Hello everyone!
Here is chapter 2, I hope you enjoy and please let me know what you think in the comments.
Disclaimer: I only own Arina and the plot.
Next morning, I woke up to a knock on my bedroom door. Lazily I stood up, regretting staying up so late last night: not only the party lasted until more than midnight but I was lost for at least an hour and after my encounter with the mysterious man it took quite a while to come down. Some would say this was cowardice and maybe it was but I rather think about it as a way to process the difficult situation. and perhaps just a little fear. It was hard to blame me, as a young lady I was always treated with respect and kindness and whenever that bobble was broken I felt lost and vulnerable. The interaction still sent chills down my spine and colored my cheeks pink because of how embarrassing it was to know I ran at the first sign of trouble. This couldn't go on like this. I had to get my pride back. I would go back to the terrace and if he showed up I would stand up for myself. I was already imagining a whole conversation in which I ended outwitting him.
Groggily I opened the door when I noticed I shouldn't have. I was in no way presentable! My hair was a tangled mess, my eyes were red and puffy and my nightgown was too revealing. Instinctively I covered myself the best I could with my hands and the satyr averted his eyes. I was in so much trouble. A proper lady would never let anyone see her like that. I should've made the person wait while I got ready. Idiot. To my dismay it was my father. "Arina! What are you wearing? Go put some clothes on!" I looked down immediately. I knew what I did was wrong. I deserved every single word.
"Yes Father." I said as I disappeared into my chambers and called my maids to help me dress. Quickly, I put on a pink dress with a flower pattern bordering the red underskirt. It wasn't my best attire but this was just my father after all.
"Finally!" exclaimed Lord Maucin when he saw me coming back out. "Now, come, quick. The monarchs just offered for us join them in their daily practice. You and the other ladies are welcomed to go watch. It's be disrespectful if we didn't uphold their invitation. You skipped breakfast and we are running out of time." Said the man as he tugged me forward. I obediently went behind him keeping myself one step behind as protocol intended. The maze of corridors was just a blur on me as I thought about the morning shame.
The training grounds were a piece of art just like everything else: the floor was covered in a mix of sand and soil in which footprints from every type of creature. In one corner stood the target for archery next to a wall decorated with an assortment of weapons which glowed in the morning sun. You could also spot a series of dummies filled with straw which looked like scarecrows. The rest of the area was used as theatre for body combat. All around the square destined for the martial arts ran soldiers, warming up for training. I took my seat next to my friends who were observing the high king sparing with a centaur. Soon, I found myself entranced with his movements too. It was irresistible: the way his muscles moved with every blow, how his hear stuck to his face with sweat and his eyes glittering with energy. He looked even more handsome than the previous night.
After a while he took a break and turned around to face his crowd of admirers. Every single girl was transfixed with him but I didn't know if it was because he was attractive or because of his title. He smiled and scanned us for a moment. When his eyes met mine, my heart skipped a beat, a smile broke both our faces as he came closer to the stands, never breaking eye contact. "My Ladies." He saluted. Everyone was giggling. Then he came closer and took my hand to lightly kiss it. I felt like I could melt right there and then. "Lady Maucin, I hope you are enjoying the show."
"Oh! Very much, your Majesty! You are an amazing fighter." I complimented trying not to squeal. He was talking to me. He could be talking with anyone else but he chose me.
"Why, thank you but I'm not so great. My brother Edmund overpowers me without even trying. Seeing him train is truly amazing." He admitted with a smile. He was so modest….
"Don't underestimate yourself, you Majesty. I hope you brother's condition will get better before I can live so you can show me what you mean. Honestly, I doubt that anyone could compare to yourself." That last bit went further than swordsmanship. I was sure he could achieve everything he desired.
"That is really kind from you. But I must admit that I'm not flawless. I just hope we might spend enough time for you to remark my sins and forgive them." That was an invitation? He wanted to spend time with me! Oh God. I was having trouble breathing.
"I hope so too" said I as I couldn't mutter much more. After that he went back to training and I went back to admiring him. Ah….
When it was over I went to the gardens to contemplate the roses, my favorite flower. The variety of them was so big I felt like I was in paradise. This castle had so much wonders I wished I could stay longer to discover them all. Two weeks were too short and the parties would take away too much time away. This little paradise would keep its secrets.
"I see you like roses." Said the High King approaching me. I smiled and nodded. I didn't trust my voice for the moment being. "Well they sure are beautiful but pale with you by their side."
"Aren't you a little cheesy? I know in poetry one express himself that way but it's weird to hear it in person." I said before I could stop myself. Had I just criticized him? A king?
"I guess it's one of my sins but I can help it when I see such a charming young lady. Truth is I'm trying to impress you and my sisters always say a woman in conquered with the beauty of words." He answered. I didn't miss the reference to our previous conversation. Maybe it was our joke now. As for his theory about how to court girls I couldn't help but wonder if it was true. I had never been in love but those I had seen fall would always babble about poetry and sweet compliments. Then I analyzed what his words were to me. Sure, they were sweet but they made me feel like just another lady. It wasn't personal. Maybe I just had to get him more material so his compliments could be more direct. He didn't seem to mind honesty so I took a leapt at faith.
"Sin forgiven. For now. But I think that the words must be directed to what the girl feels and as lived for them to be touching enough." I answered looking for the annoyance in his face. what I hadn't expected was laughter.
"I guess you are right. But I think that can be fixed if you tell me more about yourself." He proposed. I liked the way he let me tell what I thought. It wasn't asphyxiating like court usually was. I then thought about his question. Who was I? of course I knew myself but how could put it into words? It was too complex. I had to give him something, though. Something to start with. Then he could figure out my other facades.
"Well, I'm from Anur and this is the first time I ever leaved my country. I'm really excited about that and everything I see amazes me. I've always dreamed of magic but for a long time it seemed like a faraway dream. Being in your country changed that and I am glad. I enjoy reading and knitting and I guess that is me. Well, the basics." I confided looking at the ground. Was what I was doing alright. I had never gone this far with a man and I couldn't help but be nervous.
"Well if you'll allow me I'll try to show you the wonders of this place." Proposed the King and I smiled. Maybe what I was doing was right after all.
"Peter! I need your help." Said a feminine voice coming closer to us. I turned around to see Queen Susan. "Oh! Hello Lady Maucin. I'm afraid I'll have to borrow my brother."
"Of course. I'll see you tonight your Majesty." I said goodbye, walking away.
That night the party was rather boring for my friends wouldn't talk to anyone but some of the lords they had met the previous nights and King Peter was doing his obligations talking to other diplomats and creating bonds for his country. Only a couple hours after I decided to go see my terrace, as I know called it.
"Why are you back? I told this is a private room." Declared the men, startling me just like last night. A ghost would be easier heard than him. I gathered my courage and faced him trying hard not to run once again.
The man had changed little to none since yesterday, he was dressed in the same fashion which took me a little by surprise: in accordance to the celebration of different cultures all the guests were required to wear a typical attire of each nation every day. Not to mention the obvious disarray as he wore only a loose tunic that seemed full of dirt, a pair of trousers that had seen better days and his hair tousled as thought he had just woken up. What kind of gentleman would let the world see him like this?
"If that was true you shouldn't be here either. Everyone who is someone was at yesterday's party and I'm afraid you weren't. Why don't you stop being so rude to others when you are one to blame as well?" Answering to him in a calmed tone was unbelievably hard. No one should look so menacing.
"Grew a spine since yesterday. What tells you I wasn't there? Did you see everyone and everything?" the teasing tone in which he spoke proved me that the fact that I faced him was amusing him. I was breaking the ice. At least I thought so.
"No. But I would've heard about someone talking in such a rude fashion. Those things are not a secret for long." It was true, at a ball bad news traveled even faster than usual as all the ladies entertained themselves with gossip and criticism.
"Who says I'm always rude? Maybe I only react this way when someone is trespassing the boundaries." I could see a small smile on the corner of his lips. Guess he wasn't so bad, just a little reserved. But if this was amusing him I could play the game too.
"No one can change that much as to be gentle one moment and so… imposing at others. Besides, you weren't introduced as one of the guests. And that is something I know for sure as I was one of the first to arrive." I retorted with a little smirk.
"Alright, I admit I wasn't there. That doesn't mean you can be here, though." The score was on my favor for now but I didn't know how long I could keep the brave façade. Even if he was smirking and teasing he terrified me, chilling me to the bone.
"And you can?" I crocked out. What if he said yes? I couldn't blame this visit on being lost. I would be cornered. My voice betrayed my feelings as usual, this man was too much for me. Luckily, he had nothing to respond so he just smiled.
"Fine, I'll let you be here if you promise not to tell anyone." I could see that the young adult hated to lose to me which filled me with self-pride. It seemed that I scared him too. But why would he be so nervous about people seeing someone in this place? Was there something I didn't knew? Or was it because he was hiding himself? But it would be impolite to ask any of those questions no to mention that I would probably get no response. Instead I thanked him and went back to contemplating the night. I wondered what miracles might do the sunlight for this terrace.
"Have you ever seen this place in broad daylight? It must be so beautiful…" I asked dreamily, wishing for someone to give me an idea of what I would find when I came back in the morning.
"Why would I answer that?" this man was impolite beyond belief.
"Well since you seem to come here every day and I will be doing the same as long as I'm here I thought we could be decent with the other." I explained as I thought that I was drawing conclusion rather hastily. Maybe he'd just seen me in the balcony and wanted me to get out. Maybe he wasn't supposed to be here but wasn't forbidden to be either. Silence fell answering my questions. If it had been otherwise he would've already corrected me.
"You have no reason to come. Really, what is the thrill of being here?" The question took me by surprise. Why was I here? The place was beautiful but maybe I was doing this because it was forbidden. It was the first little act of rebellion I had allowed myself and it felt great. It tasted like freedom. Like pure bliss.
"I don't really know… I think I like that is forbidden. The risk makes you feel alive." I didn't know why I told the truth. I think I scared of him and of lying. Years of manner's lessons, about how unladylike it would be to lie. I really hopped it wasn't a mistake. "What about you?"
"That is not of your business." This must be a servant I realized. No lord would use such an expression, it'd be insulting to his status and the people he reigned over. He sure was bold to be an employee, insulting someone with a higher-rank by ordering me around and talking in such a rude and blunt way.
"That is true, I'm sorry if I offended you but by the way you formulated your question it sounded as if you had an explanation you wanted to share." I apologized out of instinct. I know most people in my situation wouldn't have and some would've gone far enough as to threaten him with their status and connections. He inhaled deeply and I thought I heard some sorrow on his voice as he said: "I'm sorry. I shouldn't be here and that makes me jumpy. But maybe it would be better for the two of us if you stopped asking questions."
"Alright… Don't worry I won't tell anyone that you are here if you don't give me away either." I proposed. His words had risen in me a thousand questions that I knew better than to ask. Why would a worker be so apprehensive about his presence here? Sure, it was a zone of the castle he shouldn't wander around but it couldn't be so bad. Perhaps if someone less tolerant than me found him… Yes, this could harm him. He gave a small smile that didn't reach his eyes as a confirmation.
I profited this pause to take on the beautiful cravings on the railing. Last night's visit was too short for me to notice such a subtle thing, especially because you could barely see them in the moonlight. I discovered it with my hands but as I was rather clumsy it took me a while to make out what they represented. It seemed to be a creeper pattern which branches ended up un in sharp edges that I faintly identified as swords or daggers. Who would taint such a flawless decoration with this symbol of war and destruction?
"I like it better at night." The stranger's voice took me by surprise. Not only had we been in silence for a long time but it was also so smooth and velvet that I couldn't rely it to the harsh tone he'd used so far. "During the day, the marble reflects the light so much it becomes blinding, especially in the early hours of the morning. Best thing is when it rains a little. Or maybe that is just because I like the rain." I smiled as I pictured it in a rainy night with the moonlight refracting in each droplet of water and the soft mist covering the ocean and the horizon.
"I hope I'll see it before I leave. It must be a sight to remember." I answered. The mere thought of him starting to be nice warmed my insides. My mother always told me that I could put a small ray of sunlight in everyone heart. It would be a dream come true if such a thing was true.
"It is." He confirmed but the sigh in his voice told me otherwise. Was he really that worried about someone finding out?
"You must spend a lot of time here." I commented, deciding not to take the conversation down a darker path and as not to impose social segregation between us.
"I used to. It's my favorite part of the castle. But now I'm unable to come as much as I would want to." He confessed looking downwards. I was about to pry when I remembered his petition of not to ask. Maybe I should just forget most of what he told me, keeping only the images. "I actually have to go." Couldn't help but to be disappointed. I liked where this conversation was going. But now was no time to be sad, not when I had the most beautiful terrace for myself.
"See you tomorrow" said I as a goodbye. A smirk appeared in his face and he walked away wordlessly.