On the hilltop, scarred by the beauty of the moons reflection, I sat.
Hoping and praying that my companion wouldn't shy away once again.
That he would keep to his tradition and spend the moment with me once more, staring at the heavens, in all its splendor and glory.
I was always lonely, more times than I even felt company.
The pain of having people surround you but not there with you, was something I had to grow up with and even into.
"Straighten up princess, stand tall and never look down"
Those were the words I was told from time to time, by my handmaid, grandmother and even my mother; the queen.
It was always a wonder to me, how people who haven't even experienced my plight or lived the life I was living, would look up at me and despise my position.
"Oh, how I wish I was her"
They would say, or.....
"It should be me up there, with all the attention and fame"
It was truly disgusting though, the envy of people who didn't even know you but still despised you nevertheless.
But "He" was different.
He didn't care about who I was or what I had, but still interacted with me like I was just his a normal girl.
That's why my time with him felt special, that's why I always yearned to see his face.
For he was my first true friend.
{First night}
"Are you sure about this princess" Medina asked me, her crimson eyes peering deeply at me in worry.
Even though she was contracted to me, I still felt like she was more of a servant of my father than of me.
"It will be alright, it's just this once" I responded callously, pulling open my window as I stepped out to the spacious balcony outside.
'Besides all they can do is scold me' I thought, pulling my overgown and royal regalia to reveal the white dress underneath.
Scold me for trying to live like a normal human being, scold me for trying to see the world beyond my window.
It was suffocating and excruciating, having the highest view in the empire but seeing nothing from it.
"I've only practiced this spell once princess, there's no telling where it will send us."
" Hopefully not to far" I giggled, pulling a cloak over my dress.
Medina stared at me with a reprimanding look, genuinely concerned about my reply.
"Ok, let's try the market over there then" I replied, pointing towards the cluster of stalls down at the far end of the wall.
Medina nodded after confirming the location, letting down her black hair as it changed into pure white, glimmering in the moonlight.
Although she didn't change into her dragon form, her mana was still as pungent and overwhelming as if she had.
It was surprising that she possessed such power at just the first part of her entire life.
"Is there a problem, princess?" She asked, touching her hair as she stared back at me confused.
"Just amazed by how beautiful and majestic you are that's all" I replied, smiling at her as I felt her silky smooth hair.
"Let's go then" .
A bright light emanated from the spot on which we stood, hand in hand as a strong gust of wind pushed forth, enveloping our surrounding the moment the spell activated.
In a second, we appeared on a clear hilltop, filled with jet black grass, dancing in the wind.
I let go of Medina's hands, turning around as is stared at nothing but an extension of a grass field, spanning for the entirety of my view.
"Did you get the spell wrong, Medina" I asked, a bit troubled about where we had wound up.
"I think I got pulled here by a similar mana the moment the spell activated" she replied, walking towards the edge of the hill.
"You mean like a dragons mana?" I asked surprised by her explanation.
It was impossible that another dragon existed in the empire without our notice.
"Yes, I think so princes-. Shh, someone is coming" she whispered immediately, walking towards me as she held me to herself, activating a cloaking spell.
As the entity got closer, I could hear the footsteps of it running, stopping at the top of the hill, panting and gasping for breath.
"Gah.... I didn't expect this body to experience this much strain just from running" it spoke.
It was infact a boy that spoke, not an animal or a dragon, but a boy about my age grade, dressed in a white tunic and black trousers.
His short auburn hair glowed in the night sky, revealing a black tattoo plastered behind his ears.
It was the crest of the Brithuels, a house that visited father a lot, and he was their third son; Milo von Brithuels.
"Look Medina, that boy is Milo, I've seen him in the palace before" I shrieked, fascinated by his presence.
He turned immediately he heard my voice, staring from side to side in the dark, but seeing nothing in the end.
Medina's hands were already wrapped around me, concealing both our presence.
"Is anyone there, I heard a voice" he spoke, a coarse tone clinging softly to his voice.
Not having heard anything, he decided to seat quietly, pulling a scroll from his pocket as he raised it to the sky.
"This has to be the highest point right, I guess it's about to start then." He spoke, returning the scroll to his pocket as he relaxed his posture.
Confused by his remark, I decided to stare at the sky, wondering what it was that he was mumbling about.
The stars stretched as I gazed at them, feeling a high pitched ring pierce my ears, numbing me as I stood there, watching stars fall!.
It was unimaginably beautiful.
A scenery that I would not have experienced, from behind the castle walls.
It was as if the stars pulled their light along with them as they fell through the sky, leaving a trail of iridescent colors as they passed.
"We have to go princess, it's getting late". Medina interrupted, tugging at my dress as she walked backwards.
"Just a little more" i stressed, staring at the sky, completely lost in its brilliance.
"Sorry princess, we can't stay any longer" she objected finally, activating the teleportation spell as we returned back to my balcony in another instant.
Although I wished we could stay longer, I wasn't angry at her.
Instead, I just smiled knowing we would be there again.
"Did you see that Medina,that's what the outside world looks like!". I yelled, eyes glimmering in delight
{Second encounter}
"What's wrong Sylvia, you've hardly touched your dish. If you don't like it I can ask the cooks to bring something else" Mother offered, peering closely at me.
I shook my head in disagreement, also trying to let go of the thought of my experience the other day.
"No, it's alright" I responded, putting fork to plate as I scrambled the peas and rice altogether.
"Alright then. Me and your father were just talking about your brother's birthday that's coming up soon. Have you picked a dress yet."
"Sylvia?"
"Sylvia!!"
My mothers voice echoed as she called out my name, jolting me back again from another train of thoughts.
"Is anything the matter with you" Father finally spoke, an inquisitive look on his face as his beard danced while he chewed.
His black long hair kept my eyes fixated on them as I stared back at him with a blank mind.
I needed to revisit the spot again in order to clear my head, but this time I was going to finally speak to him for sure.
"No Father. Thank you for the meal Mother, father" i greeted standing up as I set down the cutleries, holding my dress and walking towards my little brother.
"Good night" I wished, kissing his forehead as he giggled.
I got to my room and bolted my door, watching Medina get up from where she sat, reading a book.
"Let's go back again" I pleaded, walking towards her as I clasped her hands.
She frowned at me, looking into my eyes as she sighed finally.
"But we'll have to be back quick" she warned, raising a finger to my face.
I nodded frantically, walking towards my window.
This time, Milo was already there and he just sat there, gazing at the sky as usual.
I hid behind Medina, contemplating my course of approach before she corrected.
"If you don't go now, you might never get the confidence to speak to him and make a friend." She explained thoughtfully.
She was right though, it didn't matter what I said, as long as I approached him truthfully maybe it would all work out well.
Arming myself with that resolve, I finally walked towards him.
"It's beautiful, isn't it" I pointed out as I caught up to him, sitting beside him and looking towards the sky.
He remained quiet, staring at me in amazement and making me feel awkward in return.
'You were right Medina, maybe it will work out' I thought, smiling.
*******
Days had passed since the last time I saw Milo, and even though i had checked back the night after we spoke, he was nowhere to be found.
I had asked Jarkis to search about his whereabouts and after the next day, he told me that Milo was in the coastal city of Ethos.
Jarkis was my father's informant and even though my question had troubled him, he didn't pry or share it with my father.
Knowing Medina had gotten better at spell casting, I decided to head to Ethos just for confirmation sake.
'Just to see if he's safe. He's my friend so it's the only thing I can do right' I thought to myself, trying to find justification for my actions.
Surprisingly, Medina didn't argue, she just urged me to be early again.
So we went.
The coastal city was brimming with life, with people rushing to and fro endlessly when we arrived at the city center.
Medina had known the location since she flew over it once.
I pulled my hood over my face as a few people stared at us, hiding my hair from their gaze.
According to Jarkis, Milo lived in the Mayor's manor, so I told Medina to teleport us once more to their rooftop.
Tracing Milo's mana from then on wasn't hard, as I could feel his mana the minute we landed.
"That window" I whispered, pointing down below us. He was preparing to close it so I stopped him, feeling his warm touch graze my hand.
I climbed into the room, staring at the sparse but fine furnitures spread accross the tight space.
"Hey stranger, I thought I wouldn't find you. Thank the gods you're still awake" I rattled, dusting myself as I entered.
There was a look of shock on his face and justifiably so, I could understand why. He called me a strange name, smiling as he stared at me but I didn't bother to ask what it was.
We sat on his bed after and talked about why he had come here and throughout the conversation, he never once brought up the question of why I came, or that he felt uncomfortable by my presence.
That alone made me glad.
We chatted throughout the night as he asked about me and how my days were, it was an awkward feeling for me though, since I couldn't tell what it was I felt each time he looked at me, or when his hands grazed mine when he moved.
All I could feel was my throat drying up and my heartbeat tripling in excitement.
I left afterwards, waving and promising to come again, but from that night I couldn't.
Since unfortunately, I was caught by father.