it I pause while my hand is still on her face, ashamed I forgot my place, Ariella doesn't move though, she just stares at me, her crying has stopped and her eyes are just staring into mine, I drop my hand, a blush rushing up my cheeks.

“I apologize, I forgot my place, I grew too relaxed.” I say, standing up to bow, too scared to look at her, afraid she's weirded out, but she laughs. I raise my eyebrows surprised and look up at her, she's smiling wide.

“I much prefer it when you forget your place, you should do so more often, it makes you more pleasant to be around. I have enough people bowing at my feet, it's nice to be treated like a normal person.” She says, I shake my head.

“If caught ever treating you like that, The King would have me banished. Especially if I touched you, even if I drop formalities I should never touch you.” I say, I sit back down across from her though. If it helps her, I can be more relaxed, but I cannot touch her again.

“What if I want you to?” She whispers, looking deeply into my eyes, I'm thrown off.

“What are you even talking about?” I responded, she couldn't possibly be saying that in the way it sounds, she shakes her head.

“Nevermind. Will you at least drop formalities sometimes though? It felt really nice to be treated like a person, when we're alone can you be like this?” She says, waving her hand to point out me sitting down. “Like this, not at attention awkwardly standing next to me, talking to me like we're friends, you could even use my name.” She suggests.

“Everything but your name is okay, if it makes you feel better I'll do the rest, we can be relaxed, but I could possibly use just your name.” I say, appalled at the thought, everyone knows you don't do that, at least not without Princess in front of it.

“You're being silly, it's just a name, I'm just a person.” Ariella says, looking annoyed, I take a deep breath and sigh.

“It just feels inappropriate, as a knight it's ingrained into you to make sure to never make the mistake of calling Royals by names without formality.” I explain to her, and honestly I need the reminder she's a Princess. That's because she's untouchable, because she really is quite beautiful and sweet. I worry that if I forget formalities I'll get too close to her, and think about her in ways I never can.

“Let's just start slow, okay? It's a lot for me to drop formalities at all, with how I've been trained and the fact I would be punished if caught is already a big step for me.” I try to explain, though I don't plan to ever just use her name, Ariella sighs.

“I suppose this is a good enough start, I'm just tired of all of this, the older I get the more I realize I'll never get to be normal.” She says, looking hopeless.

“I'll be more relaxed in private, I'm sorry you don't get to experience life to the fullest.” I say, truly sorry for her, she nods.

“Thanks,” She says, then she stands, “I'd like to read now though, but please stay seated while I do, not just stand per usual watching me.” She points her finger at me like she's lecturing me, I can't help but smile.

“Yes, Your Highness.” I respond, she rolls her eyes clearly annoyed with the fact I refuse to use her name, but she says nothing else and grabs a book to read.

Much later after dinner I'm sitting across from Ariella in the sitting room, she's staring out the window wistfully before turning to me, looking serious.

“Will you train me how to fight?” She asks, I shake my head, this girl's gonna get me in trouble.

“Why would you need that? And that's not something we could do very sneakily, The King would lose it.” I say, she huffs in response.

“Because I feel like it. I should know how to protect myself, even if I have knights and you, it's good to know, it's also a great way to spend my time. What if I talk to him about it?” She suggests.

“I don't think that'd end well for me.” I admit.

“I'll tell him it was my idea, that I'm interested in it and for my safety, and want it to be you since you're my personal knight, and one of the best at that. Since you're a women I doubt he'd be too bothered.” She says, I flinch.

Of course, no one thinks too much about two women, it's not like it's banned or frowned upon, just not common, I'm not common.

“Okay, I'll let one of the maids know you want to request an audience with him.” The idea of training her has me nervous, but His Majesty will surely say no.

He did not say no.

Ariella came out of his office I was waiting outside, practically skipping, she gave me the widest smile and I felt my stomach drop. There's no way he'd say yes to that, to me training his Crown Princess how to fight of all things, but whatever she said seemed to work, because she informs me he agreed.

“He said yes! When can we start? I want to learn hand to hand combat, how to shoot a bow, and use a sword.” She says excitedly, I swallow hard.

“Hand to hand combat is what we'll start with, the rest seems extreme for you to learn but we can discuss it later. Are you sure about this though?” I ask, hoping she'll say nevermind, I should know by now though that when Ariellas made up her mind it's not easily swayed. I just can't imagine why she'd feel the sudden need for this.

“Of course, of course. When can we start?” She asks.

            “It's late and you should really be heading to bed, as should I, after breakfast tomorrow we can start, I'll let your maid know to inform the tailor you'll need clothes to practice in.” I say, if she's so determined there's no changing her mind, and if The King said yes I can't just avoid it now. I just don't want to be spending so much social time with her, especially when touching will be involved. I can't risk getting feelings, so far I have not but I can see myself falling in that direction, and that could never end well.

“Yay!” She says excited, practically jumping.

“Yeah, yeah, let's go to bed, Your Highness.” I say, we head to her room and I leave her with her maid, informing her of the outfit she'll need for tomorrow, and then I go to bed myself.