Introduce themselves to the princess

The guards look at the mysterious princess as she approaches. They can tell at a glance that she must be a princess. Her bearing, gait, and regal appearance all convey the impression of royalty. Beyond the way she presented herself, there was another feature that was almost unsettling: her face bore a striking similarity to Crown Prince Stewart. Unlike the Princess Royal, who could have passed for a much-younger version of the Queen, Alexis had the same dark hair, eyes, and facial structure as the King and his eldest son. The comparison ended below the neck, however. Whereas Stewart’s body was muscular and unquestionably masculine, Alexis was all woman with pleasing curves in all the right places.

Dathan takes in the sight of the beautiful woman and forces himself to avert his eyes so he can maintain his professionalism. He glances at Rufus, seeing the younger guard is ogling the approaching woman. A quick jab in the side with his elbow brings Rufus to attention.

Although Alexis has been away from the palace and royal society for a long time, protocol dictates that she be afforded the respect due to a princess. When she stops in front of the men, they both bow at the shoulders. Dathan introduces himself and Rufus and says, “By your leave, we will escort you to the palace, Your Highness.”

Alexis laughs gaily, as if being led under heavy guard from a highly-secured hospital were no different than being invited to have tea with her friends. She says, “How delightful! I look forward to the journey.” She reaches out and places a hand under the chin of both men, bidding them to look up from their bows. At her touch, each of the soldiers feel a tingle pass through them, causing every hair on their bodies to lift momentarily. As soon as she removes her hands, the sensation passes. The men look at each other, silently asking each other the question, “Did I just imagine that?”

Without further ado, Alexis proceeds toward the exit, leaving the men scrambling to compose themselves and follow along.

The attendants are just finishing loading Alexis’ possessions onto the carriage. Dr. Freundeschawn approaches the princess and says, “I must take my leave of you now, Your Highness.”

Alexis smiles at the older woman with the graceful ease of a fairy princess. She extends her hand to the doctor for the older woman’s kiss. Noticeably, Dr. Freundeschawn responds only by offering a curtsy, declining to touch the proffered hand.

“Thank you, doctor, for your kindness these past years. I shall not forget you.” The princess’s words sound polite and genuine, but Dathan detects a momentary glint in her eyes that unsettles him.

“I shall now leave you into the capable hands of these men,” says the doctor.

Alexis turns her gaze on the soldiers. “And such capable hands they are, I’m sure.” Her eyes drift from Dathan to Rufus. “And such large hands, too, aren’t they?”

Dr. Freundeschawn’s brow creases, and she opens her mouth to say something. Abruptly, Alexis turns her attention from the men and climbs into the carriage. “We must be off, then. It would not do to keep my father waiting. I’m certain my family is eager to have me back home.”

Dathan makes one last inspection of the carriage, confirming that the doors are securely closed and that Alexis’s trunks are safely strapped in. He then climbs onto the driver’s seat next to Rufus, takes the reins, and commands the horses to begin their return to the palace.

As they pass the guard at the gate, Dathan sees the worried face of the guard who met them on their arrival and ponders his mysterious words. He takes a quick look behind him through the window into the carriage and sees Alexis, sitting silently, looking out her window at the world that awaits her.