After another hour of riding, my castle was finally in view. I let out a big sigh, I was happy to finally see my home, I wasn't even there yet but just seeing it made me feel so relieved.

     "Almost home." Markus said, "Are you happy?"

     "Very." I told him, "I know I've said this before, but thank you, Markus, seriously, thank you."

     "You don't need to keep thanking me Alex, you would've done the same thing," he replied.

     "Yeah, I would've." I said, I then smirked, "Although... I wouldn't have waited so long."

     Markus hit my shoulder (I'm not quite sure how he was able to do that seeing as I was behind him.)

     "Shut up," Markus told me.

     "Rude." I joked, "Telling people to 'shut up' is not very nice."

     Markus rolled his eyes, once more.

     "You sure do roll your eyes a lot." I said, "How are they still in your head?"

     "That makes no sense," Markus replied.

     "It would make sense if you had a sense of humor." I taunted.

     "I do have a sense of humor!" he exclaimed.

     "I don't ever see it," I replied.

     Markus shook his head, we were quiet for the rest of the ride. When we arrived at the gate I heard the guards yelling. The gates opened and we were let inside.

     The guards instantly helped Markus and me off vain. I saw my dad, he was running towards me, I ran to him.

     We hugged and I broke down, I started sobbing. It felt so good to be able to hug my dad again after so long. My dad was squeezing me tight but I didn't care. I squeezed back. I saw the citizens staring at us. I would have to give them all hugs soon. I finally pulled away from the hug and my dad grabbed my face.

     "You are so brave and strong." he told me, "I love you so much, don't you ever forget that, okay?"

     "Okay." I laughed as tears came down my face.

     Out of the corner of my eye, I saw Markus standing slightly behind me, he looked awkward.

     "Dad," I said, I pulled Markus towards me.

     "You." my dad scowled, and he instantly glared at Markus, "You dare kidnap my son and then show up here?!"

     He went to attack Markus but I stopped him.

     "Wait, Dad!" I exclaimed, "It's not like that! Markus helped me escape, if it wasn't for him my head would be getting chopped off right about now."

     "He, helped you?" my dad asked.

     "Yeah, he helped me escape," I told him, "he also gave me the letter from you."

     My dad's glare softened, he stared at Markus, and he had a thankful look on him.

     "Thank you Prince Markus for saving my son." my dad said bowing to him.

     Markus returned the bow, "The pleasure was all mine."

     "Markus ran away from home," I told my dad, "I was hoping he could stay here as our guest, at least until he finds where he wants to go."

     "Of course." my dad agreed, "Prince Markus you are welcome to stay in the castle for as long as you need, and as a reward for saving my son I will give you a check for twenty-five hundred thousand dollars when or if you decide to leave."

     "That is very generous sir but I can't take your money." Markus said, "Thank you though."

     "Please, I insist." my dad replied.

     "I'll think about it, thank you, sir." Markus agreed.

     "Of course." my dad said.

     We started heading into the castle, and even though Markus said he would think about keeping the money I knew he wasn't going to take it.

     We entered the castle and the staff all hugged both me and Markus. They showed Markus his room and got him and me fresh clothes. We were given a huge meal at dinner time. After dinner, we headed to our rooms to sleep. It felt great to be home.