Before night fall the villagers that were disguised as bandits invited as to rest in their village for the night.
"We don’t have much your highness but please feel free to eat as much as you want." An elder woman said.
"Thank you very much." I replied. "I am not a picky eater so do not worry. Please join me." I smiled. The food on the table can feed the entire village.
I look at the villagers around me. They are thin and frail looking. Food aha been scarce in this drought and my father hasn’t done anything for his people.
"Oh no your highness, we do not dare." The elderly woman said. But then a little girl came near me.
"Can I get a little?" The little girl asked.
"Of course you can, all of these are your food. Please feel free to eat with me." I said. And then the little girl smiled widely that melted my heart. She sat down beside me and started to eat.
After a while the other children and villagers started to eat with me as well.
"The gold coins that I gave can feed them for the entire month." Leon whispered from behind me.
"Oh my gosh, you gave me a fright." I said. He just popped up from behind me.
"You still have to practice harder." Leon chuckled. "You didn’t feel my presence?"
"It’s not that, you just move stealthy that even I can’t feel if you are coming." I said.
"Sorry about that. I just got used to moving like this." Leon said a little embarrassed. "Are you done eating?"
"Yes." I nodded.
"Come, walk with me." Leon said looking very serious. I looked at him curiously but followed.
Leon offered me his hand and I took it. He pulled me up gently from my seat.
The night was still young and the stars were shining brightly with a half moon hanging on the night sky. We were walking in the woods and at the edge there was a clearing. We get out of the edge of the woods and saw a small lake. The lake was as clear as a mirror reflecting the night sky.
"Wow, it looks so beautiful." I said.
"I just saw this a while ago. I know you would like it." Leon said.
I looked at Leon who was smiling beside me. His face was looking a little forlorn.
"You didn’t bring me here just to let me see this, have you?" I asked. "Do you want to say anything to me?"
Leon gave me a sad smile and my heart clenched with it.
"I want to tell you something important." Leon said. "I think you have also known about this for a while now."
I nodded. "Is it about your shadow guards?" I asked. "Yes, I have felt their presence these past two years. They are now very good in hiding like you." I giggled.
"Then I need them to
practice much harder then." Leon chuckled. Then he looked at me in the eyes. "I am not the man I have once introduced myself. I have not been very honest to you about my true identity."
I looked at him and smiled. "I have a hunch about that for quite sometime now. But the past two years you have accompanied me, you have been good to me and that weighs more than your true identity."
"It is not important who you are. What is important is if your heart is true these past two years." I said. "Tell me, the things you have shown to me, your kindness and care for me, is it all true?" I looked at him, hopeful of what his answer was. Inside my heart I really hoped that what he has shown me until now was true and genuine from his heart.
Leon took my hands and held it close to his heart. This action made me a little embarrassed. I feel a blush creep on my cheeks.
Leon looked into my eyes. His eyes were clear and doesn’t contain any form of cloudiness.
"Everything that I have showed you, everything that I have said to you, are sincere and true." Leon said. "From the bottom of my heart, I swear to you, that I will forever cherish you."
My heart was racing inside my chest. This moment feels like a little more intimate than I have imagine. I looked down getting shy of Leon’s gaze to me.
I heard him chuckle lightly. His hand cupped my chin and gently lifted it up. His eyes were looking into mine and locked my gaze to him.
"Alicia." Leon said my name sweetly. My heart was thumping rapidly in my chest that I was afraid he can hear it.
"I want to tell you something." Leon said. "What I am about to tell you is true and comes from the bottom of my heart."
I looked at him with the anticipation. I was so close to him that I can feel his heart beat thumping.
’So I am not the only one with my heart thumping fast.’ I thought.
"Alicia, these past two years, everything I have shown you is my true heart." Leon said. He cupped my cheek with his hand. "My heart has always been yours, Alicia."
"W-What do you mean?" I asked knowing full well where this discussion is going. But still I want to hear from his lips if what I thought is true.
Leon made a teasing smile. "I think you know what I mean." He caressed my cheek with his thumb gently. "But I will tell it to you nonetheless."
I was drawn into Leon’s eyes. His sincerity os reflected in them.
"Alicia, I have fallen in love with you." Leon said. "And I have been falling even more everyday that I spend with you."
Hearing his words gave my heart a gentle squeeze. Feelings are overflowing inside of me. And not long I can feel tears trickle my cheeks.
"Why are you crying?" Leon was smiling.
"I-I never thought that you would feel the same way." I said with gentle sobs.
"Same way?" Leon teased. "Hmm I also know how you feel about me but I would also like to hear it from you. Would you give me the honor to hear it?" He smiled.
"You are teasing me." I was giggling between my sobs.
"I also want to hear it." Leon sounded sincere now. "Won’t you let me hear it?"
I looked at his face. His beautiful eyes were twinkling under the night sky.
"I-I love you too." I said shyly.
"Hmm?" Leon teased. "I didn’t quite hear that. Can you repeat?" He teased.
"I said I love you too." I said the words a little forcefully this time.
But then I can feel arms embrace me. My whole body was now engulfed in Leon’s embrace. He cupped my chin and gently angled it above his, his face inching closely to mine.
My heart was thumping rapidly, faster than before. Then his lips found mine. I can feel his soft wet lips embrace my thin ones. I close my eyes and feel the sensation of this moment.