Chapter 5 4.

Back at the palace and the entire kingdom, the news going around was about the death of the prince of Madonia. It went like this, 'The prince couldn't arrive at the palace because he was involved in a ghastly carriage accident. Everyone, including the prince, died.' It left everyone in a state of mourning for losing a royalty so close to their borders.

But in the villa where Maya and her nanny lived, they were pretty oblivious about what was going on. Instead, they were busy trying to treat their injured stranger so he could recover his full strength. Maya and Nanny Naomi took turns feeding him, applying balms to his wounds, and changing his bandages. His breathing was a lot steadier now, and he looked more relaxed than when he first arrived.

They also cleaned out the room he stayed in, as it had been unused for years, opening the windows during the day so fresh air could come in and closing it at night. During those days, Maya had enough time to admire his looks and physique. She would sneak in when the nanny was busy with other chores and spend most of her time staring at his sleeping face. On the evening of the second day, Maya finally asked Nanny Naomi the question that had been bothering her. Nanny Naomi was in her room, helping her brush her hair when she spoke up.

"When do you think he'll wake up, Naomi?" She asked, looking at her nanny through the mirror. She saw the older woman's hands pause in her hair before placing the comb down on the vanity.

Naomi glanced at her before going ahead to braid her hair. "Well, he is responding to treatment, so it only means he'll wake up soon," she replied.

Maya sighed, admiring the way her nanny braided her hair. "I hope he wakes up soon," she muttered before a smile hit her lips. "He's rather good-looking," she muttered, a dreamy look on her face. Naomi gasped, mortified.

"My princess!" She chided her, but Maya chuckled.

"What? You've seen him too. Don't you think he's good-looking? Besides, it's not every day you come across a handsome injured man washed up by the river," Maya countered.

Naomi shook her head but didn't say anything else, a small smile on her face. Maya snapped her fingers, as if remembering something.

"That reminds me, Nanny, did you get any luck finding any lost person in the village?" She asked as she stood up, walking towards her bed. Naomi followed after her.

"No, my princess. There wasn't any information of any missing person. I highly doubt that person was from these parts," she said, watching her princess sit on the bed.

"Where would he be then? It's a long journey from the capital, and the borders of Gegoria are surrounded by mountains and rivers," Maya said, thinking out loud.

"Probably an intruder?" Naomi suggested. Maya seemed to consider her nanny's words, then shook her head.

"I highly doubt that. He hardly looks like one. Besides..." She stood up, going to the basket she always takes out when she's going on a walk. She brought out a brooch that was intricately decorated with so many jewels, glittering in the dim lighting. "I found this on his clothes when I met him," she announced, stretching it towards her nanny.

"It's a brooch," Nanny Naomi seconded as she went to collect the item from her hand, staring at it.

"Not just any brooch. It had a Royal crest," Maya explained further. "I noticed that later." She glanced at her nanny. "It's not the Royal crest of Gegoria, so this person either works for another Royal family, or he is one." Maya announced.

Naomi's mouth gasped open at the revelation, her eyes filled with awe. "Wow, what an excellent observation, my princess!"

Maya's cheeks colored at the praise, but her expression remained cool. "Which is why we need to wait until he wakes up."

"Why don't we ask the Royal palace, instead of waiting until he wakes up?" Naomi suggested. Maya immediately shook her head.

"I don't want to do that yet. What if we're wrong? We'll just give them a chance to ridicule me. Let's wait until the stranger wakes up."

Naomi decided to tell her the rumors she's been hearing amongst the villagers lately. "Um, My princess. There's something you need to know," she began.

Maya glanced at her. "What is it?"

"Well, I heard from the villagers today when I went to the market that the prince of Madonia that was visiting the Kingdom had a carriage accident. Everyone with him died." She cast him a knowing look. "Perhaps our stranger may be part of the prince's convoy."

Naomi watched as Maya's eyes widened in excitement. "You think so? Oh! It could be true! The mountains surrounding Gegoria make traveling in and out tricky. Not to mention it's summer and there'll be a lot of thunderstorms." She began pacing around in excitement. "Maybe we should tell my family..." She cut off suddenly, the smile fading from her face. "Or, we shouldn't."

Surprised at the sudden change of expression, she asked what's wrong.

"Why? Is there something wrong?" Naomi asked worriedly.

"We need to make sure he wakes up first before we do anything," she stated finally. "The wounds he sustained don't look like they came from a carriage accident, most especially the stab wounds," Maya said.

Naomi nodded in agreement. "Indeed. He really had a lot of wounds. Even the doctor stated it was a surprise he was still alive."

Maya glanced at her Nanny. "Looks like we've arrived at a decision. Let's leave it there. I'm hungry. What's for dinner?"

Naomi smiled coyly. "Why don't you find out, princess?"

Maya rolled her eyes, then chuckled. "Whatever it is, I'm sure it will be delicious. To the dining table, it is!" She announced before sashaying out of the room. Naomi watched her disappear before following after her, a smile on her face.

Night arrived, and everyone had settled in their various rooms. But for some incomprehensible reasons, Maya had trouble falling asleep. After lying in bed for so long, tossing and turning countless times, she decided to go for a walk. She picked up a lamp and sneaked out of her room, making sure not to make any noise.

She didn't know where she was headed, but her legs carried her to the stranger's room. She stared at his door, hesitant if she should go in. Biting her lips, she glanced around before opening the door and walking in.

His room was dark except for the candle that burned by the side of his bed, illuminating that area. Her heart pounded in her chest as she walked to him, her steps soundless. She reached his side and stood, just staring at him as he slept. He looked so peaceful lying there, and oh... So beautiful. Maya admitted to herself that she was drawn to him.

Unable to resist touching him, she found herself running her fingers down his face, all the way to his jaw. His skin felt soft against her fingers, sending thrills down her spine. It was wrong on so many levels, but she found herself enjoying it, her mouth curving into a smile. Having had enough of this indiscreet act, she made to pull away from him.

She raised her head to see silvery eyes staring back at her, a blank look on the stranger's face. Her hands froze, her heart pounding in her chest.

She'd been caught. Red-handed.