A Princess Reborn

"We're supposed to pretend I'm her granddaughter... and that you and I are about to get married."

After agreeing to Mara's peculiar request as a means to aid Hannah, I've reunited with Rune. Unfortunately, he doesn't seem to be taking the news well. "That's utterly ridiculous."

"I understand it sounds absurd, but let's not forget the reason behind this: saving Hannah."

"You're right, Your Highness, but..."

"But?"

"Why on earth would she make such an odd request?"

"To impress her long-lost friend, someone she hasn't seen in ages."

Rune paces back and forth. "If only this were for a more noble purpose! But going to these lengths just to impress an old acquaintance... it seems frivolous for the greater good of the kingdom!"

Why does his reaction hurt so much? "What truly matters is that if we don't comply, Hannah might never wake from her endless slumber."

"Are there no other terms she has? Any alternatives... apart from this?"

"I don't want this either, but it's the only way to save Hannah."

"We're in quite a predicament."

"Yes, indeed."

Rune composes himself. "I'll do what the Wise One desires... for Hannah's sake."

***

Rune follows me into the herb shop. Mara's aged face lights up as she gazes upon us. "Oh, you two are just perfect. What a fine-looking young man you are. And together... oh my, my friend will be overjoyed. Imagine having a granddaughter possessing such beauty... and with a handsome groom at her side."

This situation is uncomfortably awkward. I can practically sense Rune's unease.

"My friend arrives tomorrow. She'll be here shortly after dawn."

"Very well. Until then we'll-"

"Until then, both of you shall take refuge on the second floor. I've prepared a room for you."

Only one room? "Do you mean rooms, with an emphasis on the 's'?"

"Oh no, dear child. Just one room. You see, my friend is in the same line of work as I. She's also known as the Wise One in her village."

"And?"

"And if there's no affection between the two of you, she'll discern it within seconds. Although... judging by appearances, she shouldn't have any difficulty believing it."

Mara adds the last remark almost as an afterthought.

Rune looks at Mara with a measure of surprise. "I beg your pardon?"

***

Rune and I stand awkwardly in the room Mara led us to. He visibly tenses as he surveys the surroundings. A single bed dominates the room, starkly conspicuous. "I'll sleep on the floor, Your Highness."

"It'll be awfully uncomfortable."

"I've endured worse conditions during my travels."

I suppose it's a chivalrous gesture... but the evident distaste on his face... "As you wish. I wouldn't want to impose, Knight."

"Very well then, Your Highness."

"Perhaps you shouldn't address me as 'Your Highness' or 'Princess'-or anything of the sort. Mara isn't privy to my true identity."

"Understood. How should I address you?"

"What do you mean? My name is Sarah?"

"Forgive me. It's been a challenge to keep track of all your... identities."

Could he still be harboring resentment over that? "Rune, I've genuinely apologized for... withholding the truth."

"No need to apologize to me, Your Highness. I'm not entitled to an apology from a princess."

Mara interrupts the tension by entering the room with fresh bed linens. "Here we go. I'll just spread these on your bed, and you two will be warm and cozy for the night."

"Oh... thank you."

She replaces the sheets while conversing with us. "I can't express how happy this makes me. It's always been my desire to show off my granddaughter... and now my dream has come true."

"I'm pleased it brings you joy." Mara heads toward the door, leaving our bed ready.

"Goodnight, Mara."

"Remember, call me 'Grandmother.' Sweet dreams to you two lovebirds."

***

Several hours have elapsed since we retired to bed. Rune rests on the floor, and I lie alone in the darkness. He hardly uttered a word of goodnight. Is my presence truly so intolerable? A part of me hoped he might join me in bed... but that didn't materialize.

It's such a stark contrast from the Rune I encountered in the field, or the one who accompanied me to the abandoned cabin. Ever since the Stone Gods incident, he treats me as if we're strangers, as if nothing ever transpired between us that would warrant even a faint smile.

I toss and turn.

The pain of the betrayal must be more profound than I realized. Can I truly blame him for reacting this way? In all fairness, I deserve his ire. Perhaps this is how all knights behave toward the royals they serve-distant, formal, cold. But if that's the case, it doesn't make it any easier to endure. I need to unearth the reason for his drastic change. If it's because I'm Princess Liana... then I'm not certain I want to embrace that identity.