Chapter 21(Hide)

I know what I'm doing is wrong. The foundation of a relationship is truth before love yet I conceal my entire identity from the man that I love. You could say my situation is one a million but that’s just me trying to justify myself.

I get ready for my dinner with Ray. The name Raymond sounds very familiar? I don’t know it's just a feeling I guess… We meet up outside the castle gates and he dresses very modestly without his knight uniform.

“Hi Ray”

“Hello, Sara. So are you ready to have dinner with this noble knight?” He greets me like I'm a princess. Which I am but he doesn’t know it.

I chuckle “Sure am. Where to?”

“It’s a surprise!” I hate surprises but oh well we will see how this turns out.

“We walk for half an hour or so and land up in a small valley.

“Wow!” There was a small table and two chairs with our meals closed. The scenery was what made me say wow. It was incredible flowers everywhere on the tress and such a beautiful river under the bridge of the valley.

“This is incredible! Did you do this yourself?”

“Yes, it wasn’t that much work really…” He's shy he rubs the back of the neck and blushes lightly.

“Are you kidding me this is amazing! It's about the setting, not the props!” I smile.

“So shall we dine you royal ness?” I chuckle

“We shall your holiness.”

Now that I notice him. He is quite handsome. He has bright red hair and blue eyes. He was like a real-life sculpture that came to life.

“Thank you.” I smile down.

“For what? I didn’t do much I just did my duty.” He smiles.

“A knight's duty is to protect the people. But you not only protected me but you showed me immense kindness even though I was an alleged criminal then. So I say it again. I sincerely thank you for helping me when I needed it the most.” I smile brightly at him.

“Okay. Your welcome! I can't argue after that statement.” He laughs.

“So tell me about you Ray,” I ask.

“Hmm well my full name is Raymond Medell. I am-“I cut him off.

“Wait! The Raymond Medell! The black panther of the battlefield! The Marquis! You’re him!”

“Yes... Black Panther? Ha-ha, what an odd nickname.”

I can't believe that the marquis Raymond Medell is talking to me right now! I may be a princess but to meet the Black Panther is even a dream for me!

“Wow! I don’t know what to say!”

“I am just a normal person just like you. No need to treat me any differently.”

Yeah right! The King of the battlefield is a ‘normal person.

“Ha-ha alright! Then how come you were guarding the prison that day?”

“I wasn’t actually I was training the other knights and saw a commotion so I went to the prison. After all, there were only 2 guards I was training and we happened to be near the prison grounds.”

“Are you saying that there were no guards placed in the prison?” This is definitely the general's doing.

“Yes. That was odd we are investigating the assassination attempt that day.”

“Can I ask a question?”

“Please go ahead.” I hesitate then finally after deep breaths I ask the question.

“Did-Did I kill him? The assassin?”

“No. He is alive. We are interrogating him right now we should find the main culprit soon.”

A wave of relief swept over me. I was thankful that I didn’t kill someone. Even if he was total trash. “Thank god,” I whisper loudly enough for him to hear.

“Even if you had killed him it would be self-defense so don’t feel guilty.” He smiles. Trying to reassure me that I did nothing wrong.

“Okay!” I smile to reassure him back.

Just then I think of Reece. I wonder if I could share my problems with ray. Will he tell me the truth? I hope so. I will give it a try.

“Um, a friend of mine lies to the person she loves, afraid he is going to run away if she tells the truth. Do you think she should?”

“Of course.” There was no hesitation.

“If he truly loves her then he will accept her no matter what she hid from him and if she truly loves him she would not hide the truth.”

We have general conversations about our daily life and we leave back to the palace. I said goodbye at the palace gates as he had some errands to run.

It was nice. It finally made me feel like I have someone comfortable to talk with. I go back to my room and I finally decided I can't hide anymore.