Sydney
The sun was already high in the sky as the morning light bathed the world in warmth. The air was fresh and filled with the scent of pine and earth. Juliana and I rode side by side, our horses moving gracefully over the well-trodden path towards the forest. The rhythmic sound of hooves against the ground was a comforting melody, one I'd known since childhood.
We reached the forest edge and dismounted, securing our horses to nearby trees. I breathed in deeply, letting the familiar scents of the forest fill my lungs. This place always had a way of calming me, of giving me a sense of peace that was rare in my world.
"I missed this place," I said softly, glancing around at the towering trees and the gentle stream that wound through the underbrush. It was a sanctuary for me—a place to escape the ever-present demands of the palace and just be myself.
Juliana smiled, her eyes glinting mischievously as she tilted her head to the side. "The king will one day have to marry you off, together with the stream."
I couldn't help but laugh, the sound light and carefree. It was a laugh that could brighten any room—or any forest, for that matter. "That's what I wish was possible," I replied, feeling a pang of longing in my chest. The idea of being able to stay here forever, free from the weight of royal duties and expectations, felt like a dream.
Juliana chuckled as she began to wade into the stream, her soft laughter carrying over the gentle rush of the water. "You can still visit the place after marriage," she said, glancing back at me over her shoulder.
I followed her into the cool water, feeling the refreshing touch of it against my skin. The stream was just as I remembered—clear, sparkling, and peaceful. "You read my mind perfectly," I said, a smile tugging at the corners of my lips.
Juliana's smile grew wider. "I know you too well, my princess."
We stood there for a while, our feet submerged in the cool water, the sound of the stream and the birds singing in the trees the only company we needed. In moments like this, it was easy to forget the responsibilities that awaited me back at the palace. But I couldn't stay here forever. Eventually, I would have to face what was coming—my future, my duty.But for now, I allowed myself to simply be—just a girl in the stream, with her closest friend by her side.
She swam closer to me, her voice soft, almost hesitant. "I've been meaning to ask you something."
I looked over at her, smiling as I flicked a strand of wet hair from my face. "We're friends, Juliana. You don't need to ask permission to ask me anything."
She seemed to gather her thoughts before speaking again. "Are you going to accept an arranged marriage, or... your choice?"
I paused, letting the current rush around me as I considered her question. I never liked the idea of an arranged marriage, but I had learned over the years that sometimes, your fate wasn't entirely in your hands. "My choice," I said slowly, my gaze drifting to the trees lining the bank. "But I wouldn't mind if Father got me a husband because I trust his judgment."
Juliana smiled, her eyes shining with warmth. "Either way, I'm always here for you."
I smiled back, my heart swelling with affection. "I know. That's why I love you."
She gave me a playful wink, her face lighting up. But then, her expression shifted, her eyes narrowing slightly as she tilted her head to the side.
"Did you hear that?" she asked.
I frowned, straining my ears. "Hear what?"
"Horse hooves," she said softly. "Someone's coming."
My heart skipped a beat. We needed to get out of the water, and fast. "Let's get out of the water," I said, grabbing my dry clothes from the edge of the stream. We hurried to change, the sound of hooves growing louder as we rushed to prepare ourselves.
Just as we were about to finish, the sound of horses skidding to a halt nearby stopped us in our tracks. I turned to see a group of men dismounting, and my breath caught in my throat. The leader of the group stepped forward, a familiar smirk on his face.
Harry. Of course, it had to be him.
"Hey," he called out, striding toward us confidently, his voice light but full of mischief. His guards followed closely behind him, their eyes scanning us with a mix of curiosity and amusement.
I managed a smile, though it didn't quite reach my eyes. "Hey."
Harry grinned, his gaze lingering on me. "This place has beautiful girls too?"
I raised an eyebrow, the sarcasm in his tone not lost on me. "Yes, and thank you."
He leaned in a little closer, clearly trying to impress us. "Mind joining us? We can have some fun together, Miss Beauty."
The boys behind him chuckled, their laughter dripping with sarcasm. It was the same old game with Harry: the charm, the jokes, the sense of entitlement. He thought his title meant he could get whatever he wanted, whenever he wanted it.
I straightened, meeting his gaze firmly. "That would be nice, but you'll end up in the dunjan."
Harry raised an eyebrow, clearly amused. "Oh, I see. You own one?"
"Or an imaginary one," Sean, one of his guards, chimed in, clearly trying to keep up with Harry's playful challenge.
I nodded. "Thank you so much for stopping by, but we really must be going."
Harry didn't let up, his expression growing more determined. "And my proposal?"
I rolled my eyes. "Save it for someone else."
Scott, who had been quiet up until now, smirked and stepped forward, clearly enjoying himself. "Oh, she has attitude. I think we should tell her who you are."
Before I could respond, Sean piped up, "This is the Prince of the Middle West."
I nodded with exaggerated politeness, doing my best to keep my composure. "Nice to meet you, dear Prince."
Harry smiled, clearly pleased by my response. "The pleasure is still yours."
Juliana and I exchanged a glance, her lips twitching as she silently urged me to leave. I turned back to Harry and his company, giving them a polite nod. "Let's go," I said to Juliana, gesturing toward the horses we'd left behind.
Scott was still watching us intently, a slight frown creasing his brow. "We didn't get your names."
I flashed him a smile over my shoulder, then turned to make my way to the horses. "I'm sure you'll manage."
Sean muttered under his breath, clearly offended by the dismissal. "That is so disrespectful."
Harry didn't seem bothered by the exchange. Instead, he shrugged and turned to leave. "Let them go."
And with that, we were off, mounting our horses and riding swiftly away from the group. As I glanced back one last time, I couldn't help but feel a sense of relief wash over me. Harry's presence had been uncomfortable, but we'd managed to keep our dignity intact.
Still, I couldn't shake the feeling that this wasn't the last time I'd encounter him. And next time, I might not be so polite.