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Erika had hoped to leave as quietly as she could.
The last few weeks had been the most eventful of her life. On one day she was rescuing the Queen from what would have undoubtedly been a loveless and empty marriage to a murderous man, and on the next she was a free woman, one horse ride away from exploring the world. She could barely keep up with it all, until it finally seemed like she had an opportunity to go her own way without further fuss and awkward goodbyes.
"Erika!"
Nevermind that - she should've known it wouldn't be so easy.
The clicking of an expensive pair of heels and the sweet voice made it easy to identify who was approaching, and Erika looked down from where she was sat atop her horse to find Crown Princess Anneliese, her new, lifelong friend, smiling at her. Erika's heart leapt at the sight of her, but she quickly buried it deep inside.
"Your Royal Highness," Erika said playfully and bowed her head, "And here I was, hoping to run into you one more time."
"Your wish has been granted," Anneliese replied with a smirk, "You look... all ready to go."
"I would've already been on my way, but there was a slight delay. You're not the first royal I've spoken to today."
Erika knew that Anneliese recognized who she was talking about. King Dominick, originally betrothed to Anneliese, had found himself attached to Erika when she masqueraded as the princess. Erika knew there was no way she would get to leave without speaking to him, and she figured that she owed him a chat, an explanation.
"King Dominick is in love with you," Anneliese remarked almost casually. Erika chuckled, and it was bittersweet.
"I know," she murmured, "I hope he'll find someone else to give him what I can't."
Erika met Anneliese's eyes. They both knew exactly why she had rejected Dominick.
"Any way I could convince you to stay?" Anneliese asked softly, hopefully. Erica looked away, taking a second to prepare herself for the part of the conversation she had hoped they could avoid.
"Anneliese, I…" she started, "All my life I've dreamed of being free. Now my debt's been paid, thanks to you. I will never forget how kind and generous you've been to me, but I- I need to see what's beyond this kingdom, if only for a moment."
"Where will you go?"
"Everywhere," Erika said passionately, "I want to sing, and see the world."
"I understand. I would never keep you from your dreams, but..." Anneliese said and dug into her purse, "I hope you'll take this with you."
Erika's mind blanked for a little while as Anneliese presented her with a beautiful, delicate ring - an engagement ring. It was the most beautiful and probably the most expensive piece of jewellery she had ever seen in her life, and a princess was right there offering it to her. It felt like a fairytale from her childhood storybooks.
"I couldn't," Erika muttered, hesitating. Anneliese removed the ring from its box and stretched her hand out to her friend, her something more.
"Please," she said, "This way you'll have a piece of me with you wherever you go."
It was such a sweet thought that it made Erika's heart ache. She was dangerously close to getting off her horse, embracing Anneliese and staying with her forever, but she knew that she owed it to herself to make her dreams come true first. She gave her hand to Anneliese, who slid the ring onto her finger.
"It's beautiful," Erika marvelled, "But the princess committed to another woman…"
"I know, what a scandal," Anneliese continued with a humorous tone to her voice, but there was a loving look in her eyes, "Whatever happens, it'll be okay. You're very loved here."
"By you, too, I'd imagine?"
"Your words, not mine," Anneliese said cheekily, but the look she and Erika gave one another made it clear that the feelings they shared were both romantic and deep. Erika sighed, looking out at the horizon.
"I should go," she said, "No promises?"
Anneliese smiled confidently, knowing that the rest of her life was with the woman in front of her. "I'll take my chances."