• The boy was taller, had longer legs, so he walked faster than Kydoshi. She was lagging behind, her feet fumbling on every step she took.

    He deliberately ignored me and now he’s walking away as if nothing happened! Kydoshi was infuriated. “You’re…rude!” she was waiting for a reply, but like before, he didn’t say anything. “If you know who I am, then why are you being so…so…” she stops herself, hesitant. “You—”

    “Be quite” the boy said. “You have a fowl mouth”

    Fo…wl? Her frustration rose, but she held it down. He was right. She, as the princess, shouldn’t be behaving so lowly. She took a deep breath and released her anger. Then a snap of realization dawned her. Why did Kydoshi care about how she acted? She’s the princess, true, but she never had any interest in acting like one. She never tried to get attention, she always avoided it. And having someone treat her as royalty annoyed her more than anything.

    What was I trying to do, anyway? Kydoshi asks herself. Make him kiss my feet? She halted and started walking the opposite direction. After a couple of steps, another realization struck her. No one ever treated the royal family so disrespectfully. Is she just going to let him do this to her?

    The boy turned around after Kydoshi stopped walking for the second time. She was franticly rubbing her head in confusion. He stared at her a moment and continued his path. Kydoshi made up her mind, deciding to follow him once more.

    They walked down the stoned streets, no one paying them any mind. Small convenient stores laced between the walls that enclosed homes so they could have privacy. Few people walked the streets even though this is one of the main walkways.

    “You’re not even going to ask why I’m following you?” Kydoshi asks the boy.

    There was a long silence, like he was taking his time answering her question. “I’m—”

    A little girl bumped into him. She was holding a wooden car toy, but the wheels broke off after it dropped on the ground. She was on the verge of tears. Kydoshi thought the boy was going to comfort the child, but he just stood there.

    “Uh—there, there” Kydoshi wipes the tears from the girls eyes. She picked up the toy car and popped the wheels back in place. “See, all better now. Don’t cry” she smiles. The little girl giggles, takes the car, and runs off to her mom.

    The boy starts walking again like nothing happened. Kydoshi was amazed by his coldness.

    “You’re some guy!” she grabbed his arm and he turns around. “I don’t know who you are, but I’m the princess in this kingdom and you should respect me, respect my people!” she crossed her arms, his expression still bare. “You ought to be ashamed.”

    “Bravo, bravo!” someone cheered, clapping. Kydoshi turns to see Rose looking as if she was about to burst in tears. “Princess, you were absolutely amazing!” she hugs Kydoshi, “I never thought you’d say something like that. I thought you didn’t care about your status, but I was wrong.”

    “Rose—shhh!” Kydoshi looks around, making sure no one saw. She didn’t want anyone to figure out she was really the princess and not Kyo. “Why are you out here?” she whispered so people couldn’t hear.

    Rose starts whispering, too, “I know you disguise yourself so you could leave the castle, and I never come after you, but today I have to take you back to the castle. It’s important. Come,” she pats Kydoshi’s back to urge her forward.

    “Important…” Kydoshi starts walking with Rose towards the castle. “Oh—” she looks around.

    “What is it?” Rose asks, concerned.

    “Uh—never mind, I just…thought I lost something,” She took one more glance behind her shoulder. Where did that guy go?

    pg 1
    to be continued