The market was alive with noise, and I had to remind myself not to stand out. My guard disguise helped, but it didn't stop my eyes from following her-
Anastasia.
She moved through the crowd with careful steps, Rowan and Drizella chattering beside her, while Cinderella bounced ahead, inspecting every ribbon and flower.
I kept my hand close to my sword, though I hoped I wouldn't have to use it.
Today, we were here for something simple: gifts for the candidates. But simple or not, being around her made it feel anything but ordinary.
I mean there is no other way to skip that mental peace lesson.
Technically, it is very important for a prince to maintain mental peace when there is no peace around him.
"Look at these flowers!" Drizella squealed. "They're perfect for the candidates, don't you think?"
I glanced at Anastasia. She was watching the stall, but her attention seemed elsewhere. Maybe she was thinking, or maybe she was just... lost in the market.
"Be careful, Anastasia," I said, my voice low. I stayed close, though I didn't want to seem too obvious.
She turned toward me, her eyebrows raised.
"Why? I'm fine, Kit," she said lightly, brushing past me.
Lightly-but with that little tilt of her head that made my chest tighten.
I barely had time to respond before I saw it- a wooden cart, wobbling dangerously, tipped by a bump from a passing wagon. My heart jumped. It was coming straight for her.
"Anastasia!" I yelled.
Instinct took over. I dashed forward, my hands finding her waist, yanking her backward just in time.
The cart smashed into the stones where she had been standing, splintering and spilling crates of vegetables and fruits everywhere.
She stumbled, and I caught her, holding her steady. Her eyes were wide, and her cheeks were flushed.
"You-! You saved me!" she gasped.
I swallowed hard. "I... I couldn't let you get hurt," I said, forcing my voice to sound casual, though my heart was racing.
She looked up at me, really looked at me, and I felt something shift inside.
There was something about the way her eyes met mine-surprised, grateful, and... I couldn't quite name it yet.
"Thank you," she said softly,
her voice almost drowned by the market noise, but it hit me like a whisper just for me.
I wanted to say more. I wanted to tell her that I would have caught her every time, every day, if I could. But I settled for,
"You should stay close. The market's... tricky."
"I will," she replied.
And she didn't move away. My chest tightened at the closeness, the small brush of her sleeve against mine.
"Are you hurt?" I asked, scanning her quickly.
"No, I'm fine. Just... surprised," she said,
a small smile tugging at her lips. That smile-like sunlight through clouds-made my heart lurch.
Drizella laughed behind us. "What was that crash? Did someone topple the cart again?"
Cinderella chimed in, oblivious to what had just happened. "It smelled like apples! Can we keep some for later?"
I took a deep breath and nodded, though I was only half-listening. My eyes stayed on Anastasia. Every little movement she made-the way she adjusted her hair, how she brushed dust from her dress-made me want to stay close forever.
And then, for a moment, I saw it: she was looking at me too.
Maybe she didn't know what it meant yet, but I knew. That near-miss, that moment of fear and relief... it had changed something between us.
I realized, with a clarity that surprised me, that I didn't just want to protect her today. I wanted to protect her always.
And as we moved through the market, I stayed close-not just as a guard, but because I wanted to.
Because now, I couldn't imagine not being there when she needed me.
* * *
I was so surprised when Adrien told me what happened. They're lucky that they are safe.
I moved on and continued our mission.
I was helping Cinderella choose some carved wooden toys when I noticed Drizella walking a few steps ahead, examining a stall of colorful scarves.
At first, I didn't think much of it—she was always curious about pretty things—but then I saw him.
A man, leaning too close, his gaze lingering where it shouldn't.
Drizella stiffened, her fingers tightening on a scarf. My stomach twisted. Without thinking, I moved faster.
"Hey!" I barked, my voice sharp.
The man froze, then tried to shrug it off.
"Back off!"
Drizella blinked, startled.
"Rowan…" she whispered, but there was a hint of relief in her tone.
The man's smirk faltered when I stepped closer, my hand brushing against the hilt of my dagger—not that I wanted to use it—but the message was clear.
"You're making her uncomfortable. Step away, or you'll regret it," I said, keeping my voice low but dangerous.
Drizella's eyes widened slightly, and I felt a surge of something I didn't expect—possessiveness, raw and protective.
The market noise faded around us, and all I could see was her.
The man muttered under his breath and finally backed off, disappearing into the crowd. I watched until I was sure he was gone before I turned to Drizella.
"You… came for me," she said,
her voice soft, but there was something warm in it, something like a spark that hadn't been there before.
I frowned, a little embarrassed, but I couldn't hide it.
"Of course. I… I won't let anyone trouble you," I said, my tone firmer than I intended.
Drizella smiled then, shy but bright, and it made my chest tighten in a way that had nothing to do with fear or anger.
"I… I like that you care," she admitted, her cheeks tinged pink.
I swallowed, realizing I wanted to say more, but words felt clumsy. Instead, I offered my arm.
"Let's stick together, just in case," I said, and I think she noticed the subtle possessiveness in my tone.
She slid her hand into my arm, her small fingers curling around mine, and I felt a warmth spread through me that had nothing to do with the sun overhead.
"Good," she said softly, looking up at me. "Because I kind of like it too… that you notice me like this."
And just like that, with the market bustling around us, I felt something shift—something small but undeniable. Protecting her wasn't just instinct anymore.
It felt… personal. And the thought made me grin, even as I tried to act casual in front of the crowd.
For the first time, I realized I didn't just care about Drizella. I wanted her close. Always.
* * *
The palace was quiet as I returned from the market, my guard disguise tucked away.
The laughter of the sisters earlier still echoed in my mind, and even now, I couldn't shake the image of Anastasia, her hair catching the sun, her small hand brushing mine when I'd saved her.
It was… unsettling, in a way I couldn't ignore.
I was in the library when my mother entered, her presence commanding even in the soft lamplight.
"Adrien," she said,
using my given name, "the results of the trials will be sent to the candidates in four days. Gifts will accompany them, as we decided."
I nodded, though my mind wasn't on the trials or the gifts.
"Yes, mother," I said,
but my thoughts kept drifting. Four days. Just four days until the candidates would know the outcome. And then I would have to decide—choose a bride.
The memory of Anastasia's wide eyes when I saved her in the market came unbidden. How my heart had leapt, how I had wanted to hold her just a moment longer… I shook my head.
This wasn't the time. I couldn't let my feelings interfere. Could I?
And yet, every candidate I had met over the trials seemed… distant compared to her. Their words, their smiles—they didn't reach me like hers did.
And the thought that I might be expected to marry someone else… it twisted something inside me.
Mother watched me carefully, sensing my distraction.
"Adrien?"
"Yes, mother," I said again, forcing my tone steady.
"Everything is ready. The gifts, the letters… they will be sent in four days."
She gave a small nod and left, leaving me alone with the firelight and my thoughts.
I sank into a chair, my mind returning to Anastasia. The market, her laughter, the way she had looked at me. I hadn't realized it before, but now… I was beginning to understand.
And the thought both thrilled and terrified me.
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SIDE NOTE: Poor prince. I'm sorry but I'll definitely fix it. Don't worry, believe me. 😉☺
If you like my story then give it a star and share it with your friends, this will help me to keep motivated and write new stories.