· It’s like fate || Royal Swanfire AU ||
She wasn’t expecting it to be a normal looking person to be the source of the noise, her mind had immediately gone to all of the negative things the noise could have come from. Creatures, bandits, basically anything that was dangerous. But she knew that her reflexes were quick enough that she might be able to reach her weapons before she was in any real danger, but she was now beginning to regret that she had gone ahead of her guards. But these thoughts were quickly dissolved as the person came into view, a young man. Well maybe around her age, possibly she couldn’t tell very well. But they looked harmless enough, and she was not feeling like she should be on her guard. Her head titled to the side as she tried to place the face, but she couldn’t really remember having seen this person before. This would bother her, especially considering they knew almost everyone who inhabited this part of the realm. Unless they were visiting from somewhere else. She didn’t move towards them, her hand itching for a weapon, but he looked harmless. “You are not intruding, worry not” she offered as Snowball moved to the side, allowing her to move as well. “Are you lost?”
After all most people did not venture into the forest alone, at least not someone who was dressed like he was. Not alone. Even Emma wasn’t alone, she had just left the guards behind, and she was now wondering what was taking them so long. If her parents found out that they left her unguarded for even five minutes there would be trouble. Even if Emma herself was the one who had technically allowed herself to be caught in this particular position. “I’m Emma, by the way” she was careful to not say that she was the princess or anything of that degree. Though her outfit would probably convey that she had some form of status, she didn’t need to flaunt that she was royalty. Especially to strangers, after all her people knew what she looked like, they recognized her easily, and the fact he hadn’t was yet another hint that he was not from this place.
Upon the question of whether or not he was lost, Baelfire couldn’t stop a slight chuckle from passing his lips. It wasn’t uncommon for people to assume such a thing, especially since he and his father hadn’t been living in the village near the forest for very long, and quite frankly, he hadn’t dared venture this deep into the forest until this point, either. Silencing the chuckle after a short moment, Bae shook his head, presenting the young woman with a lopsided grin.
“No ma'am—I was simply out for a walk.”
Dragging his gaze away from her for just a moment, he took his time to study her horse, before turning his attention back to her. She looked—different. Much wealthier -and healthier- than the residents of the village nearby, and judging by the way her horse was packed and saddled, she’d had quite the journey as well. Was he supposed to recognize her? Something told him that would have been appropriate, but he had to admit to himself that he’d never quite seen anyone like her.
Emma. Her name was Emma. His smile widened at the notion, and it took him a moment to realize he was being incredibly rude in letting a silence fall after she had given him her name, which only caused him to redden around the ears even more.
“Oh uh—Baelfire. But everyone calls me Bae.”
Finally releasing his hands from behind his back, he let them hang loosely at his sides as he shifted weight from one foot to another once more.
“Are you from around here? I’ve never seen you around these parts…”
