Chapter 2 The princess

Chapter 2 Kyzer's POV

"Sir, who are they?" asked the guard. I saw Yriana enter this place, and I carefully followed her.

"I am Prince Kyzer of the Kingdom of Astrochelys," I formally replied.

"My apologies, Your Highness. I was mistaken. What brings you here?"

"I saw Princess Yriana pass through here. May I come in to speak with her?" I asked politely.

"Of course, Your Highness. The princess is in the archery room." Without further delay, I proceeded inside.

I saw her practicing archery relentlessly. I hid as I noticed her wiping away tears, probably because of the argument earlier.

Her anger was evident from how forcefully she shot her arrows. When one hit the bullseye (the author knows!), she suddenly collapsed to the floor and cried.

'I feel sorry for her.'

I moved instinctively, and she turned in my direction. Quick-witted as I am, I sidestepped to avoid her notice and quietly approached her from behind.

"You're quite skilled at archery," I said. She turned to me in surprise.

"Prince Kyzer?" she exclaimed and lowered her bow.

"Yes, Princess," I replied formally, though teasingly. She narrowed her eyes at me, picked up her bow, and aimed it at me, her gaze sharp.

'She's different from the princesses I've known.' 'Her eyes are as fierce as a wolf's.'

"Whoa, you're scary!" I said, pretending to be frightened. 'She might even fight better than me.'

"What are you doing here?" she asked seriously. "Are you following me?" She stepped closer with her bow still aimed at me.

"What if I said yes?" I smirked, then turned serious. "By the way, why did you leave earlier?"

"You already heard, didn't you? You've got ears, don't you?" She released an arrow that whizzed past my face, landing dead center on the target.

She grabbed another arrow from her quiver. "My father wants me to marry someone I barely even know," she said bitterly, firing another arrow that also hit the center.

"To someone I don't even love." She turned to me, and I grew serious.

'Why does that hurt to hear?' 'I shouldn't feel this way. I have no right.'

"But feelings can change," I said without thinking, stepping closer to her.

She stepped back, puzzled. I continued approaching and studied her face-her brown eyes, her straight nose, and her rose-tinted lips. She seemed like the most beautiful woman in the world.

I noticed a wall behind her (not the author, of course). I cornered her there. Her face showed a mix of nervousness and defiance.

"Change? How?" she asked, swallowing hard.

"With each day we spend under the same roof, your feelings will change little by little," I said, gazing into her eyes. She blushed.

"And what if I force myself to?" she asked, her eyes searching mine. I shook my head.

"You don't need to force it. It will come naturally, like flowers in a garden-they bloom when the time is right," I whispered in her ear, "just like what you're feeling now." She froze in shock.

Suddenly, we heard someone passing by, and we quickly straightened ourselves.

"Your Highness, it's time for you to rest. Ah, Prince Kyzer, you're here too. Your father is calling for you," said a smiling woman.

"I'll get dressed first, Miss Enna. Please go ahead," said Yriana as she left.

"Come, Your Highness. Let me accompany you. I know my way around here," said Miss Enna as we walked to my quarters.

"I am Miss Enna, the princess's caretaker," she introduced herself.

"It's an honor to meet you," I replied politely.

She stopped in front of a large family portrait.

"The emperor was overjoyed when they were blessed with a daughter. He never expected it."

"Why didn't he expect it?" I asked.

"Because, from their ancestors, no woman had ever been born into their family," she explained with a smile.

I was taken aback.

"So, please take care of her. Even if you feel nothing for her-"

"My heart is already learning to love her," I said seriously, gazing at her portrait.

'I'm not sure, but I think I'm falling for her.' 'I won't stop myself because it's what I want.'

A smile spread across my face at that thought.

I was heading to my room. The palace was so vast, it required patience to navigate its halls and corners. When I arrived, I saw my brother, Willsen, standing on my balcony, gazing at the soldiers training below.

"Princess Yriana has arrived," someone announced. I walked over to Willsen, who didn't take his eyes off the scene below.

"Why did you leave? Don't you know it's disrespectful for a princess to leave a banquet without permission? And as if that wasn't enough, you argued-"

"Are you here to lecture me?" I asked irritably. "Is that what you think?" "Yes!"

"I'm just advising you," he said with a smirk, calming me down.

"Where's Yoran?" I asked. "He's training to be the next emperor," he replied.

My eldest brother Yoran, being the firstborn, was the natural heir. While he trained for leadership, Willsen led the soldiers. If neither of them could, I stepped up to lead.

"Do you have any idea?" I asked seriously. "About what?" he turned to me. "The marriage," I said bitterly.

"Honestly, no. Father told us before the guests arrived," he replied.

I sighed deeply. "Everything I do, he opposes. Even the choice of who I'll marry-he decides for me," I said bitterly.

"Why can't he let me choose someone I'll love?" My voice cracked. "I envy the princesses in stories who find their own happy endings with the ones they love." I looked at my brother, tears streaming down my face.

"I'm a princess too." "Why don't I deserve a happy ending?" I sobbed, collapsing into a chair.

"Yriana..." Willsen tried to comfort me.

'I want to fall in love. The kind of love where your hearts leap every time you meet. A love that makes you want to marry, not because of an agreement, but because of mutual affection.'

"Tahan na, Yriana. Don't worry, I'm here. Should I call Yoran-"

"No, he'll just worry-"

"Yriana!" Yoran's voice startled me as he rushed to my side.

"Why are you crying?" he asked, concerned. I couldn't answer and just hugged him tightly.

"Nothing, really," I said, wiping my tears.

"And you," he pointed at Willsen, "what are you doing here?"

"I was just visiting Yriana," Willsen said with a smile.

"Prince Willsen, the soldiers are ready for training," his lieutenant called out.

"I'll be there shortly," Willsen said and excused himself.

I entered my room, and Yoran followed.

"Yriana, you should rest for now," he advised.

'I just want to be alone.'

"Could you leave me for a while?" I asked.

"Alright, Your Highness," the attendants said as they left.

"Yoran, please, just for now," I pleaded, and reluctantly, he left, closing the door behind him.

I stared blankly at the ceiling, the memory of Kyzer's words echoing in my mind.

"You'll feel it naturally, like flowers in a garden-they bloom in their own time."

'Didn't he realize how much those words affected me?'

'Wait, why am I letting it affect me?'

I thought about the marriage.

'I won't let them decide my fate.' 'There's only one thing I can do.'

Yriana's POV

I started packing my things. Yes, I've decided to leave my life in the palace. I'm utterly exhausted. I don't want to stay here any longer.

I gathered my belongings. For a long time, I wanted to escape, but my conscience about the kingdom always held me back. Now, my decision is firm. I cut my hair short, dressed entirely in black-a black tank top, leggings, jacket, and black rubber shoes. I only brought essential items and, of course, my bow and sword, an heirloom from my grandmother.

Once ready, I headed to the door.

"Good, no one's here," I muttered with a smirk and carefully snuck out, ensuring none of the servants noticed me. I made my way to the main gate, where two guards stood watch. As I approached, they blocked my path.

"Your Highness, where are you going?" one of them asked. I ignored them and quickly bolted.

"Princess! Your father will punish you for this!" they shouted as they chased after me.

"Leave me alone!" I screamed, running even faster. When I glanced back, I saw that more guards had joined the pursuit.

I was near the gate when-

"Yriana!" My brother's voice startled me. I turned and saw him leading the chase.

"Just let me go!" I yelled as I sprinted away.

"You know that's not possible, Yriana!" my brother Willsen shouted back.

I used every trick I could to lose them, weaving through paths until I finally felt safe. I hid behind a wall, gasping for breath.

That was probably the fastest I've ever run. I rested my head against the wall and looked up at the darkening sky.

'They won't see me now, not with these black clothes,' I thought.

But still, no matter how hard I tried, I couldn't escape them.

"You're really fast, huh?"

I froze at the familiar voice. My body stiffened.

I know that voice.

When I turned to the side, I saw him-Prince Kyzer.

"What the...!" I stepped back in shock.

"Why do you look so scared? You weren't like this when we first met," he said with a smirk.

"Waahhhh-!" I tried to scream, but he covered my mouth.

"Don't shout; they'll hear you," he whispered harshly.

I pushed his hand away. "Why are you following me, Prince Kyzer?" I asked sarcastically.

"To make sure you're safe. I heard there are bandits around here," he replied nonchalantly. I rolled my eyes.

"I can handle a few bandits," I said confidently, making him chuckle.

"I thought you already went home," I said.

"We're leaving tomorrow afternoon," he replied, his gaze drifting to my outfit.

"Why are you running away?" he asked bluntly.

I sighed, looking up at the dark sky. "Because of the wedding, I guess."

"It's not just the wedding," I admitted. "But yes, that's part of it. I'm tired of my father's decisions controlling my life. It feels like I'm trapped. I can do some things I want, but only within limits. It's suffocating." I paused, sensing his eyes on me. "But no matter what I do, even if I run away, I'll eventually have to face it. Maybe this is just my fate," I added with a bitter laugh.

"Why does it seem like you're unbothered by it?" I asked.

"Unbothered by what?" he asked, confused.

"By following orders you don't want to, and agreeing to marry me. I even expected you to treat me horribly, yet here you are, talking to me and being playful despite my attitude," I said in one breath. He smiled. To Be Continued...