Marina stood in the balcony, gripping the railing tightly. She had a scowl on her face as she glared at particularly no one.

Marina heard some footsteps behind her, somebody cleared their throat once, twice, but Marina ignored it.

"Marina are you still angry with me?" Nathan asked while turning her body to face him.

Marina continued to ignore him and looked the other way.

"I take that as a yes," Nathan mutters to himself as Marina tries to wiggle out of his grip.

"I am sorry, Princess. Seriously, sorry," Nathan said while smiling apologetically.

"See, it was not my fault. When I saw you roaming around the market, I just lost it. I thought about all the mishaps that could have happened with you. I-"

"I had Ally by my side and I was disguised."

"That doesn't change the fact that you are a female, a woman whose considered nothing in our kingdom."

Marina winces at Nathan's comment, but decides to ignore it.

"How did you even recognize me?" Marina asked her voice barely audible.

"I can recognize you even if I have am blindfolded, market is a small place."

"How?"

"I guess the answer lies in your eyes."

"Whenever I look in them, I just know it's you. I feel like my whole world lies in them," Nathan thinks but quickly dismisses his thoughts.

While Nathan was lost in his thoughts, Marina pushed him away, freeing herself in the process.

"But what were you doing there in the market? I told you Alves is dangerous-"

"For me because I am a woman. A woman who should only stay confined within the four walls of her room, who should just dress up and sit like a doll, whose sole job is to listen to her husb- Lord," Marina snapped at Nathan.

"I never said-"

"So, what did your actions mean? I can understand you were shocked to see me at the market, but, that doesn't mean you get the right to drag me and-"

"But-"

"Don't cut me off. You said you never meant that, then what am I to understand from your actions? I am not an animal, you can't expect me to just stay inside this castle forever. Even, Brialle is allowed to-" Marina stops midway when she realizes just how close Nathan and she were.

Marina decides to pull away but Nathan had other plans. He grabs Marina by her waist making her collide on his chest.

"What-"

"I am sorry, I know my words and actions hurt you. I have no right to cage you or order you around. You can go wherever you want, but, you are my responsibility Marina and I was just looking out for you," Nathan whispers before leaving a confused Marina alone.

~An hour later ~

Marina was sitting on the armchair, trying to read a book. But, her mind kept replaying Nathan's words. While she was lost in her own thoughts, she felt someone's hand on her shoulder, startled she dropped the book.

"I am sorry, I had no intention of scaring you," Nathan apologized, picking up Marina's book from the floor.

"Here, wear this, quickly."

"But-"

"Just do so, no questions."
Reluctantly Marina agrees, taking the box from Nathan.

She wears the black hood and cape that Nathan had brought along with the blue shirt and black trousers. Lastly, she wrapped the black scarf around her mouth to conceal her face.

"Good, now come with me," Nathan said while grabbing Marina's hand and dragging her to the back door of the castle.

"Why are you dressed like that?" Marina asked Nathan who was also wearing same clothes like her, though they were brown instead of black.

"You will know soon," Nathan said while smiling.

"Where-"

"Shhsh," Nathan cuts off Marina and quickly climbs on his horse, gesturing Marina to do the same.

As soon as Marina sat, Nathan quickly rode the horse. The scene made them recall one of their meetings, when Marina had escaped through her window, only to be brought back by Nathan.

After about twenty five minutes, Nathan slowed down.

"This is...market?"

"Yes, I spoiled your trip, so, the best way to compensate for it was to give you a tour of it."

"So, Prince Nathanial Verdirosi will be my tour guide?" Marina asked while smirking.

"Only for you Princess," Nathan mutters to himself as Marina jumps down from the horse.

"What about Aberto?"

"Aberto? You know his name?" Nathan asks while climbing down from his horse, Aberto.

"Yes."

"He will just roam around in the forests, while we explore the market."

"So, from where do we start?" Nathan asks Marina.

After going through many shops, Nathan and Marina were roaming around the outskirts, when they heard a scream. Rushing forward, Marina tried to trace down the direction of the voice.

"EMILY!!" Marina screamed as her eyes landed on the little girl, who was loosely hanging from the branch of a tall tree.

"Wait-" Marina cuts off herself when she sees Emily's grip loosening on the branch.

Marina leapt forward, just in time, to catch Emily.

"Are..you...hurt?" Marina asked the little girl while panting.

"No, thank you Marina."

"What are you doing here? I have told you forests are dangerous, don't wander here alone." Marina scolds the six year old brunette.

I have heard this line somewhere else also. But where? Yes, from Prince Nathanial. He was also worried for you, but you just lashed out at him. Marina's inner voice mocks her.

"You are right-"

I know, I am always right. Marina's inner voice replies, cutting Marina off midway.

Before Marina could answer back her inner voice, Emily speaks up.

"I am sorry."

"Sorry to interrupt, but, how do the two of you know each other?' Nathan asked, eyeing Marina and Emily.

"Marina comes to teach me and other girls everyday."

Before Marina could stop, Emily spilled all the beans

"What?"

"I will explain, but, let's first drop her home." Nathan nods following Marina and Emily.

After dropping Emily, who had befriended Nathan in no time, Nathan and Marina continued to silently walk in the forest, till they reached the lake.

"Roll up your sleeves."

"What?" Marina asked not moving an inch.

Nathan gently grabbed Marina's right arm and rolled the sleeves, only to reveal a cut around which blood had dried. He took out his handkerchief, wetting it with water and gently dabbing it on the cut.

"Tsk..." Marina winced.

"You should have thought about it before jumping to save Emily."

"You noticed the cut?"

"Yes," Nathan answered while cleaning the dried blood.

"So, that's why you were at the market. You teach these girls? Why?"

"Yes, I teach those girls and I will not stop, even if you want me to. Everyone has an equal right on education and knowledge. Therefore, I decided to teach them."

"Good," Nathan remarked while tying his handkerchief around the cut.

"What?"

"You are doing a good work, teaching those girls and my sister."

"What? How do you know?"

"My sister tells me everything," Nathan answered while smiling as he sat down beside Marina.

"So, you taught Cathy the basics?"

"Yes I did, I also believe in equality. Besides, my sister is a wonderful kid, a great learner, she grasps things in a flick of a finger," Nathan replied while grinning at the memory of his teaching lessons with Cathy.

"That I cannot disagree on. So, you have no problem with me teaching those kids?"

"No, as long as you promise to be safe and have Ally accompany you."

"I promise."

"Then-"

"Thank you so much Nathan!!" Marina squealed cutting off Nathan and hugging him tightly.

Nathan stiffens at this sudden contact, but, soon hugs her back. Immediately the smell of lavender hits his nose.

"Marina's hair," Nathan mumbled to himself.

As the two sat in each other's embrace, Nathan thought how Marina was affecting so many lives, how she was changing the future of the future generation.

After the momentary excitement was gone, Marina realized what she had done (hugged Nathan) and quickly pulled away. She looked at the ground to hide the blush that was now creeping on her cheeks. While Nathan chuckles at Marina's reaction.

"Come on, Princess, time to go home," Nathan said while holding Marina's hand in his.

"Wait, I want to say something," Marina said, stopping Nathan.

"What happened? Is your hand paining too much?" Nathan asked Marina, his voice reflecting his concern.

"No, my hand is fine."

"Then what?"

"I-Uh wanted to apologize to you," Marina said, looking at the ground.

"For what?"

"For lashing out at you earlier. You were just protecting me and henceforth you acted that way. I am so sorry, I was really rude and I shouldn't have lied to you. I know it's a bad thing to lie, you shouldn't forgive me-" Marina continues to ramble when suddenly Nathan pulls her towards himself, caging her between his arms.

Then lowering his mouth towards Marina's ears, he whispers,"You know Princess, I find your rambling really cute. But, I hate it when you depreciate yourself."

Marina's breath hitches as Nathan's hot breathe fans her earlobe, but, the two continue to stand in each other's embrace.

Finally, finding her voice back, Marina looks up to meet Nathan's gaze, before asking,"So, you forgive me?"

"I was never angry with you. It was my fault and you had every right to be angry. Now, can we go back?" Nathan asks while pulling away from Marina and instead holding her hands in his, as the two walked back to the castle after their little adventure.
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Hello dear readers!!
"El Destino's" on 11th rank in historical fiction. I am so so so happy. THANKS a lot to all my lovely readers and friends for their amazing support.❤❤😍😍😍😊😊😆😆❤❤

So, what do you think of Maran? What are your thoughts about Marina's teaching lessons, aka, social work?

Till the next update, keep shining ;)

- Love Addy :)

P.S. Picture of Nathan's sword right at the start of the chapter. 😊