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“You have got to be kidding me.” After over an hour of sneaking past guards and finding your way through a dense forest, you'd come face to face with a grey, brick wall. It was at least ten feet tall and wrapped around the entire castle. “I really should have thought this through better.” Not ready to give up, you began searching for a way to climb up the wall. There were no trees close enough to help you climb over it, and no holes you could possibly squeeze through. With no other options, you decided to scale the wall. “Here goes nothing.” Finding a few bricks that you could grasp on to, you began your ascension. To your surprise, it was much easier than you thought it would be. You were up and over the wall in a matter of minutes. Tired from the short climb, you dropped down to the ground, closed your eyes and sprawled out on your back. “Never, ever again.”

“Never again, what?” A shadow covered your face, shocking you to a seated position. “Did I startle you? My apologies, though I must say seeing someone scaling the wall into my garden was just as alarming.”Ephraim offered you his hand to help you back onto your feet.”

“Well I didn't plan on scaling your wall, but I couldn't get past the guards. Those guys are really serious about their work.” Even with Ephraim helping you, you managed to stumble a bit when standing. “They acted like I was a convicted murderer.”

“They're supposed to be guarding the castle, so it only makes sense that they would be suspicious of you. The way you're dressed probably didn't help.

“What's wrong with the way I'm dressed?” You looked down out your clothes. It was just basic, everyday street wear.

“You look like a common robber. But never mind that now.” Walking back in the direction of the castle, Ephraim stopped by a small, but ornate fountain and sat down on its ledge. “Why didn't you just tell them to come get me, I would have vouched for you.”

“I did. I told them that you said you wanted to get to know me better, but they only laughed at me.” You placed your hands on your hips and stood in front of him with a stern look. “Your guards are just really mean, and serious, but I said that already.”

“Yes, you did.” Ephraim took a deep breath in and signaled you to sit beside him. “You are aware, that if you're caught sneaking in here again, there is a very good chance you'll be killed on sight. Therefore, I really do suggest you don't do it again. Before you leave I'll talk to my head guard and let him know you should be granted safe passage. Don't think that means you can come here whenever you want though. I'm usually very busy and won't have time to speak with you. It just so happened that I had a rather uneventful day planned today.”

“That's understandable, you are a prince after all. It's only natural that you'd be busy a lot.” Trying not to show your disappointment, you turned towards the fountain and swirled your finger around in the cool pool of rippling water. “So, should I send you a letter asking for permission before I come? Or would you send me an invitation?”

Ephraim seemed flustered by your inquiry for some reason. Instead of responding, he rubbed the back of his head and looked away from you. “Either way would work I suppose, it's just.” His words stopped as he sighed. “As I've said, I worry about my sister finding out. I often find myself wishing she wasn't so very hard headed.”

“You know, I've never actually met your sister, you talk about her often.” A part of you became jealous over that fact. “The two of you must have an incredibly close bond.” Though you didn't notice, your voice had become a bit more mellow, depressed even. “I wouldn't want to do anything that might upset your relationship. Maybe I should just go.”

“What?” You sudden decision had obviously caught Ephraim off guard. “Why would you leave? Did I do something to offend you?”

“No, It's like I said, you and your sister are very close, and you seem pretty worried about her seeing me here. I don't know why that would be, but just the same, if you don't want her to see me then I should probably go.” Somewhat reluctantly you stood from the stone surround of the fountain and started back towards the wall you'd climbed only a few minutes earlier.

Before you'd taken even three steps away, Ephraim grabbed you by the hand, stopping you in your tracks. “I would much prefer it if you would stay, at least for a little while. I didn't mean to insinuate that I wanted you to leave, for that is most definitely not the case.”

Feeling like you may have been a acting little over dramatic, your cheeks turned a rosy shade of pink. “I see.” As shaky as your voice had become, it was all you could manage to say.

Sensing that things had indeed become awkward, Ephraim desperately looked for something to say. “We should go talk to the guards now, before I forget.” Still holding your hand, he led you out of the garden and into the castle. He was obviously trying to get through to the other side without making a scene. Unfortunately the two of you had somehow captured the attention of every maid, servant, butler and random visitor that was in the castle on that particular day. “Why is it that people have nothing better to do than to stick their noses in the affairs of others?”

“I hope you aren't actually wanting me to answer that, because I'm just as confused as you are about that subject.” Finally the short trip to the front gate was over and you no longer had to run just to keep up with Ephraim.

“Wait here, I'll go talk to them.” Leaving you alone, Ephraim continued on to where the guards were stationed. You saw him gesture towards you, having a rather stern look on his face. For a moment you thought you'd done something wrong. After a few moments of eagerly waiting, Ephraim returned. “Everything's taken care of. You shouldn't have any problems entering the castle from now on.” He held out a small piece of parchment with the royal seal on it.

“Oh, thank you.” You happily took the parchment, carefully folded it and placed it in your pocket. “For a second there I thought you were going to have me thrown in the dungeon. You became so very serious when talking to them.”

“Did I? I hadn't noticed.” Again flustered by your simple words, the subject was quickly changed. “Eirika will likely be returning home soon. If you don't wish to be questioned by her, I would suggest that you aren't here when she does return.” He winced, eyebrows pressed together with a slight frown on his face. “I fear once she starts questioning you, there will be no end to it.”

“Oh, I understand. It was really nice to see you today though, even if it wasn't for very long.” Without giving it proper thought, you pulled Ephraim into a tight hug and kissed his cheek. “I hope I see you again very, very soon.”

As you ran off back towards your home, Ephraim let out a loud sigh of relief. “That's one crisis adverted, now, if I can just keep Eirika from finding out what I've been doing all day.” He laughed at the possibility as he made his way back into the castle. “That would be a miracle.”