“What are you thinking of, my devilish partner?” he inquired, anxiously.

“Just do what I say to do, okay?”

He nodded and watched her work. She peeled off his belt, which held his sword. She pulled off his tunic and shirt. She, rather shyly, unzipped his pants. Celeste turned to Brian, “Now help me throw him the lake.”

Brian grinned and took his arms. Celeste took his legs and trudged over to the shore. They waded a few feet into the water. “One, two, three!” they chanted and swung him in. A satisfying plunk! And then a scream was all the two needed. They ran to the pile of clothes, leaving only his pants, bundled them up and jumped onto their horses. After an easy search, they found Nickolas’ horse and herded it along with them.

“Farewell, Prince, I will see you tomorrow at the same time?” she yelled over her shoulder.

“You can count on it, Princess! Be ready!” he yelled, sopping wet. Not only was he wet, he was with only pants and without transportation. He should have been mad, but instead, he was enchanted with the humor and humility brought at his expense from the Princess. She was stunning, and he was bewitched by the youthful sensation that was emitted by her.

Brian and Celeste laughed all the way home, congratulating themselves on such a prank. The prince got what he deserved after the incident the day before. When they arrived at the castle, they went put up the horses and tip-toed through the castle. Brian followed Celeste into her room.

Inside the room was her father, the king. His thick arms were folded and his mouth was pressed into a thin line. “Where the hell have you been?”

Brian fell to his knees in a shameful bow. He stayed down until Celeste’s father allowed him to rise. King Peters repeated himself again, this time in a stronger voice.

“We went for a horse ride, is that a crime?” Celeste answered him.

“Child, you will not use that tone of voice in response to me!” he demanded.

Brian looked at the King. “Sire, it was my fault that she was gone. I was obligated to stop her but I didn’t. If there is any punishment, I shall take it.”

Celeste looked at her father. He was plump and tallest out of the three. His hair was as white as snow, along with his beard. He was adorned with jewels and rich clothing.

“No, that is not needed,” he declined, “Celeste, this is the sixth time in two weeks! You cannot be so irresponsible! You need to be focused on other things.”

“Like what? Parties and being pampered? How hard is that?”

The king opened his mouth, but reconsidered his words. The next time, he spoke, “I have decided. Since you have been so irresponsible, I will have to pick your husband for you. Whoever I see fit for the throne is the new king. That is now none of your concern anymore.” He walked out of the room, and the air lifted with something that no one could explain or describe.

Celeste felt tears brim and eventually spill from her eyes. She couldn’t believe he was doing something like that to her. She misbehaved a handful of times, but not as much as he exaggerated.

Brian kneeled down next to Celeste and pulled her up into his arms. She was trembling with pain. “Celeste, you must be brave, for who will be the stronger one of us if both us are worried and pain-stricken?”

“Why are you worried?” she asked, wiping away tears feverishly.

“I – I don’t want to see you married to some up-tight goat. I have seen them, that’s all they are,” he claimed, looking away. “You need someone who is polite, caring and faithful. But he needs to be up to your wild side, since it is unleashed every now and then.”

She smiled in spite of the tears. He could always cheer her up. She pushed his face so that he looked at her. Tears rolled down his eyes, just like hers did. They dripped off his face onto hers and he wiped them away.

She leaned up and kissed his cheek and then put her lips next to his ear, “It will all turn out for the best, I promise this.”

“What happens if it doesn’t?” Sir Brian asked quietly.

“We will just have to see if it comes to that point,” she whispered, smiling bravely.