"You're going home tomorrow, right," she asked as she found Nicolas in the castle library. Her face blushing but no longer hiding behind her fan, "Want to go out in town this afternoon?"
Nicolas questioned her with his eyes, placing his elbows to the table supporting his chin and sighed. "You know I can't just simply wander around," especially with the recent developments, he thought.
When he looked back up, her spirit is more than down; it was through the floor. Thinking that it might get him in trouble, he quickly followed up, "I would love to, but you know my situation. I can't risk your life and your people. Besides, father will grill me alive if he finds out," He desperately tried to look for Anton but he's nowhere to be found.
"Well, we can always sneak out, just this once, and we'll be careful," Meriane again pitched, but the idea did not sound appealing to the prince, not one bit.
Nicolas could only gaze outside the window and into the horizon before preparing to leave. "There is something more important we need to do," he said as he kneeled down and placed his hand inside his pocket.
Meriane was baffled as he did and the thought of having a leisurely stroll outside lost it's value. She felt as if the world moved in slow motion, and her heart began to rise as she thought all of the possibilities on why the prince would do such a thing.
"Could this be—" she thought, her eyes sparkling while her mind is already at cloud nine.
"And that's to take a rest— I'm sure your body is aching from the practice yesterday, and I have two long days ahead of me," he added before bringing his hand back out and wiped his shoe with a handkerchief.
Meriane's thoughts crumbled to the ground as he did. "What a letdown; I thought he's going to do something special," she blushed as she once again found refuge behind her fan. "Don't lose hope; I have a plan. This time a legitimate way."
"And that plan is?"
"Wait here; I'll ask Uncle Frederick," she insisted before leaving the library, her spirit back up.
Nicolas let her be; he was sure that the young lady would be turned down, only adding to her already broken spirit. This is not a matter of simple wants like the lunch yesterday; this is an absolute must in order not to repeat that hellish night. He was so sure that he already decided to head back to his room and rest. He was so sure that meeting his father on the way came as an undesirable surprise.
"Good afternoon, father, What could have brought you here?" he sighed, not liking the direction in which things are going.
"I heard you wish to stroll outside."
How did it suddenly become my idea? He sighed, tired with the princess's wide smile behind the King. "It's not my idea."
"I'll let this slide for once."
He was speechless and confused to what's going on, "Are you serious, father?" even Anton could only shrug his shoulders in this sudden change of atmosphere.
"You can explore the close parts of the town but both of you will be accompanied by your attendants and the knights."
"And all of us would change into normal clothes to not draw attention," Meriane batted in, "With that, you can relax, right?"
"But—"
"It seems like you misunderstood me, this is not due to your request, this is an order," Frederick called Anton. "I'm leaving everything to you. I want them back before sundown."
With everything prepared and everyone dressed, there they were, walking around town that for years, he had only seen from inside his room. For the first time in his life, he can hear the busy streets without the muffling effect of the carriage's body. Children playing around freely without worry and the people's faces that's painted with smiles—it was refreshing at first, but as they went on, it reminded him of his sin. If not for him, Gregoria would have stayed lively like this; if not for him, his people might have a better life by now.
"Please let these people's lives stay as they are," he prayed.
"Are you okay?" Meriane tapped him by the shoulder as she noticed him staring blankly at nothing, a saddened atmosphere radiating from him. "We can head back now if you want."
He would sure love to go back, but everyone had made efforts just for this simple stroll. Going back now would make all the resources and time used go to waste. "I'm fine; I'm just a little hungry. Too much thinking makes my stomach ache."
"You should have said so earlier," the Princess smiled.
Nicolas would be lying if he said that she's unadmirable. It's an undeniable fact that he despised her when they were children, but as they grew together, he got used to it. Likewise, the princess had toned down and became more lady like. She's also great with kids and always finds a way to put a smile on their faces. Maybe it's the caring look in her eyes or the natural, alluring beauty that she got from her mother.
"So, what do you want to eat? There are various shops around here that I usually visit myself. We can go to the bakery, or we can try that newly established restaurant, perhaps—" she stopped as she caught wind of Nicolas staring at her. "Is— is there something wrong with my face?" she asked, flustered.
The prince, on the other hand, continued walking, "Let's go with the bakery; I'm craving for something sweet," He stopped, "But if you prefer the other, then we can go there instead."
"Nope, let's stick with what you want."
The inviting smell of freshly baked bread and pastry made Nicolas's stomach protest even more. Without giving it much thought, he quickly grabbed a fat caterpillar like bread. It's golden-brown hue and peculiar shape filled his interest, paired with it's still warm surface. He had never seen something like it before and is more excited to quench his curiosity for its taste.
"What do you think you're doing," The shop owner came roaring and smacked him with his rolling pin.
The prince was too devastated; he felt like crying and recoiled to the corner and sulked. Meriane could only contain her laughter with what happened, never expecting that the always composed Nicolas would be upset over a treat. She continued to giggle until the whole shop is filled with her joyful celebration.
"It's fine, Mr. Sandro; we'll pay for it," she finally revealed her face.
"P— Princess Meriane, what could you be doing here? Are you with that beggar?"
"Beggar? Where?" they both turned at Nicolas. "Oh, do you mean him? Silly, he's not a beggar. We got permission to let him tour around the town for a bit."
The man could only scratch his head, "Even if you say so, who exactly is he?"
"Do you really want to know? Your heart might not take it well," Meriane warned him, but the owner is determined. With a smirk, she leaned in close to Sandro and whispered.
"THE PRINCE OF GREGORIA?" he fell to the floor in shock. Different kinds of punishments ran through his mind as he crawled towards the prince, trembling and halting once he's in a fair distance from the prince. "Forgive me, your majesty," he cried, "Please don't take my head, I will do anything, I'm begging you."
Nicolas faced him and said, "I wouldn't do that; I'm sane enough not to make it that big of a deal, plus, it was my entirely fault."
Sandro kept his head firmly glued to the floor. He had never seen the prince before, but he heard the rumors. Rumors about the past and what he did. He tried his best to calm down, but nervousness got the best of him. "I insist, your majesty, you can take anything from the store; please spare this lowly peasant's life."
"I already told you; I have no intention of—" he was about to help the man stand when Meriane stopped him, saying that it might make things worse.
"Just pick anything that serves your fancy. He'd feel better that way," she whispered to him.
Moments later, they are now walking back to the castle with a paper bag in Nicolas's hands. He took ten pieces of the bread from earlier, which the owner called croissant and is now back to his composed self, full and feeling a little better.