Cheers and screams echoed out, reaching my ears as I got closer to the southern gate. My heart was pounding, and my lungs burned, but my legs continued to carry me; the heels of my boots slapping against the stone as I made my way through the richer parts of the city.
I could hear another pair of shoes matching my pace, and I looked over my shoulder only to find Edith frantically following me; her face red from having to run. It was obvious neither of us had ever used this much energy at once before.
It didn't help that I was pregnant. My stomach was bloated, and had grown a bit, but I knew I was still somewhat early; a couple months, three max.
My blonde hair was blowing wildly in the wind as I ran, before I finally came to a halt as I reached the thickness of the crowd. Why didn't he tell me? I thought. I was so far from where he would be, that there would be no way he would be able to see me.
The crowds were spilling into the alleys that separated sections of buildings, flooding side streets and sidewalks while guards blocked off the main street the prince and his small army would be coming down. They paid no mind to anything otherwise.
My hands went to my stomach once more, and as Edith joined my side, gasping for breath, she asked why I darted like that. "The royal family doesn't give a shit about us," she snapped, "why take the time to see him off? Let alone run like that?" She hunched down, resting her hands against either of her knees as she continued to gasp for air. "Now I'm extremely sweaty and wet from all this damn rain."
"You didn't have to follow me," I stated, most likely a little too snappy as she sounded offended as she shot back up.
"Excuse me? But when my best friend randomly darts off, I'm going to follow." Sweat was dripping down her face; her face even redder than before.
We had made it just in time, as just as she finished scolding me, trumpets began to play out as the prince began to come down the road upon horseback.
The streets were littered with black and red confetti; the colors of Ravenvale. Every couple guards were holding a flag; held high using a strong pole.
There were so many people; yet why haven't I heard of it nor been told directly from his mouth, of all people.
I need to see him! Please, let him see me too. I screamed inside.
I instantly started to shove my way into the crowd, against Edith's reluctance, though she followed anyways; I could hear as she apologized on my behalf.
Fellow citizens of my same class, as well as those much higher than me, it didn't matter, I was in a trance on my way to see him.
Eventually the crowd I was pushing began to get rowdy and started to yell and shout, causing attention towards me as I continued on, Edith still apologizing.
"What's going on!?" I heard a guard finally yell out from the street, his head equipped with a black helmet bobbing about as he tried to gaze through the crowd.
"Some poor girl is being a nuisance!" I heard a man of obvious wealth shout out, causing a wave of voices to yell out with their own versions of the same accusations.
As I approached the street, I saw the guard already making his way into the crowd towards me. I knew he was going to detain me, but I would at least be able to be at the front to see him.
When the guard grabbed my upper arm, I finally called out. I couldn't stop myself. "Oliver!" I yelled, tears falling down my face, though blending in with the rain. Luckily I was already close enough to the street that I would actually have a chance at talking to him.
The guard tugged on my arm hard, his fingers digging into my skin bruising it instantly, and I winced in pain. "It's Prince Oliver. Especially to swine like you," he spat, his words sharp.
As Oliver approached where we were, high upon his black steed as its horseshoes tapped against the stone, he steered it towards our area, before gently asking the guard the situation; he was trying so hard not to look at me at all, which actually made him even more suspicious, and I couldn't help but chuckle softly.
"She is being disrespectful and disruptive of the other citizens come to celebrate you. She is obviously not in support of the royal family." The guard informed Oliver, his hand still firmly planted on my arm.
Finally, Oliver looked down at me from atop his horse, "let's not assume the worse, my brave knight. Are you in support of the Ambrose rule?" Oliver asked me, the muscles of his face twitching as he fought to keep a straight face.
"Yes, my prince," I curtsied. "I have only come to wish you well on your journey. And was seeking an answer to a question." I placed my hands onto my stomach once more, and his cheeks turned a light shade of pink.
"I'll be back in only a few short weeks, Miss-"
"Adeline," I blushed as I lovingly looked into his eyes.
"Adeline," Oliver repeated, smiling softly at me, "so there's no need to worry about me. And when I get back, I shall hold a meeting for any questions, my loving... citizens, may have." He then began to steer his horse back onto the road to continue his exit. "Let her be. She will be fine with a warning. Let's not spoil the day." Oliver said to the guard that still insisted on holding me like a child.
"Yes, sir," he replied to the prince, before immediately letting his grip go and returning to his spot on the street.
I began to hear faint whispers of how the prince may be too soft to rule, and how if all the poor people were allowed to do as they pleased then crime would increase, and how I should've been imprisoned for my outburst.
"Don't listen to them," Edith reassured me, placing a hand upon my shoulder. I was crying and she thought it was because of the whispers, but in truth, they meant nothing to me. I was crying because of my beloved leaving and possibly not returning.
"Do you think he'll be okay?" I asked out loud, meant for myself.
Edith answered however, not realizing it was an accident. "Why does it matter?"
Her eyes looked down at my stomach as my hands were cupping it.
"No reason," I replied nonchalantly, watching as Oliver rode out of the southern gates, and across the bridge that went over the moat of the city.