But in the villa where Maya and her nanny lived, they were pretty oblivious about what was going on. Instead, they were busy trying to treat their injured stranger so he recover his full strength. Maya and Nanny Naomi took turns feeding him, applying balms to his wounds and changing his bandages. His breathing was a lot steadier now and he looked more relaxed than when he first arrived.
They also cleaned out the room he stayed in as it had been unused for years, opening the windows during the day so fresh air could come in and closing it at night. During those days, Maya had enough time to admire his looks and physique. She would sneak in when the nanny was busy with other chores and spend most of her time staring at his sleeping face. On the evening of the second day, Maya finally asked nanny Naomi the question that had been bothering her. Nanny Naomi was in her room, helping her brush her hair when she spoke up.
"When do you think he'll wake up Naomi?" She asked, looking at her Nanny through the mirror. She saw the older woman hands pause in her hair before placing the comb down on the vanity.
Naomi glanced at her before going ahead to braid her hair. "Well, he is responding to treatment so it only means he'll wake up soon." She replied.
Maya sighed, admiring the way her nanny braided her hair. " I hope he wakes up soon." She muttered before a smile hit her lips. "He's rather good looking" she muttered, a dreamy look on her face. Naomi gasped, mortified.
"My princess!" She chided her but Maya chuckled.
" What? You've seen him too. Don't you think he's good looking? Besides, it's not everyday you come across an handsome injured man washed up by the river." Maya countered.
Naomi shook her head but didn't say anything else, a small smile on her face. Maya snapped her fingers, as if remembering something.
" That reminds me Nanny, did you get any luck finding any lost person in the village?" She asked as she stood up, walking towards her bed. Naomi followed after her.
" No, my princess. There wasn't any information of any missing person. I highly doubt that person was from these parts." She said, watching her princess sit on the bed.
" Where would he be then? It's a long journey from the capital and the borders of Gegoria are surrounded by mountains and rivers." Maya said, thinking out loud.
" Probably an intruder?" Naomi suggested. Maya seemed to consider her Nanny words. Then shook her head. " I highly doubt that. He hardly looks like one. Besides..." She stood up, going to the basket she always takes out when she's going on a walk. She brought out a broshce that was intricately decorated with so many jewels, glittering the dim lighting. " I found this on his clothes when I met him." She announced, stretching it towards her nanny.
"It's a broshce." Nanny Naomi seconded as she went to collect the item from her hand, staring at it.
"Not just any broshce. It had a Royal crest." Maya explained further. " I noticed that later." She glanced at her Nanny. " It's not the Royal crest of Gegoria so this person either works for another Royal family or he is one." Maya announced.
Naomi's mouth gasped open at the revelation, he eyes filled with awe. "Wow, what an excellent observation my princess!"
Maya's cheeks colored at the praise but her expression remained cool. "Which is why we need to wait till he wakes up."" Why don't we ask the Royal palace, instead of waiting till he wakes up?" Naomi suggested. Maya immediately shook her head.
" I don't want to do that yet. What if we're wrong? We'll just give them a chance to ridicule me. Let's wait until the stranger wakes up."
Naomi decided to tell her the rumors she's been hearing amongst the villagers lately. " Um, My princess. There's something you need to know." She began.
Maya glanced at her, " What is it?"
" Well, I heard from the villagers today when I went to the market that the prince of Madonia that was visiting the Kingdom had a carriage accident. Everyone with him died." She cast him a knowing look." Perhaps our stranger may be part of the prince's convoy."
Naomi watched as Maya's eyes widened in excitement. " You think so? Oh! It could be true! The mountains surrounding Gegoria's make traveling in and out tricky. Not to mention it's summer and there'll be a lot of thunderstorms." She began pacing around in excitement. " Maybe we should tell my family..." She cut off suddenly, the smile fading from her face. " Or, we shouldn't."
Surprised at the sudden change of expression, she asked what's wrong.
" Why? Is there something wrong?" Naomi asked worriedly.
" We need to make sure he wakes up first before we do anything." She stated finally. " The wounds he sustained don't look like they came from a carriage accident. Most especially the stab wounds." Maya said.
Naomi nodded in agreement. "Indeed. He really had a lot of wounds. Even the doctor stated it was a surprise he was still alive."
Maya glanced at her Nanny. " Looks like we've arrived at a decision. Let's leave that there. I'm hungry. What's for dinner?"
Naomi smiled coyly. "Why don't you find out, princess?"
Maya rolled her eyes, then chuckled. " Whatever it is, I'm sure it will be delicious. To the dining table it is!" She announced before sashaying out of the room. Naomi watched her disappear before following after her, a smile on her face.
... Night arrived and everyone had settled in their various rooms. But for some incomprehensible reasons, Maya had trouble falling asleep. After lying in bed for so long, tossing and turning countless times, she decided to go for a walk. She picked up a lamp and sneaked out of her room, making sure not to make any noise.She didn't know where she headed but her legs carried her to the stranger's room. She stared at his door, hesitant if she should go in. Biting her lips, she glanced around before opening the door and walking in.
His room was dark except for the candle that burned by the side of his bed, illuminating that area. Her heart pounding in her chest, she walked to him, her steps soundless. She reached his side and stood, just staring at him as he slept. He looked so peaceful lying there, and oh... So beautiful. Maya admitted to herself that she was drawn to him.
Unable to resist touching him, she found herself running her fingers down his face, all the way to his jaw. His skin felt soft against hers fingers, sending thrills down her spine. It was wrong on so many levels but she found herself enjoying it, her mouth curving into a smile. Having had enough of this indiscreet act, she made to pull away from him.
She raised her head to see silvery eyes staring back at her, a blank look on the stranger's face. Her hands froze, her heart pounding in her chest.
She'd been caught. Red-handed.
Dexter's heart pounded in his chest as he ran through the forest, tripping over tree roots and getting his clothes slashed by sharp tree branches. Dexter didn't know how long he'd been running but he knew one thing, his chasers wouldn't stop until they've killed him. Every time he stumbled and fell to the ground, he picked himself and continued running. He couldn't afford to rest for his chasers weren't far behind. Something whizzed past him, slamming into the tree in front of him. He saw it was arrow and ducked his head, the moon overhead illuminating his path but also making it possible for his chasers to see him. An agonizing pain tore through him and he bit the inside of his lips to stop himself from screaming out loud but a muffled groan still escaped his lips. He slowed down, gripping his abdomen, the telltale wetness reminding of what he already knew. He'd begun to bleed out. He needed to stop running or dizziness would find him first before his chasers did. T
Stranger, this unfamiliar woman called him. She was different from the one he saw yesterday. Or was that an angel? He didn't know, his brain was too foggy for him to think. "Where am I?" He asked but his voice came out as a croak. Looking around, he tried to figure it out himself. "Safe. " The lady responded. He glanced at her, a brow raised. He tried to sit up but his inactive and sore muscles protested, causing him to groan. " Easy, you're not that strong to be moving around." The woman said but he paid her no heed. Eventually he managed to get himself to the position he liked. He stared at his body. He'd been treated. Thoroughly. Someone had saved his life and provided him treatment. He glanced the older woman. " Did you save my life?" He asked, his expression changed. Slowly, the woman shook her head. " I didn't but I can introduce you to the person who did. She's been waiting for you to wake up." Naomi replied, unable to hide the glint in h
"I apologise for changing the topic so suddenly." Dexter said, looking apologetic. " I had wanted to thank you for saving my life." To that, Maya let out a small smile. "You don't need to worry about that. I'm glad you told about this before we went ahead to tell my family about your survival. It would not have ended well." She said. "Indeed, it wouldn't have." Dexter seconded. " Thank you once again, Princess Maya." He said, bowing his head. It was the first time someone other than Nanny Naomi had addressed her by her title without it being laced with ridicule and disgust. Maya realised that she liked it. Liked it a lot. A warm feeling began fluttering in her chest but she did her best to keep it away from her face. "Get your rest, Prince Dexter. I'll have the doctor check up on you. If you need anything, do not hesitate to call on us." She said. " I'll be taking my leave now." She added before walking out of the room, with Nanny Naomi following closely behi
"What do you mean, he'll be coming to Gegoria?" She dropped the brush she was holding,walking closer to Naomi, her eyes filled with worry and fear. " Why do you think he is coming Nanny? Do you think he'll come here?" " I have no idea, my Princess. But according to the rumors I heard he just wants to visit the last place his brother set foot, to pay his respects." Naomi replied, her voice much calmer but filled with worry as well. Maya scoffed, rolling her eyes. " We both know it's just more than visiting, Nanny. " Naomi shuddered, her thoughts the same. " We need to tell Dexter. " Maya announced, walking back to the dressing mirror, sitting back down." Naomi took it as her cue and began helping Maya with her hair and unbuttoned pins. By the time she was through, Maya looked like the Royal she was expected to be. She took in a deep breath and when she glanced at herself in the mirror again, there was the usual princess look back on her face. Pursed lips, rais
Just like they had feared and predicted, an unfamiliar carriage pulled up at the gate of the villa a few days. Maya was in Dexter's room, discussing with him with Nanny Naomi came with the news. Maya looked at her nanny, a surprised look on her face. Dexter mirrored the same expression. Almost immediately, Maya got on her feet, her expression turning serious. " We expected this already, so there's nothing to be worried about." She turned to the windows, closing the curtains. Darkness settled into the room. " We don't know who that it is and we are also not expecting anyone. It would only make sense to hide Prince Dexter now." " Yes, my Princess." Naomi answered. Maya's hands dropped to her side as she sucked in a deep breath." Take him to the place we mentioned, no one will be able to find him there. I will welcome the guests myself." She announced. Naomi's head snapped up. " No, my Princess..." She began saying... Maya turned to her, her gaze filled wi
Maya walked down the large hallway, holding a lamp on her right hands. There should be candles filling up the hallways to bring light to them but since they wasn't any use of them, none was lit. At the very end of the hallway was a door that was hidden behind a large portrait. She glanced around the hallway first before pushing the portrait away, revealing the door. With a creak, she pushed the door open and a flight of stairs came into view. The stairs led down to the basement. Holding the lamp firmly in her hands, Maya took in a deep breath and began walking down the steps, the only source of light coming from the lamp. She soon arrived at one of the doors and knocked on it. Receiving a reply, she pushed the door and walked in. Dexter was sitting at the edge of the bed, his face filled with worry. He relaxed visibly when he saw her. " I'm sorry, I hope you're not too uncomfortable? I had my Nanny clean this place in preparation for this but i
In the week that followed, it was not until they heard the crown prince had gone back to Madonia did they finally get the chance to breath again. If he left without causing trouble, then his people should have left with him. He couldn't possibly be looking for Dexter now. During those moments however, Maya and Dexter had gotten even closer. As close as they could get. Dexter health was also improving rapidly and now he could walk around almost without any aide. As much as it made Maya happy to see him get better, a part of her was saddened at the fact that he would eventually leave. Having him around has brightened her usual boring, monotone life. And it's all about to change. The second week rolled by and Maya began noticing some changes in Dexter's mood. His health almost fully recovered, he began to worry a lot. During those times, Maya didn't know how to help him with it and she didn't bother asking because she knew why he did. She'd asked her Nanny for help
With the passing days, came the change of seasons. The bright, hot summer had disappeared and fall was going strong. Dexter had gotten even better, all his wounds healing well, leaving behind very little scars. He'd also begun exercising to gather his full strength. Maya especially liked to watch him when he did so. She would stay by her room window, overlooking the garden where he trained, a permanent smile on her face. With this, came the knowledge that he would be leaving soon. Maya decided to help him in preparation for the time he'll be going back. Taking permission from her Nanny, she decided to go to the nearby village to get things from him, using yearly allowance she received from the Royal palace. It wasn't a lot but she saved most of it so it had piled up to a good amount. Her first stop was at the horse trader. Covering most her body till only her face was visible, she called on the man. " I would like to buy a horse. The most sturdy one you can find. It m