Knight trudged through the forest with his shining armor sparkling from the sun's morning rays. He was in search of a Princess that ran away from a neighboring kingdom, but it was on this morning he came across a Thief and the beautiful Princess running with a bag on his back.
"Stop, Thief!" Knight yelled, cornering Thief against a steep hill. 445Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdyXgJREXcR
"Thief? I'm anything but," Thief grumbled with his hands raised and the bag dropped, its contents revealed to be precious jewelry.445Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDrWgLYFTfQ
Thief argued, claiming the jewelry as his, but Knight's concern was the Princess who got away. It was then Thief made a deal.
"I'll help you find the Princess again if you let me keep this bag of jewels," said he.
Knight accepted his deal, and together they traced the Princess's tracks. From the next mountain, through the rivers, and past the forests. Together. Despite their less-than-pleasant meeting, Knight discovered Thief to be a decent man. 445Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3ElNt9LgPl
"Why do you seek the Princess?" Asked Thief as they lay under the stars. 445Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtEC5tw6rvl
"The same as every Knight. For her hand and love," replied Knight. 445Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡY4CqDm2YyD
Thief looked at him with eyes that sparkled like his bag of jewelry, leaned in too close, flustering Knight and quickening his heart. "Tomorrow, you shall meet your Princess."
Knight didn't know the meaning of those words until the sun rose, and he was met with the Princess who had been following them all along.
"She's not a Princess, but a Maid." Thief smiled, confusing Knight. 445Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡk3ETPoy0Qs
Thief handed the jewelry bag to the freshly-revealed Maid, who brought out a ring from inside. The Knight's eyes widened as he recognized the engraving. 445Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡloNFtRFaeM
The royal insignia.
Thief sat gracefully on a fallen tree and crossed his legs, "You sought not a Princess, but a Prince." in between his fingers, the ring reflected the sun's light. "It was not a lie when I said the jewelry was mine."
Baffled, the Knight glanced at the Maid, who only smiled and gave him a bow.
Thief--no, Prince, gave him a tender smile and asked, "Is it still my hand and love you seek? Say yes... or don't."
Knight could only chuckle under his breath. "Still quite a Thief you are, Prince." he grinned. He knelt in front of Prince and took the ring from his hand.
"How so?" Prince mused.
Knight gently held Prince's hand and delicately placed the ring on the other's finger. "You did steal my heart, did you not?"
"Ah, but your heart was mine, to begin with. Is this a yes, sir Knight?" Prince whispered, leaning in just as he had the evening before.
"Yes." and so the Knight connected their lips. 445Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkCDMF9dXsf
The Maid clapped her hands, tired from the destination-less journey her Prince had forced her on but happy nonetheless. "Congratulations to the new couple!" she shouted with a grin.
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