The embers burn brighter,Like the way your kiss sends my heart a flutter...
"You should not have done that!"
"What do you expect me to do then father?"
"Do you even realize what have you done?! Baron's Lloyd eldest son lost an eye sight because of you! What in the world cause you to issue a duel challenge with real swords?!"
"He slight my sister. I left his other eye intact so he would realize his error every time he saw his reflection in a mirror."
"You could not begin to realize the hard place you put me in! You're dismissed! And I banned you to leave the house with your sword for a month!"
"So be it." Lancelot said defiantly
Guinevere does not meant to eavesdrop. It was not her fault that the door to father's study was not tightly shut and the conversation between her father and brother bleed into the hallway outside. Everything begin from her birthday ball. Baron's Lloyd eldest son were pestering her for a dance which she ignored. The slime ball does not understand subtle rejection and kept on pestering her to the point of trying to drag her to the dance floor with him after she said no for the umpteenth time. Guinevere slapped him for his impudence and the boy started a fuss, he called her all sort of names. Her brother stepped in for her, he challenged the Baron son for a duel in the garden. A duel in which her brother won easily.
Their father was furious after he found out about the duel but it seems that her brother did not get a huge punishment for his act. Baron Lloyd was only a minor lord after all.
Her brother's footsteps beckoned Guinevere out of her thoughts. She look at the boy who was walking toward her from their father's study. His movement ever elegant, the candle that lit the hallway tinted his beautiful platinum hair gold, highlighting his regal feature even more. Not for the first time Guinevere thought that her brother could replace the handsome knight or prince of her books.
"I'm sorry father became mad at you because of me."
"Don't worry about it. That scum deserve what he got. Do not trouble yourself over it Guin darling. Now give me your hands I haven't give you your birthday present. Close your eyes."
Guinevere obediently proffered her hands toward her brother and closed her eyes. "Don't open your eyes until I tell you to." he told her.
Every birthday presents from her brother were always special. On her last birthday he gave her a glittering sapphire brooch in the shape of tear drop. It was beautiful and expensive. Guinevere could not wait to see what would his present be this year. She felt something fasten on both of her wrist with a soft click.
"Now you can open your eyes."
Encircling both of her wrist was golden bracelets decorated with beautiful blue roses in full bloom. It was an identical to the enchanted rose of her brother's brooch which he always wore. "Its so pretty. Thank you dear brother."
"Now we matched." Her brother took her right hand, bringing it closer to his lips. "Happy fourteenth birthday my sweet Guinevere." He place a soft kiss on the back of her hand. The touch of his lips sent shiver down her spine even through the soft velvet that cover her skin. "Knows that I would never hesitate to draw blood to protect your virtue."