...
Ellie was standing before the king. Her father, the man who took her in without laying out a condition. She respected him and that's why she didn't want to do anything that would upset him. She would do anything he asks of her without questioning his decision. She's a princess now and she knew that sooner or later she would get married. She wouldn't object to it because she knew it was her duty, now she's a princess.
"Father." She uttered.
"My dear daughter. How are you doing? What brings you here?" He asked in a loving and calm tone.
"I came to ask for your permission to leave the castle."
He stared at her for a while as if trying to figure out something. He took a deep breath and spoke. "You have my permission, but you'll be escorted by some of the guards." He said and she nodded. She knew she couldn't go out alone. She would always be escorted.
"I have something important to talk to you about." He said.
"But I'll tell you tomorrow. When your mother is here with me." He added and Ellie let out a soft sigh.
Her guts told her that whatever it is he wanted to say wouldn't be something she would like to hear. At least for now, so she's thankful he did not tell her right now.
"Alright father." She said.
"I'll call five of my soldiers to escort you wherever you want to go, but don't go far." He warned and she nodded.
He instructed a guard to call the soldiers and in no time they were already standing before the king. Cyrus was among the soldiers.
"Greetings your Majesty. Greetings your highness." They bowed respectfully.
"I want you all to escort her out of the castle. Take her wherever she wants to go and don't take her too far." He instructed and they all nodded.
They were already leaving when someone's voice stopped them in their movements.
"I want to also come." The voice said and they all turned to look at the source of that voice except for Ellie. She knew who that voice belonged to so she refrained from turning back to look at him.
He moved closer until he was standing few inches away from him and that was when Ellie turned to look at him. She was greeted by a pair of black shining eyes. He was grinning wide at her.
"Can I come with?" He asked but she just gave him a hard glare. She was still angry with him and she didn't want to talk to him. Was that not the reason she even took permission from her father to leave the castle, so she can stop thinking about him? How does he always manages to find a way into her life? Couldn't he leave her alone to live her life?!!
"No it's alright Amir. These men are coming with me." She said in a firm tone.
"But I also want t -"
"Let him go with you Ellie. He would make your journey less bored." Lucid said cutting Amir off.
Ellie couldn't refuse her father so she just gave him one hard glare before she finally gave in. "Fine, you can come." She uttered in frustration.
"Good." He mumbled. The only reason he wanted to go with her was to apologize. He couldn't bear her being angry with him for so long. He was the reason for her anger and he would be the one to ease her anger no matter what it takes him.
.....
Ellie was already on a black horse. Her hands caressed it's head in a loving way. Amir saw her and found her expression a little amusing.
"Shall we?" He said bringing his horse close to hers. She just gave him a slight smile and kicked her horse and she started to ride it.
All of the soldiers including Amir rode behind her. Keeping their pace neutral.
Amir had already left the soldiers behind and rode faster to keep up with her. When he was close enough, he called out her name.
"Ellie!" He called out but she just kept riding, totally ignoring him
"Ellie, please slow down! I'm sorry." He yelled out because she had already kicked her horse and she was now riding fast like never before. Thankfully she stopped her horse and what he saw made his throat run dry. She was giving him a deadly glare. Was she that angry for him to warrant this kind of look?!!
"You're sorry? You think sorry would be able to take back what you've done huh? How do you even expect me to forgive you?!" She uttered angrily.
"I know sorry won't be enough to atone for my mistake but please forgive me. I didn't know you were....I'm sorry, do anything you want to do with me. I wouldn't mind, as long as you're able to forgive me....please Ellie." He pleaded but she just rolled her eyes.
"You think I'll forgive you so easily. Don't be ridiculous Amir!" She said and she kicked her horse and rode it faster than the previous speed she was taking. Amir took a deep breathe. No matter what it takes, he would make sure she forgives him. Today!
Amir and the soldiers rode behind her but they couldn't keep up with her. She was just too fast!! How did she even learn to ride like this? They thought among themselves but they couldn't think anymore because her horse was now heading towards the forest. Why is she going there? She could have easily turned so why did she keep on going?
Ellie on the other hand couldn't control the horse anymore. Her anger had made her do this and now she was unable to stop the horse. She knew it was only a matter of time before she fell from the horse and that would be a bad thing.
Amir could already tell she was starting to lose balance! He needs to get to her fast before she falls over. He whipped the horse and it started to move in an excruciatingly painful speed. He was already ahead of the soldiers and he was now getting close to Ellie. Just a few more... and he would catch her but before he could even do that she lost her balance and fell on the ground with a hard thud. Amir stopped his horse in one swift movement. He could already see Ellie rolling on the floor. He got down from his horse but before he could get to her. A large snake was already standing ahead of him and it seemed to him that it's prey was Ellie. His whole world stopped. All he could think at that time was to save Ellie.
He moved to grab her but he was too late. The snake had already bitten her and it wriggled it's body away.
"Ahhh..." She yelled as she held her legs in pain.
The soldiers had already caught up with them and they saw the scene before them. If anything happens to the princess then they'll pay with their lives. Their king would never forgive them.
Amir was the first to meet her. His face was grave. He was in a trance. What should he do?!!
"Are you okay?" He asked. How could he ask her that?!! She's clearly in pain and he's asking her if she's okay??!
He lifted her leg and saw flows of blood running down. He needed to do something before the poison spreads her body.
He placed his lips close to her leg. It was as if he wanted to extract the poison by sucking it. Ellie and the soldiers saw what he was trying to do and their eyes were left wide open.
"W-w-what are you doing?" She asked him. Her voice was clearly in pain.
"Amir! You can't do that. You'll die!" Cyrus warned and a smile curved up on Amir's lips.
"Do you want her to die? This is the only thing I can do to save her." Amir said with a smile on his lips.
"We'll take her back to the castle as soon as possible. We can't let you do this." Cyrus said but Amir didn't respond and just placed his lips on Ellie's legs and extracted the poison.
"N-n-no...Amir don't do this!" Ellie warned but he didn't listen. He kept on sucking everything out until Ellie could feel her body once more. She knew that she was feeling alright now because he had extracted all of the poison and it was now transferred to him.
Amir fell back on the ground. He was already weak and he couldn't even move anymore. Love really is dangerous. He thought. Love makes you do crazy things. He just sucked out a deadly poison all in the name of love, but it was worth it. She would stay alive.
Ellie moved closer to him and shaked his face gently because his eyes were already closing. No! Why did he have to do this?!! Why didn't he listen to the soldiers and just take her to the palace as they had instructed.
"A-a-amir please....please open your eyes! Why did you have to do this? Why do you want to die? I've not been a good person to you. I've only brought problems into your life...why....why did you have to save me, Amir?" She cried. How could he do this? Was this how he was going to die? He saved her even after she had shunned him! Why did he have to go to this extreme to save her??! Why?!!!
"No Ellie..." He paused as he coughed out blood... "You're not a bad person. You're the reason I believe in love so don't say that anymore...I wouldn't mind dying, as long as I die in your arms." He uttered with a smirk on his face. How could he even smile in this situation? Doesn't he know that his life is at stake here?!!
"No Amir. You won't die. I will never let that happen!! You can't die!!" She screamed and shook her head violently.
"Before...I...I die, please can you forgive me?" He uttered and Ellie's tears fell even more. She's a very bad person. She had been angry with him over a little issue. How could she be this heartless?!"
"I forgive you Amir....please don't....don't leave me...you'll be fine just don't close your eyes...please." She pleaded and he coughed out blood again.
"Can I ask for one more thing before I go?"
"You're not going anywhere! You're staying right here!" She said firmly.
"Kiss me." He uttered but he shook his head, even that movement was excruciatingly painful for him.
"No. Don't kiss me, my mouth has poison in it... okay, just give me a hug Ellie." He said and Ellie didn't even hesitate as she hugged him tightly and cried profusely.
"Thank you." He said and he suddenly went limp in her arms.
No! This could not be happening!! This can't happen! He's alive and he's just playing one of those his exaggerated expressions. She shook him but he didn't even move. No!! This is just a dream!! A dream that felt so real!! She wants to wake up from this nightmare! Someone should wake her up!! Please!!!
She sat and hugged her knees and let all her tears out. She didn't know how long she's been sitting there for. All she knew was that she couldn't feel anything. Her heart had gone numb. Her soul was elsewhere. She couldn't even move.
She caused this!! She caused all of this!! If she had stayed in the castle without going out, Amir wouldn't have followed her! If she had controlled her anger, all of this things wouldn't have happened. She killed him! She was the one who killed him. She was the cause of his death!! She'll never forgive herself!! Never!! How would she tell Elen that her best friend was dead and he died all because of her? How would she live with the guilt knowing she was the cause of his death?
She buried her head between her knees when a voice forced her to look up.
"Princess." It was Cyrus who called.
"We'll need to get him treated fast." He added.
Huh? Treat? How could they treat a dead person? Or was he alive? The hope that bloomed in her chest was undescribable. She just hoped it was true.
Cyrus saw her confused expression and he finally told her.
"He's alive."
Hearing those words, Ellie's world started spinning. He was alive!! He was not dead! Then they should take him back to the palace before it's too late.
"Then let's get going." She said and the men nodded. She sat behind Cyrus on his horse while one of the other soldiers took Amir away.
They started to ride as fast as they could. They didn't want to waste anymore time. He needs to be alive.
In no time, they arrived the palace and a doctor was called pronto to treat Amir.
Ellie prayed that he survived this so he could get to live his life happily. She had been a bad person towards him and this time, she'll change for the better. She would never push him away from her. All that matters now was for him to survive all of this.
...