A soft laughter echoed through the woods, and Alexandro's ears perked up at the sound, his heart warming up at the laughter. He looked around, the laughter went as fast as it came, he thought he had imagined it. Everywhere remained calm again until he heard a loud squeal followed by loud laughter. Alexandro was curious about who the laughter belonged to, so without thinking, he followed the laughter.
"Where are you going!" his brother yelled, running after him. Alexandro ran down the woods in the calm afternoon, following the laughter and soon, he got to a pond. He stopped, breathing out heavily as he hid behind a tree, looking at what was in front of him. It was a golden-haired girl, she was playing around in the pond with her servant. Her back was turned against him so he couldn't see her face.
"What is…..." He placed his hand on his brother's lips, cutting him off.
"Keep quiet," he whispered, not looking at his brother, he was trying to get a glimpse of her. The servant splashed water on her face, and she giggled, turning around and Alexandro felt his heart beating loudly. She was the most beautiful girl he ever laid his eyes on. He had never seen such an angelic beauty in his life, he was awestruck. Who is she?
"Brother," Antonio called but Alexandro was lost in his thoughts, staring at her. The girl squealed, running from the pond and Alexandro took a better look at her. She looked to be in her teen years, around 17 years old. Surely, she is from a well to do family, he could tell by the look of the fabric she wore and also, she has a servant.
"Princess Daphne!" a voice yelled out and she stopped laughing, looking around and her face slowly morphed into fear.
"They found us," she said, looking around in sheer panic.
"Hide," she whispered to her servant and Alexandro watched as she ran towards a tree. He looked ahead and he knew the guards would see her but before he could help her, they had already spotted her.
"We can see you, princess Daphne. Please come out, the king is worried," one of the guards said and he watched as she sadly came out of her hiding.
"The carriage is over there," he said, and she glared at the guards, picking her wet gown up and with a huff, she followed them. Alexandro watched her leave and soon, it was empty. He wanted to leave but his eyes caught something shiny on the floor. He ran to it, picking it up and he smiled. She forgot her hair clip. It is a unique hair clip with her name written on it. He used his finger to trail the name. Daphne, it is a beautiful name. Antonio watched his brother, and he could see the admiration on his face.
"That is princess Daphne, King Elvis Betrothed," he said, and Alexandro looked up.
"Is she?" he asked, mindlessly.
"She is off limits," he said, his voice stern but he stood up, putting the clip in his pockets with a smile on his face.
"Is she?" he asked, walking away. Antonio sighed, following after him. It was a love at first sight for him, her laughter engraved in his memory. Alexandro didn't care she was betrothed; he would come back for her and she would be his and nothing would get in his way.