I stood in front of the small mirror in the tent, adjusting my long cloak and veil. It was amazing how these simple garments can completely conceal the person underneath. I couldn't help but feel a sense of relief, knowing that no one would be able to recognize me.
I was elated, but then again, I had one doubt. I glanced back at the princess and asked hesitantly. "Your Highness, umm... what are we-"
However, before I could finish, she interrupted me.
"Please, Amara, call me by my name. We are friends, are we not?"
Once again, I was taken aback by her words. I couldn't believe that a princess like her would one day want to be my friend. It seemed unreal. But then, thinking about the princess's kind-hearted nature, I accepted it happily.
A sense of warmth filled my heart, and I accepted her offer. "Okay, Amelia," I called her name and instantly saw her face beaming with happiness.
In a rush of happy emotions, Amelia wrapped her arm around me happily. I was startled, but then I hugged her back. "Thank you so much, Amara. You don't understand how happy I am. Thank you for being my friend." she smiled.
I chuckled, breaking the embrace. "Amelia, I should be happy that you are willing to be my friend."
Amelia tilted her head and stared at me with a smile. "So, what's worrying you? Is it the guards outside?" she asked. Her tone was gentle and soothing, making me feel at ease.
I nodded slightly.
"Don't worry about them," she said with a warm smile. "While you were cleaning up, I had a word with them. I've given them clear instructions, so you can rest assured that you'll be safe on your journey. They won't find out about anything."
Upon hearing that, I heaved a sigh of relief. However, my concern for her safety remained. "And what about you?" I asked, my voice cracking with worry.
"Me?" Amelia pointed at herself, and I nodded.
"I've already prepared everything for my journey. You don't need to worry about me. I'm strong, and I know how to take care of myself."
Despite her brave words, I couldn't help but feel a lump in my throat. She was a princess who had always lived her life in a castle, surrounded by several guards to protect her. Now, she wanted to go on this journey to find her lover in this dense forest, and I couldn't help but worry about her.
What if she meets a fierce animal?
What if she gets attacked by the wrong people? How will she protect herself then?
"Are you sure?" I asked again, knowing that walking all alone in the forest was dangerous for a woman.
The princess nodded firmly, her eyes filled with determination. She quickly changed into another dress that looked simple yet elegant. She then took out a small bag and packed all the things she needed for her journey, checking and rechecking it to make sure she hadn't missed anything important.
Then she took out another long cloak and veil to cover herself. Once she was done, I was sure that even the guards outside would be fooled by our appearance.
Finally, Amelia turned to me, and her eyes brimmed with tears as she hugged me tightly. "Amara, it's time for me to leave," she whispered in my ear.
I nodded tearfully, feeling a mix of emotions - sadness, fear, and hope. "Don't worry about me. I'll be safe," she said, her voice filled with confidence. "And, I believe that we'll meet soon. I have a feeling that our paths will cross again."
Once again, I nodded, trying to hold back my tears. I hugged her tightly, not wanting to let go. "Take care of yourself," I said, my voice barely above a whisper.
"You too, Princess Amelia," she replied with a small wink.
I laughed, but as soon as she turned around, my smile disappeared. As I watched her go further and further away, a lump formed in my throat. I couldn't help but feel nervous – after all, I was about to take on the role of a princess, a role that I was not prepared for.
But I knew I had no choice.
I took a deep breath and tried to calm my nerves while reminding myself of the plan. I had to carry on this mission of being a princess and reach the kingdom of Arathorn as soon as possible. Once we were there, my brother's safety would be guaranteed.
The thought of my brother's safety provided me with the courage to carry on with this dangerous mission. As I lost myself in my thoughts, I suddenly heard a stern voice. I quickly glanced at the entrance of the tent and saw a glimpse of a man's armor.
It must be the head guard, I thought.
"Your Highness, may I enter?" he asked in a formal tone.
"Yes," I said in a small voice, trying my best to maintain my royal persona.
The head guard entered the tent and scanned the area to ensure everything was in order. I tried to maintain my composure and hoped he wouldn't notice anything different about me. After a moment, he looked at me and asked if I was ready to leave.
I nodded, attempting to appear calm and confident, even though my heart was racing. Seeing my response, he quickly gave orders for everyone to pack up and prepare to leave.
It was time to set off on our journey to the Kingdom of Arathorn, where my brother's life was in the hands of fate. I could feel the weight of responsibility settling on my shoulders as I watched my belongings being packed away.
As I took a deep breath and stepped out of the tent, I was greeted by the sight of a magnificent ornate carriage waiting for me. The carriage was adorned with intricate designs and was pulled by two majestic horses. My heart was pounding with both fear and nervousness as I climbed into the carriage, ready to embark on a journey to my destination.