“I was strolling about town if you must know Keieran.” You unfastened your cloak and tossed it over your divan. 

He sighed and rubbed a gloved hand across his face. “Y/N please do me a favor and at least tell me where you’re going.”

You dropped onto your plush bed and untied the curtains that surrounded it. “The tavern.”

“The tavern?” he asked in astonishment. “Of all places, the tavern? What does a princess such as yourself see in a grubby tavern?”

You let your head fall onto your pillows. You gazed up at the mural on your ceiling. In the dim light of dark the tiny cherubs couldn’t be seen but you knew they were there, flying to the divine woman in the middle. When you were younger you always wished to be as lovely as her, her silky gold locks flowing into the clouds and her face serene as she held her children.

“It’s lively and there’s fascinating people, nothing like the people that come here. The drinks aren’t anything to scoff about either. Better than the frilly things they serve at mother’s tea parties.”

The knight was shaking his head. “The only thing fascinating about those people is that they’re low lives, criminals a lot of them. If you dare even call that ‘fascinating.’ I can see that you’re trying to hide your identity.” He motioned to the peasant clothes you were still wearing.

“You don’t like them? I made a trip to the local seamstress and had her make them. She found it quite odd but I gave her extra silver as a means to keep quiet about it. They’re very comfortable. I see the appeal.” You swayed your arms back and forth and the big cotton sleeves swung too.

“Princess, you're dressed like a man. Even down to the shoes. I’m sure I have a pair lying around my quarters.” Sir Keieran was downright astounded by your behavior. He understood how bored you were but to go to such great lengths was beyond him. He enjoyed his life as a knight and thought it was an honorable job. You however were tired of the repetitive routine that was living in the castle.

“It’s all part of my disguise. Surely you thought I was an intruder when I climbed through my window,” you spoke in a velvety voice. At this point you were sitting up now, engaged in this impromptu conversation.

“If I did not know you the way I do then yes, I suppose.” Sir Keieran was like a brother to you. He was the son of the commander of the guard and grew up with you and your brothers. They were devilish little things, all four of you were. You, your younger brother Gabriel, and Keieran straightened out eventually but your older brother Lawrence had taken to drinking in his adult years.

“Well it’s settled then. I shall continue to make these excursions and you will not tell a soul.” Before your knight could get out another word you smirked and flipped over in your bed. He knew that this was a battle he wasn’t going to win. You were always persistent and unending in your search for adventure.

“We’ll discuss this to-morrow,” he grumbled.

That exchange led to the arrangement that when you snuck out of the castle Keieran was to come with you. He promised not to inform anyone, and you trusted his word. Even though Keieran was faithful to your father he was still your childhood friend. That’s why he continued to allow you to leave.

It eased his nerves to keep an eye on you and he even dressed the part, wearing normal clothes just like you during your trips. He didn’t complain one bit. You guessed it was because he was tired of being in the castle all day too. So every few nights, sometimes even multiple nights in a row, when your household fell asleep you and Keieran would adorn your peasant clothes and sneak out the window. It wasn’t the most practical way to escape but you thought it was daring and bold, something out of a child’s fairytale.

Leaves crunched beneath your boots. It was that time of year again. The warm weather had passed and it was soon to get very cold. The sun had gone down and there was a chill in the air. A perfect night for drinking and singing by the tavern fire. 

You approached the familiar building. Vines were growing on its sides and the stones were old and discolored. The sign that read, ‘The Maiden’s Inn’ creaked from its post. You pushed open the heavy oak door and were hit with the smell of mead and smoke. Keieran was close behind you, nearly on your heels.

“Back off would you?” you whispered fervently.

“Your safety is my first priority Y/N. I wish you would let me go in first so I could make sure there’s nothing- or no one- that is of danger to you.” You turned your head and saw him wearing a brooding expression. Unfortunately as you matured Keieran became very serious due to his knight training. Not much could break him of that attitude, you knew from personal experience.

“Cheer up my dear friend, tonight is the knife tossing tournament.” A group of scruff men formed a semi-circle around a wooden board that had been nailed to the wall. Paint was smeared in a rough red circle in the center with blue rings around it.

“How delightful. I imagine you’ll be joining?” He crossed his arms and looked over at you.

“Yes, I will be. Are you? I would enjoy some competition.” You had a devilish grin on your face as you looked up at Keieran.

“No I shall not. Though it’s rather tempting to beat the princess, I wouldn’t dare hurt your pride.” The corner of his mouth tugged up in a small smile.

“Oh Keieran you wound me. But I believe I’m better at throwing knives than you.” Leaving without another word you make your way to the crowd of gentlemen.

“Could I give it a go?” you ask.

“Sure lass.” The man nearest you hands the knife over and steps aside to give you a clear shot.

You aim the knife as you learned to from your brothers and threw it. It hit just off center, but still in the red circle, with a resounding thud. Every man’s eyebrows shoot up in astonishment, they never expected a woman to have such precise aim.

“Hoho, well done missy. It seems you win,” said the man who handed you the knife.

You were about to respond when someone new approached the group and spoke. “Actually may I have a try? I believe myself quite skilled in this regard.”

You take a look at the challenger. You surely hadn’t seen him before, if you had you would surely remember. He had raven hair and a tall yet lean frame. His blue eyes had a twinkle of mischief in them that enticed you beyond comparison. Noticing your stare the mysterious man looked your way and gave you a once over. Once he had finished he flashed you a smile that would make any maiden swoon.

Out of all the men in the tavern he had to be the most handsome. You couldn’t help but feel a tug of intrigue towards him. You backed off though to give your challenger room. He angled his arm back, took a step forward, and threw. You look in disbelief at the perfect bullseye he hits. 

He glances at you and smirks at your parted lips and eyes that are still gazing at the board. He turns away from you and begins to talk to the organizer of the knife throwing competition. You walk over to Keieran who had taken his place at a table in the corner of the room.

When you’re close enough to see his expression you scowl at him. A small smirk is displayed on his face. “I didn’t even have to enter for you to lose. Though I am curious what that scoundrel does for a living.”

You frown as you take your seat. “How can you know that he’s a scoundrel?”

The knight gives you a skeptical look as he speaks, “How do you know he’s not? If he’s coming here then he must be.”

“We’re here and we aren’t scoundrels.”

“We just as well may be for leaving the safety of the castle and returning to such a place so often.”

“Oh you just don’t know what it’s like to thirst for adventure. You’re a knight after all. You get to slay beasts and the kingdom's enemies as your job. That’s an adventure. You may not be aware of this but I rather envy you, Keieran.”

The knight’s smirk drops and is replaced by knitted brows. “Why ever would you be envious of me? I’m positive every maiden in this country would like to be in your place.”

You and Lawrence were never keen on palace life. You were tired of being stuck there and Lawrence was tired of being expected to fill his father’s shoes and one day become king. Not many knew of your displeasure, not even your parents. Your little brother knew and it was a god send that he loved the castle and everything about it.

Growing up you were always wanting to leave the castle and do something. There was nothing wrong with mother’s tea parties. There was nothing wrong with painting, stitching, or playing piano in the parlor, other than you did it every day. You were stuck in a loop of familiarity, and you wanted to get out. You wanted to see the world and all it had to offer; the good and the bad.

“You know perfectly well why Keieran. And don’t mistake my desire for ungratefulness. I know how much privilege I have. I know there are people that have much less than me. I know perfectly well that I’m fortuitous. I cannot help that I’m…”

“Unable to do as you please,” Keieran finished. “Yes, Y/N, I know. I really truly feel for you. If it makes you feel better I pray that you’re reborn as a pirate in your next life.”

“That would be nice, wouldn’t it? It would be much more fitting to my personality. Drinking all night, sailing the seven seas… Speaking of drinking, I’m going to order some ale, would you like something?” You got up from your seat and pushed in the heavy wooden chair, which scraped across the already scuffed floor.

“Get me an ale and a pie.”

You walked to the counter and told the innkeeper your order. You took a seat on a stool as your drinks and Keieran’s pie was made. Someone slid into the spot next to yours and you glanced over to find it was the man that won the knife throwing contest. He smiled when you looked at him.

“You have very sharp skills princess,” he said coolly.