The Runaway Princess

~Chapter 26~

I look out of my window willingly. I wish I could go practise but since sword fighting is the reason I can hardly walk I decide not to risk going outside.

I sigh and lean my head on my palm as I look around the palace grounds.

I look at the maze and I'm relieved that no one is intruding. I look at the rest of the gardens. I see Anthony practising with Felicia watching in awe. I shake my head. No matter how grandly she entered she still acts like the lovesick girl she always was. I looks at the other training grounds and I see Thomas practising as well. I feel the heat reach my cheeks and I look away.

Thomas can't really like me. Can he?

I can't worry about that now. There are other things to worry about like Anthony's coronation and King Neil. I look back and try to get over it. He wipes his forehead and then looks up. He spots me and I stand frozen. He smiles, a nice genuine one. I smile back and try to look casual, I have to admit, it isn't easy.

We keep staring at each other, neither of us daring to look away as if it's a challenge. I hear Anthony call Thomas and Thomas turns away. He takes one quick glance at me before walking over to Anthony.

I turn away and try to calm down the redness of my cheeks.

I lean against the wall and sit down on the floor.

"Why did you do this Thomas? Everything is so confusing now." I bury my head in my hands and sigh. How are things going to be between us now? I would probably exchange him teasing me than for this. I groan in confusion and stand up again. I can't just sit here all day moping in confusion, I might as well visit George.

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I walk through the already open door, he must be working now. I look at the small work place. He needs something bigger and better to work in. There is only one window making the place a bit smokey and hot. I watch George take out a new sword from its mould and place it in a bucket of water. "Who is that one for?" I walk up next to George. "Prince Thomas." "Why don't you call him Thomas anymore?" I ask. "Because he turned into an arrogant royal. He isn't the person I was friends with." I sigh and sit on his bed.

"He's better now, even I admit it. He's nicer and more considerate than before." I try to reason. "That special treatment is only for you." It tkes me a moment to realise the meaning in what he said. "Did he finally tell you the truth?" He puts the sword down and turns. I look away. "I'm guessing he did." He mutters. "How about Nicholas?"

I look back at him. "What do you mean by that?" He crosses his arms over his chest. "It means, has Nicholas told you the same thing yet or is he still afraid?" I shake my head. "No he didn't, but why would he say the same thing as Thomas?" He rolls his eyes and sits next to me. "Because he has feelings for you too. He always has and always will." I can't deal with something like this now.

"Yesterday I saw Christoph." This captures his attention. "Did he hurt you?" I point to my thigh and he grimaces. "It's okay, but I got angry and did the same to him." He smiles. "Did you bring him up to change the subject, because this doesn't change it at all. In fact it makes it worse for you. I think you should know that I did overhear your promises to each other." I stare at him with my jaw hanging out.

"Alexia, I promise to always protect you and keep you safe. As long as I'm here no one will harm you. I_" "Stop." I cut him off. "You think those were jokes," I stand up and try o keep my tears in, "those are still some of the nicest words that have been said to me and the ones that helped me up when I felt down. You have no idea how much they meant to the both of us." With that I walk out of the workshop as best as I can while ignoring the pain from my leg.

Once the pain catches up I stumble over to the watching benches in front of one of the training grounds. I poke my leg and the pain soars even more. I wince and look at my leg hopelessly. I wish it would just stop hurting but I guess that's impossible when you've been stabbed in your leg.

I paid so much attention to my leg that I didn't realise Thomas was next to me until he spoke.

"It still hurts?" I nod lowering my head even more than it already is. "You looked angry when you were walking." I sigh, I guess he wants to know why. "George was saying unnecessary things and making fun of something that happened before." I look up slightly and his eyes pierce into mine.

I sit up straight again and fiddle with my hands.

He stays quiet. "It was about Christoph." I mention. I look at him and his face contorts slightly. "Is that what's stopping you Alexia?" I stay quiet this time. "Alexia, I kmow I've been cruel to you so many times in fact most of the time I'm with you I'm mean to you," He takes my hands in his and looks at me with pure adoration, "but I promise that I can be better. I would always do anything to make you mine but since you met Christoph again it might take time. But for now I just want to know if we could ever have a chance to be together." I have never seen this side of Thomas before but something tells me that it's all true and genuine.

I gulp and face the Thomas that has always been hidden. "I think we could." I finally reply. He smiles and lets go of my hands. "Thank you Alexia." I see Anthiny and Felicia watching us intently as if waiting for something to happen.

I turn back to Thomas and smile back, it would be nice to believe he could be civil with me.

"Has anyone else opened up to you yet?" I shake my head and I'm not sure if it's just me or if his smile actually did widen.

I take a chance to really look at him. He actually looks handsome, I just never acknowledged it since he was always taunting me and I was just used to avoiding him.

"Enjoying the view?" I laugh and shake my head. I guess his arrogant self can't disappear along with his mean self. I try to stand and I immediately sit back down again and hold my leg. His smile disappears and he looks at me in concern, coming forward.

"You can't walk can you?" I shake my head and try to ignore the searing pain. "Do you want me to carry you back?" I shake my head again. Even if he could do it effortlessly, it wouldn't be easy to go up the staircase.

"Alexia, you won't be walking anytime soon let me help you, please." I sigh and face the reality, I can't sit here all day until the pain goes. "Are you sure you can?" He nods and smiles down at me. He loops one arm around my back and the other under my legs. He lifts me up and starts walking. I cross my arms over my chest as we walk past Anthony. He laughs and I turn my face away.

"Can you please go faster?" He laughs and shakes his head, "We're nearly there." I look forward again and see the doors come into view. I sigh in relief and he pushes the door open with his back. "You'll hurt yourself, you can put me down now." He shakes his head and continues all the way up the stairs and to my bedroom all while going against my ranting. Once he puts me on my bed I look at him, and he doesn't even look the slightest bit tired.

"Are you okay." He asks. "I'm fine, but are you okay?" He nods and sits down next to me. "Are you sure? That can't have been easy." He nods again. "How's your leg?" "It's better now." I completely forgot about my leg, in fact it feels a lot better now. "Thanks Thomas." He smiles but it doesn't reach his eyes.

I grab his hand and he looks down at our enclasped hands. "Really Thomas, I'm grateful that you did that." He nods. "Why are you so nice all of a sudden?" I ask. H3 bites his lip and diverts his gazw to my window. "I told you, I would do anything to make you mine."