41 We Need To Talk

─── ･ ｡ﾟ☆: *.☽ .* :☆ﾟ. ───

We ran deeper into the woods for what seemed like hours. At this point, I can no longer feel my legs. Why are we still running?! Does he not get tired? Better yet, how can he see?! The moonlight is clearly not enough to see in the dark.

"C..can we please re...rest? I... I need to ...rest." I said, out of breath.

He quickly stopped, releasing his grip from my hand.

I fell to my knees and placed both hands on the ground as I tried to catch my breath.

"Jeez, you really are useless. Slow and lack of stamina. For being a soldier's daughter, you are weak. What an embarrassment." The young boy mocked as he looked down at me.

"I… I told you, I am the imperial princess of Giodivonia. I had no need to ever run like this until today." I responded in a defensive tone.

"You are still with that lie? Fine. You can be the greatest mage ever lived for all I care. Changing subjects, what is going on with guards searching the woods at this time? Who are they looking for exactly?" The young boy questioned as he began to pick up branches off the floor.

"Do you have shit in your ears? I told you, I am from the imperial family, and I ran away from the imperial palace. I guess my father called a search party for me. I...uh, I am not in a good relationship with my father. We… um.." I responded hesitantly.

"If you really are the princess, you need more etiquette classes. Your stuttering is a huge problem, ya know?"

I got up and began to dust off my dress and hood. I sighed as I started collecting twigs.

"Arguing with you is silly. Instead, let me help you collect wood. You want to make a fire, right?" I replied.

I can see him nod from a distance, and we collected enough branches to start a small fire.

"Can I ask you something? Who… are you?" I questioned as I sat down by the campfire.

"My name is Tristen. That's all you need to know." He answered as he sat on the other side of the campfire.

We both stared at the fire in awkward silence.

"Well, my name is Amara Luz De Giodivonia. But everyone calls me Amie. You… can call me Amie… if you want, Tristen." I suggested as I looked at him nervously.

"No, thanks. After tonight, we are parting anyway—no need to get comfortable with each other. I have to go back soon. Also, you should go back too. If you really are from the imperial family, seeing how fragile and useless you are in survival skills, you would die in a week out here. Just makeup with your old man and live a comfortable life." The young boy said in a disappointed tone.

Why is this kid so rude? He talks in such an informal manner as if he was of higher status than me. How annoying. Whatever he did help me out back there. I do owe him one.

"Here, my jewelry as promised." I said as I took off my bracelet and earrings.

"I don't want that. I have millions of jewels worth more than that. Not to mention, they are...emeralds. How hideous." He rejected it in a disgusting response.

"Um… You do know Giodivonia is… the land of emeralds. Also, these are not just any emeralds; they are imperial jewels. Only the best jewelry makers take months cutting and designing imperial jewelry. You must be stupid, blind, and deaf to not know how much imperial jewelry is worth." I replied in an angry tone.

"Emeralds have absolutely no value where I come from. Also, it's green. What an ugly color." He said in a cocky response.

"T..then go back where you came from! How dare you come into my land and insult this empire's beloved jewel! What a rude kid!" I yelled as I stood up.

He raised an eyebrow and shook his head. He sighed and looked back at the fire.

"I guess you weren't lying when you said you were the princess of this country. You act like a snubbed nose brat who throws tantrums for not getting a new toy." He mocked.

My right eye began to twitch in reaction. This kid is not only looking down on me, but he is mocking the crap out of me.

"Why are you in my land, anyways?" I questioned as I tried calming down my temper.

"Because I needed fresh air. I needed to escape for a little bit. Things aren't… good back home."

"How… far are you from home anyway? It must have taken you days to get here. Wouldn't your parents miss you? The last time I checked, it takes maybe a week by carriage to get to the southern continent. Most of the trip is through the woods too. What was the name of the south?"

"Konig. It's called the Konig empire, stupid. Work on your geography. And yes, Konig and Giodivonia are separated by woods as their borders. 400 miles of woods, to be exact. These woods are borders between both continents, so it belongs to no one. That was a treaty made by both emperors back many years ago. Hence why I am here. Also, to answer your question. While I am far away from home, there was business among a few men who work for my father near the border, and I just happened to join in on this 'once in a lifetime' journey. Don't worry, they don't even know I am here. We do not leave until a couple of days later, anyways."

"Wait… so… you are from Konig?! Are… are you a Konig citizen?!" I said in a shocked tone as I covered my mouth.

"Could you be any louder? Yes. I am, so what? You have a problem with a Konig citizen on nonterritorial grounds, 'princess'?" He sighed.

"You… you know what? Konig people must have no education or manners because you are the most disrespectful child I have met! Ever since I met you, all you have done is insult me, belittle me, and treat me like dirt! Listen here, kid- If it was not for me to be in this little body, I would take a belt and whoop that butt of yours. I don't care- Take me to jail!" I yelled.

His face showed pure confusion.

"Ah, what I mean is…"

"Just shut up. Are all you Giodivonian people good just for talking? Just like cats. Worthless cats. All talk, not bite among the wolves. Tch. Let's just have a quiet night. Be lucky I did not tear you apart when I first saw you." He replied

"Tear me... Apart? Hey… what do you mean by that? And we are not cats! My dad can easily take your dad down! My dad is the ruler of this country! He is known as the tyrant killer with no soul! Do not insult my people so easily!"

"Your dad? A tyrant? Yeah, sure. I heard stories about him. He is quite famous in the south. Legend has it that he is a demon from hell that wears a skin face mask from a human to hide his true, hideous face. Some bull shit rumors say that he is powerful and is also a war legend. But that is clearly all lies. My father is obviously stronger and better than yours. At least we have a special ability that your kind doesn't have. We could win the war against you guys easily if we wanted to. We just are too kind and considerate."

I furrowed my eyebrows and snickered loudly.

"First of all, you guys from the south are more stupid than I thought! my dad may be a jerk and act like a demon, but he did not rip off some guy's face just to wear it, okay? I have seen this man's face since the day I was born!'

"He still is a worthless demon that..."

"Do not interrupt me! Besides, who are you to speak so loosely in front of the imperial princess as if you are the imperial Konig family! You are nothing but a jerk Konig common folk! You go off threatening me about 'tearing me apart.' I am going to sleep, and when I wake up, You better be gone!" I yelled as I laid on my hood, on the ground, facing the other way.

The woods were silent after that. All I could hear was the crackling wood from the campfire.

This jerk. This rascal. Just who raised this brat?

Before I knew it, I fell into a deep sleep.

I appeared in a field of daisies. Wait, why is that Tristen jerk in my dream? And why… is there a blonde boy with light blue eyes next to him. They… they look alike. Are they twins? The blonde boy has a crown on his head, but… Tristen looks… sad and gloomy while the blonde boy is smiling. He even looks like he is mocking Tristen with the facial expression he is giving him. That… that boy… he seems familiar, actually. Now that I think about it… he looks like a child version of the blonde man who killed my father in my nightmare many years ago!

I suddenly opened my eyes quickly. When my blurry vision fixed itself, I saw a familiar ceiling mural painting. Where am I? I slowly sat up as I rubbed my eyes.

"My! Princess is awake! Quick! Let his majesty know that the princess is awake!" yelled a woman's voice.

What is going on? Why am I back in this bastard's room?! How!? It must have been at least 2 am by the time I went to sleep. How is it possible?! How did they find me?! Was it all a dream?

The doors slammed open as the trashman, Ezra, and Hansol walked in behind him.

"We need to talk." The trashman said with rage in his red eyes.