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"Why?" I tell him suspiciously.
"I just saved your life. Surely the least you can do is tell me your name?"
"And you're sure I'm not going to end up in your dungeon?" I ask him. I can tell he's struggling to hold in another laugh, and a part of me longs for him to let it out.
"I'm sure," he says, schooling his features into a serious expression.
"I'm Juliet," I finally tell him, holding out my hand.
"It's a pleasure to meet you, Juliet," he says, shaking my hand.
"So, I guess I should be going now," I tell him awkwardly.
"Yes, that's probably for the best," he snickers. "Let me show you a different way to get in and out, you know, just in case you find yourself craving an apple someday soon."
He leads me to a part of the wall that's covered in a thick curtain of ivy.
"I used to use this to get out of the castle when I was a little boy," he says, almost in a whisper although there's no one around us to hear him.
"Can I trust you not to tell anyone about this?" he says with a serious expression.
I nod at him eagerly.
"It will be our secret then," he says, holding out his pinky to do a pinky promise I realize delightedly.
I solemnly entwine my pinky finger with his and then watch as he pulls the ivy aside, showing a rusted wood door built into the rock wall. He pulls it open for me, and I feel a sudden longing to stay with him.
"It was good to meet you, fair Juliet," the Prince says with a low bow.
I attempt a clumsy curtsy and I feel my face flush red when I see him trying to stifle another grin. I rush through the hidden doorway, stopping to wave at him eagerly before I run off with my apple. He shakes his head, smiling, before he shuts the door behind me, the ivy falling forward to hide the secret passageway once again.
Thomas is still waiting nervously where I originally fell over the wall. He turns in my direction when he hears my footsteps.
"Are you crazy?" he yells, running towards me.
I hold the apple up with a proud look on my face, and he stares at it in awe.
"You really did it," he says in wonder.
"I can't believe you doubted me," I tell him haughtily, before turning and sprinting in the direction of my lands. "Race you home!" I yell at him as I run. I hear Thomas shout as he sprints after me to catch up.
I wait a week before trying the secret door again. I'm nervously hopeful as I open the door into the palace grounds and step out. I wait for what must be an hour, hoping to see the Prince, but he never appears.
James Kensington
It's been four long years since I've seen James Kensington. During that time, I've grown into my body, and there are few men that haven't noticed. Where once I was all sharp edges and knobby knees, now lays curves for days. Father hasn't known what to do watching his tomboy grow into a woman.
I'm walking through the village with a few friends when the pounding of horses' hooves catches our attention. It's the King's procession passing through, heading towards the palace. Even years later my heart gives a flutter wondering if the Prince is in one of the many carriages in the procession. My friends giggle and talk excitedly as we watch the procession until it disappears from view.
Later, when I get back to the family manor, I'm informed there is to be a jousting tournament the following week, and all the neighboring noble families have been invited. I don't sleep for the rest of the week, too nervous about seeing the Prince again. I'm sure he's forgotten all about the awkward, young apple thief from years ago, but it still feels like yesterday to me. I haven't forgotten one second of that afternoon.
I fidget with my long, sapphire colored dress as the carriage takes us to the castle. My father notices and gives me an inquiring glance. I pretend not to notice and continue staring out the window, watching the lush green of the countryside as we pass by.
We're soon at the gates of the castle, and my nerves only increase. I haven't dared go back through the secret gate since that last day that I had waited to see if he would appear. The carriage takes us to the front of the castle, and I grip my father's hand tightly as he helps me out. We're led by a servant to the outside gardens where an elaborate makeshift jousting stadium has been set up complete with tents and wooden benches. The benches are already almost full, and I realize that I must have spent quite a bit more time than usual primping.
"Juliet!" I hear my friend Thomas call, and then I see him emerging from the crowd, waving frantically at my father and I. I hear my father mutter under his breath and it makes me smile. Thomas has been sweet on me for several years, probably since I emerged from the palace grounds holding one of the King's prized apples. I had never mentioned my interaction with the Prince to anyone, preferring to keep it to myself. Staying silent had the added benefit of making me a legend among the group of boys I hung out with from that time on, Thomas being one of them.
"Everything good?" asks Thomas as he gets to us and nods respectfully to my father.
