Chapter Five:

I had polished my dinner off quickly. I didn't know how long I could stand Rufus with him just staring at me, and I wanting nothing more than to knock him out. It was simply degrading. Really. And when he wasn't staring, he would add some little taunt here and there. Almost daring me to lash out at him, as if testing me. I proved him wrong though whenever I answered with an icy cool reply. His brow would just rise in response, while his eyes studied me anticipating for more, but never received anything further.

But I was finally relieved when he rose out of his chair, so on instinct I rose as well. He walked me to the door and took my hand raising it to his lips. Don't pull away. Don't pull away! If you do, you're bound to slap him right across the face! My mind screamed mentally.

Mustering all the will power I had, I didn't pull away. And when his lips brushed my wrist, I shivered. No, not in the sort of way where I have feelings for him. But it was just the very idea that the destroyer of my homeland was showing his politeness to, possibly, the only survivor left. And I hated it because I know he didn't mean it. Not one bit.

"I bid you goodnight, fair lady." His smirk once again taking its place on his mouth.

"Highness." I curtsied in response.

He opened the door, and I walked out. The soldier from before was waiting outside. Rufus closed the door quietly, but not without saying, "Until tomorrow, Miss Lockhart."

I didn't reply and did not turn around. The guard looked at me, puzzled for not acknowledging Rufus back. But he knew better than to voice out his opinion, so he simply led the way back to my room.

*

When I woke up the next morning, I realized I had the same dream from the night before. Will it always be like this as long as I'm here?

I shook my head trying to rid of such thoughts; it was too painful to reflect back on just yet. So I pulled the blankets off my body and pulled myself to the edge of the bed. Something all of a sudden rustled and it caught my attention immediately. I noticed the window was open a crack, letting in a sliver of the cool breeze. I stood up and scanned my room and my eyes finally fell onto a piece of a parchment sitting on one of my dressers. Eyeing it curiously, I walked over and picked it up.

My Lady,

I will come to dress and prepare you for dinner later, for I was notified that you will

have dinner with His Grace from now on.

I have also left the door unlocked for you. But if you wish to roam around

the castle grounds, I am afraid you are to have an escort by your side at all times.

It has been arranged so do not worry.

-Aeris

I put down the note. An escort. Wonderful.

*

When I was done washing my face from a water basin left by Aeris, I made my way over to the wardrobe, and fished out a dress which satisfied me for the time being. Once I put it on, I took a brush from the dresser and carefully combed it through my hair. I stared at my reflection while I did so, and before I knew it my thoughts slowly wandered back to the dream.

Inside my head I could hear that sniping voice again. The fire. I will take you just like I took your father and your home! It gave a mocking laugh.

I gripped the brush hard; I had started to forcefully tear it through my hair. My eyes began to glaze over, and when I realized this I instantly dropped the tool on the floor. It landed with a clack as it met the hard marble and I swallowed slowly in response. I sniffed and put a hand to my mouth to suppress a sob. It took a moment before my vision gradually became clear once more and I quickly cleared my throat of the invisible lump that had formed there.

When I reached down to pick up the brush, I practically jumped in surprise when a knock came from the door. My brow furrowed in confusion. With the accessory in my hand, I placed it gently back on the dresser. I didn't really want any visitors at the moment, but I quickly regained my composure and made my way to the door.

Probably maids to clean the room, my mind commented dryly.

When I opened the door I glanced back over my shoulder and quickly surveyed the room. There wasn't much to clean up for them, so I turned back around. "You don't have-…" I stopped short as if slapped. And I just stood there silently, until involuntarily I took a step back.

My eyes narrowed suspiciously as he bowed to me, and I knew he was holding in a smile to my hostile reaction. I could see his jaw muscles tighten trying to suppress it. Vincent Valentine found this very amusing indeed.

But though I definitely didn't, I chose to take a wild guess to why he was here. "Are you to be my escort?" I managed to catch hold of my voice.

This time the smile partially reached his lips. "Is My Lady not satisfied?" he answered, obviously having fun.

I opened my mouth, about to make a sharp reply, but thought against it. "Just not what I expected," I mumbled quite annoyed.

Vincent arched an eyebrow. "Oh?"

I chose not to answer back and strode past him into the hallway. He was enjoying this wasn't he?

Vincent reached inside to close the bedroom door, and I took this moment to study him quickly. No armor this time. But he was still clad in black: his shirt, breeches, and a cape that hung from his shoulders. His sword was still attached to his left hip, as was that mysterious shotgun on his right. Vincent turned back around and followed my line of vision before I could look away.

He took a second before answering. "Death Penalty," he said quietly.

I looked up. "Excuse me?"

He gestured toward the gun. "Death Penalty," he repeated. "That's the name of the shotgun."

I glanced back down. "Oh." I didn't know what to say to that. "Interesting. Does everyone carry these shotguns around?"

Vincent shook his head. "No one except Rufus and I," he answered. "Our guns may look similar, but their class and make are very different from one another."

I nodded slowly. So Rufus has one too?

Vincent eyed me, trying to read my face to see if I had anything more to say, but he soon brushed off his attempt. "Let us go then." He turned in the opposite direction and started to walk down the corridor as I swiftly followed suit.

*

It was early noon when Vincent stopped in front of the dining room after some of the tour. He said I was to eat lunch there and that he will come back later to show me more of the castle grounds. It was rather lonely eating all by myself, but then again I'd rather it be like that than eating with Rufus. I shuddered upon the thought, and then took a cloth and gently wiped my mouth.

The dining room door opened slowly and Vincent stood in the doorway. I pushed my chair back and proceeded to him, he gave a short nod of his head and spoke, "Shall we continue then?"

"Of course," I replied evenly.

Once again we found ourselves walking down the hallways, and I soon fell in step with him. So far, Vincent had taken me through the whole wing in where my bedroom was located. It wasn't much too see, except for some historical statues, paintings of previous rulers, and other things of the like. But it was sill kind of interesting.

Yet, a part of my mind still nagged at me for letting Vincent so near to me. It wasn't as if I was totally opening up to him. I just withdrew a barrier I usually kept around myself, when with people I thought suspicious. Especially someone like Rufus.

Vincent, however, was so very different when away from him. Personality wise anyway, because there were no taunts, or no stares. And it was surprising, because since he appeared like such a loyal servant to his king, I thought that some of his actions would rub off onto the general.

But none did.

When we walked, it was usually him explaining the scenery or one of his 'amusing' comebacks to some of my remarks. And we both knew it meant no harm. But other than that, he held a very silent exterior. Yet…it wasn't the uncomfortable silence people usually experience with others.

All of a sudden Vincent's voice shattered my train of thought. He had said something. I blinked, and met his crimson eyes with my own.

"Sorry," I answered sheepishly. "…I was just thinking about something." I gave a nervous laugh at being caught off guard.

A hint of a smile found its way along his face. "A gil for your thoughts," he repeated.

Surprisingly enough, I was completely speechless. I didn't show it of course, but really, of all things to ask. It had been more than a few seconds, so I tore my eyes from his face and folded my hands behind my back. I gave Vincent a sidelong glance.

"It'll take more than gil for my thoughts," I replied ruefully.

Vincent looked at me for a moment longer. Then he shook his head, the corner of his lips twitching upward in response.