.·:*¨༺ ༻¨*:·.
NOLAN

WHAT JUST HAPPENED? The more I think about that person, the more my head throbs painfully. Is that person a real thief? But what baffles me the most is why she continues to call for Princess Annalyn while tossing pebbles at her bedroom window.

"Patawad Prince Nolan," the guards said when they came back. "pero hindi po namin nahanap 'yong magnanakaw."

I sighed, nodding at them. "Don't mention about this to the King and Queen."

"Masusunod po." sagot nila bago sila umalis para mag-bantay ulit sa royal castle.

I couldn't see that person's face clearly, so I'm not sure whether I've seen that person before or not. Or if she's Princess Annalyn's friend, but I doubt it... Because why would she visit the princess in the middle of the night and throw pebbles at her window desperately?

And if it weren't for the flowery misty scent I smelt emanating from that person and how tiny her wrist was when I grabbed her, I would have assumed she was a man because of how fast she runs and the way she moves. She's wearing a mask and her hoodie covers much of her head and face, making it difficult to identify her.

As I make my way back to my bedroom for the night, I ponder whether I should question Princess Annalyn about this incident. Being born as a curious person is not a good thing since I know I won't be able to sleep well tonight.

I wanted to ask Princess Annalyn, but I hadn't seen her today at all, hence my stay at Royal Castle. King Phelan had said that Princess Annalyn had been running errands all day but would undoubtedly be there for tomorrow's royal engagement celebration, so I didn't ask anymore question about her whereabouts.

"How come you're still fully awake, Prince Nolan?" Queen Guinevere, the Queen of Alcadia, asked when I saw her in the hallway on my way back to my room. Her eyes narrowed at me suspiciously. I didn't expect to see her at this time of the night, as I assumed they went to bed early after our dinner not too long ago.

I gracefully gave my curtsy to the queen, bowing my head as a sign of respect, before meeting her gaze with a smile. "I merely walked outdoors for some fresh air, Queen Guinevere."

"Ohh," she said, nonchalantly nodding her head.

"I'm sorry if seeing me wandering about the castle freely bothers you,"

"Oh no! It's all right." She smiled at me, but I could still feel the intensity of her gaze on me. I couldn't tell what she was thinking since the queen usually has a pleasant smile plastered on her face. She's kind to me, but I'm not sure... something has been bothering me since my family introduced me to the Queen and King of Alcadia. To Princess Annalyn. My fiance. My soon-to-be wife. The chosen princess for my marriage.

"Goodnight, Queen Guinevere." I bid my goodbye.

"Sleep well, Prince Nolan Edmund. You still have a party to attend tomorrow." Binigyan niya ako nang tipid pero makahulugang ngiti bago ako dumiretso pabalik sa kwarto.

A brisk breeze blew through my room as I forgot to close my bedroom window. It's nearly winter, the season when a prince and a princess from distant towns generally marry as a symbol of the two towns' unity. And, unfortunately, it was me and the only princess of Alcadia who was destined to marry this time.

At first, nang sabihin sa'kin ng mga magulang ko ang tungkol dito ay hindi na ako nagulat pa dahil ganitong-ganito rin ang nangyari sa nakakatanda kong kapatid na babae. The only Princess of Glandier was fixed for marriage to the Prince of Walburg. The only difference is that my sister was already good friends with the Prince of Walburg, and it was easier for her, until they both fell in love as they tied the knot.

However, in my case... I've never met the princess that I'm going to marry until a few days ago. But I have no qualms about her as she seems really nice. As I observe, she has a bubbly personality. She has a beautiful smile that radiates like sunshine, and I feel at ease talking with her. So, I thought to myself... She may not be the woman that I chose, but at least I can work on getting to know her and maybe fall in love with her eventually.

Growing up, my family has already trained and told us about this arrangement a thousand times, as if they were embedding in our minds that we have no choice but to marry the person that they chose for us.

It is unfair. Injustice. You have no freedom to choose when you are part of a royal family, but I will not trade my family for anything in this world. I love them and I respect them, truly. But I'm still hoping that someday, somehow, I will be free... and get to choose the things that I really want for myself.

##

When I awoke, the light was beaming brightly on my face. I was so engrossed in my thoughts last night that I didn't even realize I'd fallen asleep. As I rolled out of bed to do my daily stretching, I let out a groan.

Ilang oras pa at gaganapin na ang engagement party namin ni Princess Annalyn. I just hope they wouldn't rush our wedding too much. Dahil gusto ko pang mas kilalanin si Princess Annalyn. Marami pa akong gustong itanong sakaniya, lalo na ang tungkol sa babaeng naghahanap sakaniya kagabi.

I've decided not to judge that woman last night and assume she is a thief. I don't want to cause any commotion either, because this is not my town. I'd rather keep things peaceful. But I still put a mental note in my head to ask Princess Annalyn about the woman when I see her later today.

I am not feeling excited or anything about today's royal engagement party. I just assume that everything going on in my life right now makes my parents happy, therefore I must comply.

I could hear people discussing within the Royal Castle, busily planning and making sure everything is in order for today's celebration.

Marami pa namang oras bago ang engagement party mamaya kaya hindi ko muna isinuot ang damit na nakahanda na para sa'kin mamaya. Pagkatapos kong maligo, naisipan kong kumatok sa kabilang kwarto para yayain mag-almusal si Princess Annalyn at nagbabakasakaling nandito na siya. Pero makailang katok na ako ay wala akong natanggap na sagot mula sakaniya, kaya dumiretso nalang ako papunta sa dining hall.

The Royal Castle of Alcadia is enormous, and I did my best not to get lost on my way to the dining hall. There are several massive wood doors that lead to various locations around the castle. The mahogany and medieval decor make the castle seem warm and cozy.

I reached for the door handle that I assumed would lead my way to the dining hall, when it opened, and a woman's head bumped against my chest with a loud thud.

"I'm sorry," My hand automatically held her waist to steady her balance.

"Oww!" she whimpered, caressing her forehead.

My eyes narrowed at the woman before our gazes met. A familiar scent filled my lungs, and my eyes slowly widened in realization. The flowery, misty scent gave it away.

I swallowed. Her soft, pitch-black eyes were staring back at me. She's still wearing a mask that covers half of her face, but I'm more certain now that she really is a woman!

"Bitaw!" She pushed against my chest before giving me a cold glare.

"Anong ginagawa mo dito?"

"None of your business." she said before turning her back on me.

"It is my business." I held her wrist again, stopping her from leaving.

"Bakit ka ba hawak nang hawak sa'kin! Bitaw sabi!" she hissed, still glaring at me. But I didn't let her hand go. Instead, I held her wrist tighter, but not to the point I'm hurting her.

"Who are you?"

"I'm nobody," she replied. A soft chuckle left my mouth. Her icy glare at me became darkened.

"Well, Miss Nobody, you can't be here."

"Okay." sagot niya. Sandaling kumunot 'yong noo ko. Tinaasan niya ako ng isang kilay bago tumingin sa kamay ko na nakahawak pa rin sakaniya.

"Sorry," I apologized before releasing her hand, but I instantly regretted my action since she started running away from me as soon as I let her go. So fast. My feet froze on the ground, and I couldn't believe what had just happened.

"Prince Uto-uto!" I even heard her say, laughing, before she was gone.

W H A T Y A S E Y