ADVENTURES OF THE RUNAWAY PRINCESS : CHAPTER 111 – 120
By Mide L.
(~•FLASHBACK•~)
*FLASHBACK*
15 YEARS AGO AT VALDORIA’S KINGDOM*
In the beautiful gardens of Valdoria Kingdom, Princess Katharina, 10, and Prince Dominic, 13, sat on a bench in the palace garden, surrounded by vibrant flowers.
“I’m so bored with my lessons” Katharina said, pouting. King Ryker just became the crowned King of Valdoria kingdom and she’s been struggling to be a perfect princess.
“I hate learning about etiquette and curtsies”she pouted and Dominic chuckled.
“You’re not exactly the most graceful princess, Kat” he said and Katharina playfully hit his arm.
“Hey! I’m a great princess! And I can ride a horse better than you!”
“Maybe, but I can sword fight better than you!”he grinned.
“Oh yeah? I bet I can beat you in a duel!”she said and Dominic laughed.
“You’re on! But don’t expect any mercy, little sister!” He said and there was silence.
“Do you think we’ll ever get to explore the world beyond the kingdom?” She suddenly asked.
“I hope so, Kat. There’s so much out there to discover”he said and Katharina nodded, her ponytail bobbing.
“I want to see it all! And have amazing adventures!”
“I know exactly what you mean, Kat. I feel trapped in this palace too”Dominic agreed and Katharina’s eyes widened, surprised that her brother shared her feelings.
“Really? But you’re the future king!”
Dominic shrugged.
“That’s exactly why I want to explore. I don’t want to be a king who only knows about ruling, but not about the world beyond our kingdom” he said and Katharina nodded enthusiastically.
“Exactly! Let’s make a pact to explore the world together, once we’re old enough” Dominic grinned, holding out his hand for a handshake.
“Deal, little sister”
Just then, 8 years old Calantha appeared.
“Dominic! Marcus is here!”
Katharina’s heart skipped a beat immediately .Marcus, Dominic’s best friend, visited the palace often. But Katharina had a secret, she had a huge crush on him.
“Cool! I’ll go meet him”Dominic grinned.
“He’s in the courtyard with Father and his dad, Mr Harrington”
Just as Dominic was about getting up to go meet his friend, 14 years old Marcus walked into the garden and Katharina eyes settled on him.
Marcus flashed his charming smile as he approached them.
“Hey, guys! Hey, Kitty!” he greeted them.
Katharina’s face immediately flushed with a soft blush, and she looked away, trying to hide her reaction.
“Why does Katharina get a nickname and I don’t?” she demanded, her face scrunched up in a put and Marcus chuckled.
“Well, Cal, I’ve known Kitty here for a long time, and it just sort of stuck”
Calantha crossed her arms, her pout deepening.
“I want a nickname too!”
“But you do have a nickname” Katharina chipped in.
“You and Dominic gave that to me,I want Marcus to give me a new nickname”
“How about Cali?”Dominic grinned and Calantha shook her head.
“No, that’s not it”
“How about Cali-Bear?” Marcus asked and Calantha’s face lit up.
“I like that! Call me Cali-Bear from now on!”
“So dramatic” Katharina rolled her eyes.
“Hey, Marcus! Guess what? My birthday is next week!”
“That’s awesome, Cali-Bear! How old are you going to be?”
Calantha proudly held up nine fingers.
“I’m going to be 9!”
“And she’s been reminding us of it nonstop for weeks”Katharina and Dominic chuckled.
“Oh, it’s going to be huge! Father and Mother are planning a massive celebration in the grand hall. There will be feasting, music, and dancing. And I get to wear a beautiful gown and a tiara!” She bragged and Marcus whistled.
“Wow, Cali-Bear”
“And that’s not all! Father said I can invite all my friends from the kingdom, and we’ll have games and contests. It’s going to be the best birthday party ever!”
“I’m sure it’ll be an unforgettable celebration. I wouldn’t miss it for the world, Cali-Bear” He grinned and Calantha’s face lit up even more.
“Really? You’ll come? Oh, thank you, Marcus!”
Meanwhile Katharina was just lost staring at Marcus.
Just as Marcus was about to say something else, Dominic clapped him on the back and said
“Marcus, let’s go catch up on some things in my room”
“Aww, do you have to go? I was having so much fun talking to you, Marcus” Calantha pouted.
Marcus smiled and ruffled her hair.
“I’m not leaving here till evening and who knows,I might sleep over “he said and Katharina smiled inwardly.
“Yes sleep over!” Calantha said and he chuckled.
Dominic dragged Marcus away.
“Come on, man, we don’t want to get stuck in a never-ending conversation about Cal’s upcoming birthday party”
Marcus chuckled and followed Dominic, throwing a last smile at Katharina and Calantha. Katharina’s heart skipped a beat as their eyes met, but she quickly looked away, trying to hide her blush.
After Marcus and Dominic walked away, Calantha turned to Katharina with a mischievous grin.
“When are you going to tell him that you like him?” she asked and Katharina eyes widened.
“Wh…what are you talking about, Cal?” she stammered and Calantha giggled.
“Don’t play dumb, Katharina! I’ve seen the way you look at Marcus. You totally have a crush on him!”
Katharina’s blush deepened, and she tried to change the subject.
“Cal, focus on your upcoming birthday party. It’s just around the corner!”
“I know, I know. But I’m just saying, you should tell him how you feel. Maybe he likes you too!”
Katharina’s heart skipped a beat at the possibility, but she quickly pushed the thought aside.
“Cal, don’t be ridiculous. Marcus is just a friend”
“If that’s true, then why are you blushing so much?”
Katharina sighed, trying to deflect her sister’s teasing. But deep down, she couldn’t help but wonder… what if Calantha was right?
“He sees me as a sister, Cal. That’s all”
Calantha’s face scrunched up in thought.
“But why can’t he like you like a girlfriend? You’re pretty and nice”
“Thanks, Cal. But it’s complicated. Just trust me, okay?”
Calantha nodded, but her expression said she didn’t quite understand.
“Okay, Katharina. But I think Marcus would like you as a girlfriend. He’s always smiling at you”
Katharina’s heart skipped a beat at Calantha’s words again, but she pushed the thought aside. She didn’t want to get her hopes up.
“Suit yourself then. I was just trying to help” Calantha said and walked away.
ADVENTURES OF THE RUNAWAY PRINCESS : CHAPTER 111 – 120
NIGHT*
Katharina was about sleeping when she heard a knock on her door. She got up and opened the door, expecting it to be her sister or maybe a maid with a message. But to her surprise, she found Marcus standing at her doorstep.
“Oh, Marcus…what are you still doing here? I thought you left already with your dad,” Katharina said, trying to hide her fluttering heart.
“Nah, I’m sleeping over at Dominic’s room”
Katharina’s heart skipped a beat at the thought of Marcus being just down the hall from her.
“Oh, okay. Well, have fun then”
Marcus nodded, his eyes lingering on hers.
“Yeah, I will. Hey, can I come in for a sec?”
Katharina hesitated for a moment before stepping aside, allowing Marcus to enter her room. She couldn’t help but wonder what he wanted to talk about.
“So, I was talking to Calantha earlier” he said, a mischievous glint in his eye.
Katharina’s heart skipped a beat as she wondered what Calantha had said.
“Oh yeah? What did she say?”she asked and Marcus chuckled.
“She told me that you have a crush on me”
Katharina’s face immediately flushed with a deep blush, and she looked away, trying to hide her reaction.
“That’s ridiculous” she stammered but Marcus just laughed.
“Don’t be embarrassed, Kitty. I’m flattered”
“Marcus, don’t tease me” she said.
Marcus held up his hands in mock surrender.
“I’m not teasing, I promise. I just wanted to talk to you about it”
Katharina took a deep breath and finally admitted.
“Okay, fine. I do have a crush on you, Marcus. I’ve had one for a while now”
“I like you too, Kitty. You’re stunning, both inside and out. Your beauty shines brighter than any crown jewel, and your kindness and spirit captivate me every time we’re together”she said and she blushed hard.
“But we’re still young, Kitty. Maybe when we grow up, we can become more than this. But for now, I think it’s best if we just stay friends”
Katharina nodded understandingly, trying to hide her disappointment.
“I know. I just…I don’t know, Marcus. I feel like there’s something special between us”
“I feel it too, Kitty. But besides our age, there’s another problem. You’re the king’s daughter, and I’m just the son of a merchant. I don’t want to cause any problems for my dad. He’s worked hard to build his business, and I don’t want to risk jeopardizing that”
“I know, Marcus. I wouldn’t want that either”
Marcus smiled and took her hand.
“Let’s just enjoy each other’s company for now, okay? And who knows, maybe someday we’ll find a way to make it work”
Katharina smiled back, feeling a sense of hope. Maybe someday, they would find a way to be together.
“Can I give you a nickname?” she asked and Marcus raised an eyebrow.
“What did you have in mind?”
Katharina thought for a moment before grinning.
“How about ‘Marky’?” She asked and he chuckled.
“I like it. Only you can call me that, though”
Katharina giggled, feeling happy.
“Deal, Marky”
“I like the way that sounds, coming from you”
Their eyes met, and for a moment, they just looked at each other.
*FLASHBACK ENDS*
“And we never met again till I stepped into New York” she said and Marcus chuckled.
“No wonder I felt attracted to you when I saw you”
“Same here! I even called you Greek god” she said and he laughed again.
“When you told me your name,my mind went back to my Kitty because her name was Katharina not knowing it was actually you”
“Same here for me. I would have thought it was you but you bear Blackwoood and not Harrington. What happened?” She asked and he sighed.
“It’s a long story Kitty. You know my dad died that night right?”
“Yes I was really feeling bad for you but I never had the chance to see you again”
“Well my dad’s sister came from NewYork to pick me up. I wanted to come bid you bye but I couldn’t,it happened so fast”
“So the Blackwood aren’t your parents?”he nodded.
“Yes. Mrs Blackwoood is my aunt. Her husband knows this”
“They really treat you like their child,no one would never know”
“Does the twins know this?” He shook his head.
“I can agree to that. It’s still a wonder how my dad died though” he said and Katharina looked away.
She definitely know what killed his dad but she dare not say it out.
ADVENTURES OF THE RUNAWAY PRINCESS : CHAPTER 111 – 120
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