Early the next morning, while Simina stood staring out of her window, gazing out at the landscape, someone knocked at her door. She turned and looked at the door. Simina knew of only two people that it could be: Matilda the handmaiden, or Prince Nar.
“Who is it?” Simina asked kindly. A voice from the other side of the door answered.
“It is I, Nar,” said the Prince. Simina looked back out the window.
“Come in.” The door opened and Nar entered, holding an envelope in his hand. He closed the door behind him, and Simina turned towards him. Nar walked towards Simina, handing her the envelope.
“This came for you,” he said. Simina took it and read the address. It was from her aunt. She looked back up at Nar.
“How did she respond so fast to my letter? I only sent it yesterday!” Simina exclaimed. Nar smiled.
“You will soon learn, Simina, that I have a very effective way of transportation,” Nar told her.
Eagerly, Simina ripped open the envelope, unfolded the letter, and read it.
Dear Simina,
I am sorry to hear about your accident. I hope you get well soon. Take all the time that you need. I will patiently await your arrival. Send my thanks to Prince Nar.
Love,
Aunt Lyda.
As you can see, it was a very short letter. After finishing, she folded it back up. Simina didn't understand what her aunt meant by, “send my thanks to Prince Nar.” She hadn't mentioned Prince Nar or the castle at all, how did she know? Simina thought that people didn't believe in the Dark Prince. She looked up at him.
“How does my aunt know about you?” Simina asked him. She averted her eyes from his face. She didn't want to look at his eyes.
“Your aunt is from the right side of Lazera. The people from the right side have seen me, and know I exist,” Nar explained to her. Simina remembered that the book had said that too. Oh, that's right, she said to herself.
“Which reminds me,” said Nar, stroking his chin. His eyes narrowed curiously at her, a mysterious smile stretching his lips. Simina tried her hardest not to look in his eyes. The last time she had, she'd become entranced, and it took an effort to look away. It was a struggle for her not to look at his eyes; she wanted to; Simina liked his eyes in some strange way.
“How did you know who I was when you saw me?” Nar knew there could be no way that anyone from the left side knew what he looked like, or who he was. But somehow, she'd known exactly who he was from the start.
“There was a book about you. I read it,” Simina told him. This news enthralled Nar. He raised his eyebrows.
“Ah. I see,” he said, very intrigued indeed. Nar never knew that someone had written a book about him.
“So, what did this book say about me?” Nar was curious now. Simina recalled what the book had said.
“It said that...you were an evil prince. It also said that you possess dark magic, and you trick people into doing evil things for you,” Simina said. Nar erupted with laughter. This confused Simina. Why was this funny to him? Once he'd finished laughing, Nar composed himself. He cleared his throat, still smiling.
“Forgive me,” Nar said in a shaky voice. “Those things are not true.” Simina blinked in astonishment.
“Really? They're not?” Simina was befuddled. Nar shook his head.
“No. I am not evil,” Nar said simply. Simina stared at him curiously.
“You're not? So, you're not tricking me?” Simina's mind broadened, filling with questions. Nar chuckled.
“No. I am not tricking you. But enlighten me; why were you scared?” Nar remembered the fearful expression on her face. He didn't know why she looked so scared. Simina took a deep, shaky breath, remembering that moment.
“I thought you would hurt me,” Simina said, legs shaking, voice trembling. Observing Nar from where she stood, he didn't seem all that scary. But what made him scary was the way he held himself, his mysterious demeanor, and his eyes. What scared Simina the most was his beauty. He was beautiful, but it was a dangerous beauty. That scared Simina.
“I have no reason to hurt you,” Nar wisped. Simina realized he had a very soft voice, but it was deep. Simina swept a strand of hair behind her ear. She felt nervous.
“What if I gave you a reason?” Simina wondered. Nar shook his head, eyes glowing at her.
“I wouldn't hurt a lady,” Nar said honorably. Nar narrowed his eyes, cocking his head at her.
“Are you still scared of me?” Nar smirked. His voice sent chills down Simina's spine, and she shivered.
“Maybe just a little, yes,” Simina answered in a quiet voice.
“You have nothing to fear from me,” Nar assured her. Nar wanted her to know that. He had no desire to hurt, trick, or deceive Simina. Nar liked her timidness and her occasional bravery. He'd noticed these things in her, even in the short time he'd known her.
Simina saw a really weird look in Nar's eyes, some look that she could not read. It made her skin crawl. After their conversation, they fell into an awkward silence. Finally, Nar bowed.
“I must be going now,” he said and walked out. The awkward silence dispersed, and Simina finally felt like she could breathe.
* * *
Simina was looking for a way out, so she was outside, exploring the castle grounds, the hood of her cloak pulled up. There wasn't much to look at from outside. Staring off into the distance, off to the left, there was nothing, nothing but an endless snowy landscape. Simina wondered how far she could get on foot and figured she couldn't go very far, not in this cold weather.
Walking around the entirety of the castle, Simina wandered across the stables. Inside the stables, she found a horse. It was a black stallion, standing tall and beautiful. Simina opened the gate and went in. The horse huffed when it saw her, blowing air out of its nostrils. Simina went up to it.
“Oh wow,” Simina gasped in amazement. She raised a tentative hand and placed it on the horse's mane. The horse huffed at her but didn't shake her away. She stroked her fingers through its long, silky black mane. It was such a pretty horse with a pure black coat.
Simina saw a saddle hanging on a post. An idea sprouted in her mind. She knows how to ride a horse. She could take this horse and get away. The Prince wouldn't know. He wouldn't know until it was too late. But that would be stealing, her conscience told her. Simina stood there for a moment, thinking. She had to get away somehow. She had to get to her aunt. She couldn't stay here, not with the Prince. Ignoring her protesting conscience, Simina grabbed the saddle.
Simina readied the horse, strapping the saddle, fixing the reins. The horse didn't fight her. Once she finished readying the horse, she looked around. No one was outside. No one was around or watching her. She could get away. Simina pulled herself up and seated herself on the horse, getting comfortable. She took the reins in her hands, put her feet in the stirrups and guided the horse around. Simina knew where to go. She was sure of her aunt's address.
She guided the horse out of the stables with a slow trot. Simina snapped the reins.
“Hi-ya!” she shouted, and off she went, riding off into the empty Hills, leaving the castle behind her.
Little did Simina know, Prince Nar watched from his watchtower, high above in his castle. Nar frowned. He thought she might try such a thing, he wasn't surprised. The thing that surprised Nar though was the fact that she was able to ride his horse. Nar had put an enchantment on his horse so that no one else but him would be able to ride it. This puzzled Nar. How is she able to ride my horse? Irritation set in upon Nar. Now she'd stolen Night Rider, his enchanted horse that no one else but him should be able to ride!
“The wretched thief!” he muttered to himself. Just on cue, a few minutes after Simina had left, a guard marched into the tower.
“Sir! The girl has stolen your horse!” the guard informed. This irritated Nar even more, since the guard was telling him something he already possessed knowledge of. He clenched his jaw and turned.
“Yes, I know. I just saw,” Nar snapped at the guard.
“What is it you wish me to do, Master?” The guard straightened, ready to serve.
“Find her, and bring her to me,” Nar ordered his guard. With a click of his heels and a salute, the guard turned and left.