Rose Insignia

1.5

　　 "Hurry!! Everyone form a line!!" The commoners erupted into a panic, running around the street with urgency before standing in lines on either side of the cobblestone road, to make way for the Prince to ride through.

After examining their rather somber expressions, Erin could tell that the townspeople appeared to be collectively afraid of something.

Erin bit her lip, as the previous lively and exuberant citizens were quelled into silence. It was like the flip of a switch; she definitely did not see this coming. Everyone was dutifully standing in lines almost like soldiers, after hearing the Prince's name - and this caused an unsettling sensation to churn in her stomach.

If even his people live fearing him... The rumours must be true...

Several dark-coloured stallions began to elegantly make their way through the pathway cleared by the townspeople. As Erin nervously glanced up at the men sitting upon their bridled horses, they appeared to be sentries of some sort. There were three horses, two knights up front, their expressions steely and intense.

Curiosity brimming within her, Erin veered her head to get a closer look at the faces of these men; clad head to toe in black, silver and red uniforms. Unfeeling and intense, their expressions remained stoic and unfazed by the crowd. They all looked like regular knights — except for one: the man riding at the centre.

A pure black stallion, decorated in silver horse armour with red tassels. The man seated on the horse was the only one dressed differently from the soldiers. Erin noticed the figure was clad in a dark, tall-collared uniform, made of fine fabric and meticulously embroidered by fine threading. Ebony boots adorned with silver linings reached below the knees, and he wore simple trousers which had been tucked into them. A long, black cloak with decorative patterns and shoulder pads draped around his collared neck. His outfit exerted a manly, superior aura about him.

There were long silver tassels that kept his cloak in place, and a sapphire brooch at his collar. Beneath his velvety cloak, Erin could see the fabric folding around the hilt of a sword in its sheath. The outline of his slender hands were concealed by black gloves, clutching the reins around his horse gracefully. From the way his sumptuous clothing appeared so meticulously made, Erin immediately realised...

He's the prince.

The young blonde-haired female avoided looking at his face, her body trembling with fear from the atmosphere alone. He was well above ground level — the height of his horse already overbearing. Erin prayed she wouldn't catch his attention, knowing she could risk getting captured if he discovered who she was; and so, she kept her head low, avoiding his line of sight, blending with the crowd.

Just pretend to be another one of these citizens... She told herself, holding her breath. I'll be fine. He's just going to ride past and take no notice of another common girl like me.

Luckily my wardrobe is so plain. No one would think I'm a princess, dressed like this.

It would have been troublesome if she'd been discovered, but thankfully he hadn't noticed her. The Prince and his guards simply silently rode past without stopping. And not once did anyone try to get in the way.

Thank goodness...

"Yer Majesty! If I may!"

It was then, the bulky shopkeeper from earlier, stepped up before the Prince himself before he could disappear along the road. Erin gasped in horror, immediately realising the situation. Her skin took on a grey pallor as dread swept over her.

Just when she thought she was safe.

The Prince signalled to his guards with a swift movement of his hand, to take a halt. Erin watched with her breath held, as one of the knights spoke up for the Prince. "What is it, good Sir?"