Princess Thief [✔]

11. The Brazen Knight

"But not before Princess Carrion humiliated her in such a sophisticated manner. I swore I never saw such one-sided savagery with just words. I would have applauded if not for the seriousness of the atmosphere," said Willow, chuckling to herself.

She kept telling me stories and I didn't know that much could happen in a day. Yet, I was wasting my time scouring for a person that had been piquing my curiosity.

The sun had been high-up and we took a shade in the palace courtyard. It was near the Knight's Circle. Except, it seemed like we were not the only ones as there were other ladies too.

There was no rule that women were forbidden to be even near such a violent place where the knights train but it was considered inappropriate during broad daylight. I honestly winced when I heard the women shrilled voices. I focused my eyes on where they were looking at.

Ah. No wonder. It was Crown Prince Lander Carrion. He was sparring with other knights. It was apparently a three versus one battle but he handled it pretty well.

Amidst the dark-colored hair knights facing their backs on us, there was a single blonde. He was also wearing a white uniform. It must be him!

"Carline?"

"Princess!"

I ran in the spur of the moment and approach the guy before Xenon could stop me. I pulled him back which caused the other knights to turn to me.

"Princess?"

It was really him. A victory smile was plastered on my lips. Found you.

He was grinning too and that perturbed me in an instant.

"What?" I asked.

He leaned closer and spoke, "I didn't know you are this bold, Princess."

I just realized how I was holding his arm. It was a physical touch that was inappropriate between men and women in public. To be more concise, everything was inappropriate when a man and a woman with no familial relations were to touch in public even how fleeting it was.

Suddenly, I heard the unsheathing of the sword and it was pointed at this guy's neck.

"Keep your filthy hands off the princess!" Xenon demanded, his gaze not leaving the guy.

"But she was the one holding me." He raised his arm. "See?"

I let go instantaneously and felt that even the sparring stopped and all attention was on us.

"Leave him, Xenon," I ordered.

But he did not listen and was still glaring at the knight.

"What's your name?"

"Reid," he answered.

It was a different name.

Reid. Reichen. He didn't have violet eyes but I did not know if the other guy had violet ones, either. From what I remembered he really had the same body frame as the guy in the forest and from the one last night so it could be Reichen was his alias.

"What is your business with the Princess?"

"She was the one who came to me," answered Reid nonchalantly.

"Why did she come to you?"

"How am I supposed to know that?"

Xenon insisted on interrogating him and the crowd was now gathering around us.

I really wanted to ask more since Crown Prince Deliora also had the same voice as his but we needed to leave. It was better to talk to him in seclusion. I could not take a chance, especially with Xenon here. It was better to wait than cause an upheaval that could reach my father.