Chapter six:
Days passed. Days in which where a moment hasn't gone by when I have not thought of home. Days in which each and every thing I did, was carefully monitored. And it was through this, that I got restless.
I was in my room one night. Aeris was brushing my hair in front of the mirror after a quite amusing dinner with the king.
*
Rufus set down his wine goblet after a refreshing whisk, carelessly fingering the intricate designs etched into it. He leaned on his elbow with a slight smirk, "Really, Miss Lockhart. You have shown no interest whatsoever in anything found in my palace. What must I do to get your attention hmm?" He added a touch of mock pleading to his last phrase.
I gently wiped my mouth on the cloth sitting on my lap and looked into his eyes, not faltering with his icy cobalt orbs staring straight back at me. "I am quite sure Your Grace, that given under the circumstances as to why I'm being held here, I hardly believe anybody would try to take interest in their captors own vicinity."
Rufus' eyes flashed, obviously not impressed with my answer. He found it very irritating with the way I could counter back so nonchalantly. Yet he took another whisk, not taking his eyes off me. "Although," I continued.
"Yes?" Rufus pressed, just barley hiding his curiosity. He had, to some extent leaned forward in anticipation to what I was about to say. And my head titled ever so slightly. Does he actually believe I'm willing to tell him something? I thought, and scoffed inwardly.
Hiding my mischievous expression, I instead covered it by furrowing my brows and looking up in a confused manner. "…Oh." I simply said. "Wait, never mind." And with that, I took my own glass of wine and raised it to my lips, biting back a smile.
Rufus blinked, and the hand which he had his head so leisurely propped up on before, immediately slammed down to meet the mahogany table. "I am rather sick and tired of your cynical little remarks princess." Putting down the wine, I noted he said that last word through clenched teeth and raised my eyebrows in fake surprise.
I decided to continue playing this 'mindless noble woman' act. "But Your Grace!" I exclaimed bringing a hand to my chest, "I am but a common woman in your presence! How could I make cynical remarks to you?" I gave him my most innocent look, waiting for an answer. But the blonde didn't respond, instead he just glared harshly at me, his mouth set in a grim line. And it was because of this I found a fairly interesting detail about him.
Rufus could not resist flattery.
That small enough phrase was all it took to trigger it and bring it out in the open.
"You may have your fun and games now Ms. Lockhart. But mark my words, I shall put a stop it soon enough."
*
Yes, very amusing indeed.
"Aeris?"
"My Lady?" she answered still brushing.
"Where are the barracks located?" I inquired casually.
In the mirror, the maid's eyes met mine for a split second, and her brushing slowed ever so slightly. But as soon as it did, it went back to its normal speed just as quick.
She smiled, albeit a bit forced I noted. "I hardly think a Lady of the Court would be interested in the barracks My Lady." She looked at me once more.
"That is where the soldiers train."
"I know."
*
That night, sleep wouldn't take hold of me. I lay awake in my ocean of beddings, as the pale moonlight bathed me in its presence. It was my only companion tonight, and I turned my head toward it where the curtain lay half open. The restless was unbearable at the moment, and I scowled to myself starting to get up. I pushed my arms into the wide sleeves of my silk robe and silently fished my way out of bed.
I needed to do something, go somewhere. Before I went to bed, Aeris didn't exactly give in to tell me where the barracks were. But I managed to find out they were at least close. Over the past days, Vincent's tours proved to be worthwhile. It wasn't that bad to be with him really, he was fine enough company. It was sometimes what I looked forward to on most days. I knew that if I really tried, I could probably find my way through the whole castle thanks to him.
But now that Vincent had shown me pretty much everything, I hadn't seen him for a few days. To my surprise, I actually felt a bit disappointed.
I shook my head, ridding my mind of such thoughts. I'm not supposed to take a liking to him! I groaned in defiance. Who was I kidding; he really was the only additional company to me other than Aeris. And like I said before, it actually wasn't that bad.
Now I really did feel restless with these unorganized thoughts racing through me. I strode silently to the door and reached for the knob. Unlocked. I narrowed my eyes at the contemplation but continued to open the door nonetheless. Not making a single sound, I crept through doorway and into the dark corridors. All that lit my path was the noiseless glow of lit candles, burning brightly on the shadowed covered walls.
I waited a moment, taking in my surroundings; allowing my eyes to adjust to the night light. I glanced back at my closed door; there was something about it being unlocked…
"If you must know what I am doing," I turned my head slowly in one random direction, "I am only taking a midnight stroll. Come if you wish." No one stepped forward, and I shrugged. "Suit yourself."
I turned to my left and made my way down the undisturbed hallway. I closed my eyes, still walking, each step sounding like nothing but a soft pat against the marble floor. How I longed for home: to be in my own hallways, feeling the crisp air around me from the open windows. I could still remember that exact moment, knowing nothing at all that my life was about to change just a few hours later.
I opened my eyes, which shattered the distant memories, and I let them pass.
Hallway after hallway seemed a blur, as I instinctively weaved in out of them, choosing my own path. I wondered if my watcher was still with me. I smirked at the thought of losing him. A worthy game. But this is not the time. I was eager to find the barracks first.
The sliver moonlight rays which streamed through various windows lit my path as I came to more main and well know corridors. The simple candle light by my rooms, were all of a sudden transformed into semi bright lanterns as I swiftly treaded down the floor.
Then, there. Just as I passed one last glass window, a black smudge caught my eye. I backtracked slowly and peered through the polished pane squinting. At last. I turned in all directions to find an exit, but none were visible. Frowning in defiance, I trotted to the next hallway and looked with still no result. It wasn't until 2 more turns later, that I found stairs leading to the ground floor and finally to an exit to the outside.
The cobble stone path way led straight to a high gate. I couldn't hold in my eagerness, and quickly hurried forward. I grinned in spite of myself, not bad. I thought. Reaching for the handle, I gripped the cold metal hard and pulled.
And pulled again. Then again, this time with both hands. But it didn't budge.
LOCKED, my mind screamed.
I cried out in sheer frustration, and angrily shoved at the gate with my hands. Damn damn damn damn, I huffed. Not what I wanted, but probably to be expected. Looking upward, I saw the height of the gate and knew there was no way I could climb that. I once again scowled. I could almost hear someone laughing silently at my foolish find. I gave one last angry push to the entrance and leaned on the metal bars.
What now? I obviously did a whole lot of wasting time to find my destination locked right in front of me. Ugh. Slowly, I trudged back up the path.
Once I reached inside the palace, I looked in the direction of where my room lay and bit my lip. Taking a tentative step forward to go back where I came from, I stopped short and turned my head toward the opposite hallway. My eyes narrowed. Explored before, but in the moonlight? Nope. I smirked, and turned at the heel with my back to the hallways I followed to get here. I breathed in and let out a long sigh. Might as well keep on going, I urged myself.
A little ways ahead of me lay glass double doors, leading to a balcony. I tilted my head. Yes I remember now. The balcony had steps leading down to a small lush garden, with a fountain sitting in the middle. I'd thought it was quite nice at first glance, when I saw it from the veranda with Vincent on one of our tours, but it reminded me so much of what I longed for at home.
Gardens were always something that surrounded my castle…but…but maybe it wouldn't hurt to go down tonight. I did say I wanted to go somewhere. And the barracks was out of the question anyway.
I gently pushed a door open and quietly stepped down onto the stairs. Without tall trees in the way of the sky, the moonlight bled its way throughout the small enclosed area. Everything it touched drank it up so deeply: the trees, flowers, everything all had a faint glow of white, making the garden seem almost ethereal.
I sat down on the edge of the fountain and absently ran my fingertips through the silent water. There were small goldfish swimming curiously around my hand and they darted playfully to and from it obviously very pleased. I smiled not looking away. Now seemed the right moment.
"Vincent." My voice came out hushed but loud enough for the small garden. "Could you take me to the barracks tomorrow?" I waited, not looking up once. "Formally?"
Then, a step onto the grass came from behind. "Why."
I smiled again. "Interested, I suppose."
The goldfish seemed to grow weary of my fingertips smoothly flowing against the water and eventually got used to the idea I was there. I lifted my hand from the fountain and rested it on my lap. I looked behind me and silently rolled my eyes afterward. No one was there. "Very funny," I sarcastically put in. He wanted a game? So be it.
I closed my eyes and let myself breathe in. Out. For each one, I counted up to seven, then down repeating the process. My body was relaxed, and my senses alert. Everything drowned out, faded away except for what I wanted.
One after the other, I deciphered each little thing which caught one of my senses. I waited, and then waited a moment longer. Three. Two. One. I opened my eyes and pointed to my right. "There."
A shadow emerged. And from the darkness, those crimson eyes pierced right through it. But as he stepped into the subtle light, I could make out a tiny smile, amused that I actually found him.
"My prize?" I asked, arching one eyebrow.
"As you wish," Vincent replied. "Tomorrow."
"Thank you." I sat back down, and looked at him. Those eyes staring straight back at me, so red. But not menacing in any way. Far from it. I couldn't place what it was, and I wanted to but couldn't. It was something deeper. Was there sorrow behind it?
I smiled softly at him without thinking, and redirected my gaze looking into the starry night submitting my attention to it. I felt so…at peace here.
Eventually though, my head faintly reminded me that Vincent was still standing there. He didn't leave. Why? But I never finished the thought. I was lost. In this night, this silver speckled sky. In this moment where time seemed to stop. Almost…timeless.
