KEYSAN
Currently I stood face to face with her. She stood on guard, holding on to her sword as if her life depended on it, I wasn't even planning to hurt her anyway.
I don't know why I stopped when she told me to, or why I turned around when she asked me to, but one thing I knew was that endless jolts of joy somehow pulsated through my veins at the sight of her.
Her face when I spoke looked shocked; she didn't expect to see me again.
I was on my way to ambush her father if not for her interruption, but now I felt as if my entire plan could be put on hold for a little while. I needed to relax for a while with her.
I lifted my head to look her straight in the eye, and even when she tried to hide it, I saw her expression shift, and her hold on her knife didn't look as steady.
She tried to look brave, but I could still decipher that under that mask was surprise, excitement, and a tinge of fear.
"W-what are you doing here?" she asked as if trying to convince herself that I wasn't who she thought I was.
"I was on my way to your father", I admitted shamelessly.
"Is that why I saw you last time?" she asked. "You were here to help your people come in smoothly."
" You're smart', I observed.
From the periphery of my vision, I saw several men of her army run into the castle. They finally caught on to the fact that their King was poorly guarded.
'There goes your chance', she said, gesturing towards their direction with a faint smile on her lips.
"You distracted me", I said flatly. "Exactly, because you shouldn't even be on these grounds", she said, and before I realized, there was a sword aiming straight for me.
I dodged and looked up at her, who thought a pretty princess could get this fierce.
I smiled and licked my bottom lip, ready for the game she was playing.
She struck her sword again, and I dodged; she was so determined to kill me, but sadly, that was impossible.
She kept on striking her sword towards me, and I also pulled out my sword.
We got into a very fierce duel. This princess was quite a soul, not giving up easily. I liked her.
Maybe I should keep her, I thought, and started smiling at myself as if I had come up with a ground-breaking idea.
I kicked her leg when she was least expecting it, and before she hit the ground, I caught her in my arms.
Her sword flew out of her grasp, so she had no defence against me.
"I couldn't have your father, so what about I take you along with me?" She widened her eyes in an instant and started to shake her head, " I would never let you take me", she said through gritted teeth.
"Is that a challenge?" I ask her, raising my eyebrows, ready to take the challenge.
She doesn't answer but only starts fighting and kicking her legs, and she even shouts for help.
"Psst, anyone who hears your cries and tries to stop me, bear in mind that I'm going to slit their throats", I warn her.
She doesn't even listen and continues pulling up all the tricks she has up her sleeve to put me down.
I walk out of the gates to where my men are fighting. One man notices me, and gradually they all do and pause. I know they pause because they see me with their princess on my shoulder.
I ignore their presence and their inquiring gazes and just walk past them all.
They try to block my path, but my men hold them back. A few men who came my way, I swiftly extracted my sword and slit their throats. After all, I'm a man of my word.
I mounted my horse and placed the princess right in front of me. I knocked her out, and that's why she had been quiet for a while and very obedient.
......
It took my army 6 days during our return journey. And we took just a few breaks on the way back.
I lost several men, but that didn't matter the most because even if I didn't get what I went for, I got something better.
The Kingdom will be chaotic without its princess.
"Knock, knock."A knock on my door interrupted my thoughts. "Come in", I granted access. A petite maid enters my room and announces that my dad wishes to see me.
She has an innocent, slight blush on her face, which tells me how much of an intimidation I am to her.
"I'll be there", I say and make my way to him.
" You've done a great job, son." The King, my father says, with a commanding tone of authority and power. Even his congratulations never sounded like he was giving one.
"Thank you, father", I bowed, acknowledging his remarks. " I think we need to wait for them to try and get their princess back. Their downfall will sound much more delightful that way", father said, smiling.
There was one thing about this man everyone knew. He was cruel and wicked. He was even more than any sly fox could ever had been since I knew him.
He was thirsty for money and power and once he set his eyes on something he never backed down. Yes he was my father and sometimes whether I liked it or not I couldn't help but notice I was like him in every way.
"I will be throwing a banquet tonight, all officials will be present, be there", he said in a commanding voice. I didn't bother answering to him and just turned and exited, he also made no effort to call me back .
As soon as I left my dad's presence, I heard sturdy and strong footsteps behind me. "What is it Demetrius?' I sounded quite irritated by his presence.
"It's the princess, sir".