Runaway Princess (closed for Jekyll)

[princesssexci]

"Ah, yes I'm sure he is..." She said, feeling even worse.

She noticed how he hadn't made eye contact since she had told him the 'truth'. Genevieve had really messed things up and what was worse was she had no idea how to fix it.

As they walked further towards the next town it had stayed silent for quite some time. She would glance at him from time to time but not say anything. She was too scared, she'd botch up her whole lie by saying something else stupid.

Also, she was scared that she might actually tell him the truth and that he'd hate her and leave her out there to die...but mostly she was frightened that he would hate her.

Finally, she said, "So then you don't hate me...for lying?"

She had to know, she just had to know that he didn't hate her especially since they would probably never cross paths again.

 

[Jekyll87]

He was walking in front of her, the heavy backpack on riding on him. He was moving slowly, more slowly than he ought to have walked. And he kept turning around to look at her, ostensibly to help her over some boulder or root.

More than once he wished he would lose his bearing and they wouldn't be heading towards town. They could get lost in the jungle for God knows how long. But it was not to be. They were dead on track.

He was glad when she finally said something. As the town had been creeping closer and closer, his uneasiness had been growing in proportion. He couldn't explain why he was so sad to part with her. He should be glad. She was a relative of the enemy. And he was sure she was lying to him too.

He turned and looked deep into her eyes before answering, " I don't hate you Lily. In fact I think I'm in lo....." . He stopped himself before he offended her.

 

[princesssexci]

Genevieve froze, she couldn't move. Lo? Loathe? Love? He couldn't ...love her could he? They had but just met, it didn't make any sense. Though, she too had begun to have feelings for him. Whether it was love or not, she wasn't sure because she had never been in love before. Unless one would count the knights squire or was he paige and that was just a small crush when she was 11.

She pretended not to hear though, "Oh, good. i don't think I could stand it if you hated me."

 

[Jekyll87]

He turned again and started walking. He was glad that he had caught himself in time. He wasn't even sure if he loved her. He certainly liked her. But he was sure that he was feeling that way because he knew they would soon be separated.

" Are you betrothed Lily ?"
He didn't look at her and continued walking, trying to sound casual.

 

[princesssexci]

Genevieve thought that she should at least be honest about that much. "I...yes. It isn't something I want, of course...its a forced marraige for some sort of alliance." She whispered, looking down sadly, she didn't say anything further knowing that if she dwelled on this or spoke anymore of her betrothal she would give herself away.

"What about you? Is there a special woman you have given your heart to?" She asked.

 

[Jekyll87]

He was a little sad knowing that she was promised to someone else. But he was also glad that it was something she didn't want. Maybe she'll get out of it yet.

But how does it matter to him one way or the other. She wasn't going to marry HIM. So why was he thinking about it ?

" No. I'm not promised to anyone. I doubt if any noble woman would have me. I travel and fight a lot. "

 

[princesssexci]

"I see..."

Her heart fluttered at the thought of him not being promised to anyone, not that she would ever see him again or even have the slightest bit of chance to marry him.

He'd either find out who she was and never wish to speak to her again or once he left her at the village she would never see him again.

She knew one thing though, once at the village she would have to cut her hair and possibly buy some new clothes so that no one would ever recognize her. Genevieve could still get out of marrying. It would just take alot more work than she had anticipated.

She was quiet for a moment before finally speaking up, "How much further to the next town?"

 

[Jekyll87]

" Its not much farther now. An hour more at this pace should do it I think. "

The sky was beginning to darken. The moon was already out, and the rim of the sun was just touching the ground in the horizon.

Each step he took brought him closer to that which he feared. But he will keep his word. He would deliver her to her brother's arms. She had no pennies on her and a beautiful girl alone in the streets at night could get in a lot of trouble.

" Where is your brother going to meet us in the town ?"

 

[princesssexci]

"Oh." Genevieve whispered, feeling somewhat disappointed to leave. She could always pretend to be sleepy, too tired to travel. Since she was once again a princess, then she wouldn't have to pretend to actually be able to travel.

She almost froze at his newest question. She regained composure quickly, though she hadn't thought he would want to know where he'd want to see her off safely, she thought she could've easily run to any man in the village and pretended that was her infamous brother.

She tried to remember something about the upcoming village. Her father had taken her there on a trip when she was little. Wasn't there an inn on the edge of town? Yes, that could work.

"Theres an inn on the edge of town. We were to meet there." She said

 

[Jekyll87]

He felt a slight disappointment when she said that her brother would be meeting her at the inn. He realized that he was still clinging on to the slim suspicion that she had been lying. At least that way he wouldn't have to part with her. Or so he hoped.

" I'd like to meet your brother and his men. Its been too long since I had a comfortable bed in an inn. Will you not tell him about me Lily. You can just introduce me as a peasant or a traveller. I'd be most grateful. "

 

[princesssexci]

Genevieve gulped and nodded, "I would never...I mean, I promised that i would tell anyone who you were." She looked down at her fingers. Oh what was she to do now? Unless mayhap there would be someone there, a friend of the family.

Oh, how she hoped that would be the case. It would be much easier to keep with this charade. She tried to think of someone who would pose as her brother, mayhap she could convince Charles to take her to get her hair cut.

OF course, if none of her family friends were there. She could lie and say that he could possibly be at the next town and since it had been so long that she had seen him, she forgot which town. Yes, that worked out much better.

 

[Jekyll87]

He nodded and they continued their journey. Soon they could see signs of humans having passed through the path they were on.

The town sprang up suddenly in view as they rounded around a hill. It wasn't a very large town, and soon they were in front of the inn she was to meet her sibling at.

They walked inside, Lily remaining close to him. The owner came out to meet them, an old man with apron and greasy clothes covering his frail body. Charles dropped a coin in his hand and said,
" I need a bed for the night. And some hot food for the both of us. "

The man didn't show any surprise at the request for a single room. He went to the back to get the room and food ready. Charles then whispered to Lily,
" Where is he then ? I don't see him anywhere. "

The room was empty except for a few boarders. And there weren't many horses in the stables they had passed, adjoining the inn.

 

[princesssexci]

She looked around for someone anyone, nervously. She bit her lip nervously. Bloody hell, this wasn't going to work. She thought about telling him the truth...but already she had dragged him into a village for no good reason at all.

"I don't see him either..." She pretended to look thoughtful. What was she tod do now? She didn't know! She could say....no, that wouldn't work. Her eyes darted around the room looking for something she wasn't quite sure of...yet.

"Princess!!!" She heard someone call her and she froze. It was one of her ex-maids. She turned, "Alexis, there you are. Have you seen my brother?"

"Your brother-" Alexis looked at her in question.

"Yes, my brother...he's here somewhere right?" Genevieve gave Alexis a look of authority.

Alexis frowned but nodded, "Yes, he's here somewhere."

"Good, good...." Genevieve said, then turned to Charles, "While you handle getting us a room, would you mind if I talked to my maid, its been so long since I've seen here."

She walked off before Charles could respond and Gen pulled Alexis somewhere private.

"What did you mean, your brother your highness?" Alexis questioned

"Shh, he doesn't know I'm who I am...I mean, he knows I'm a princess but not from where." She whispered to the young girl.

Alexis glanced over at the knight. "My, but he is handsome your highness. He isn't your betrothed though, is he?"

"No, no he isn't sadly and yes I know he is handsome...and kind...and generous....and-"

"Oh my, your highness-"

"Genevieve please.." Genevieve hated being spoken so formally.

" Yes, right..sorry. Are you in love with him?"

"What, no! I don't even know him...." Genevieve said, "Anyhow I must ask your assistance. Is your brother here, I will need someone to play my brother. "

Alexis shook her head, "No, he isn't but...my new master is here. He would probably do much better to play as your brother but would you explain to me more of your charade tonight?"

"Yes, now go hurry." Genevieve whispered urgently

Five minutes later....

"SISTER! There you are..." A man with brown hair dressed in fancy attire.

"Brother!" Genevieve exclaimed, she rushed to hug him and then brought the man to Charles, "Brother, this is Charles. You need not worry he is but a poor peasant who escorted me here to meet you. Charles this is my brother...." She paused, realizing she didn't know his name.

"Nicholas." The man said.

 

[Jekyll87]

There was certainly something odd in the way the maid had acted initially. Charles was convinced now that her brother was not here. His heart sank as he realized she had only lied to make him leave her.

He ordered a mug of the local ale as she slipped away to talk to her maid. He had the distinct impression that they were talking about him, both of them kept glancing in his direction when they spoke. His ears colored at the thought of Lily discussing him and he averted his eyes and turned to face away from them.

There was awkward silence between them as she came back. He kept on sipping the frosty ale, taking short sips and stealing glances at her. He loved sampling the local meads from wherever he went. He could behave however he wanted when he traveled like this, and not have to drink the snooty wine from silver goblets.

After about five minutes, as the rays of hope that there was no brother had slowly permeated his entire being, he felt like a complete idiot when she brought over her brother to introduce them. There was nothing to it, he would have to leave her in his company now. There was a slight pride in him at having successfuly helping a maiden, a princess nonetheless. But for the most part he was filled with inexplicable sadness at her having found her brother.

Charles drained the last of the ale and got to his feet. Bowing slightly to Nicholas, he mumbled, " My Lord. ". Charles then stood up straight, his eyes looking Nicholas squarely in the face. Nicholas was the prince, dressed in expensive clothes, clean and bathed. Charles was the peasant, dressed in muddy travel worn clothes, dirty and stubbled. But even then anyone would have said Charles held the more power inside him, looking more regal and intimidating of the two.

Nickolas nodded to the man, and seemed to have realized that he was standing in front of a man destined for great things, for he said,
" Thank you Charles. I love my sister very much and would have been devastated if anything would have happened to her. Allow me to pay for your lodging here. Will you please dine with us tonight ?" . As Nicholas said it, he put an arm around Lily's frail shoulders and pulled her closer to his side, planting a kiss on her pink cheeks. Charles noticed that Lily seemed flustered by his display of affection and even tried to squirm slightly from his grip. But Nicholas held her tight at his side.

Jealousy flared up inside Charles, and he immediately formed his opinion of what he thought of Nicholas. Even though it wasn't based on reason. He was her brother, of course he could kiss her. Charles kept his gaze on Nicholas and replies in a commanding voice, " It was my pleasure. I cannot, in good consciousness, accept your coin. But I WILL join you for dinner. "

They bowed to each other and the siblings turned, leaving him sitting alone. Charles couldn't help but notice that Nicholas still had his arm around Lily and that he was stealing looks down at her torn dress as they walked out of the common room.

 

[princesssexci]

What had she gotten herself into? Not only was she lying to the man she lo...the man who had taken good care of her but now she was trapped within another mans grasp and had no clue how to get out of it. She bit her lip, "You can let go of me now..." she whispered fearfully.

"Oh, i don't think so, girl...Alexis told me who you were. Princess Genevieve aye?" Nicholas said, giving her a once over. He licked his lips and she gulped back fear, "Do you want to know what your little friend here promised me, if i helped you?"

Genevieve shook her head, "No..."

"The crown of england, do you know how one would acquire such a prize?" He smiled evily and Genevieve nodded. Marraige to her.

"Ah, I knew you would....and I'm sure your father would thank me for saving his daughter from such a horrid peasant."

"Alexis, how could you?" Genevieve said, giving her ex slave a look of pain.

"How couldn't I? I was promised great nobility should he marry you. In fact, I was waiting for the day you'd do something so incredibly stupid such as running away from the castle..." the girl said with a small smile.

Genevieve did the only thing she could think of, it wasn't lady like for certain but it was necessary. She pretended to hug Nicholas, to give into him and then kneed him in his crotch and quickly she ran out the door before anyone could find her.

Hearing voices, she hid in an alley and bit her lip, "Now what am i to do?"

 

[Jekyll87]

Charles sat alone, and drowned another mug of mead. The owner then showed him to his quarters. But before they could reach them, he heard a shout of pain come from inside the inn. He rushed towards the source to find Nickolas kneeling in pain as Lily's maid helped him.

" That bitch, that stupid whore. ". Nicholas muttered.

Charles didn't need to hear more. He stepped up to the man and landed a punch straight to his face, making him fall flat on the floor, unconscious.

As the maid screamed he grabbed her shoulders and looked deep into her eyes.

" Where is she ?" He asked. His voice had authority and command, and the maid instantly mumbled between sobs, " I ....I don't know......She ran out through there. "

Charles hurried towards the door. He found himself out on the back alley, and over a cowering Lily, trying to hide behind some crates.

" Its allright. He's unconscious. So now will YOU tell me who you are Lily ?".

 

[princesssexci]

"I-I'd rather not talk about it, if you don't mind...but I don't wish to go home, so if isn't too much of an inconvenience may I travel with you?" Genevieve said softly.

She should have told him, it would have been right to tell him. After all, he had protected her since their very first meeting but she was scared...scared that he'd find some way to use her against her father or worse...hate her forever.

"It isn't that I don't trust you...for I have no reason not to trust you...it's just that I'd much rather not speak about my life but just to be fair, I will tell you that I am a runaway."

 

[Jekyll87]

He had thought as much. But there was still something more to it than her being just a runaway. He was sure that she was someone important, and the girl had approached her first calling her 'princess'. She was of royal blood, since she didn't know any work and had an aura about her.

But he didn't question her, for the fear that she might leave him. He didn't wanted to be parted with her, and if she didn't want him to tell him her reasons, it was fine by him.

He nodded and took her hand,
" We need a place to stay for the night Lily. We should go into the town then, as your 'brother' would be looking for us here soon. Wait here and I'll go grab my stuff. "

With that he turned and went inside again, leaving her in the cool night air, standing alone in a torn dress.

 

[princesssexci]

Genevieve was left alone for a bit. She sighed, she wanted to tell him the truth. She felt bad for lying but....she didn't want him to hate her for lying. It wasn't like she should care if he hated her or not because he had admitted to being her fathers enemy but still...could it have been possible that she might've had some sort of feelings for him.

Yes, she did admit that he was quite handsome, charming, sweet, generous, and polite but those were all traits of a knight anyways so it wasn't as if he would be anything different. Okay, well he might have there were some knights out there who were just plain rude!

Still...it could have been possible that she did have feelings for him.

 

[Jekyll87]

Once inside Charles quickly grabbed their packs. He grabbed the inn owner, pushing two coins in his greasy hands.
" Make sure you stall that swine long enough for me and my girl to get out. I don't care how much more he pays, if you tell him about us leaving, you'll not wake up tomorrow. "
Glaring into the man's eyes, Charles let him go.

He was out before either Nicholas or his entourage could catch him leaving. They were more probably taking care of his unconscious body now.

It had felt really good to punch that man. Charles realized it was because he was jealous of him touching Lily.

 

[princesssexci]

Genevieve sat there still waiting for Charles to return. She shivered slightly as it was getting colder. What she wouldn't give for a blanket or a shall to wrap around her shoulders. She sighed softly, still thinking about Charles and her feelings for him.

It was obvious that she did have feelings for him otherwise, she wouldn't care if he was upset about her being the daughter of his sworn enemy. She sighed, oh what was she to do? She couldn't continue on like this. Alright, once they were out of a town close to her castle she would tell him.

 

[Jekyll87]

" Let's go before Nicholas comes out. The town isn't far I think, a half an hour should do it. We'll find shelter there. "

He wanted to know more about her. There was a certain mystery to Lily that he couldn't unravel yet. He hoped asking around in the town would provide some clues. For a moment he again wondered if she was some sort of a spy. He was definitely going to be on alert.

He noticed she was shivering a little. Her dress was pretty skimpy, and it wasn't much protection against prying eyes and cold air. He grabbed a tunic from the top of the pack and held it out to her. It would look pretty silly above the dress, but it was better than freezing he guessed.

 

[princesssexci]

She smiled and took the tunic and placed it over her dress. She honestly didn't mind wearing a tunic, already her favorite dress was ripped so it didn't really matter. If she wanted to look regal, she wouldn't have run away to begin with.

"Yes, we should..." she said softly "Thank you...for the tunic...and..." her voice trailed off, "and for protecting me even though, you know not where I come from."

 

[Jekyll87]

She looked beautiful even with the weird combination of clothes on. He tried to keep his eyes averted from how her ample bosom poked through the tunic or how her slender legs peeked out from under the torn garment.

Silently they both tredged through towards the town. Suddenly a rider behind them came loudly through the road, right towards them. Charles had just enough time to grab Lily and pull her on top of him out of harm's way. She fell on top of him by the roadside, as the man rode the beast right where she had been standing. He was in a hurry.

They could just make out the royal colors on him, indicating him to be a messenger from the king before he vanished into a cloud of dust, obviously towards the town.

 

[princesssexci]

Lily gasped as she fell on top of Charles, her eyes nearly bulged out as the familiar royal colors rushed past her and to hide her identity, she buried her face into his neck. For a moment she got distracted, hugely distracted by the scent of him. When she heard the horses go by in a rush, she pulled her head up out of the crook of his neck.

"Sorry.." she whispered, blushing. "The dust, it almost got into my eye.."

It was partly true. Partly.

Lily couldn't find the courage to move off of him though. If only...if only he'd kiss her again...