Lucas
After the princess passed out, I had to carry her back to the palace on foot. Pulseless. Her brother had damaged his carriage, so he took hers instead. All the best healers in the kingdom were summoned to treat her, but there was no reaction from her. They said she wasn't alive, but not completely dead either. It was something they just couldn't understand. I've stayed up the entire night sitting in front of her bedroom. "Shouldn't the emperor hear of this?" Cindy asks, dark circles evident around her eyes. I wonder if I look the same. "He would be devastated. And that isn't good for his already poor health." I run my hands through my hair, frustrated. "But we'll have to tell him eventually." Such a thing has never happened before. Could it be a curse? I faintly hear a bell ring. Maybe I'm going crazy. "Oh, my!" Cindy stands up abruptly and runs inside the room. "Your highness!!" She screams. I almost can't believe my eyes when I run in after her. The princess is sitting up in her bed. The colour is back to her face and her blue eyes are full of light.
Then, she smiles. "You two look like you've seen a ghost!" She laughs a bit. "Did I worry you?" Her voice, as soft and sweet as ever.
Cindy bursts into tears. "Your highness! I thought you were gone!" she cries. "The healers didn't know what to do, and-and we didn't even know what to tell the emperor, and..." she wheezes.
"Calm down, Cindy! I'm completely fine."
"Yes, of course you are." She sniffs. "I'll go bring breakfast for you, then draw a bath."
"Please do, I still have to see my father this morning." Cindy scurries out of the room. There's a bit of silence before I break it. "I'm relieved to see that you are okay, your highness."
"Thank you, Lucas. What happened after I passed out, yesterday?"
"After I carried your highness home, healers were summoned. They said you were breathing, but your heart wasn't beating, and you had no pulse." She doesn't reply but ponders on my words. I go down on one knee and bow my head. "I have failed as your knight. I will accept any punishment your highness sees fit. And if you don't wish for me to be your knight, I take no issue with your decision." She looks up and stares at me, still silent. "You knelt just like this the day you swore complete fealty to me, Lucas."
"I would never forget the day I was given such an honour, your highness."
"Let me ask you something. Do you enjoy being my knight?" An unexpected question. But I suppose the unexpected is the order of the day with the princess.
"I do, your highness."
"And would you like to continue being my knight?"
"If your highness will allow it, then nothing will bring me more fulfilment than to serve you with my life." It's all I want to do.
"Then it is settled, you are still my knight; If you will serve me as your lady." Sweet relief washes over me. What will I have done with my life had she said otherwise? "I am the one who insisted that we stay and fight, and you stopped that final mage from attacking me. I have nothing to punish you for." Her eyes meet mine. The golden sun shines behind her, illuminating her features. It seems both the sun and the moon long to kiss her. Who wouldn't?
"Thank you very much, my lady."