Below Zero

Chapter 3

After a bath, I changed into my casual outfit to look around the place. A hoodie and leggings are what I'm wearing. I went outside the house and locked it. I wandered around their garden. The garden was like a maze. I tried to map it inside my head to familiarize it. The maze has four exits, two fountains, a gazebo, and one clearing in the center.

I sat down on a bench in front of the fountain. Some guards were passing by for their night rounds. I greeted them but they were not responsive. I got cigarettes out of my pockets. I wanted to light a stick but it keeps reminding me of someone.

"Are you going to light that up?" a masculine voice. I got defensive and almost threw the box of cigarettes at the guy. He was wearing a guard's uniform but it shows he is not one of them. Does he seriously think he could escape using that technique? The uniform does not even fit him right. Those biceps won't fit in those twig-shaped sleeves.

"Is that your best shot, Your Highness?" I teased him. He removed his helmet and sat beside me. He chuckled and placed the helmet beside him.

"How did you know?" he asked.

"I have eagle eyes and I never forget a face."

I stared at the cigarette between my finger. I would never light it up but it feels comforting to just hold it. He noticed the un-lit cigarette and pulled out a lighter. He opened it and lit the stick. I just looked at it as it burns and was tempted to inhale nicotine.

"You know it's a waste." He said. He got the cigarette and put it on his lips. I watched him as he inhales and puffs smoke. God, I miss nicotine!! I haven't smoked since that day. When he was done smoking, he threw it at the fountain.

I looked up to the stars and I can see millions of twinkling stars looking down at us. The full moon is shining and bouncing lights from the water in the fountain.

"Why are you out here and not inside your cabin?" he broke the silence.

"Why are you out here and not in the palace, Your Highness?" He smirked at my response.

"Touché." He leaned back on the bench and spread his arms on the edge. The silence is beginning again. I just he was bored and wanted to get out without alarming anyone. I felt bad for him. If I can only imagine being guarded every single day for almost 21 years. He must've felt lonely.

"Do you wanna go for a drive?" I offered him. If he wants to go outside, I'm his best choice in getting out of here. He will get a chance to go outside now and I will be with him. There is nothing we could lose. He is safer with me than with no one else.

I saw a glimpse of happiness in his eyes when I offered. He removed his guard uniform and him it in the bushes. I thought he has no clothes underneath the uniform because it was so thick. The uniform is thick that is what I meant.

He guided me to the garage where all the royal vehicles are parked. We hid behind a tool cabinet and waited for the perfect chance to get one of the keys from the box. I reached for a ranch and threw it on the opposite side of the lawn. The guards went to the noise and I quickly ran to the box and got one of the keys. I clicked the keys so we can know which one we will use. It wasn't any of the cars but a motorcycle. It was a Ducati SuperSport 950 S. My dream motorcycle!!

I stole two helmets and put one on. I threw one to His Majesty. He was hesitant to get on the bike.

"Are you scared, Your Highness?" I said mocking him and his pale face. We heard the guards shouting at us. We have to hurry so we don't get caught. They were about to grab His Majesty who was busy putting his helmet on him. I drove away before they could grab us. I can feel his heartbeat getting faster and faster. I took one of his hands and wrapped it around my waist so he won't fall.

"Hold on tight!" I said as I accelerate more. When we reached the get they noticed us coming very fast. They freaked out and began closing the gates but was not fast enough for us. I managed to get us through the tiny gap.

I looked at my mirror to see if His Highness is ok. He looked shocked and terrified. Her eyes were closed the whole ride. I stopped a smile from forming but it was cute. I accelerated more as a joke and he was taken by surprise. He hugged me tighter than before.

We stopped by the side of the riverside. I removed my helmet and placed it on the seat. His Majesty removed his helmet and put it inside the motorcycle. I saw a couple on a boat and having a romantic date at this time. His Highness is still trying to recover from the ride. I guess he is scared of motorcycles. His rapid increase in breathing began to worry me. Bullets of sweat are now falling down his face. I quickly patted his back and began soothing him. I saw a stand selling food and beverages so I bought water. I opened the bottle and gave it to him but he harshly knocked it out of my hand and fell to the ground.

He was still having a hard time breathing. I am freaking out because I don't know what I can do. He was wheezing as a sign of trouble. He was also shaking. I think he is experiencing a panic attack and I don't know what to do. I remember when I had a panic attack that time, Charles was there and knew what to do. I tried remembering what he did and then it hits me. A hug. A very tight hug.

I hugged him. A wrapped my two arms around his shoulder. I tried putting his head on my shoulder and hushing him. He was fighting me.

"Don't fight it. I know you will reject at first but focus on your heartbeat. I will go down slowly." I said while still trying to hug him. After some time he grew tired of pushing me away and began calming down. His breathing is slowly decreasing and calmer. His shaking has stopped and I saw he was okay. I unenveloped my arms but he tugged them back.

"S-stay h-h-here." He pleaded. I couldn't move knowing he still not okay. This my fault. If I knew he would end up like this, I shouldn't have forced him to get on the bike. It must've been so hard that he couldn't move one. He stood up and dusted his pants. I went to the stall again and bought water for him. This time he accepted the bottle. He drank it straight and threw it in the correct bin.

"I'm sorry, Your Highness." I kept my head down. He patted my head and smiled. How could he smile when I caused him painful memories? I looked up and saw him still masking his true emotion. His sadness and pain just masked away. He looked away ad jumped on the ledge.

"It's ok." He assured me. He began walking on the edge of the ledge. I began panicking again thinking he might fall into the water. I kept tailing him like a mother chasing his child down the street. I don't know if this is the side effect of the panic attack earlier, but he acts like a little kid. I hope I can keep up with this.