"It's quite simple, you address me in a casual manner." She beamed with mischief, smiling sheepishly.
Leo's eyes widened momentarily at her suggestion, but swiftly hid his reaction while deciding to play dumb on the issue by staring at her blankly.
"Why are you staring at me like that?" She questioned, feeling a little self conscious.
"Simple, I don't understand what you mean, Princess." He intentionally stressed the latter.
Mae frowned at his words, she had just told him how she wanted to be addressed, yet he refused to oblige.
"No, no. You can't tell me you didn't understand what I said earlier, Leo!" She stomped her feet.
"Princess, our one hour time frame would soon be up. I suggest we make good use of the remaining few minutes." He reminded.
"I want you to refer to me as Mae." She blurted out in frustration.
"Pr-"
"If you dare refer to me one more time in that annoying title, consider you being relieved of watching over this overbearing person in front of you." She challenged with a glare, sick and tired of being considered different from her peers, unable to casually speak with anyone other than her royal sorcerer.
"But-"
"No buts." She stopped him before he could come up with an excuse. "Why is it so hard to refer to me with just my name? Is it because of my parents? They don't need to know, you could just call me by my name personally when we are alone if that's more comfortable to you."
"I–" Leo was at loss for words, setting aside the fear of what might happen if he was caught showing any sign of insubordination by disregarding any royal's title.
This has been one of his one wish, to be able to refer to her by her name, but he hadn't expected such a direct approach from her, and definitely not now.
'Mae.' He mentally prepared himself to call her name, it didn't feel as awkward as he thought it would be.
"So what do you say?" She looked at him hopeful.
"There is a catch to this though." He proposed his own condition, considering Mae's attitude, he very well knew there would be sometimes when she would put him in a tight corner by making mention of her name casually in the midst of others for the fun of it.
'No I can't allow that!' He shook off the thought, bringing his attention back to the expectant Mae.
"You are not allowed to make any reference to our casual conversation whatsoever." He stretched out his hand in a shake. "Deal?"
Mae's eyes shone with youthful vigor, this was definitely what she had wanted, although she couldn't figure out how he knew she might let their interactions slip.
"Deal!" She took his hand.
"Very well then Mae, I would have to take my leave now." He bowed.
Mae nodded her head in happiness at finally getting through to him.
Walking towards the door, his hand on the knob, he remembered something he had been wanting to say all along, "Please try not to get caught when you plan on your new escapades, and don't expect to see any animal that might have caught your fancy." He warned cryptically.
Walking out the door, he closed the door behind him, letting her take in what he said, his back on the door; he heaved a great sigh, hoping she wouldn't fall into depression once she found out the truth.
"Don't expect to see an animal that caught my fancy?" She repeated to herself, laying face down on the bed.
'I can't sit here and do nothing!' She pulled her face off the pillow, looking out the window, she felt the urge to sneak out through there.
"No." She cautioned herself.
"Your Highness, I hope whatever you wanted to do has been fulfilled because we are back to our post." She heard on the other side.
"Of course I did." She replied.
Searching through her closet, she picked a simple green dress for the day.
Opening the door, she slipped out, with the guards watching her with curious eyes.
"Your Highness." They bowed, but their eyes spoke volumes as to why she was out.
She could notice the overly excited guard had gotten a grip of his emotions as he was more calm and collected like his counterpart. But the spark was still there in his eyes, but he didn't act on his impulses this time around.
"Ah! I see." She nodded her head, understanding their stares. "You are wondering where I'm headed to, right?"
Both guards cleared their throats, but nodded nonetheless to her deduction.
"Well I'm headed to Elvis' tower for a little chit chat. I'm allowed to do that, right?" She waited for their reactions.
"Since it's within Castle grounds, I don't see why not, Your Highness." They said in unison.
"Great, I'd be off then," She clapped her hands in delight, "Do watch over my Chambers while I'm gone." She patted them on the shoulder, skipping in the other direction.
–––––––––––
"Skun!" She whispered, peering through nothing but darkness.
She felt a little guilty for lying to those guards on her whereabouts, but if she didn't do so, how could she visit her dragon friend without being accompanied?
It almost felt like forever since she had visited and was unsure of his condition, she had been distracted lately by her desire to go outdoors, she had almost forgotten about her first friend indoors.
"Skun!" She called out once more, a little weary of where she stepped since she couldn't see anything due to the pitch black which clouded the room.
"Why would this place be pitch black most times anyways?!" She complained.
"Should I tell you why?" A voice responded.
"Who's that?" She turned around, but that didn't help at all with the darkness engulfing her sight, it almost had the same feeling of closing her eyes even though they were clearly opened.
"Skun if it's you, I would advise you stop playing games and please turn on the lights." Mae nervously laughed trying to ease her racing heart.
All she heard were chuckles but no definite reply whatsoever.
"Skun?" She asked once again as she began to feel her way around. She was done playing games with whoever thought this scheme was funny.
"Oh!" She heard the voice say, at the same moment she felt something which made her freeze.
'I- is this a body I'm touching?' She freaked out.