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Part 16

I sat across from Alexander, the large slabs of wood seperating us. The candles were alight around the room, allowing a warm and cozy feeling to move in. I was seated at the dinner table which went halfway across the room, with the royal family of Gutaherm.

"I'm so sorry about this whole ordeal, young Kyla." The King smiled kindly, a peice of lamb dangling from his fork. "If only Alexander had told us sooner!"

"It's quite alright...Sir." I replied, staring down at my own plate, decorated with marvelous colours of corn, peas, and potatoes. "And I am quite thankful that you have taken me in...I'm grateful. Thank you."

The Queen nodded and pushed a plate of bread my way. "No worries, child. Heavens, what an awful time you must have had! Here, eat up, and then we'll get you cleaned and ready for bed. You must be exhausted." I smiled back at her, and slowly took a slice of bread and set it on my plate, without eating it. She went on, "All that adventure for a young lady...I can't imagine...Alexander! Sit straight, will you?"

I looked over at Alexander, who was slouched in the chair with his chin rested on hand. I gave a little giggle, and he rolled his eyes. "Excuse me, mother." He stood up, and straightened his tunic. "Lady Kyla?" He held out his arm.

"Thank you again, your majesties..." I stood up and tucked the chair in. The leather on the back was soft on my hands. Alexander came around and took my arm. We began to walk out of the room, and I felt a little silly in my atire. I had not changed since I got there, since I was told to eat immediately by the Queen.

"Are you cold, m'Lady?" Alexander worried, stopping at the enterance gate to hold me.

"No, Alexander...thank you. Please, don't call me that...it's just...just Kyla." I looked down and rested my forhead against his chin. "Thank you. Very much...for...for saving me. I thought you had forgotten, about me...and I -"

"Forgotten?" Alexander pulled my chin up, and forced me to look at him. His eyes were the sparkling blue like I remembered, except something more fierce made them a little darker. "Kyla I would never forget you...and I have not forgotten."

He pulled me a little closer to him, and I could feel his fingers trembling. I closed my eyes and let Alexander kiss me.

"Miss...miss? Come on love, wake up!" A strange unfamiliar voice awoke me from my slumber. Slowly, I opened my eyes and saw a large, middle aged woman standing above me. She had soft eyes and grey-brown hair which was neatly tucked up into a bun. "Miss..I'm sorry to wake you, but you have been sleeping for an awfully long time. 'Tis near 'noon and I musn't let you spoil your night. Come now, up you get."

I sat up groggily, and pushed my hair out of my eyes and off my neck. The sun was indeed already up, and nearly going back down again. I let out an impolite yawn.

"My my aren't you a mess." The woman laughed, looking me up from head to toe. She was holding a green garmet over her arm. "Lets get you washed up so we can present you to the downstairs."

With my eyes barely open, I stood up and walked with her over to the tub. She undressed me, and I sank into the hot water, letting it gently wash the mud from my skin. I was beginning to doze off again, until the woman splashed some water into my face. "Come come now, let's hurry. The prince is waiting, my dear! And lord he is fond of you." She put some oil into my hair, and rubbed it roughly. I coughed as she splashed more water onto me.

Soon I was smelling like lilacs, and was dressed in the green gown she had been holding. I looked at myself once more in the mirror, and remembered the day I last wore a lovely dress. Alexander had became cross with me - and I would never forget that day. I ran my tongue over the spot where he had made me bleed. 'What could have made him hate me, so?' I asked myself, twirling a peice of hair between my fingers.

Knock knock.

"Come in?" I called, turning around towards the door. I smoothed the front of the dress down, and stood up straight. If I looked like a lady, I should act like one, aswell.

The door opened slightly, and Alexander slid in. He gave me his silly grin as he looked me from head to foot. "You look lovely, m'Lady."

I hated how he could still make me blush. "Thank you."

He walked up to me in one swift movement, and tucked his face into the crook of my neck. I giggled and pulled back. He kissed my shoulder, and then returned to meet my gaze. His eyes became serious, and I stopped smiling. "What is it?"

Alexander took my hand. "This is something that I am not the most happiest to tell you of, Lady Kyla." His fingers played with mine. "A war has broke out, between Titania and Wornoak. I have been asked to lead the men of Wornoak, into battle."

I stared at him, not saying a word. He placed his palm against my cheek, and cradled it. "M'lady..this is a great honour for me. It would be such a grand proposition for our kingdom! Not only would we recieve recognition, but pride and respect would be won!" His voice became excited. I looked away.

"When will you be leaving?" I whispered, turning my body away from him. I could feel his hands on my shoulders.

"I wanted the maid to wake you...before I left..." He squeezed my shoulders tightly.

I spun on him, angrily. "When did you know? When did you find out!"

"I didn't want to spoil your night, Kyla! I didn't want you to worry...please, I beg of you! I'll be back within the month...I promise I will come back for you..."

I threw his hands off me, and began to cry. "Leave then! Leave...go! Just...just go!"

He tried to reach for my cheek, but I stepped back from him just as quickly. He began for the door, still watching me. I stood breathing heavily, tears streaming down my cheeks from the rage I had begun to feel.

"I will come back, no matter if you love me or not. I will come back for you, Kyla." The door shut, and I threw myself against the floor, hugging my knees to my chest.

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Part 17

My fingers danced across the many grooves of the wooden bench I was seated on. The sun was blazing overhead, and I could feel little beads of sweat trickle down my neck. The wool dress I had on was not helping. I peered over across the arena, the many knights getting their horses ready for the races about to come. The brightly coloured lances were set up alongside the walls, the tips glaring in the sun.

I was seated alongside the King and Queen of Gutaherm, with the rest of the royal relatives surrounding. It was indeed strange for a castle maid to be seated with the royal family, but Alexander had requested I be placed within. I had not spoken with him for the last few weeks, even though he sent letters on parchment nearly every day.

"Pardon me Miss..."

A voice interrupted my thoughts, and I looked up to see a young man about my age, peering down at me. He wore a bronze tunic over a beige shirt - obviously a royal. I looked away and resumed staring straight ahead. I was not in the mood for talking.

He tried again. "Pardon me, Miss, but I was wondering if this seat was taken?"

I looked at the long empty bench to the left side of me. The relatives of Gutaherm did not want to associate with a lower class, and all refused to sit beside me - let alone the same bench. My right, on the other hand, was fully occupated by the more closer relatives of the King and Queen - who felt it was acceptable to sit beside me since the King and Queen approved. "I do not mind, sir. But I fear my company will not be warm, for you."

He sat down with much ease, and rested his boot on the bench infront. "And I, miss, do not mind your coldness, for your beauty will keep me as warm as I need." He grinned and looked over to me.

Annoyed, I turned towards him. Facing him now, I took in his features. His sandy blonde hair flopped messily over his forehead, and dark green eyes that seemed to carry a mystery. He had a slender build, but broad shoulders and a shaped jaw. I caught myself staring, and looked away immediately. I could sense he knew my thoughts.

"Miss, a name, dear?" He put his hand out for me, hands of an artist's, long but rough. Carpentry, perhaps.

I looked back, and slipped my hand through his. "Kyla."

He held it, and brought it to his mouth, giving a soft kiss to the top. I pulled away, unsure, as he smiled back at me. "Ah... Kyla." He mouthed, as if trying it out upon his lips. "Do you have a title before your name, or is it just simply...Kyla?" When I did not answer, he lifted my hand and kissed it once more, softer this time. Nodding, he placed it back onto my own lap, and looked away to the arena.

After watching him a few moments longer, I resumed my gaze to the knights getting ready. The first match was about to begin - a knight from Victornla, and his opponent from the house village, Gutaherm. The red and green flag waved proudly behind the Gutaherm knight, who was now mounting his horse.

The white flag swooshed down after a matter of moments, which sent the horses charging at full speed down the long rink. I watched the sand fly up from underneath the horse's hooves, as they galloped like lighting bolts. My fingers tightened on the edge of the bench, as they neared eachother more and more.

Soon there was a large clash, and the lance of the Victornla knight struck the Gutaherm knight with such force - enough to kill any man. I looked on worriedly, as the Gutaherm knight struggled to regain his stance on the horse. The man beside me was obviously amused at my worried expression. I stood up, annoyed, and began to make my way down the stands.

Soon I felt his presence behind me. As soon as I got behind the stands, to the field behind, I spun on him. "I was not here to be laughed at, Sir, nor do I appreciate being your choice of amusment!" I bit my lip, ashamed once more of my boldness. As he walked towards me, I feared I would get the same reaction from him as I did once from Alexander.

Instead, he took my hand in his own again. "Miss, I did not mean to offend you - honest." His eyes flashed sincerity, so I did not pull away this time. "It is only that I have been so deprived of laughter ever since I came here, that I found it in the one thing that made me smile." I did not say anything, but kept his gaze further. He continued, "Once again, I am sorry."

"That's alright...I am also sorry that I have been so cold to you..you see, it's just that I have been...on pins and needles lately. I did not mean to take it out on you." Allowing myself a small smile, I was relieved to know that he wasn't about to hit me for my disbehaviour. "I still haven't gotten your name, Sir.."

Just as the man was opening his mouth to speak, another entered the silence. "Kyla! Oh how I've missed you!" Alexander's arms wrapped themselves around me, ripping my hand from the man's. Alexander was holding me so tight I could hardly breathe. I pulled myself away from him, and adjusted the braid in my hair.

Alexander looked at the man, and gave a bow. "Troyethe, my dear cousin. It has been so long since I've seen you last!"

Troyethe bowed in return. "Aye, Alexander. It has. This...girl, is she your..?" He struggled to find an appropriate word.

Alexander took my hand and gripped it tightly. "She is, she is. I fear she is cross with me at the moment, so if it would be no trouble, could you please excuse us?"

"Oh, oh yes not a problem..." Troyethe bowed to me, and smiled. "It was nice meeting you, Kyla. Perhaps we could speak again, someday?" And with that, he left to the arena, back to the jousting match.

I took my braid out, and watched the festivites from the tower's window. Alexander had brought us up into the caslte to talk. The jousting tournament below was near an end.

"I know you are angry at me for leaving...but I'll have you know it was a great success - we only lost four men in the battle, and have conquered the land of Titania!" He slipped his arm around my waist, pulling me close against his front. "And I am back for good, and I promise I will not leave again, m'Lady."

Turning around to face him, I leaned back against the window. The breeze had now picked up, and the wind was causing the sheets on the bed to move - almost in a beckoning way. I watched them rise and fall, and then matched it with the rising and falling of Alexander's chest. I looked up at him.

"Will you forgive me, m'Lady?" He asked, almost in a whisper. Slowly he put his hand at the base of my neck, his fingers intertwined in my hair.

I reached up and kissed his bottom lip. He smiled and brought his face down to kiss me. My back pressed against the edge of the window, and Alexander held me tight. His other hand found it's way to the back of my dress, and undid the tastles that held it up. It fell to a pile around my feet, after it had slid off my body. I sighed as I could feel his hands at the laces of my corset.

His lips became more passioante and aggressive, pulling at my tongue with more need. A feeling of fear swept over me and I moved back abruptly. Quickly, I bent down to pick up my dress.

Alexander held my wrists to pull me back up. "What's wrong? Did I do something?"

"N-n-no, I just...please...I...need to go...please, I.." I tried pulling away from his grasp, but he held me firmly. "Alexander, please. I need some air...I feel ill, that's all."

He gave me one last look, then released my wrists. I tugged the dress up to my shoulders, and held it tightly around my chest. Running down the stairs of the tower took less time then I had thought, and I stood at the base not knowing which way to go. I began to cry out in fustration, until I stifiled myself as Troyethe walked by.

He stopped and quickly ran over, bending down to lift me from the ground. I had not even known I had fallen. He hugged me tight to his chest, and pet my hair. "There there...shh, calm down love...calm down."

I sobbed into his chest, feeling ashamed and embarassed at the state I was in. He lifted my chin and wiped my cheeks. "What happened? You look a fright...were you attacked? Who was it?" He demanded, looking around, pulling a sword from his halter.

I shook my head and regained composure. Standing up, I straightened my dress. "I'm s-sorry..I'm just a bit...shaken...I..I'm fine...honest...just..."

Troyethe held me by the shoulders and held me close. "Okay..okay we won't talk about it right now..."

The wind stopped, and the dust settled around us. I didn't move from his arms, until my breath matched his - calm and slow.