Enjoy the chapter! I'm going to try and make the chapters longer but this one had to be short. Don't forget to review!
Azalea hesitantly waved goodnight to Sera and slowly began making her way home. She really didn't want to go home but she couldn't let the injured prince starve. He probably hasn't cooked a single meal in his life. She thought bitterly to herself.
Azalea knew it was strange to talk to herself but she couldn't help it. She was so alone in such a big war torn country. She had always thought of leaving this place for just a little while…until the war stopped. Like that's ever going to happen.
It had been going on for so long now, other countries didn't care to show their support. The war isn't as serious as it was before now. She thought. But that's probably because all the soldiers have died.
She was nearing the cottage now and her anxiety was growing. A horse was nibbling on wild flowers near by. Azalea recognised it as the Prince's steed. The animal raised his head in curiosity but returned to its grazing after deciding Azalea was no harm.
She entered the cottage and put her basket down. Walking further down, she could hear soft laughter. The prince sat slouched over a book. He obviously heard her because his golden brown eyes lifted up to meet hers.
"Y-your highness." She stuttered as she curtsied. In reply, Theodore smiled and placed the book down.
"Thankyou Azalea…for everything. Your work is…incredible!" He replied as he gestured to his injuries. The candle to his side made his face brighten and his eyes twinkle.
"Erg…You're welcome…sorry about the cottage- there was no place else I could take you, your highness.."
Theodore chuckled softly. "No, no! Its nice! I like it." You could tell by his grin that he truly meant it.
Azalea gave a nervous laugh that sounded more like a dog choking on a bone than any human. Realising this, she coughed and looked down at her feet. Living on her own, Azalea was never good at socialising so she had her fair share of awkward moments. This, though, was definitely somewhere on the top.
As it turned out, the prince himself was out of words. After more silence, the two decided to eat. Azalea had no idea of how to act like a "lady". She never had the opportunity to learn something like that. If Theodore noticed, he obviously didn't mind.
"Your highness, if you don't mind me asking, what were you doing so far in the forest?" Azalea hesitantly asked. Her cottage was located rather far into the forest. It took her years to figure out the correct route. In countless times, she had been found in tears by her grandmother.
Theodore looked up from his food. He had been in deep thought. "Well, I actually came to find you…" He said as he swallowed a mouthful. "My cousins behaviour towards you- and your friend was rude and unnecessary. For that, you have my deepest apologies!"
As Theodore continued with his rambling, Azalea coughed to try and get his attention. "I don't mind. Really." The prince smiled and pushed back his finished meal.
"Wonderful! Erg…Its getting late…so…"
Azalea stood up and curtsied yet again.
"You really don't need to do that." Theodore spoke as he ran his fingers through his hair. He smiled and walked to his new room. After being examined, it had been decided that he couldn't go home just yet. With his injuries, he would not be able to endure the journey home. To be honest, he didn't really want to.
If there was one person Theodore did not want to meet the eyes of, it was his father. His father may have been the king but the way he was so isolated from his family was intolerable. The long war had split up the royal family immensely. They could not be around each other without brining politics in. The years he had spent in the war, entirely his fathers decision, had been dire but home was no different. On the battle field he had friends. Not friends that just hung around you because of your status but true friends. People you could laugh with- even at during life-threatening situations.
Theodore raked his fingers through his hair again trying to relieve the frustration- an action he had picked it up from his father. The fact that surprised Theodore most was how much they had in common. He never truly liked his father. He would always be away or too busy to spend time with him but that was exactly where Theodore was heading. He was becoming the same isolated man that took more time for his work than his family and friends.
He sighed and slumped onto the small bed. Gazing at the ceiling, he realised his life was not so different from Azaleas. They both were practically alone in the world and possessed great power that was much better kept secret than otherwise. If people discovered how much magical power Azalea had in her and Theodore's hidden identity, they would without doubt, take advantage of the two. Forcing Azalea to use her power like they had done to Tristan or blackmailing Theodore in exchange for riches.
Theodore sighed once more and closed his eyes. His weak body instantly gave in to the enticing lull of sleep…
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The dark figure hovering over the orb let out a soft chuckle.
"Theodore, you fool!" He exclaimed. But then his eyes fell on the clock and he sighed as he discovered that it was getting rather late- even for him. Standing grandly, his long black cloak brushing against the cold marble floor, he strode towards the iron doors that led out of his watchtower. His hood covered most of his face except for a few strands of silver hair.
Stefan had grown taller over the years. Although he was slim, beneath his cloak, he was well toned with muscles. He picked up a glass with dark wine swirling inside and began making his way across the dimly lit hallways, brushing his fingers against the cold dark walls.
Finally he arrived at his destination. He pushed the heavy doors open and sauntered in. Unlike any of the other rooms of the massive castle, this large room was filled with noise. Men staggered around drunkenly and cruel laughter rang out across the room, mixed with the loud piano in the background. The air was filled with smoke and smelt of sweat. It was rather revolting but what did you expect from a bunch of lazy drunks.
Stefan grimaced and dropped his glass on purpose. As he walked down the crowed room, he kept a look out for Dominic. Stefan smirked beneath his hood as he found his companion for the last couple of years. Dominic was slouched over a wooden table, playing poker with other men.
"Dominic, old friend. You and I need to talk…" He spoke with a hint of sarcasm. Dominic grunted but followed Stefan dutifully. They walked silently until they reached Stefan's chambers.
"What now?" Dominic demanded as he slammed the door shut. He obviously was unhappy from being interrupted from his poker games.
"After years of searching, I have finally found what we've been looking for!" Stefan, merrily exclaimed.
Dominic raised an eyebrow and slumped onto a chair. "More like what you've been looking for." Stefan frowned. By the smell of Dominic, he evidently was drunk. Something that occurred quite often.
"You're obviously too drunk to realise how…wonderful this is." Stefan began pacing the room. They had to come up with a plan. A good plan. He couldn't let this opportunity go to waste. "We need to come up with a good plan. Hmm…we could kidnap the girl. If she's anything like her brother," He spat that particular word, "She'll be pretty powerful…"
Dominic gave out a bored yawn. "How long will this take?"
"A while…everything must go according to plan. But it will all be worth it in the end! When we hold her prisoner, we'll be able to tap into that enormous power. Imagine it! We'll be bloody rich!"
Dominic raised his eyebrows. "Rich, huh?"
Stefan chuckled. Dominic wouldn't care for all the supremacy and a higher status. All he could think of was being drunk and obtaining more money.
"Changed your mind already?"
"Will I get half?"
Stefan turned around and grunted but nodded anyway.
"Then I'm in." Dominic stood up and reached the door. "By the way, how did you find her?" He asked as he rested his hand on the knob.
Stefan took a sip from his newly acquired glass. "Oh, we have Prince Theodore to…thank…for that."
Dominic laughed manically and slammed the door on his way out. A grin formed on Stefan's face, a plan forming in his mind.