Enjoy this short story by Mace Styx.
She blinked at Sir Farridanβs sudden entrance. He was surprised by how ordinary-looking she was, for a princess β they were supposed to be wispy little things, delicate and ungodly beautiful. Princess Idrun wore a simple white gown, her unruly blonde hair falling down to her hips, a greenish cast to it in the light. Her eyes were green as well, gazing at Sir Farridan now with some wariness to her expression.
βWho are you?β she asked him.
βPrincess Idrun,β Sir Farridan said, executing a short, somewhat perfunctory bow. βI am Sir Farridan. I have travelled long and far to rescue you.β
To his surprise, she merely looked slightly confused by this. It wasnβt the swooning gratitude he had been expecting.
βRescue me?β she repeated, frowning. βRescue me from what?β
He was so baffled by her question that for a moment he just stood there gawking at her, jaw hanging open. She stared back with a face as smooth and unaffected as glass. He reasoned that perhaps she was in shock from seeing another human being after so long in isolation.
βYou β from this!β Sir Farridan said, gesturing vaguely around the room. He tugged at his collar, wishing heβd worn lighter armor. βThis place!β
βI like it here.β Princess Idrun replied, making no move to get up off the bed. In fact, she seemed to be slightly bored by the conversation, her body language closed-off and unfriendly.
βBut...why would you want to stay here?!β he blurted out. βIn an empty, crumbling castle?β
βNobody bothers me here,β Idrun replied, with a shrug. βItβs peaceful.β