窃情谋欲

He gently ran his hands along her hands and grabbed her palms. A shiver runs down her spine. "Relax, I know her. Just lose your hand and look at her like a friend, not as a princess," he extended her hand, welcoming the raven.

The princess was about to call her guards, but seeing the beautiful raven before her looking at her with curiosity made her stop. Who wants to be touched by a stranger that too in a secluded area?

The princess hesitated, unsure of Damien's intentions, but the captivating gaze of the raven and the mysterious allure of the moment made her throw caution to the wind.

"You better not be a pigeon thief or something," she said half-jokingly, finally allowing herself to relax a bit.

Damien grinned mischievously. "Oh no, Your Highness, I assure you I'm not here for your crown jewels. I'm just a humble admirer of nature, and it seems you have caught the attention of this magnificent creature."

As he released her hand and watched her, the princess tentatively extended her palm toward the raven, her eyes locked with its piercing gaze.

"Just like this, Princess. No need for formalities. Just let her know you're here as a friend, someone who appreciates her beauty and grace," Damien encouraged, a twinkle of excitement in his eyes.

The princess swallowed her nerves and reached out her hand, her heart pounding with a mix of anticipation and curiosity. Aviora's beady eyes studied her for a moment before she cautiously hopped onto the princess's open palm.

"There you go! You've won her trust!" Damien exclaimed, unable to contain his excitement.

The princess couldn't help but laugh, feeling a sense of accomplishment. "Well, it seems even birds prefer my company over some stuffy courtiers. Maybe I have a way with feathered creatures after all."

Damien chuckled. "Indeed, Your Highness. It seems you have a natural charm that transcends species. Who knows, perhaps you were meant to be the ruler of the Spring kingdom!"

They shared a lighthearted moment; the tension dissipating as their interaction became more playful. The princess marveled at the raven perched on her hand, marveling at its soft feathers and delicate movements.

He was squatted too close to her that he can smell her hair. It smelled of smoked rose and sapphire. The gold reflected out in the setting sun. 

It was at that moment that he noticed that one side of her hair was uncombed. Like it was not tied correctly.

Her other side was perfect, though. Everything was in the correct place and in perfect order.

Hairpin. He thought. One of her hairpins, specifically the uncombed and tangled side, was missing.

Realization dawned on him, and his jaws opened. He looked at his bond in clear bewilderment.

Was she always this smart? He thought. 

Aviora had a smug look on her face, like telling him to kneel and cower before her might. He would've done that if the princess wasn't there.

"What happened to your hair, your grace?" he asked, making sure his voice was suave as hell.

One of the first rules his master made him learn was voice modulation to charm any lady's heart. To speak in a way that the sound waves penetrate the hearts of those who hear it.

It was simple but effective.

He now sounded like a prince charming instead of a kidnapper or pigeon thief.

The princess blushed, her hand still extended as the raven perched on her palm. She raised her free hand to touch her hair self-consciously, realizing the slight disarray on one side.

"Oh, dear me!" she exclaimed, a hint of embarrassment coloring her cheeks. "It seems I've had a little hairpin mishap. Thank you for noticing."

Damien's voice resonated with a charming warmth as he replied, "It was impossible for me not to notice such a small detail when you are already so captivating, Your Grace."

As he spoke, he reached into his pocket and pulled out a delicate hairpin. It was adorned with intricate designs and shimmering gemstones with the blue flower at top, a perfect match to the one missing from the princess's hair.

"I believe this belongs to you," he said, holding the hairpin out to her with a graceful gesture.

The princess's eyes widened in surprise, her heart fluttering at the sight of the familiar accessory. "You found it! But how? I had thought it was lost forever."

Damien smiled mysteriously. "A gentleman never reveals all his secrets, Your Grace. Let's just say fate had a hand in our meeting today, and it led me to this little treasure of yours."

She tried to reach out and grab it, but he jerked his hands away. She can't do anything as the raven was in her other hand and any sudden movement can scare it away. She doesn't want that at all.

"Let me," he said and delicately pushed the clip on her disheveled hair, pinning it perfectly in place. "There, now you like a proper princess again," he said teasingly.

She felt a thrill run through her body as she heard his dazzling sound. Her cheeks were really red. She knows what he was doing, the flirting and courting, yet she didn't hate it. There was a thrill to it.

They were silent for a moment, then she caressed the beak of the raven. "I don't even know your name," she said. "How do you know me?"

"Damien would be suffice for now, I suppose," he said, all suave and dazzling. "As for knowing who are you. It's just common sense."

"So you're not afraid of my father then?" She asked.

Damien chuckled softly, his eyes twinkling with a mix of mischief and confidence. "Afraid? No, Your Grace. I believe a wise man does not fear a king but respects his authority. And as for knowing who you are, it's true that your name and reputation precede you. But it is not merely common sense that has brought me here. It is curiosity, a desire to witness the enchanting presence that surrounds you."

The princess looked at him, her curiosity piqued. "Curiosity? What is it about me that has sparked such interest in a stranger like you?"