A Bridge between worlds

That grand palace stood majestically in the rural part of Sapphire, its boundaries surrounded by a vast forest and the camp of non-royal warriors. These were the fighters who didn't belong to royalty and therefore held a lower rank.

The seemingly vulnerable girl was hidden behind a large tree, positioned between the camp's entrance and the vast garden surrounding the palace walls. From there, she could admire him, as he was leaning against one of the many balconies of the monumental building, accompanied by three warriors laughing and chatting.

The prince always caught her attention, despite being utterly unattainable to her. She admired how his straight black hair flowed down his back like a cascade of dark waters. That gorgeous hair was an inheritance from his mother. However, his honey-colored eyes, contrasting with thick eyebrows, were inherited from his father, King Mikel Patrick.

As for the queen, she hailed from the Jeng region, where most inhabitants shared the same physical traits: small eyes, straight dark hair, and medium height.

Unlike her, her husband had been born in Sapphire, inheriting the throne as the only son of the late King Daniel Patrick. King Mikel was considered the tallest in Sapphire, muscular, and the owner of a messy chestnut mane.

"Spying on the prince again?" a familiar voice spoke behind her, making the girl flinch.

"Ulises, you scared me!" she complained.

He squinted, not believing he had caught her off guard. Sometimes it annoyed him how she pretended to be an ordinary girl around him when he was the only one who knew all her secrets.

For a few seconds, Leela looked at the boy fondly. Ulises was the opposite of the warriors she usually dealt with. His body was toned but slightly slim, slender, and of average height. Her friend was a few years younger than her, yet more prudent and mature.

Leela loved how beautiful his hair was, with its reddish curls framing his neck and part of his face. That young man was handsome, with unique bright green eyes that gave him an angelic appearance. As the apprentice of his uncle, a distinguished pharmacist, and doctor at the palace, he often spent his time among plants gathering ingredients to prepare medicine.

"You should stop doing that," the boy warned her. "They might accuse you of being a spy."

"But I am a spy!" she laughed. Ulises rolled his eyes.

"That's not official. Besides, you should be spying on enemies, not your prince."

"How nice that sounds! My prince!" she exclaimed flirtatiously, spinning as if she were dancing.

"Wake up, wild girl," he teased, snapping his fingers. "You seem to have a double personality. If anyone discovered you were swooning over the prince, you'd be the laughingstock of everyone.

"No one has to find out unless a cute little boy decides to open his big mouth." She ruffled his hair, but he pushed her hand away, huffing.

"Whatever you say..." he muttered under his breath. "By the way, I need a favor, tough girl." He scratched his nose. "Could you take these papers to my uncle at the palace? I have something important to do..." His gaze drifted toward the palace gardens, where a curvy, bronze-skinned woman was working.

"Ah, I see, you rascal." She smirked, raising an eyebrow. "Are you planning to stalk the gorgeous lady?"

"I'm not like you. I just want to talk to her about something that's none of your business." His face turned so red that Leela pressed her lips together to keep from laughing.

"Hmm, sure..." she teased with a sly chuckle. "And why should I help you?"

"You owe me, remember?" he reminded her. "I'm always covering for you."

"Fine..." She rolled her eyes. "But be careful, angel boy. She's a worldly woman and older than you. Think you can handle the challenge?"

"Just go already!" he ordered, shoving an unattractive basket into her hands.

"Goodbye, Casanova." She winked. "Don't choke on your words!" She ran off laughing.

Leela left her hiding spot and crossed the garden, stopping at the foot of a long staircase leading to the palace doors.

She took a deep breath to calm her nerves. Being there always made her anxious, knowing the prince was nearby. Although she doubted the guards would let her inside, just the thought of running into him sent her heart racing.

Before she could present the guards with Ulises's note and the basket, a hand grabbed her elbow.

"Hello, gorgeous," a deep, raspy voice greeted her.

Uncomfortable with the intrusion, Leela glanced sideways and recognized one of the prince's royal warriors. It was no secret that this man didn't get along with his leader.

She'd never been this close to him before. His intimidating, rebellious aura was undeniable. She allowed herself a brief moment to admire his striking features-golden hair, a muscular frame, and a bold, arrogant gaze that was now shamelessly scanning her from head to toe.

"What do you want?" she asked, frowning.

"How insolent," he mocked. "Don't you know how to address your superiors?"

"Do you know how to treat those below your rank?" she shot back defiantly.

"Well, well... You're misbehaving, doll. Guess I'll have to punish you..." He leaned in closer, his voice dripping with seduction. "And trust me, you'll enjoy it."

"Who do you think you are, idiot!" she yelled, unconcerned about the consequences.

She couldn't tolerate comments like that. As a skilled warrior serving the Sapphire Kingdom, she deserved the same respect as any man.

"How dare you speak to me that way!" he barked. "Do you even know who I am?"