~CHAPTER 12~

A promise worth living for.

Delilah's POV

She knew that if he was not in the training field with the others, he would probably be down in the stables, looking after his lovely horse. She needed to talk to him. Settle everything before it was too late. Although she believed there was a chance that those things the women were true, she hoped deep in her heart that Leon would prove her wrong. When she finally reached the stables, she entered calling out to see if anyone was in there. Noone answered. She made her way through the countless horses to Iva, Leon's horse. She was beautiful. She had a chocolate brown color, with long, black hair and a glorious posture. The moment she realized Delilah's presence there, she approached her and neighed in acknowledgement, as Delilah proceeded to groom her.

Suddenly, she heard a noise. "Hello? Is anyone here?" she asked, nervously. Again, she received no answer. She kept hearing the same noise as if someone was walking around but noone would respond to her calls. At one moment she turned around the sight of a young man scared her.

"I am so sorry. I did not mean to scare you, milady. Please forgive me." he apologized in a low voice, not once taking his eyes off the ground to face her. With a second look, Delilah realized she had nothing to fear. He was young, in her age or perhaps a year older, no more than that. He was relatively tall (not as tall as Leon of course), with a rather tanned skin and short, ginger hair. His eyes were green like the woods. In fact, he was anything but intimidating.

Once she recovered from her shock, she realized how long she had been silent for. "No need to worry. It was not your fault. I'm afraid I'm rather fearful." she smiled to him, but he still didn't raise his eyes to face her.

"Is there anything you need, milady?" he asked shyly.

"Lady?" she was startled. She had never been called that. "I am no lady." she laughed. "Just a nurse." she reassured him and he finally looked at her. A small grin appeared on his face and she continued "Why would you think I'm a lady?" she kept laughing.

"I suppose I was mistaken by your looks. I am sorry if I offended you." he apologized again.

Delilah blushed to his compliment. "Why do you keep apologizing? You have done nothing wrong. And of course you did not offend me. May I ask what your name is?" she smiled again.

He didn't answer at first so she insisted. He looked so reserved for some reason. "I am Delilah." she motioned for a handshake. At first he looked at her but didn't respond. It was like he was too ashamed to even touch her. Why? Is there something about me? I should probably leave him alone. I don't wish to sound creepy. she thought and dropped her hand, ready to leave but then he suddenly replied.

"Nobody cares about the dog's name." he replied with self-mockery.

"Now that's a beastly thing to say. I do not think you are a dog. There are many true dogs in this world we live in but you are not one." she smiled to him. He was startled by her kind words and looked into her eyes. He couldn't help but think how beautiful she was. And she was paying attention to him. The stable boy.

She was about to leave but then Leon walked inside the stables, looking for his horse.

Leon's POV

"Good morning." he called out before he also noticed Delilah standing across the isle. "Delilah? What are you doing here?" he asked surprised by her presence.

"Waiting for you, I suppose. I thought you might be here and I wanted to talk. Should I leave?" she smiled, trying to hide her annoying thoughts.

Oh my sweet Lilah. You couldn't be any nicer. he thought to himself. "No, it's alright. I wanted to see you as well. Shall we go for a walk in the gardens?" he smiled back and offered his arm. She accepted it gladly and they made their way out together.

"The day is beautiful."

"Yes, but I'm afraid your beauty quite outshines it."

"Do you mean that truthfully sir Leon?" Delilah looked up hoping to see sincerity in his eyes. "Do you mean that truthfully Leon? Delilah looked up at him hoping to see the sincerity in his eyes. He did not disappoint her, as untold behind his eyes was much more than she could ever hope to understand. Instead of answering her question, he simply smiled and continued along the natural path in the undergrowth. Out of the corner of his eye he saw what looked like a modest flower resting among the beautiful bouquet crowding the path. Upon further inspection, Leon found it to be a deep red carnation.

"What is this?"

"A blossom for a blossom."

"It's lovely Leon, and sweet smelling." A red carnation. Delilah attempted to think on her fleeting study of the meanings of flowers. Admiration? A red carnation means admiration and… her thoughts were interrupted by Leon.

"You were talking to the stable boy?" he wondered.

"He has a name. Ronald." she answered strictly although she knew Leon was not trying to be offensive. He was not like that.

He laughed. "You were talking to Ronald then?"

"Shouldn't I?"

"That's not what I am saying. I was just wondering what you could possibly be discussing with the stable boy."

"He's a person. We can discuss things." Delilah seemed irritated and Leon noticed.

"I am sorry. This came out the wrong way I suppose."

"No, it's not your fault. I'm afraid it's me who's rather moody right now." she reassured him.

They continued their walk saying nothing for a while but very soon Leon broke the silence.

"You said you wanted to talk to me about something. What better time than now?" he smiled to her, ignorant of the what had been troubling her.

"Yes, indeed. Well, I have been troubled lately with...us."

"Us? What could be troubling you my love?" he took hold of her hand while caressing it softly, his eyes soft as always.

"People say...well, they say I'm just a peasant that's after a better life by seducing you and getting your title." she whimpered and a small tear ran down her cheek but she quickly wiped it away, not once looking up.

Leon did not seem to be surprised by the news. He already knew not everyone's reaction would be positive. His face was still completely tranquil, devoid of any distress which annoyed Delilah. Is that supposed to mean that he does not mind? Or did he already know? she thought to herself.

"So...?" he asked her, his face still calm.

"What do you mean so? They believe that you have only been seduced and very soon you will realize your mistake and leave me."

"Seduced?" Leon laughed as he sat on a bench and pulled Delilah to accompany him. "Does it matter what the rumors say, my love?"

"How can you be so calm when this could end in such a disaster?" she snapped at him, surprisingly raising her voice.

"Define the term disaster, Lilah."

"Your father might disinherit you and you will lose your title! Your family will burn any bridges and you will feel nothing but regret for this!"

Leon remained calm for once more, which made Delilah even more worried than she was. He gently tucked a lock of hair behind her ear and caressed her cheek, wiping away any of the remaining tears. He smiled to her and pulled her into his embrace, holding her tightly.

"My love, the whole world can fall apart for all I care. The only thing that matters to me is you. And I promise to devote my every waking minute to your happiness. As long as I know you love me, there is nothing also for me to think about."

"I am not completely ignorant, you know. I know how hard life can become when you have such a sudden fall. I do not expect of you to live the rest of your life as a peasant." she whimpered against his chest.

"I assume you have a pleasant life. Maybe not luxurious, but I think I could manage as long as I had you by my side." he laughed.

"I have what I need. Will you?" she replied strictly.

"I need you."

"You need war and honor, Leon. You do not need a peasant girl." Leon looked down at Delilah. He stared at her intently, while she held his gaze, before pulling her even closer to him. They were now so close that Delilah could feel his breath on her lips and knew that he could feel the same.

"I need you like my body needs air. I'd rather stop my own breath than give you up. Do not ever doubt that. I love you, Lilah." he placed a soft kiss on her forehead. She smiled and captured his lips with hers and he replied willingly, pulling her towards her in a kiss so passionate they thought their lips would melt in it. When they parted, Delilah placed a finger on her lips. They were slightly bruised and numb. Not that she would ever mind.

"So I never want you to worry again. Will you promise me that?" he smiled.

"Promise."

"Now that that is settled, there's something I wished to tell you."

"I'm listening" she smiled back.

"I will be leaving in a couple of days. We were requested for a mission. I...thought you should know."

"Well, is it dangerous?" her smile quickly faded into a look of concern.

"Nothing can be safe, my love. Not in times like this."

"That is no answer."

"To be honest, noone can be sure. We do not know what we are facing yet. But no matter the case, you must not worry. Everything will be fine." he reassured her.

"Last time you said that you came back with a scar that covers almost half of your back in length. Your words are not exactly reassuring, you know."

"Lilah..." he started but she interrupted him.

"I love you, Leon." she said hastily and kissed him, although the kiss seemed more like a soft brush of her lips against his. "I cannot lose you. Not now, not ever. But I also cannot ask you to give up something you love so much." she smiled to him. "All that I ask is that you will be careful. Come back safe." she embraced him.

''What have I done to possibly deserve you?" he laughed and kissed her back. "Now that I know you love me, I will always come back to you, my sweet Lilah. I shall not let the gift God offered me by bringing you into my life be wasted."

To be continued...


-Alright! That's finally settled! Our two lovebirds are parting for a while. I'm going to continue this in the next chapter but then skip ahead because I want my chapters to move a little faster. Very soon we'll get into taylor & percival and there might be a surprise so stay tuned! Kisses! ~xoxo~