In front of Leah was the queen of Drastos. She couldn't believe that she had just run into the ruler of Drastos. She had to apologize immediately.
"I'm so sorry Your Majesty", Leah apologized.
"Don't worry dear, it's all right. But might I ask why you were crying and in such a rush to get to your room?", the queen asked.
"In all honesty, I'm trying to get away from your son"
"Oh dear, what has he done now?"
"He does not seem to care about all of his future subjects and speaks about the servants in this palace with such disdain. Not to mention his frightening temperament"
"I can assure you that he cares about his future subjects. He has been fighting battles for them since he was but a teen. As for the servants, I think that he'll be able to explain himself"
"I don't know if I wish to acquaint myself with someone like him. Or maybe I'm just too quick to judge him, I don't really know if all the things that people say about him are true"
"Don't let other peoples' impression of him affect your image of him. I can see the way that he acts around you, he's opening up in a way I haven't seen since his father died. I believe that there is a good person in him and I think that you can help"
"Wait, what exactly do you mean?"
"I'll be on my way now princess, just remember that people can change"
Leah knew that she had to talk to Leonidas immediately. Of course, with Leah's heart, one would always give another the benefit of the doubt. She was sure that there was a story behind this. Leah always believed that no one was simply good or bad but rather they just did actions that could be characterized that way.
Walking down the stairs once more, she finally saw Leonidas's solemn expression. It was as if this ice sculpture of a man had feelings.
"I'm sorry princess, I didn't mean to cause you any distress"
"I'm alright Leo, I just feel like a deserve an explanation for your conduct"
"Yes, of course. If this is a way to regain your good opinion of me then I shall retrace a story from my past. You might have heard the story of our fathers and their battles to unite our kingdoms and that they were both killed battling against each other but that story isn't true. I was just a young baby, as were you but even then, I had loved my father. He never died in battle, he died in a revolt orchestrated by the palace servants. My father had been a good man. He was generous and benevolent but he was blinded by the outer prosperity of the kingdom and couldn't even detect the corruption and greed festering in his own castle. The servants were growing tired of all their chores and decided that they would kill their king even after all that he'd done for them. The story that exists now is a result of my mother, trying to protect her son from distrusting everyone, but as soon as I found out I have not fully trusted a single soul. There is your explanation princess."
"I'm so sorry, Leo. I didn't know"
"Well, now you know, and please don't pity me, it's made me stronger"
"Leo, you can trust me"
"I hope so, princess. If you'll excuse me, I wish to go riding"
"Would it be alright if I joined? I haven't been outside the palace and I was feeling quite confined"
"That would be quite alright princess. Just follow me to the stables and we'll find you a horse"
On their way to the stables, Leah noticed a familiar smile. She had realized that it was Kylo, one of the Drastonian guards that had helped her out of her carriage.
"Kylo, how nice to see you", Leah exclaimed.
"It is quite a pleasure to see you as well, Your Highness", Klyo replied.
"You know this guard", Leonidas inquired.
"Yes, he was kind enough to help me out of my carriage when I first arrived"
"Well, that is their job", mumbled Leonidas "We must move on to the stables now, princess"
"I don't quite like it when you call me princess. I much prefer Leah"
"Ok, let's carry on now Leah"
When they finally arrived at the stables, Leah saw a magnificent white horse with gold ribbons braided into its magnificent mane. To the right of the white horse, she saw another handsome horse. It was as black as the night sky, but its eyes shone like the stars, filled with pride and determination.
"This black one is my horse. His name is Storm and he and I have been together since we were both born and he has been my constant companion for the past nineteen years"
"What about this white one?"
"That is Serenity, she does not let anyone ride her through. Her name is not quite true to her spirit. We keep her around though because Storm will never leave her side. It is like they are soulmates, I would never separate them"
"Would you mind if I had a try"
"No, not at all. Be careful though. She has really never let anyone ride her"
As Leah approached Serenity, she felt the horse immediately calm down, as if it was soothed by her presence. Leah did not immediately mount the horse but rather took a second to look at her in the eyes and place a hand atop Serenity's head.
It was as if the two had mutual respect for each other, neither one believing themselves to be greater. When Leah went to mount Serenity, Serenity let her. Soon after Leonidas had mounted Storm, they were on their way into the woods.
"Where are we?" asked Leah.
"This is my favorite spot in the woods. I've never taken anyone here before" Leonidas responded.
"Why did you lead me here then"
"You're different, much different from every other girl"
"Why do you seem to care about me? From what I've heard, you don't care about people"
"Here we go again with hearing stories about me from other people. And I don't care, I'm merely trying to get along with my future wife"
"To think that I thought you had feelings"
In that moment, Leonidas walked closer to Leah until she was backed up against the cabin.
"Watch your words. Don't keep walking straight into danger"
With those words, Leonidas raced back to the palace on his horse.
As Leonidas rode off, he knew that Leah was right behind him but his heart was racing and he couldn't think straight. As much as he tried to deny his feelings, he also wanted to protect her. There was so much that she didn't know about him and yet she could still care. Yet, he was still thinking that it didn't matter how she felt. After all, maybe he was really like what people had been saying about him. Maybe he was just a cold, heartless monster that doesn't hesitate to kill.
Even after spending so much of his life on the battlefield, Leonidas has learned to lock away any emotion and yet something in Leah was causing those same feelings to arise. He knew that he had to get away before he let any of it show.
Meanwhile, while Leah was riding behind Leonidas she couldn't help but wonder what just happened. Leonidas had walked up so close to her and she could feel the butterflies in her stomach flutter. She felt as if they had finally connected and yet when she thought that they might even kiss when he suddenly turned back into his normal self.
Leah already knew that Leonidas was dangerous. She was already aware that he could kill her in a split second but she thought that since they were going to be married that they might eventually develop feelings. She seemed to highly doubt it now as she had seen first hand how hard-hearted he really was. Leah also couldn't help but wonder if there really was, deep down, a man who needed someone to love him.
When Leah made it back to the palace, she saw Leonidas waiting for her.
"Why did you just storm off", she asked.
"You wouldn't understand", Leonidas responded.
"Maybe I do. Maybe I know that you feel something when you're with me. Maybe I feel the same way"
"Leah, you don't know what you're getting into. Why don't you heed my warnings?"
"You're telling me that I need to stay away from you because you're dangerous but now I'm starting to question whether you're really trying to protect me or yourself"
"I only have so much self-control, Leah. I suggest you leave my sight or else"
"Or else what-"
Leah didn't even have enough time to finish her sentence when she felt Leonidas's lips on hers. It was a passionate kiss with both of them fighting for control but in the end, Leonidas seemed to win. While entangling his fingers in Leah's hair, Leonidas heard something that made him stop abruptly.
"Leo", Leah moaned softly.
"What did I just do? I let myself lose control. I can't do this. Why do you always seem to drive me crazy"
"I don't know what you mean"
"Leah, I have never felt this way with anyone else. I've never wanted to be around someone. I've never wanted to stare into someone's eyes long enough to get lost in them. I've never thought about wanting to stay away from someone in order to stop myself from falling in love "