Enjoy this short story by Mace Styx.
She blinked at Sir Farridanâs sudden entrance. He was surprised by how ordinary-looking she was, for a princess â 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.
âWho are you?â she asked him.
âPrincess Idrun,â Sir Farridan said, executing a short, somewhat perfunctory bow. âI am Sir Farridan. I have travelled long and far to rescue you.â
To his surprise, she merely looked slightly confused by this. It wasnât the swooning gratitude he had been expecting.
âRescue me?â she repeated, frowning. âRescue me from what?â
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.
âYou â from this!â Sir Farridan said, gesturing vaguely around the room. He tugged at his collar, wishing heâd worn lighter armor. âThis place!â
âI like it here.â 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.
âBut...why would you want to stay here?!â he blurted out. âIn an empty, crumbling castle?â
âNobody bothers me here,â Idrun replied, with a shrug. âItâs peaceful.â