1 Forest's Edge

I love him. I know he loves me. We have been through so much together.

But here I am at the forest's edge. One more step and I am in another kingdom. Adrien isn't here to see me off. The longer I hesitate the more likely it is that the Sovereign Knights will track me down.

And if we must separate for a year so we can be together forever then so be it.

I pull my mask up as I dash forward. I am across the border. He's never been farther out of reach.

I don't glance back and I keep running. I grip the handle of my sword as it lies in its sheath. Just in case. If I'm caught now, his brother will win the throne. I am his only weakness so I must leave. Even if he doesn't want me to.

I'm sorry Prince Adrien.

When I stop to sleep, I rest under a bush. I am so glad it didn't rain. Otherwise, this journey would be even more miserable. I mumble, "Adrien probably knows I'm gone by now."

"But he can't make a big fuss about a lady-page deserting."

Adrien had watched Lamelie sneak out of the castle. And he let her go.

Now he stood in his office, staring in the same direction Lamelie had left.

"I can't leave my kingdom to a tyrant," he thought to himself. And he continued, "Even if I am in love."

"Prince Adrien!"

Adrien whipped around and faced Femel, his assistant. "Shall we being with the review fo today's schedule?"

"Do I have any meetings today?" Adrien inquired.

"Only one, with your father discussing his succession," Femel curtly replied.

"Ah yes, and watch your speaking habits, Femel," said Adrien, "It's fine when we're alone but when other servants or royals are nearby, you must get used to speaking less casually."

Femel mockingly bowed. "Yes, your majesty." He drawled out that last word.

Adrien smiled sadly and looked down.

"Are you okay, sir?" Femel knew of Miss Lamelie's departure and of how deeply it would affect Adrien.

"No," said Adrien," No, I'm not!" He raised his voice slightly before finishing, "How could she leave me like this? No note. No goodbye. Did she think I wouldn't notice?"

"No, sir," said Femel. His hand went to his shirt pocket and he pulled out a yellow envelope. "You have mail. it's not incredibly urgent but it is very important. And it's from her."

Adrien froze. Why didn't she say goodbye to his face?

Femel handed Adrien the letter and he took it hesitatingly.

"No worries, sir," said Femel, "I asked the lady what she wrote and she explained everything. I've already rearranged your schedule for the plan to happen."

"Thank you, Femel."

"Just doing my duties as the Prince's best friend, sir. I suggest you read the letter at a later time, so it does not interfere with your current work."

Adrien pocketed the letter. I'm just glad to know she didn't forget me.

"Let us go, Assistant Femel." Adrien walked past Femel and opened the solid oak door. "A day of business awaits us."

As Adrien walked down the halls, he amused himself with the thought of Lamelie's plan. What could it be? She had hidden it from him saying she wanted to surprise him. But then she left without telling him.

"Lamelie's not dumb," Adrien thought," Whatever she's planned she did so thoroughly."

Adrien turned to Femel and asked," What is on today's schedule?"

"Your meeting is at 5 pm. Raphael will be there as well. Right now, we must finalize some preparations for the knighting ceremony."

Adrien took it in stride. Of course, Raphael would be there. He was also a crown prince.

"It's a shame Lamelie won't attend the knighting ceremony. She was looking forward to it," said Adrien.

Femel looked up from his clipboard and said," You should take a break. You'll feel better if you give yourself time to adapt to her absence."

Adrien paused midstep and concluded," It would be too suspicious. I should continue as best I can until I have another reason to take a break that will be seen as less odd."

"Take a break and pretend you're looking for another page."

Adrien placed his hands on his friend's shoulders.

"That's brilliant Femel! Why didn't I think of that?"

"You're too in love to think well. Ah, I want to be so in love that my brain will fail me too."

Adrien wagged his finger. "In due time, you will find someone who takes your breath away."

Femel smirked and said," Maybe I outta recruit my own page."

Adrien chuckled. "Lamelie and I were just lucky to have found each other the way we did."

"Am I not lucky?' inquired Femel.

"Who can say? It has yet to be seen," answered Adrien.

Lamelie was on her feet now. She could take in the sights of the countryside that she had seen so rarely as a child.

"Even with all, that's going on, at least I get to see this view."

A collage of trees colored the area. Most were turning red as winter approached. But against the backdrop of the sky and the dotted white clouds, it was gorgeous. Lamelie took a deep breath and then pulled out her map.

Hopefully, it was accurate. The Varquez kingdom and Maurius kingdom were so estranged that maps were rarely completely accurate. Even though Lamelie carried a copy from the archives there was still a chance of error.

She measured with her thumbs and found she was probably a mile past the border and barely into Varquez country.

"Thank goodness I hid when I slept." Tracking parties would often pass the border to find deserters.

Lamelie knew where she was going. A hidden outpost that five miles beyond the border was her destination. Its location was mostly secret. Adrien and Femel knew. Lamelie established it herself. It was their source of knowledge about what was going on in the Varquez kingdom. While Adrien planned to cast a wide net of sources, it wasn't an option for now.

The unofficial competition for the throne had truly begun. Prince Adrien and Prince Raphael were locked in a deadly game for the throne. Not just their own lives or the lives of the people close to them, but the lives of everyone in both kingdoms.