AN:
Um... yeah... starting another story xD
I just suddenly came up with it and simply couldn't let it go, so I though I just give it a go...
My main concern will still be my other fic but whenever I need a creative break from that one I will write something for this one here :)
(So beware of veeery slow updates... I'll try to keep it going at a decent rate but no promises!)
Anyways: Hope it's going to turn out alright and you'll all enjoy the story!
Thanks for reading and please comment! :D
xoxo MLE
Chapter One: I Wish I Knew
His last visit to the capital had been two years ago, but as far as he could see not much had changed. Of course two years ago his brother had been alive and well and he himself had been a great deal more carefree, but other than that things had been just the same.
He leisurely strolled across the lively market. Not wanting to be recognized, he pulled his hood a little further over his face. He was looking for some kind of distraction, something that could liberate him from his dark thoughts for just a short while. Shouting, vendors advertised their merchandise, trying to outdo each other. Street performers played music, danced and showcased their best tricks. A delighted crowd watched in wonder and cheered every now and then, but for him it was not even enough to make his lip form the faintest smile.
It was of no use, he decided. At this rate he might as well go home and try and do something useful; signing some documents perhaps, or holding council with his new circle of confidants. He was a busy man; he should not have left his duties in the first place.
As he was about to turn into an alleyway leading away from the market, he stumbled and nearly fell. Before he could even turn around to see what had made him trip, he heard a loud, piercing cry – the cry of an infant. He looked down and found the child right behind him, sitting on the ground, tears streaming down his chubby cheeks.
"Oh no, I'm sorry little one," he apologized, as he picked the little boy up and rocked him in a soothing manner. He felt awful. The infant continued crying for a good five minutes, but gradually calmed down.
"I'm sorry," the man whispered one last time and kissed the child's forehead.
Looking around, he tried to locate his mother. He stopped dead in his tracks, when his searching eyes fell on a young woman. Her state of dress was rather pitiful and she sat amidst a crowd of beggars, which suggested, that she, too, was incredibly poor and maybe even homeless. But beneath the torn and filthy clothing she was simply the most beautiful thing he had ever seen in his life. Her eyes were a deep brown, like chocolate, but sprinkled with tiny specs of gold. Her hair was as black as the darkest night and cascaded down her shoulders in tangled curls. It contrasted perfectly with her perfectly pale skin, which was atypical for a woman of such low standing.
He shook his head to gather his thoughts and stepped a little closer.
"Miss?"
She did not answer or even move, her gaze was fixed to the ground. He was taken aback when he noticed that her eyes, although still strikingly beautiful, seemed vacant, almost as if they were dead.
"Miss?" he tried again, but the result was the same.
"'tis an odd one that woman", one of the nearby beggars related. "Coms in the morning, then sits there all day, barely moving and leaves by six in the evening. Never says a word, never moves a finger."
"Do you know anything about this woman?" the man asked the pauper.
"No, nothing more than I just told you. She just appeared one day and has come back each morning ever since."
"I see." He considered the child in his arms. His hair was blond, bright and shiny; his eyes were a mesmerising azure blue. If he was honest, he looked nothing like her.
"Does the babe belong to her?" he finally asked the beggar, confident that he would know at least that much.
The other man shrugged. "With her, yes. Is he her own? That I don't know."
He nodded. Maybe he would try just one more time.
"Miss?" He lightly touched her hand as he addressed her.
The moment his fingertips grazed her skin, it was like a spark ignited and her eyes sprung to life. She blinked a couple of times as if she was awaking from a dream and finally looked up, into the man's eyes.
He held his breath for a moment and just stared at her, speechless.
"Is, um, this your child?" he finally managed, holding the infant out to her.
She took the baby, but looked rather confused.
"I… I don't know…" she answered, studying the boy from head to toe as if she had seen him for the first time.
He was baffled. What was wrong with that woman?
"Alright… So what's your name?" he tried.
Again she looked uncertain.
"I… don't know," she finally admitted.
"What do you know?" he now asked, slightly agitated.
She thought about it for a clock-tick, but then shook her head.
"Nothing, I'm afraid. I… don't even know where I am," she said in a small voice.
He hated seeing her like this. It seemed like his touch had brought her back from whatever dark place her conscience had been hiding at, however, the awakening apparently had been anything but pleasant. She was disorientated, trembling, her eyes anxiously darting back and forth.
"It's alright," he assured her, "It's alright."
He took off his cloak and wrapped it around her, although he was not sure how that was supposed to help her. But maybe it did. Her shivering grew somewhat less violent and after a couple of minutes, her breathing slowed and her eyes finally fixated on his own. He smiled.
"I can't leave you like this now, can I?"
She remained silent, averting her gaze.
He gingerly wrapped his arms around her shoulders and helped her up.
"Don't worry, I won't harm you," he whispered. "Come with me and I will see that you get some food, clean clothes and a solid roof over your head."
Gently he pushed her along the alleyway, away from the marketplace. In secret he was a little glad that he had a reason to take her home with him. Despite everything, he was still dazzled by her beauty. He wanted to get to know her, wanted to unravel her mystery.
While they made their way through the streets of the city, people they encountered began to shy away from him or even fall to the ground at his feet. He loathed having this effect on people and wished he still had his mantle to conceal his face.
A small sigh of relief escaped his lips as they finally reached the town square, where his carriage was waiting for him. The driver eyed the girl in his company curiously, but did not dare addressing the matter. He helped her into the carriage before climbing inside himself.
"Get us home, Broden," he ordered and leaned back in his seat.
The raven haired beauty sitting opposite of him was still pressing the babe tightly to her chest while staring out of the window at the passing landscape. She seemed somewhat calmer now, but he noted that she looked incredibly tired.
By the time they reached their destination, she had fallen asleep. He told the driver to take the child, while he himself gathered the sleeping girl in his arms to carry her inside. He was shocked when he realized how light she felt in his arms, almost weightless.
"Ana!" he called out once he stepped through the great double doors and into the hall. "Ana!"
A little, wispy woman hurried his way and curtsied.
He waved his hand in annoyance. She knew he didn't like these formalities and right now he did not want to waste any time.
"Are there any empty rooms in the servant quarters?" he enquired.
"There certainly are." The woman's eyes studied the filthy girl in the man's arms. "The lower quarters, I assume?"
"What? No, the higher quarters," he insisted.
The woman looked sceptical but nodded.
"Broden, find a nurse to look after the boy for now," he directed before following her to the upper servant quarters.
They found an empty room and he inspected it to make sure it was adequate. It was not particularly roomy, but still big enough to hold a decently sized single bed, a wardrobe, a vanity, a desk and a small table with a pair of wooden chairs. For him it did not look like much but for her it probably was more than she had ever possessed.
Carefully he laid her on the bed and covered her with the duvet. He smiled as she unconsciously snuggled into the soft pillows.
He motioned the little woman to come with him as he left the room and closed the door as quietly as he possibly could.