Every girl would hope to dream of it, right?
Once, I have read in a book when I was in my room in the castle. I was younger that time and I thought that everything was just like that fairy tale. I have a father who was a king. My mother was the queen. I have three brothers who were princes and a sister who was a princess. I was adored and loved and treasured. My life was perfect in a sense.
I, Andrea Altruist Maecenas, lived as a princess. My dining table was filled with delightful food. If I wanted to eat something, my maid will make sure to procure it as long as it won't be harmful for me. I have an enormous selection of wardrobe. Whatever I wanted to wear was given to me. I lived in a castle. A house that was the safest and the dreamed place of every girl my age. What else could it be that I'd wish for? I have nothing more to want. I have it all. That's what I thought.
But then, everything changes when I was brought by my father to the Duke who was my uncle. On the way out of our kingdom, I found out; not everyone lived like me. Not every life was a fairy tale. All I've done was to study about things that would be useful for the future. I thought that if I do that, I could help my father on how to make the kingdom ever more prosperous… but what is this?
On the way, I saw people with various features. Malnourished by sight. Sicky and deteriorated bodies. Dirty living environment and a wreckage for a home.
Surprised by the sight, I turned to my father. Our kingdom was not the biggest in the continent, but by no means, we are a small country. I know how my father treasured me and how he dotes on me as his youngest princess.
I soon found out that these people were not from our locality. They were refugees from the north. A place where war was raging rampant.
My father, the King heard my plea and did what he could to save these people by giving them opportunities and a better living environment. Father turned the slums into a proper residential area. Provided them with products and job as so nobody would go hungry. Soon, the slums turned into a proper district. People who lived in those area praise and loved my father for doing it for them. But at the same time, many of the ministers of the palace were never in favor. It was a huge sum of money that was spent in use to do so. The cost was too high and surely, the kingdoms treasury will be hurt by his decision. But my father never intends to care as long as it was for the good of the people.
Since then, the faction in the palace were divided. Of course, not everyone in the palace became my father's ally. half of them turned against my father in secret. It was ten years since then, and then the opportunity for them came; an opportunity to kidnap the princess who loved going out to the former slums so much.
As I sneaked out and was venturing the newly recognized market district alone and without any guards, it happened… I was abducted. That's what brings me here in this dark, cold, and lonely cell.
I dedicated my thoughts and wishes for the good of the people of this Kingdom. But if I could be more selfish, then I want to meet him. Just like in one of those fairy tales, "I want a kind prince to come and save me." I muttered aloud. Oh, well what does that matter? Not that anyone could hear me anyway—or what I thought, but then a voice boomed and in front of me a person solitary person stood.
"Well, sorry for not being a prince, then."
"Who are you?!" Just when did he come in to this place? I didn't even hear a single footstep.
"A mercenary hired to save your sorry ass."
"Huh?!" Did he just say "ass?!" Whoever he is, he sure is super rude!
"Ah, I mean… here to save you, my princess." I think even if you rephrase that, it was already too late…
"What about the people guarding this place? I was told that even if I tried to escape, I won't be able to. They had that much people."
"Ah, uh…" his eyes wandered as if searching for an explanation himself, "Ah! Yes!" He exclaimed raising a finger, "they went shopping!"
"…"
What a terrible liar.
"I don't believe you." I squinted, knitting my brows in doubts.
"Okay, okay I'll be honest," he heaved a sigh of exasperation, "I've cleaned them all up. You should know what that means. That old man Alfred, was it? Told me to be careful with you. Not to scare you and all. I'm just doing my thing. Ah, wait a moment, princess lass." What uncouth and disrespectful fellow, this guy is! That old man Alfred is your king!
I wished for a prince to come. Someone riding his white horse; who was gallant and gent…
"Ugh. Damn it. Why is this lock so hard to open?! Was it stuck? Ah, shit never mind! Lass, back off a little, this lock won't cooperate." As I did what he said, he sliced the door of the cell with a single swing as if it was so easy to accomplish.
"Phew… Much better." he exhaled as if truly relieved.
…but the prince who came for me was this silly mercenary who's terrible at lying…
"I've opened the door for you, my lady." he offered with an awkward bow.
…not gallant but soaked with blood. Not white horse, but blades in hand.
"But strangely, I don't hate it."
"Huh? What? Did you just say something?"
"Oh no, it's nothing. You will protect me, no? My little mercenary?"
"Yep. In the name of gold, no harm shall come your way, my boss lass lady."
I can't really read what he was thinking. Nor any idea of what expression he has under that red scarf concealing his face. Stranger that even when this time was our first-time meeting, I feel really safe and comfortable with him.
As we ventured the dark basement where I was confined, a thought had swirled in my puerile mind;
…my prince is a mercenary, huh. A funny and a wonderful thing.
I smiled to myself.
***
I feel exhausted and my feet felt like it's going numb. Maybe because all I did was sit since when I was abducted, I have no strength left for me at all. Even just standing still is hard for me to do. Does this guy even worry about me? Does he care for me at all?
I shoot him an icy glare from behind.
"By the way…"
"Hyaa!?"
"Wha—what's with that strange reaction?"
"No—nothing. Nothing at all~." Uwaa, that surprised me, "what is it?"
Did he read my thoughts?
"We are now at the exit of the basement. Are you okay? Are you feeling tired?"
"Yes, ah, no… I'm okay."
"That's good."
So, he cares for me, after all.
"Give me your hand."
"Huhe?!" Dumbfounded, I was. I leaked another squeak. But I manage to hand over my hand, and he grab it firmly.
"Relax your body." He took me in his arms. Too sudden for my brain to comprehend the meaning behind his action.
"Huhwueee?!" A bridal carry?!
Mother, father… I must apologize. I have given this man many of my firsts. My first holding hands. My first bridal carry… Ah~, I can't be married to any other man than this knave. Oh, what a sinful daughter I am~.
"Now, close your eyes."
"Huhwehee?!" Wha—wha—what's going on?! What's going to happen?! Is this how my first kiss going to be taken?! Aren't we moving way too fast? Am I reaching the stairs of adulthood?! Oh no~~!
I puckered my lips, ready for anything!
Go on, you knave! Steal my, Andrea Altruist Maecenas's first kiss! I won't be able to resist.
One. Two. And three. Three seconds was gone and yet… nothing happened! I can feel us moving but... but!
What are you doing?! Here in front of you was the finest flower (Second to my sister only) in the kingdom of Maecenas! And yet! And yet you refuse to do something!?
"What are you doing? I told you to close your eyes."
Oh, I accidentally opened them.
"Hmph! This is my eyes! I can close and open them whenever I like!" Hm? He's even more handsome up this close. How dreamy. He looks so cool with that blackened eyes.
"Is that so? Then do whatever you like. It's just that, this kind of sight is not for a princess like you to see."
"What? Ugh!" I surveyed my eyes around for a second and close it again as fast as I could… this sight… really is something hard for me to handle. It was just a few seconds, but what it was stands more brutal than anything I saw in my life.
"What. You haven't seen this many corpse in your life? That's good. That's good for you. You really shouldn't be and never get used to this sight. Remember what you saw. That is the glimpse of hell in this world."
"Glimpse of hell? Then what about you?" I can't help but ask. No matter how you slice it, he looked never older than I was.
"I am a mercenary. I was meant to be in this hell. I was living by this hell. And with this hell, one day, I will die."
Does that mean that you were living all your life like this? Since when? How long? And until when?
Questions swirled inside me wanting to be answered. But who would answer my curious qualms? Should I dig his grave deeper than he already had? No. I shall not.
"What a life you are living in."
"Yes. And I tell you; It's not all that pleasant."
Even so, for him to say things like this. It doesn't fit his character, the way I see it. It does not align, the way I viewed his circumstances. And that's what makes me even happier. I feel as if I've made a step closer to him by knowing just a little bit of him. I promise you my newfound prince, I shall share your burdens with me.
"What are you smiling for?"
"No, nothing. I just thought that what you said was really interesting."
"That so? Good for you then."
"Yep. Good for me, indeed."
"…"
"By the way…?"
"What is it?"
"I can't seem to close my eyes forever."
"Is that so?"
"Indeed. Any good idea, my little mercenary?"
"Then open your eyes. Keep looking only at me…"
Budump
Oh, my dear heart thumping as the heat threatens to ravel my face red.
"...that way you won't have to worry about what's around you."
"Yes. Indeed. Hmm. Definitely, that is a wonderful idea."
Oh, how I've fallen… to this non-hero character.