The day has come and the prince that was hidden from the world for the past decade would be presented to the general public along with his bride to be.
His majesty was soaking in the holy lake for an extended period of time as part of his preparation for the ceremony. Once just a boy, Prince Aiden was now a fine young gentleman. His body had become stronger, although his skin remained youthful and like porcelain.
His golden strands of hair cascaded past his shoulders and spread out like ripples in the water and his light brown eyes looked like a pair of crystal marbles in deep sockets. They were lined with long lashes and perched on strong cheekbones. His highness was truly a sight to behold.
However, one thing hasn't changed.
It was the desolate look on his face. And the prestige nor the privilege of being royalty could not save him from the harrowing feeling of loneliness. Even after over a decade has passed, his life remained static and he hungered for something unprecedented. Little did he know that was exactly what he was about to get.
It had been awfully quiet for quite sometime and the maidservant hadn't yet returned with the healing oils that was to be applied onto the prince's body. Prince Aiden craned his neck but the guards were nowhere in sight.
"Lady Luna! Are you there?" He rose from his spot, peeking behind the large rock that offered him what little privacy he was entitled to and there, he caught a glimpse of the soldiers on the other side of the boulder.
But before he could even call out to them, he felt a cold and sharp object graze the skin on his smooth neck. Then a firm hand dared to grip the prince's shoulder and leaned insolently close behind his ear.
"Don't make any sudden movements." The cold yet soft voice whispered.
"What is it that you want?" Prince Aiden asked, attempting to glimpse the assailant's face only to get shoved roughly for trying. Once again, he felt the knife pointed on his throat brush against his skin.
"Be quiet!" The voice hissed. "We'll take what we came for and leave so just stand still."
An accomplice appeared on the side of his eye holding a sack in which the trespasser shoved the prince's hair ornaments and jewelry. The prince smirked, finding the amateurs both amazing yet foolish. "Do you really believe you can leave after this?"
But his highness was to learn that he had underestimated his enemies.
The armed person behind him laughed mockingly. "And why couldn't we? Your guards are asleep after inhaling our drug infused incense. And so is the madam."
Prince Aiden's eyes widened and whatever he had thought of saying next got caught in his throat.
"Not so tough now, are you?" The mystery man scoffed. "You royals only know how to stand on a pedestal but can do nothing without your servants. People like you make my stomach turn."
"Let's go." The accomplice signaled while tying the top of her sack in a knot before flinging it over her shoulder.
The person behind the prince slowly backed away, still tracing his majesty's shoulder then his back with the blade with such delicacy that Prince Aiden could tell they either meant no harm or they were simply bluffing. Regardless, he couldn't accept the arrogance of the one who threatened him.
And so, when he saw an opportunity, the prince spun around and grabbed his assailant who then instinctively swung the weapon at him but did so with a lack of ruthlessness. Prince Aiden easily avoided the blow, twisting the assailant's wrist until the knife slipped out of his grip.
Except when he looked closely, the eyes behind the makeshift mask were not that of a man. Even the form, the petite frame and it just hit him— the voice. It was a woman.
But the prince committed a grave mistake— he was mesmerized by her clear blue eyes. As he attempted to unmask her, she jerked backwards and threw fine dust at his majesty's face but it was no ordinary powder for in a matter of seconds, Prince Aiden's vision blurred and he slowly lost his balance.
Just before he lost consciousness, he learned something worth noting. That the masked thief couldn't have been all that evil because she caught Prince Aiden before he fell into the water and sat him up against the boulder, even preserving his dignity with his silk robe.
And for the first time, the young prince's life that could be compared to still waters had been disturbed by a single leaf, causing ripples of growing desire. He wanted to know her. He didn't want to go back to his uneventful life even if that meant entering unfamiliar territory.