“Huh,” Ren began helping push the brush away, “Are you sure this is correct?” He asked, eyebrows raised as he pushed some twigs away. It felt kinda funny to sneak away with Freya. He supposed she didn’t have as much freedom as he did in his palace.
"I-I thought it was." She pulled more back clearly getting a but frustrated. Let me out, Let me out, Damn it! She looked to the ground to see if she could find anything sharp. "Do you have a sword?" One way or another, she was going to get out of here, for the sake of her sanity. "Damn." I read about it, it has to be here. foot steps, many of them, could be heard heard there way. "Oh, no." Fay took Ren and pushed him in the hole they made in the bush and she got in after. Moving the bush back to where it was they were hidden for now. The space was small, but she was glad they had somewhere to hide for now. "Sorry." Fay apologized. If he got caught with her who knows what might happen. I'm being selfish. "If they find us, put the blame on me."
“Nonsense,” Ren told her. He was definitely not going to put the blame on her. “You need not be sorry,” He added, already plotting an excuse if they got caught. Though he doubted Freya would like it—she might actually hate him for it—he’d rather risk his neck than hers. They could only punish him so much since he was from the Southern Isles, and if Xena wanted good relations with them they would let Ren off the hook, probably. He didn’t know if he could say the same for Freya. “You must act scared though, please.”
"Why?" Her voice came out low and quiet. He had something up his sleeve, but she wasn't sure what it is. The clatter of armor was heard when the guards got on one knee. Fay could slightly see through the vines. Red heels appeared and she knew exactly who it was, it was the Queen. "Did you find her?" The Queen questioned the guards. Fay shrank back, she wasn't going to let the Queen find her. Fay didn't want to admit it, but she was a but afraid of the Queen and her punishments. "We have to get out of here."
“Please trust me,” He whispered, sorrow in his eyes. He knew they’d be found out in a matter of seconds. So he did what he had to do, despite how much he hated it. Ren grabbed a fistful of Freya hair and yanked her towards him, forcing a kiss on her. He grabbed her roughly by the waist, pressing her against him. Because it would be easier if he played it off like he took the princess by force with ill intent, none of the blame would be put on her. It was his fault for even suggesting to go to the port.
Fay was shocked, so shocked she didn't have the strength to push him off. No one has yet dared to do this to her their first day meeting. What is wrong with him? "There the bush." Immediately the guards pushed back the plant and saw the scene before them and were speechless. The Queen heard her throat which snapped Fay out of her thoughts. Pushing Ren back, her face grew red and she covered her mouth with her hand. My, my first kiss, and it was forced on me. "Come both of you." The Queen acted calm, but the tone of her voice was threatening.
Prince Ren glared at the queen, standing up off Freya. He couldn’t look even at her. He felt horrible, but for Freya’s sake he tried to keep up the illusion of a bratty prince. Ren spat a few sentences in his native tongue, too fast to be even slightly discernable. “What is this?” He demanded in english to the queen, then forced himself to glare at Freya.
Fay was confused, with the kiss then the glare. "What are you doing just sitting there you incompetent princess, stand up and come out." The Queens wasn't quiet about her hatred for Freya. "I'm coming." She stood and dusted herself off. Just within a few seconds of her being out the Queen swiped her hair grabbing a bunch and pulled her close. "What do you think you were doing to the Prince? How dare you be so disrespectful!" Fay looked up and ared at the Queen, earning herself a slap across the face. "Prince I'm so sorry you had to see such bad behavior from her. We will all go see the King now. Come."
“No,” Ren quickly said, praying the queen would think he was just being bratty, “She is mine. It is a disgrace that she try to resist me,” He snapped, grabbing Freya’s wrist and tugging her towards him again. Please just think I’m being possessive, that Freya had been taken against her own will…
(Oh god I want to interrupt so bad XD this is fun to read)
"You want to know what was really going on you spiteful bitch! I was sneaking out. There," She moved her now even more tangled her out of her face, showing her anger. Sure she was a bit scared, but her mom taught her to stand up for herself. "He was just going along with my games." Grabbing Ren's hand she squeezed it. "So go ahead take me to the King, but remember I'm the one who's doing the kingdom a favor by connecting two kingdoms. Ren, let's go." The Queen was fuming but couldn't say anything back. "Sorry you had to see such a bad side of me, but honestly, this is me and if you can't take it." She stopped walking and turned to face him. A red mark on her face, her hair a mess, but after everything that just happened she smiled at him. "I would have to ask you to politely leave."
Ren gaped at her. She took the blame. “I…” His mouth fumbled for words, “Wow.” He was, to say the least, blown away. Freya was so confident, despite the queen and what just happened… He continued quietly, “I’m sorry for- for what I did. And thank you, for taking the blame, but I don’t want you to get in trouble…” Ren trailed off, concern etched into his features. The queen seemed like a horrible person.
"Nah, this is like a daily thing for me, I'm used to it. Plus if I always let her see my fear and push me around, I wouldn't have the tight to ever become a leader myself. But, I want to rule with kindness and get to know the village people. I'm not sure if you were aware, but the mother was a bread seller, the king had a one night stand, and bam, here I am." She laughed and began to walk with him again. "I won't let anyone take advantage of me, ever." Freya was herself and she was going to stay that way. "Anyway, thank you for trying to help me. It was… nice of you." She looked down to the ground her face all red again. No matter how hard she tried to forget the kiss she definitely wouldn't be able to. I have to tell Ellie about my day.
“I certainly was not nice of me,” Ren quickly disagreed, kinda forgetting he was supposed to not know much english, “I forced it on you, I should’ve asked first.” He told her as he walked beside her towards the palace. Despite how he wouldn’t have had time to ask first, it still wasn’t an excuse.
"Still you did it to help me." She walked with her hands behind her back. Fay hoped the Queen wouldn't follow. She didn't need to be embarrassed more than she already has. "Wait, I thought you didn't speak much english?" Fay smirked, she had a feeling he knew more than he was letting on. Although she was happy he could, it would make thing easier for her, plus it made sense because he knew the the instructions she told him to do earlier.
“I- No- I-“ Ren bit his lip, realizing his slip up then turning red, “Please don’t tell anyone?” He asked, glancing around to make sure no one was listening in. It was a useful skill, to let people think he couldn’t understand them, especially since he was a prince and consequently a diplomat.
"Don't worry, I won't." If Fay wanted she could use this against him. But, she wasn't that kind of girl. "Let's rest here." Rich grass was everywhere it was soft and Fay had taken many naps out here. "That was my first kiss though, just saying." She laid and closed her eyes. "I guess with half my face red and my hair a mess like this, I'm not the pretty princess you came to meet." Giggling she looked over at him. Ren was really handsome, she wasn't going to deny it.
Ren sat down with her. “Your first kiss?” Ren blushed a little, feeling bad for stealing her first kiss. “If it makes you feel any better, that was my first kiss too,” He added with a lopsided smile. “And that would be incorrect, you are probably the most beautiful princess I’ve ever met, even now.” Ren said truthfully and laughed a little. She was definitely the most beautiful princess he’d ever met—she was the only one beautiful on the inside and outside.
Fay used her blonde hair and covered her face. "Well, thank you." Her blue eyes reflected the sky as she smiled. A shade of pink covered her cheeks. Fay didn't hate the kiss, she just wished it happened under better circumstances. "Although," She pushed herself up and stood in front of him. "I truly am sorry for everything that's happened today." She lowered her head to apologize.
“Don’t be,” Ren told her, reaching out his hand to tilt her chin up a little, “I had the most fun I’ve had in a while. I’m sorry I couldn’t take you to the port.” He smiled a little bit. “Maybe I will write to my father, and see if he can influence the queen into letting you go out with me on day.”
"What are you talking about? I haven't given up yet. There has to be a way out of here." Fay was a determined young lady, she looked like a wild bird that has been locked in a cage and is just wanting out. "Come on, let's go look around some more." Maybe if I find Ellie she'll want to join. Fay loved going on adventures with Ellie, but right now she felt her friend would decline. "Maybe it was just the wrong bush."
Prince Ren found himself laughing again. “Of course you’re not the type to give up,” He smiled fondly as he stood, “I’m quite ready to continue looking if you want to.” He offered a hand to help her up.
Emerald hesitated, once again weighing how much she really needed Zero, but ended up following him anyways. She tugged her hood down a bit further as she followed him, hoping she wasn’t being led into a trap of some kind.
(I realize I haven't been sticking to Zeros personality. But thats cuz I've been stressed out. So I'm just gonna try and fix that now- rip)
Zero cast a glance over his shoulder from time to time. He knew the princess could probably handle herself, but besides that he didn't really trust her. In his opinion no royalty could be trusted. Especially after what the king had done to Zeros family.
"What kind of royalty would I be if I have up. I know this place had to have some kind of weak spot somewhere." Could there possibly be some secret tunnel under the castle? Fay sat down to think. "If I was a secret escape where would I be?" Fay began to brush her hair with her fingers as she thought about her escape. "What do you think Ren?"
(I realize I haven't been sticking to Zeros personality. But thats cuz I've been stressed out. So I'm just gonna try and fix that now- rip)
Zero cast a glance over his shoulder from time to time. He knew the princess could probably handle herself, but besides that he didn't really trust her. In his opinion no royalty could be trusted. Especially after what the king had done to Zeros family.
(oof)
Emerald followed behind Zero, glancing over her shoulder occasionally as well. There were so many things that could go wrong, Emerald was lucky she made it this far. She looked at the back of Zero’s head as she asked, “Are we almost there yet?”
"What kind of royalty would I be if I have up. I know this place had to have some kind of weak spot somewhere." Could there possibly be some secret tunnel under the castle? Fay sat down to think. "If I was a secret escape where would I be?" Fay began to brush her hair with her fingers as she thought about her escape. "What do you think Ren?”
Prince Ren bit his lip, thinking it over. “Do you have some kind of sewage system that leaves the palace? Most castles have some kind of exit attached to it, if they have it.” Ren peered over at the palace. If they did have a sewage system leading out, it wouldn’t exactly be the cleanliest option—though Ren doubted the princess would mind.