Chapter 10
-N-
I collapse onto the floor of the elevator, not bothering to choose the floor I'd like to go to. Someone else will do that for me. The doors slide shut, and I'm suddenly alone in the almost deafening silence of the closed elevator. I fall to my back, and repeatedly run hands through my hair. Tears form and then disappear, making me unsure of my feelings. My breathing is unsteady, despite how much I try to control it. What if I just disappeared? Would anyone notice? Would anyone care? Definitely not my servants, and especially not Hallie.
The elevator begins to descend, someone will be getting on soon. I sit up, clutching my forehead with one hand, as my headache has returned. I flatten my messed up hair down and wipe away remaining tears with my open hand. My eyes shoot up to the floor counter as the soft sound emitted by it stops. The door slides open, revealing an older-looking woman. Her light grey hair is tucked back into a bun, and her back is lightly arched downwards.
She limps in, smiling sweetly towards me.
"Hello young man," She greets, pressing a button on the elevator.
I clear my throat,"Hello."
"How are you doing on this chilly day?" She asks, stepping closer to me.
"Okay, how about you?" I ask in reply.
"Good, good. Would you like a hand?" She asks because of my current position.
I smile and nod,"please."
The old woman extends a wrinkly, yet well kept, hand towards me, and I take it. I stand, only using her a bit, I wouldn't want to accidentally pull her down.
"Thank you," I say, nodding at her with a smile.
"Now, have you seen the king? I've been searching for him, but I just can't seem to find him," The woman explains. My smile fades a bit.
"Ahaha, no, I haven't seen the king. You should try back a little later, he's probably asleep and what not," I lie. She nods understandingly.
"Well, I won't be able to return any time soon, so do you think you could take a message?" She asks, her smile revealing a set of well kept, probably false, teeth.
"I suppose I could."
"Well, could you tell the king that he's needed in Nimbasa City?"
"Yes, I'll report to him the moment I see him," I agree, nodding. The lady smiles. The sound from the floor counter stops when we reach the bottom floor.
"Well, I guess I shall be on my way," the elderly woman says. I nod, giving her a smile.
"Have a nice day!" I say after her.
"Same to you, and stay warm!" She replies, waving. I wave a small wave, a retreat back into the elevator. Why am I needed in Nimbasa City? Probably to plan another party for the gym leaders. Maybe to supervise the repair of the train. Something ridiculous, more than likely. I press the button for the kitchen floor, as I've begun to have the craving for popcorn.
The ride up there wasn't long, maybe only a one or two minute wait. The doors open, and the smell of various and exotic foods meets me. I step out into the area before the kitchen and take a deep breath in, my mouth beginning to water.
Waiters and waitresses barge in and out of the swinging kitchen doors, some carrying trays full of food, and others heading back for more. I approach the first waiter and stop him.
"Sir, do you know if there's any popcorn in the kitchen?" I ask with a smile.
"Yes sir, there is," He replies quickly before rushing to a table needing assistance. I've never eaten at the restaurant at my castle, although I have hosted a party there before.
I push the swinging doors open and enter the kitchen. The smells outside are nothing compared to the delicious scents inside. I begin to wander aimlessly around, occasionally watching a chef prepare meat, sometimes examining the extensive list of foods in the pantry.
"King N, is there something you need?" A man asks, pulling my attention away from a chef preparing what he calls "macaroni and cheese".
"Ah yes, I'd like a bowl of popcorn please," I reply, nodding. The man rushes off, muttering several words under his breath that I cannot identify.
I mosey around for a bit, wondering when my popcorn will be done, when the man returns empty-handed.
"I apologize sir, but we have no popcorn at the moment," he says, fear in his eyes. Anger swells inside of me, but I manage to suppress it.
"That's fine, I'll be back later," I say, staring at the man. He nods, and scurries away.
I leave, as there's no reason for me to remain in the kitchen, and head back to the elevator.
-Touko-
I trail silently behind Red, allowing the soft scent of his cologne to drift back to me.
"Are we going to the mountain zone?" I ask, peering over his shoulder. The brown rock formations are growing closer.
"Maybe," he says, looking back at me through the corner of his eye. A stifled smirk is crawling onto his face.
He leads me to a small, vegetation-less area. His footsteps slow, and eventually stop. He turns to me, a small trace of pink is on his cheeks.
"Haha, so we're here Red," I say, laughing nervously, and probably blushing myself. I know it's going to happen. He's gonna kiss me. Definitely.
Red slips his hand into mine, and smiles nervously at me. I look away, and smile, but quickly return my focus to him. He bites his lip and looks down at me.
"Ahaha," he laughs nervously. Its adorable because even Red gets flustered at times like this. His face turns redder.
After hesitating a moment, he pulls me closer. I wrap my arms around him, and lay my head on his chest, listening to his heart. It's going a mile a minute. He runs a hand through my hair, stopping at the back of my head. I look up at him, and smile lightly. He pulls my lips to his, hesitating before they touch.
It's wonderful, kissing someone you like. It's almost the same joy as snuggling up by the fireplace on a cold day, but better.
The kiss only lasted a moment, but it felt like ages. When he pulls away, his face is as red as a tomato. "Ahaha..." He nervously rubs the back of his head, and looks away," Sorry..."
"Why are you apologizing?" I ask, looking away too, my face has grown quite hot over the past few moments.
"I, I uh-"
"Time is up!"
I glance up at Red, and he meets my eyes. We both share an awkward laugh, and begin to head back to the reception area.
A/N
Asdfghjlhdkalshfjs gahh so adorable oh my god so cuuuute I absolutely had a wonderful time writing this chapter eeeek! They shared their first kiss together how adorable! Oh my god I'm like, freaking out right now ahahahahahaha I love romance between these two- and lol, the conversation between N and that old lady (who may or may not be used later) was like, such a sweet, yet- hmm... devious? I don't know the word for it, but it was sweet and (let's go with devious for now) devious conversation xD... Lol popcorn, totally random, but meh, I felt that it could help with showing the different floors on N's castle. Yes, a restaurant. If I had a castle, I would have a fancy restaurant in it. Thanks for reading, and have a great day!
-Twilit Lady of Majesty