They continued as before, stopping at Orchards for lunch, sleep on farms, and so on until they got to the Miller town Septase. Where the corns and grounded in big wheels. The whole town always seems to have a powdery cloak to it whenever even at night. But the bakeries there were the best. They spent their time stuffing themselves on cakes, cookies, bread, scones, and whatever pastry was available. For days until they finally left now heading to Zoweike city.
The kingdom's winery was located there. There were grape Fields on both sides of the road stretching to touch the horizon.
In Zoweike their days were spent dancing and trampling on grapefruits on big mighty drums used to squash grape for their juice, they got to taste some of their finest wines and they got to the cellars under the district Castle and houses of the merchants there filled with drums of wine fermenting. It was like a festival for the town's people. It got more exciting when princesses got drunk and acted crazy. The poor princess waking up the next morning with a hangover would swear to never drink again only to repeat it that same night. The princess who fell most to this was Ninna and Olivia which was surprised to everyone as they were the most well behaved.
On a night just like any other since the convoy arrived. Nick checking in on everyone, as usual, going from room to room checking on the princesses and if any weren't around in inquired on their whereabouts and the guess would be at the city square where the party always was. When he got to princess Samantha's room as she was always in early he was shocked to find it empty, Nick was worried and decided to go look for her. He took the road from the castle and asked the guard if maybe she had come in. He said no that he should probably check the square as that's where most people were. He headed to the square. The City was quiet as most people were asleep or out in the square and there was little light only from the half Moon shining up ahead. Nick could hear his footsteps echoing on the cobblestones. As he got closer to the town square he passed a dark alley within two buildings and just after he passed he seemed to hear sobbing. Like someone crying quietly. He stopped and decided to investigate.
"Hello... Is anyone there?" Nick called out. More sobbing was the reply ingot.
" Are you okay? I am coming in, don't worry I won't hurt you" he said this as he slowly walked into the alley, as he got closer, he saw the silhouette of a girl sitting on a barrel with her head in her hands shaking. Her blond hair almost touching the ground.
Nick walked up to her small shaking body and touched her bending down. She reacted and raised her head only for Nick to be hit with the teary green eyes of princess Samantha.
"I was just out looking for you. What happened? why are you here crying? Did something happen?" He asked all these questions in a hurry as he looked her over to see if she was hurt.
" He doesn't love me," she said through a fit of sobs. From her breathe Nick could tell she has been having wine.
" Who? Cravter?" He asked. She nodded her head.
"Of course he loves you, you are his betrothed, he is going to marry you and spend the rest of his life with you, what made you think he doesn't love you?"
" He doesn't give me any attention he doesn't even talk to me, just a polite greeting, oh a nod, I can't even be at his side, it's like he doesn't even see me, throughout this tour that I thought would make us get to know each other better or just spend time together I hardly ever see him. And now instead of him being with me, he is off teaching about how the west district is the biggest district and most economical. How can I spend my life with him when I hardly even know him"
" Of course he loves you. He is just shy and doesn't know to converse with them. Have you ever seen him with a lady except some of his sisters? I think the only girl he is free with is Luna. Don't worry give him the time he will come around, ok?"
She nodded and seemed to have stopped sobbing.
"Now let's get you to bed." He said as he lifted her by the hand but thanks to the wine she wasn't too firm on her feet so she leaned on him as they headed back to the castle. Nick looked down at her and was mesmerized by how our hair seemed to glow dimly by the light of the moon.
'How could he not notice when you are standing there. Like you are the only person standing there in a room full of people. How could he not love you, I know I do' these were the things he wished he could tell her as they walked to the castle.
They walked on finally getting to the castle. As they got closer and opened the front door. They heard laughter coming from The halls meaning some people were still up. And as to avoid attention and embarrassment for Princess Samantha they decided to take the back door the servants used. They passed in and got to the kitchen it wasn't well lit by the dying embers on the fire and there was no sound they walked out heading to the stairs that led to the rooms. Just on the stairs leading to the dining hall, they stumbled on Feres making out with a maid. She was leaning on the wall behind the steps with the strap of her dress loose and her sleeves slipping off one had with Feres too busy kissing and fumbling her breast to even notice them slip by.
When they got to the stairs leading to the rooms Princess Samantha made a giggle that soon got Nick laughing... With their hands covering their mouths like little children that just saw funny.
They transcend the steps but Samantha was stumbling as she was giggle and tipsy. So Nick carried her easily and she stopped giggling and stared at his face and he stared at her eyes. It was a short journey to her room and he stopped to drop her at the door and she leaned on the doorpost of her room. Still staring at her eyes. It was like the castle became so hot and their breathing got heavy and Nick found himself leaning closer to Sam and she leaned closer to him and in the spark of the moment their lips touched. Just for a brief moment.