Flashback - Neti (12) and Adolph (16)
Neti
The sun bathed the garden in a golden glow, the soft hum of bees and chirping of birds creating a peaceful symphony. I twirled on the grass, holding the edge of my makeshift gown-a blanket tied around my shoulders like a royal cape. My laughter echoed through the air as I curtsied dramatically.
"Your Highness!" I declared, giggling as I pointed to Adolph, who sat cross-legged under the big oak tree. "You're supposed to kneel before the princess!"
Adolph, four years older and always too cool to play my games properly, rolled his eyes. "Princesses don't give orders to princes, you know."
"Yes, they do!" I shot back, puffing my chest like I'd seen queens do in the stories. "And if you don't, I'll send you to the dungeon!"
At that, he smirked, brushing his dark hair from his face as he rose to his feet. He was tall-too tall compared to me-and for a moment, I thought he might actually refuse to play along. But then, with an exaggerated sigh, he dropped to one knee in front of me, bowing his head.
"Your Majesty," he said, his voice teasing but carrying a hint of something serious, "I pledge my loyalty to you. Always.Though this princess doesn't have a brain"
I blinked, surprised by the sincerity in his tone, but I didn't let it show. Instead, I stepped forward, lifting my chin in what I hoped looked regal. "Good," I said, trying to sound authoritative. "Then as your princess, I command you to... rescue me from the dragon!"
Adolph laughed, standing up and towering over me again. "The dragon? You mean that bush over there?" He pointed to the overgrown hedge at the edge of the garden, its shadow long and foreboding in the afternoon light.
"Yes!" I exclaimed, grabbing a stick from the ground and holding it out to him like a sword. "You have to slay it before it eats me!"
He took the stick, shaking his head but smiling. "Fine, fine. But if I do this, Princess, you owe me something in return."
I tilted my head, curious. "What do you want?"
He hesitated for a moment, his smile softening as he looked at me. "A promise," he said finally.
"A promise?"
"That when you grow up, you'll marry me," he said, his tone light, like it was just another part of the game.
I stared at him, wide-eyed. "Marry you? But... you're supposed to marry a queen!"
He laughed, ruffling my hair in that annoying way he always did. "You'll be a queen one day, Neti. My queen."
Something about the way he said it made my cheeks warm, but I quickly brushed it off, grabbing his arm and pulling him toward the "dragon." "Fine! But only if you save me first!"
"Deal," he said with a grin, running toward the bush with his makeshift sword.
I watched him, my heart light and full of admiration. Back then, he was my hero-the older boy who always made me laugh, who always protected me, even when I didn't think I needed it.
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