Mated To The Cruel Prince-Chapter 809: Weird Boy

While the palace buzzed with activity and tension, with everyone embroiled in their own crises and drama, a certain little half-breed named Milo saw an opportunity.

The stable keeper had just stepped out for a short break, leaving the stables unattended. Milo, who had always dreamed of riding a horse all by himself, decided this was his moment.

He tiptoed into the stable, his heart pounding with excitement. The rich scent of hay and leather filled the air, and the soft nickers of the horses greeted him. Milo had always loved these majestic creatures, their power and grace captivating his young mind.

But until now, he had never been allowed to ride one alone. While at Aldric’s place, he was always accompanied by someone older, someone to guide and hold him steady. But Milo wanted to prove that he was strong and capable, just like any full-blooded Fae. Well, half-breed, in his own case.

He approached a horse in one of the stalls—a large, chestnut mare with a glossy coat and gentle eyes. The horse towered over him, but Milo was undeterred.

He patted her side, whispering soft words of reassurance, and then grabbed hold of the saddle. He struggled for a moment, his small frame not quite reaching the necessary height, but he managed to get a foothold.

Just as he was about to swing his leg over the horse’s back, a voice cut through the stable, startling him. "What are you doing?"

Milo jerked in surprise, losing his grip on the saddle. With a yelp, he tumbled to the ground, landing hard on his back. The fall knocked the wind out of him, and for a moment, all he could do was lay there, gasping for breath, his vision swimming.

As he blinked up at the stable roof, trying to catch his breath, a figure appeared in his upside-down view. It was a girl, bathed in the soft, golden light that filtered through the stable windows. From his position on the ground, she seemed to glow like an angel, her delicate features framed by a halo of green hair.

"What an angel," Milo murmured in a daze, his voice barely above a whisper. freēnovelkiss.com

The girl, however, was not amused. She stared down at the boy with a mix of curiosity and mild irritation. This foolish child had intruded on her quiet moment, and now he was lying there, mumbling nonsense.

The Fae was none other than Mira, Queen Nirvana’s granddaughter and Prince Theodore’s child. Even for a young Fae, she was sharp witted and carried herself with a grace beyond her years. However, she had little patience for the clumsiness of others, especially young foolish males like the one staring at her right now like a moron.

Mira crossed her arms, tapping her foot impatiently as she waited for Milo to recover from his fall.

"Get up," she said, her tone clipped but not unkind. "You’re making a fool of yourself."

Milo, still lying on the ground, blinked rapidly, trying to clear his head. The sight of her had left him speechless, his young heart pounding not just from the fall but from the presence of this striking girl. Slowly, he managed to sit up, rubbing his head where it had knocked against the ground.

"Who...who are you?" he asked, his voice still shaky.

Mira raised an eyebrow, clearly unimpressed by his dazed state. "None of your business."

However, it must be the hurt that flashed in his eyes, she replied simply, "I’m Mira."

"Mira," Milo repeated, tasting the name on his tongue. It sounded like the name of a princess, and in his mind, it suited her perfectly.

"What are you doing in the stables?" Mira asked, eyeing him with suspicion. "And why were you trying to ride a horse? Do you even know how?"

Milo’s cheeks flushed with embarrassment. "I don’t."

"You don’t?!"

"I would have learned in the moment. The animals speak to me. Also, ...I wanted to prove that I could do it on my own," he admitted, his voice small.

Mira’s expression softened slightly at Milo’s words, but just as quickly, she shook her head. "I don’t know whether you’re foolish or brave," she said, her eyes narrowing as she took in his dirt-smudged form. "And look, you injured yourself."

Mira pointed to a spot on Milo’s arm where a scrape had formed, likely from his fall. Milo blinked in surprise and lifted his elbow to inspect the injury. A small, jagged cut ran along his forearm, likely from when he’d fallen off the horse. It wasn’t too deep, but the sight of blood made his stomach churn a bit.

"Let me see," Mira said, her tone gentling as she stepped closer.

Milo hesitated for a moment before extending his arm to her. Mira placed her palm over the wound, her touch warm and comforting. A soft, light emanated from her hand, and within seconds, the wound disappeared, leaving smooth, unblemished skin in its place.

Milo’s eyes widened in astonishment, his breath catching in his throat. In that moment, Mira was every bit the angel he had imagined her to be. He stared at her, awe-struck, his young mind struggling to comprehend the magic she had just performed.

Before either of them could say another word, a gruff voice echoed through the stable. "Who’s there?" It was the stable keeper, his tone edged with suspicion as he returned from his break.

Panic flashed across Milo’s face. Without warning, he grabbed Mira’s hand and tugged her along, pulling her into a run. Mira, taken by surprise, stumbled for a moment before matching his pace. They dashed out of the stable, the sound of their footsteps muffled by the soft earth, as they fled from the approaching keeper.

They didn’t stop running until they were well out of sight, hidden behind a thick clump of trees near the edge of the palace grounds. Milo finally released Mira’s hand, his small chest heaving as he caught his breath.

"Thank you," Milo panted, looking up at Mira with gratitude shining in his eyes. "For healing me."

Mira, still slightly breathless from the sudden sprint, waved a hand dismissively. "It’s nothing," she said, though a faint blush colored her cheeks. Healing magic came naturally to her, but she wasn’t used to such earnest thanks.

They stood there for a moment, an awkward silence settling between them. Mira glanced around, unsure of what to say next. Milo, meanwhile, was staring at her with an intensity that made her shift uncomfortably.

Finally, Mira broke the silence. "You should go," she said, her voice firmer now. "You don’t want to get in more trouble, do you?"

Milo’s expression fell, a small frown tugging at his lips. "Will I see you again?" he asked, his voice tinged with sadness.

Mira hesitated, her heart softening at the sight of his hopeful eyes. "Maybe," she replied, her tone noncommittal.

Milo’s face brightened, and before Mira could react, he darted forward, planting a quick kiss on her cheek. Mira’s eyes widened in shock, and she stood frozen, completely taken aback by the sudden gesture.

By the time she recovered, Milo had already bolted, running off with a mischievous grin plastered across his face. He turned back once, waving at her from a distance. "I’ll come find you!" he called out, his voice ringing with the promise of future mischief.

Mira’s initial impulse was to be irritated, to chase after him and give him a piece of her mind. But as she stood there, alone in the quiet grove, she found herself smiling despite herself. What a weird boy, she thought, shaking her head in disbelief.

Unconsciously, her fingers traced the spot on her cheek where Milo had pecked her, the warmth of the innocent kiss lingering longer than she expected. It was such a small thing, yet it left a strange, unfamiliar flutter in her chest.