"What is it that fled my gaze?" Runia met his eyes, a question in her own.
"My heart." His gaze held hers, the distance between them shrinking, a palpable tension in the air.
"Your highness." Runia took a step back, a flicker of caution in her eyes. "You are going to put us in trouble. I am leaving this Thursday; I can't afford being stuck in the grounds."
"You won't be. I will fight for you. I will protect you." He reached out, gently drawing her towards him.
"Your royal highness, the Crown Prince," Runia said, her voice firm but respectful, "I am a mere daughter of a duke from Zir. I cannot afford your favor." Sebastian released her and turned away, a quiet tension radiating from him.
"I have frightened you?" He took a slow step back towards her.
"Your highness."
"I didn't know of your rules. I am sorry." He turned to face her again, his expression contrite. "I am on my way to your country. I stopped here to meet with your General. I have not yet had the chance to meet him. However, I recognized you from afar. Overwhelmed, I said things I should have kept to myself." He turned away again, presenting his back to her. "My lady, I will make sure to catch your rose."
"Sebastian," Runia said softly, reaching out and taking his hand from behind, her touch gentle but firm. "I will wait till the sunlight tomorrow. I will wait for you in my tent."
Sebastian gently pulled his hand away and walked away, his figure receding into the dim light.
Suddenly, jagged boulders erupted from the ground, forming an impenetrable barrier, halting Sebastian's departure. The rocks circled around them, trapping both Runia and Sebastian. Sebastian spun around, alarmed. "What's happening?"