~~

Checking her look in her mirror for one last time, Princess Mina heave a sigh before carefully sneaking out of her Royal Room.

She was dressed in clothes a Royalty won't ever wear, specially that she's inside a Palace.

Being a Princess and probably the next Queen of their Kingdom was never her choice.

She just wanted to live a normal life just like any other people in their Kingdom, but she knows that it is impossible to happen.

Their Kingdom is not cruel, anything that their people needs for living are always given to them.

Mina was raised to be an elegant and classy princess but her parents still made sure that she has a heart of gold.

Successfully climbing down through her balcony using clothes she knotted together, Mina looked around her first before proceeding in the dark forest.

She's been doing this for a few times already and she's sure, she knows the way to a place she's always craving for but she wasn't allowed to go as it's dangerous for a Royal blooded like her.

Yes, their kindom isn't cruel but one of the empires are.

Their kingdom was separated into three empires.

The Hithern Empire where the Palace is located. People living in the main land are mostly royal blooded.

The Craine Empire where the greedy persons and rebels live. All they want is to take over the palace and get everyone under their control.

And lastly, the Chaedovien Empire. This is where the barbarians, the healers and knights came from.

Their kingdom was all about peace and harmony, not until the leader of the Craine Empire betrayed the King and Queen before, and that is where it all started.

Carefully walking through the fallen leaves, making sure not to make any loud noises to gather the guards' attention, Mina steadily walked her way to the forest.

If she just knew another shortcut to get to the falls, she would do that but she's a Princess who only gets out of the Palace when she sneaks out.

Everyone knows about her but no one knows how she looks like, she grew up being hidden in people's eye.

She was called the Hidden Gem Princess who will soon take over the throne and make their Kingdom be as one, once again.

Hearing some foot steps coming through her way, Mina got her sword out and was ready to stab whoever or whatever that was but her sword was blocked by another.

They both fought in dominance but the latter was still stronger than her, making her stumble on the ground, hurting her knee in the process.

"Who are you? What are you doing in the middle of the forest? Are you a thief, huh?! Did you came from the Craine Empire?!"

The latter's sword was now against her neck, making her face the stranger through the darkness.

"Craine Empire? Why would you think that I came there when I'm dressed just like you?"

"You're definitely an ally of them that they send to spy on us. Tell me, are your empire planning something again?"

"I did not came from that disgusting empire!"

The latter smirked before clicking her tongue.

"Prove it to me then."

It was just then that Mina passed out, making the stranger alarmed.

She was sure she didn't harmed her neck with her sword.

Kneeling down, she checked Mina's body but found nothing until she felt something by her knee, it was probably the sword Mina was holding.

"Did you sliced your knee on purpose?!"

•••

"Where did you found her?"

"I found her in the middle of the forest. You know I always go the falls to reminisce, right?"

"I know but it's my first time seeing a beauty like her..."

Scrunching her face by the rays of sunlight hitting her, Mina groaned and tried to sit up only to lay back again as she felt pain by her knee.

"You're awake."

Slowly opening her eyes despite the pain, Mina found unknown people standing by the bed she's lying on.

"W-Who... who are you?"

"Aren't we suppose to be the ones to ask you that? Who are you and why are you in the forest covered by our region?"

"R-Region?"

"Yes, you're currently here in our region. The Chaedovien Empire. What's your name?"

"NEVER, ever tell your real identity to strangers."

Mina was silent, thinking about what name she could use to tell them.

"I told you she came from the Craine Empire! She couldn't even say her own name–"

"Shaide."

Everyone was silent while Mina mentally facepalmed herself on how weird that name was.

"Ooh... that's such a unique name you got there but we're all sure you didn't came from us, you don't even know this place but... you're dressed just like us... how?"

"I... I can't tell you."

•••

"Eat this."

Mina looked up from staring at her wounded knees and found a tall girl, handling her a basket with grilled sweet potatos in it.

"Thank you."

She gladly took it from the latter, plastering a small smile.

"I know you're lying about your name."

Mina stopped midway from biting the sweet potato, literally frozing on her spot.

"You came from the Hithern Empire... didn't you? You're a royal blooded."

"N-No."

"But your eyes and sword says the opposite of it."

Mina had her eyes widen when the stranger showed her her own sword, mentally facepalming herself once again for bringing a wrong sword.

"Finish that food and I'll guide you on your way back there."

She placed the sword beside Mina before carefully leaving the hut to give her some privacy.

"Isn't she the one I encountered last night...?"

•••

Chapter dedicated to:
vocevealuz

< If I would choose between all the chapters I wrote, I would definitely recommend this one. Thankyouuu for the idea!! >

NOTE: Okay... this is my first time writing something about fantasy, kingdoms, palace and anything related to that without any other references and I'm not gonna lie, this chapter alone already squeezed my imaginations out.

Please bare with me by the names, I don't really have expriences about this. Hope you guys like this!!

Stay safe and Love lots!!