I cannot fully comprehend the situation I'm under in.

Does running away make me a fugitive? Does it make us fugitives? Was this a part of History? Or am I starting to change things?

Damn it, I should've read some more.

My thoughts weren't really processing quite well, my attention stuck to Prince Vante Osburne's hand in my right and Lisa's hand in my left. He was on the lead, guiding us three along narrow paths and alleys throughout the village streets. It wasn't long before we reached a small opening of thickets, leading us to a concealed meadow.

I could sense Lisa behind me, gradually slowing down. Her breaths, along with mine, were short and quick.

"Osburne, let's stop." I managed to belt out with the strength I have left. "No one is chasing after us."

He glanced at me and the exhausted maiden, his steps eventually put to a standstill.

Bombarded with exhaustion, we all collapsed onto the dry grass. There was only silence. The light din of the late afternoon breeze carrying fallen leaves was what filled the spaces of our heavy pants and wheezes. The adrenaline rush was gone and so I had to feel the wooziness sink in, the sensation that had just begun.

"Rosette, you don't look so good. Did I run too fast?" Prince Vante was the first to say, eyeing me with concern.

"I'm...fine..." I replied through a rough exhale. "Lisa needs a longer break though."

"I told you already," the lady replied, "I am not the Lisa that you speak of."

"You two sound as if you knew each other for quite a while, but your words are contradicting." Prince Vante shook his head in bewilderment. "What is it really? Are you friends perhaps?"

"No." She replied instantly.

"Yes." I babbled at the same time.

They both looked at me in utter confusion.

I drew an awkward grin. "I mean, we are friends now, right?"

She laughed. Oh, how I missed that laugh. "Right."

This reminds me of that time when we first met. A similar situation occurred back in the 21st century as well. Lisa was a brave soul who got into an argument with a bunch of classy rich folk and somehow I ended up shielding her from a slap.

Yes, that slap hurt a lot. But then, we got pulled away by some stranger. I was too overwhelmed with the rushing moment that I couldn't clearly see his face.

If first meetings in the 18th century were definitely connected with the 21st, like how I'd met the princes of Grand, then does that mean the stranger was...?

I secretly snuck a glimpse of Prince Vante. Is it you?

The maiden ceased her laughter, making me wonder why and shift my focus. Turned out that she caught the prince's regard, her eyes widened in alert and she immediately stood up despite the fatigue in her body.

"Please forgive me, Your Highness!" she bowed as low as she could, "This was all because of me and my selfish actions!"

The sadness was evident on his face, and I was aware of the fact that it was because he exposed himself so now the treatment was different. This kind of scenario was what he didn't want the most, yet I brought him to this.

I'm the one who's supposed to say sorry.

"Do not apologize," Prince Vante said, offering a weak smile, "for your actions are not selfish, and I did it since I needed to."

"You needed to?"

There was a brief second of him cocking his head to where I was at, returning my stare before he continued to answer her. "Yes, it was significant."

My heart skipped a beat, but I wasn't sure if it was due to the rapid requirement oxygen demanded by my bloodstream, or if it was due to his piercing gaze and the implication of his words.

I finally cut our staring contest, whipping to the perplexed lady beside me instead. "Why don't you sit back down? You can refer to him as Osburne like how you usually do, and you can call me Rosette. We're friends, aren't we?"

She blinked twice, same with the way Lisa does whenever she's trying to assess her current situation. I noticed the prince's surprised reaction in the corner of my eye.

"So he's the Wizard named Os," she pointed at him, mouth agape, "who provides things for the people of Grand."

It was my turn to blink this time. "You've never encountered him?"

"No, but my parents tell me about him every minute they get a chance to." She giggled. "They are very grateful."

A satisfied shine was in the prince's cavernous brown irises. I could tell he was slowly getting back to being happy, to letting go of his melancholy.

"It's going to be dark soon," she added, dusting off the dirt on her corset, "so why don't we stay at my place?"

"You want us to reappear where we escaped?" I asked, stumped. It was far too early, far too nerve-wracking.

She shook her head in reply. "Actually, I live around here. My house is the farthest from the village, which explains the point that I heard about Osburne but never seen his face. See that forest over there? A few horse rides along that path and you'll reach the Kingdom of Duva."

Duva?! I held in a gasp.

I was aware that Duva was a neighboring kingdom, that it was close. But wow, I didn't think it would be this close.

As expected, something changes in Prince Vante's expression, but he kept it indifferent with his smile. "My mother promised me that she would take me there, but she never had the chance to."

I frowned, so did the maiden.

I recalled his sword, Promittere. Promises mean so much to him, huh. Perhaps he named it that way because it served as a memoir of the Queen? He vowed to protect Jacque during her dying breaths, and she failed to fulfill her promise.

Or was there another reason that I don't know yet?

The shadows were growing taller, and the sun was sinking behind the mountains.

"Guys," said the young woman in a gentle tone, "it is best if we go now."

I nodded, also wanting to change the topic. The prince grabbed my hand, aiding me to stand. She observed us, staying quiet.

"Come to think of it—" She and I perked up in sync. We chuckled.

"Okay, you can go first," the maiden gestured for me to proceed, "I can ask my question later at home."

I was curious about two things, but I decided to ignore her supposed question, the latter, for now.

"You never told us your name." I crossed my arms as the three of us began walking out the meadow. "You don't want me to keep calling you Lisa, do you?"

She snorted out a laugh, and I was glad that she was already becoming comfortable in our presence. She then took bigger steps ahead of us before spinning around to face me, offering a handshake with that dorky smile I missed so much.

"Nice to meet you, Rosette and Osburne," she beamed, "I'm Mona."

Well, I'll be damned.

Mona's house was a humble cottage that was a perfect fit for their family and only their family. I knew that it was small and not befitting for guests, but they were hospitable enough to let us stay for the night. It wasn't as extravagant as the palace, but it was warm and welcoming, much like how my mother likes her soup.

"I was surprised, to say the least," her father, Mr. Fernando, chuckled as he sipped his drink with a free hand, the other one injured, "the Queen explicated that the boy she brought with her all the time was a child of her servant, not hers. We believed her lies. Hah, she got us good."

"Are you disappointed?" Prince Vante mustered the courage to ask with fidgeting fingers, "Angry, maybe?"

The man shrugged casually, contrary to his vehement character from earlier. "We understand, Osburne. It does not alter the fact that you are our compassionate wizard. I am not sure about Gudmund, though. If I hate the King, he despises him."

I felt the prince's hand squeeze mine underneath the dining table.

"But you are indisputably a replica of your mother. I can see her when I look at you. Like mother, like son." He went on, earning an emotional smile from both of us.

Ample bowls of porridge were served by Mona and her mother Sephine. With the racket of wooden spoons, we began to eat.

"I'm sorry, Osburne," the woman worriedly placed a palm to her wrinkled cheekbones, "this, and bread for tomorrow are all we have left in the ration."

I could see the steam puffing out the kitchen from here, unlike the palace where I rarely even catch wandering chefs and waitrons. There was no fancy ingredient in Mrs. Sephine's porridge, yet it was remarkably delicious.

Right after filling my contented stomach, I was startled once Prince Vante stood up from his chair, the floorboards creaking under his weight. We all stared up at him from our seats.

"Miss Rosette," he called, and I noticed he went back to calling me by honorifics, "would you like to go on a walk with me?"

In the dead of night? In which people were still hyped about our sudden flee?

He must've perceived my hesitation, for he then gave me a reassuring box-like grin.

"It's alright. We won't be going too far, and not too close to the village either."

I could feel the family gawp behind me, waiting for my response. It was as if I could even hear their whispers urging me to go ahead and accept his invite.

With a hard swallow, I answered. "Sure."

I swear I heard someone stifle a low yes!

"We'll return before midnight." Prince Vante informed them as he opened the door, trying to ignore the teasing grins plastered on their faces.

"Ah, wait," Mona spoke up, making us both stop in our tracks towards the exit, "you haven't answered my question yet."

I beamed at her. She really is the past self of Lisa. "And your question is?"

"Are you two lovers?"

"M-Mona...!" Mrs. Sephine softly yelled, aghast.

We looked at each other. Embarrassed, we then turned away. Heat was spreading along my cheeks and I could see the prince's hand covering his face in a flustered manner through my peripheral vision.

"We're friends." Prince Vante finally replied.

"Good friends." I presented a toothy grin, backing him up.

Mona smirked. "Okay, be safe. Have a nice friendly date."

Her father howled in amusement. "I'm proud of you, dear daughter!"

"I inherited it from you, after all, dear father!" Mona motioned to him, posing confidently as she cackled.

Prince Vante and I ran out of the house without interrupting their family bonding, afraid that whatever would come next will be more mischievous than before.

In the end, like the 21st century, I don't regret rescuing Mona. Because, like Lisa, I became her friend.

Third Person's POV

"Be careful or you'll trip." Prince Vante Osburne cautioned the young maiden, smoothly taking her hand as he guided her towards an unfamiliar location. Somehow, skinship was already natural for them, but she couldn't help but feel shy with his touch.

It was dark, making it hard for her to notice the small pebbles and fallen branches at her feet. The prince seemed to know the way though. In modern times, she would've asked for a flashlight. He, however, didn't need one. He easily led her through vines and bushy plants as if he memorized the directions.

Rosette, meanwhile, had no idea where they were going.

"Um, pardon me for inquiring, but why did you suddenly want to go for a walk?" she probed, watching him calmly slipping by the routes as his broad shoulders grazed their surroundings.

He gently pulled her up as they trekked forward, the path becoming steeper. "I wasn't fond of having them adjust due to us being there."

The maiden thought about the small cottage, about their limited supply of food, about how awkward it must've been to discover that their wizard was actually a runaway prince. "I see."

"And," he paused, glancing at her, "there's something I desired to show you."

There was a rush of interest, of curiosity, and of anticipation flowing in her veins. "So show me."

"I'll show you." He grinned, enthused.

Once they climbed to the top of the hill, a marveled breath escaped her lips.

It was a panoramic view of the woods below. She saw the majestic torches from the palace, the lights shining across the village lanes, and farther, if she squinted hard enough, she could perceive tiny flags of blue and white flapping with the wind. Grand had red and black flags, which only meant one thing. Those distant flags belonged to the Kingdom of Duva.

"This is so... beautiful." Rosette exclaimed in a little voice.

He smiled, his heart a bit fuller every second he witnessed her mouth curl in delight.

"This place was the nearest to Duva that she could take me." Prince Vante elucidated, releasing a sigh. "I used to whine and cry a lot, begging her to bring me to where she reigned, to where her home was."

Not knowing what to say, she silently nodded.

He turned to her, uplifting the mood with another sweet smile. "There's more. Try lying on the grass."

Without an answer, he positioned himself onto the ground. It appeared to be stimulating, and so the curious young woman followed. Her hair met the earth, like silky golden threads meandering with the flowers. Their arms brushed against each other, and they didn't even mind.

Their silence, accompanied by the insects of the evening, developed into their music. It was when Prince Vante decided to initiate a conversation.

"During the time you whispered for help," he said, tracing the alignment of the clouds with his index finger, "you called me by my name."

"Sorry," she pursed her lips, "I violated Rule One."

He shook his head. "Don't be. They know my identity now, so Rule One is useless. I'm removing it. A-And, maybe calling me by my first name isn't such a bad thing."

Relief washed over her. "Then feel free to call me Rosette. No more honorifics."

"Okay."

Another round of quiet.

"Remember when I said Rule Four was that I forbid you to flirt with me?" he added, dodging her perplexed gawp, "I'm removing it as well."

She burst out laughing, making him blush in discomfiture.

The late-night breeze rocked the trees and pushed back the clouds. When she let out a tiny sneeze, the prince automatically stripped off his coat and placed it over her petite body like a blanket. She felt his warmth from the fabric, close to the idea of an embrace.

As soon as the clouds cleared, the rays of the moon struck them from above, and Rosette held in a gasp at the sight of the starry heavens. Her heartbeat raced.

Prince Vante didn't bother looking up to see the stellar cosmos. Instead, he gazed into her eyes. They shimmered identical to a sea of stars, all twinkling a bright greeting, just like that short fleeting moment from when he saw how she saw the world.

The scenery in her eyes was the sky, and the scenery in his eyes was her.

Her lashes fluttered with elegance, her irises vivid with love, and her face caressed by the moonlight. He desired to see this brilliance once again, and so tonight he did.

He cherished this spot so much, for this was where Queen Isabella would take him when she wanted to connect the constellations. The child version of him wouldn't understand her terms since he was too young and too oblivious. But the sparkles captivated him. It's magic, Vante. His mother used to say.

"It's magic, Rosette." The royal whispered to her, happy to share his haven with the person who knocked on the chambers of his soul.

She couldn't answer. It was because realization unexpectedly crashed her system. This experience felt strangely nostalgic and shortly she comprehended why.

I bet you're just probably star-gazing at your ceiling again. The memory of her phone call with Lisa played, their exchange of giggles repeating in her mind.

Yeah, I love stars so much that I make some for my bedroom. She once replied.

At that, her best friend suggested a thought. Maybe an event from the past life made you love stars?

Tears started to spill from the ends of her eyes.

"Why are you crying?" he hurriedly asked in concern, his brows raised.

"N-Nothing," she hastily countered, sniffling, "it's just that moments like this won't end up in the pages of our history books."

He pondered for a while, stroking his chin in deep concentration. "Indeed, it won't. But that's what makes it so special. It's a secret side of the tale that only you and I know about."

That made her smile.

From the distance, the ringing of a big bell could be heard. Duva had informed them of the time.

"It's already midnight," murmured the shocked prince, "we must head back to Mona and her parents. I told them that we'd be there before, not by midnight."

She nodded in agreement. "I wonder what the next story of our tale is."

"We'll figure that out tomorrow once we return to the palace." Prince Vante answered, sighing, "I still have a lot of explaining to do."

"You have a lot of explaining to do." King Eldred announced from his golden seat, exasperated the instant his sixth son stepped into the Throne Room. The fifth, Prince Tayden Pharrell, watched as he stood next to their father like an obedient hound. He tossed Prince Vante's crown, the speed similar to a ripple through the air, and his twin caught it immediately.

After his delicate crown was in his grasp, Prince Vante was reminded of his identity once again. The longing to destroy the treasure he held, to erase his existence in the royal family, to live life as Osburne, was extremely intense.

"You are fully aware that this situation is what your mother never wanted." The King went on, pounding harshly onto the arm of his chair. The prince beside him remained stable and unfazed.

"Yes, father." Prince Vante said, dipping his head. "She did it to protect me, to protect us."

"Exactly, and your selfish acts ruined it!" King Eldred shouted, frustrated.

"She did it to protect me but now I can protect myself." His son refuted, clenching his fists as he raised his head with emotional glassy orbs. "I will handle this on my own because this is what I brought upon myself."

He then walked away, leaving his stunned father and his silent twin brother.

"VANTE!" King Eldred yelled, but he was too late. The double doors were shut to a loud close.

Everything was quiet.

The tired King leaned back to his seat, covering his old face with both of his bejeweled hands.

"Tell me, Tayden." He mumbled mildly, enough for his son to hear. "What am I doing wrong?"

To that, Prince Tayden had an answer, but he chose not to say anything.

All their family feuds and palace intrigues were starting to unravel. The harbinger of the Revolution was fulfilling her destined role in History, and she wasn't even aware of it.

Two months left.

A/N: Hello loves! We are back on another chapter. If you like the story, then click that twinkling star Rosette loves so much ;)

Yours sincerely,

Nocturnal Armys

*edit: we added "Scenery orchestral version" so you guys can listen to it and appreciate their moments together more uwu borahae