Chapter 4: Untouched
It had been a week since Gwen found out who she loved. And since that time…well she's been kind of avoiding him. He would take the initiative to talk to her, and most of the time she would nod her head or not even speak to him. She didn't want to make her feelings stronger if she talked to him more; but then again…her feelings were pretty strong as they were, so it was very difficult for her to just shake it off.
She absolutely hated feeling this way. Being in love for the first time wasn't exactly a ride through the park on a sunny day. Her emotions were off, and that meant that sometimes random things would happen with her powers. When she didn't pay attention, she could sometimes feel herself levitate off the floor or some of her pink objects would start to float around; luckily no one noticed. .Julie also felt somewhat the same that week, only she didn't show it as much. As the week went on, they still had a lot of fun together, but both of them couldn't help but seem a little down.
She walked silently in Kevin's room. He was still sleeping quietly in his bed, with the sheets wrapped all around him, snoring happily. The time was around eight, and Gwen couldn't help but stare for a few seconds. He just looked so happy when he was so still.
There was one other reason why she kept her distance from everyone this week. It was the anniversary of Verdona's death. Something so strong would never leave her mind so easily, and so the memory kept with her for all of these years…never fading and always stronger than before. It always depressed her around this time of year, but she couldn't let anyone else notice.
Today was laundry day, which meant Gwen would be picking up a lot of clothes around his huge room…but the bathroom was always first so he would have room to walk around when he was getting ready. As usual, the bathroom was a mess. You would think that this guy would learn to pick up a little after so many years of living here.
She quietly picked up his items and stuck them in a large basket. Once again, the bathroom was clean…which would probably only last for fifteen minutes. She picked up the basket and began to walk out of the bathroom…until she ran into something. She collided into the hard surface and landed on her bottom with a thump.
"Ow," she muttered, picking up some clothes that had fallen. She looked up to see Kevin towering over her with an unpleasant face. His arms were folded over his bare chest and he leaned against the door frame coolly. She was very surprised to see him acting this way…very rude natured. She was too stunned to speak, but more of the fact that he was up at this time.
"What's your problem?" he asked, his voice heavy and stern. Now she was even more confused. Wasn't he the one who ran into her?
"E- Excuse me?" she stammered, standing on her two feet.
"Don't act like you don't know…you've been avoiding me for a week now. You didn't think that I wouldn't notice?" he said, staring deep into her eyes. She didn't know what to say; she didn't even know that he would notice her absence from him. Why would he even care? She had only been here for a week now, so why were things different from his life?
"What do you mean? I've been doing my job…" she said plainly, giving a good excuse, and yet enforcing the matter on him strongly.
"Could have fooled me. First off, when you met me, you were different. You treated me as if I was someone off the streets, someone normal. And then you go and stop talking to me and act like…like…"
"Like a servant?" she questioned. "Well sorry if I am not doing my job as the way you want it your highness."
"Your highness? Since when do you call me that? What's wrong with you Gwen?" he spoke to her directly. Shivers went up and down her spine when he spoke her name with force. Why was he pushing this? "You have never acted this way before."
"I really don't know where your getting at, but this is me…this is the way I act. I don't understand why you care so much," she glared at him for a second, to get this pain away from her. Silence filled the room once more. Kevin had never ever had a fight with one of his servants before…anyone else would get fired for sure. He sighed deeply.
"Look…I know something is obviously bothering you and you're keeping it from me. I just want to know what so we can keep things the way they started before. You making fun of me and what not," he smirked at his last statement, but it quickly faded away when he saw Gwen frown. She decided to give him some input…give him half of the story why she was avoiding him.
"I'll tell you some stuff, I guess. It's been ten years since a loved one of mine died. Today is the day…and well all week I've been pretty glum because of it and the memory still haunts me till this day. I am sorry if I offended you by not speaking to you because of it. It's just that…it still hurts," she admitted.
She didn't look at him as she began to pick up the basket of laundry and started to walk out. For the second time that morning he stopped her as some pieces of clothing went sprawling on the floor. Her gaze went to his, only to find a sensitive and relaxed one. She was on the verge of tears at that moment, but held it in.
"I'm sorry, I didn't know…"
"No, you didn't know, so don't beat yourself up for it. It's my problem and I have to get over it some time or the other…" she drifted from his gaze and back to the laundry. She bent down to pick them up when he suddenly threw the basket over to the side. "What are you-,"
"You get the day off today, and instead you're coming with me to ride horses."
"Horseback riding…with you?" her words were suddenly jumbled up. How random was this?
"What's wrong? Afraid I'll beat you in a race?" he smirked at her again. Her face suddenly became fierce; Gwen never backed down from a challenge…
"I would love to go with you…and I'll kick your butt any day anywhere," she said. She was back…
"I would change if I were you…you not going to want to ride in that get up," he pointed to her uniform.
"What's wrong with this? Julie made it," she defended.
"That's exactly my point…might I suggest some pants," he grinned and began digging through his drawers. "You get changed and meet me at the stables."
With an unsure nod she walked out of his room and shut the door behind her. Was this really happening? What was going on? Was she dreaming? After pinching herself, she then hurriedly ran to the servant station down stairs and ran straight into Julie's room. Julie was on her bed, waiting for her mother, and then became very surprised to see Gwen burst through the doors.
"Whoa Gwen, what's up?"
"Kevin asked me to go horseback riding with him today," she panted slowly, catching her breath. Julie only had a blank stare as she collected all the information she just heard from Gwen. Then she perked up when everything all clicked together.
"What!"
"I know, I still can't believe it. Please tell me that this is not a dream."
"Trust me, it's not…I'm still here and living. He asked you to go horseback riding with you? What about your job?"
"He said I have the day off. What kind of king gives a servant a day off?" Gwen asked, sitting back down on her bed.
"I haven't seen this since…well I have never seen anything like this before. What if is some thing romantic that he is planning?"
"Whoa, hold on there; I honestly doubt it. He's probably is bored with singing papers so he just decided to get away from it all. Plus I was the first person he saw this morning…it could have been anyone, really," said Gwen.
"Oh Gwen, you're too modest. What if he has been planning for you do to this with him for some time now? It's the ultimate romantic get away, and you and him are going to go do it. I can see it now; you and him riding alongside together in the sunset. It's perfect really."
"Julie, we've already gone through this before! He's a king…I'm a servant girl. There is just no way that he would go for something like me."
"But he hates royalty! He might want someone that is not as high as his rank."
"Trust me Julie, you just can't do that. No one is willing to stoop that low for somebody else, not even Kevin."
"Ok Gwen, think of it this way; you and him going horseback riding and spending the whole entire day with each other. What do you make of that? Doing your job? Being a servant? Cause I can assure you, that is not what he is after. He saw something in you that he liked and now he is experiencing it. He likes to be around you," eased Julie. Gwen was silent for a moment.
"Ok, I'll admit, it's a little exciting…"
"A little?"
"Or maybe the most exciting thing that has ever happened to me before, but I am not going to get my hopes up."
"That's all I ask! Enjoy yourself…you never know what could happen," teased Julie. "Now, about your wardrobe; I know we don't have the latest fashions from Paris, but I do carry some pants." Julie took out some nice pants and a pretty shirt. "This ought to do it."
"I hate borrowing clothes from you Julie."
"And what am I going to do with them? Have a one man fashion show? Trust me, they are better off if you wear them. Plus, they are too big on me… you're taller," Julie pushed the clothes into Gwen's arms. "Now change."
It was apparent that Gwen had no choice, plus she really, really, really wanted to go anyway. She changed without any disturbances from Julie and headed to the stables on the other side of the palace. The stable doors were already open, which meant that Kevin was already in there. She took in a very deep breath and walked in. It was pretty dark for the most part, and she couldn't see Kevin. Then it occurred to her that Kevin only rode his black stallion, which was in the way in the back, kept in a more secure stable, unfortunately.
She sighed once more and headed for the back of the stables. The horses made sounds as she walked by and sounds of hay being eaten was also going through her ears.
She finally saw him from a distance. She continued to walk forward, without getting his attention, and smiled as she saw him in some normal clothes for once. But as she got closer and closer, she noticed that he seem stressed, as if something was bothering him. She squinted her eyes and noticed that he was holding the gate to his stallion.
It was locked.
She was confused…should she go back to get the keys? Whether it was judgment or knowledge…something was telling her to not make a sound…not to get his attention…but just to watch him. Something was telling her…to watch him; and what scared her even more was that she listened to her instinct.
She hid behind one of the stables and watched him for a couple of seconds.
"Damn, I forgot to tell them to unlock it," Kevin muttered to himself. His frown went away and he smiled. He then looked around, as if he was trying to see if anyone was watching him. The coast was clear…and Gwen saw something that she had never seen before.
Kevin touched the metal lock with his fingers and absorbed the metallic substance onto his arm. He then took his pointer finger, stuck it into the lock, and unlocked the lock with perfection. He then opened another stable to his left, probably Gwen's horse, and did the exact same thing. His arm disappeared from the metal and it was back to normal.
Gwen gasped softly and her eyes became wide with shock. Kevin, her Kevin, had absorbed the metal from the lock to unlock the stable. What really surprised her was that his arm went back to normal after. He was perfectly fine…
Did he have powers too?
No, that couldn't be…Hex would have known if royalty had powers or not. But the proof was right there! He did, didn't he? Unless it was some abnormal genetic thing going inside him. She didn't know anyone else that was like her…until now.
Kevin had powers…unbelievable, but yes he did. They weren't the same as hers, but he was special…he had a gift. She wasn't alone…
It then became clear that she was still staring at him from behind and it wouldn't look good if she was late. She took a few steps back and made sure that when she walked, her footsteps were loud so that she would be heard by him.
He immediately straightened up when he heard her coming and opened the door to the stable.
"That's weird, I thought they would be locked…I was going to ask the servants to get some keys," said Gwen, walking up to him.
"Uh yeah, I guess they forgot to lock them when I told them too yesterday. Good service these days…what can you do right?" he lied, putting the reins on his horse. Liar…
Gwen shrugged her shoulders, as Kevin did the same to Gwen's horse. Gwen carefully took the horse outside as she followed Kevin with his horse. And in a few minutes…they were off, riding through the hills and fields of the land.
They spent hours riding together, and Gwen was having the time of her life, even though she was getting exhausted. She felt so free spending actual time in the sun, in the wind and in the air. She breathed in the deep nature that surrounded the plains of Bellwood. Her air was flying in the wind and her hands embraced the reins of her horse. Nothing felt any better, and with Kevin here…it made it so much better.
"Why don't we take a break?" yelled Kevin, slowing the horse into a nice and secluded meadow. Gwen followed his patterns and climbed off the horse when he did. She was breathing heavily as she watched the horses graze. "Isn't the horse supposed to get tired?" He smirked while passing her some water, noticing that her horse seemed very irritated as it grazed.
"Hey, it was my first time going that fast on a horse," she defended herself, drinking the water.
"It seems you've made my horse very irritated. She usually is calm and never acts irrational…until now. I thought giving you the gentle horse would be nice for you, but you made her mad anyway," he smirked again. She couldn't help but give him a good sock to the arm. "If any of my guards saw you do that, you'd be arrested for sure."
He stared into her eyes after his statement. Gwen felt herself blush from his intense gaze. It was as if he was searching for an answer or an important message. Then all of a sudden he chuckled.
"You blush a lot, don't you?"
Gwen didn't know the answer to that one. She had never blushed until she met him, ever. So…what would she tell him?
"It's just me, I can't help it," she came up with. In a way it was true, ever since she met him she began to blush…so she couldn't help it…and it was her…so she did tell the truth, in a way. Kevin then stood up and stretched.
"Come on, I want to go on another ride before the sun sets. Then I can show you something beautiful," he finished as he whistled for the horses to come back to his side. Gwen got up and stretched herself. Her horse was very protective as she came up to her, but Gwen managed to get on.
They rode some more as they saw the sun start to set in the distance. What made the day even more perfect was Gwen beating Kevin when they headed back for the palace. Once they reached the stables, Gwen put both horses away, got some fresh water for them, and began brushing Kevin's stallion. Kevin came up behind her.
"I didn't know you knew how to groom a horse…" Gwen merely rolled her eyes.
"I can't ride that well, but you forget I'm a servant. I had to groom lots of horses back at the industry," she replied, rubbing her hand on the black horse. Gwen's horse may have not liked her, but she knew this one would. The stallion closed its eyes as it relaxed into Gwen's brushing.
"Do you know his name?" Kevin asked her.
"Nope, no idea."
"His name is Eleven."
"Eleven? Kevin, what kind of name is that? You don't give an animal a number for a name."
"Whoa, calm down. Don't worry; there is some history to it. That goes way back when Ben and I first met each other…way back," he explained.
"Do I get to hear that story?"
"Uh…it's a long story and well kind of a secret," he managed to say, feeling somewhat ashamed for not telling her his story of how Ben and him met ten years ago. "Come on, we are going to be late for dinner."
"Dinner? What does that mean?"
"Dinner. You know, sit down and eat at a table…it's this new thing where we eat in the evening," he joked.
"I know what dinner is Kevin. But am I going to eat it with you?" she asked, as they headed down to the palace.
"Uh yeah, is that a problem?"
"N- No, no problem at all…just surprised, that's all," she replied faintly.
"Why would you be surprised?" he asked, facing toward her, wondering the answer.
"What do you mean surprised? Kevin, no king in their right mind go horseback riding with a maid, have his servants call him by his first name, or have dinner with them randomly out of no where," she explained, getting frustrated. He was silent for a while.
"Gwen, when are you going to understand that I am not like the other kings?"
That shut her up. All her life she imagined these royal people being stubborn and arrogant, when in reality some weren't as bad as she thought they were. She thought being brought up like the way they did meant they would be mean and selfish. But Kevin, Max, and Ben…they were so normal. None of them craved for power like the others. Was that why these kingdoms were so peaceful and full of harmony? She never imagined royalty having another name like this.
"Oh, well, um let's go then," she simply replied, heading for the dining hall.
"We aren't eating there tonight," he called.
"What? Why?"
"We are eating out here," he said as he led her to an outdoor patio that was the most extravagant thing Gwen had ever seen. She gasped when she saw a candlelight dinner waiting for them and already prepared.
"This is so beautiful," she remarked, remembering back to Kevin's words. He chuckled.
"I know, I'm good, right?" he smirked, holding the seat for her to sit down. She sat down to the best of her ability, only knowing some things about manners that she had seen when Verdona taught her some things, and watched as the waiters brought them some food.
Everything was delicious, and better than anything Gwen had ever tasted before. After spending hours talking to each other and eating dessert, they settled down into their seats. The waiters were dismissed, so both of them were alone in the still of the night.
"So what did you think of everything? I mean today and all," he said, his eyes drifting to the night sky.
"Everything was amazing, I had a great time with you today Kevin," she smiled with delight. Her thoughts were racing everywhere; what if she got a kiss out of him? What if he wanted to continue seeing her? What if he didn't care about status and married her right away…oh how she would immediately say yes.
"Good, because this was a test run," he said, staring at her again. Confusion broke out onto her face, as she stared at him with a puzzled expression.
"What do you mean?"
"Well, you know, a test run. Having someone doing something with you for an entire day, so that you can do it with someone else the next. Except the next day, you do it more properly and really want the person to like it. So I got your opinion for today and you liked it…you know, a test run," he explained.
"Well wait, why did you need me for a test run?" she asked, with fear in her tone. He stopped looking at her again.
"I am planning on inviting the princess of the Null Void, Charmcaster. I plan to marry her," he said.
In that moment, all of the waves in Gwen's life came crashing down. This wasn't happening, it couldn't be happening. Those words left his mouth in such a rush and Gwen managed to hear every word of it. She kept her composure, but her face remained blank and white. He wasn't even looking at her and she felt sick. What was happening?
"Excuse me?" she asked, and managed to get out. He turned to look at her, and he wished he didn't.
"I plan to marry Charmcaster," he repeated himself, while still keeping his poker face.
Didn't he know who she was? Didn't he know what the Null Void was? Didn't he know anything? Was he seriously planning to marry this freakish woman? Didn't he know what horrible things her and her uncle have done to this world? Didn't he know anything at all? And what was worse was that he used her! Used her for this perfect time they shared together. He took her time away for his brilliant plan! How could he?
Her rage began to roar, but she still managed to keep her powers in check. Her hand gripped the table cloth, while the other one gripped the arm to the chair. She had to close her eyes to keep her temper in check. Her voice became stern and her emotions became angry.
"So all of this…this time that we spent together…was just for fun?"
"Whoa Gwen, I think you're taking this the wrong way…"
"No, I am taking it all in perfectly. You used me as a test to see if you would have a good time with that disgusting woman," she said. She was no longer afraid, and the status no longer meant anything. She was ready to yell at the king.
"I thought you liked helping me? You and her are kind of similar in a way, it was a lot easier to compare," his voice also became stern.
"Don't ever compare me to her, ever! You used me for your perfect wedding engagement plans?"
"That's what this is about? You're mad because I used you? If you think that I am going to fire you after I am married with her, you're wrong. You will still be around her and my kids, if we ever get some," he stated. She couldn't believe this!
"You think I fear my job? Kevin, you are going to marry the most horrible person you will ever meet in your life and you are worried about my job?"
"Then what else is it? You think this day was specially planned for you?" his words smacked her like a three tons of bricks. It was apparent that this day had no meaning, except for that vile creature living miles away. She hid her feelings very well; lying was also a good trait of hers.
"What? No way! Never in a million years. What I can't believe is that you are going to marry her! Do you know what her and her uncle has done to this world?"
"Many people respect the Null Void."
"Yeah, well I don't. Ten years ago, Hex killed someone that was very close to me, and I'll never forget it," she didn't know why that came out. Lately, more and more people have gotten to know her past. Why was it all of a sudden spilling out now? "How could you marry someone that kills for power?"
"Well I think being the only woman in the world that has powers is pretty attractive in my book, don't you think?" he stood up from his chair. Gwen held her tongue at that statement. Oh how she just wanted to spill the beans right then and there, but after tonight, if Kevin did find out she had powers, she would be done for. Didn't he know he had powers himself. "If my kingdom and her kingdom get together, our nations would be unstoppable. Think of the possibilities, Gwen."
This silenced though her, as she stood up herself slowly. She regained her posture and stared deep into his eyes with fierceness.
"I never thought you would stoop so low Kevin. You said you were different than the other kings. And now, you just proved yourself wrong."
She headed for the door, and then the tears came streaming down her face.
"I hope you're making the right decision, Kevin, for your sake. I wish you good fortune in marrying Charmcaster," she started. "I'll be in your room at the same time tomorrow. If I'm fired, could you please tell someone to tell me…or just leave a note on your door." She walked out, completely sobbing her eyes out when she got down the stairs. She ran as fast as she could, never looking back at him…his face…his eyes. She left him there to think about his precious Charmcaster. Nothing in Gwen's mind was ever going to be perfect again. She thought she was going to have her fairy tale, finally, but it turned out to be another nightmare. Gwen's life could never be happy…ever, and this she knew. Julie jumped at the sight of her.
"Gwen, what's wrong?" Julie asked drastically, seeing her come through crying her eyes out.
"Julie, something terrible," she cried. Gwen told Julie the whole story and what not. Julie couldn't believe what she was hearing. Even Julie knew the horrible things Hex was doing or had done. This was so unlike Kevin; she had never pictured him doing such a thing. Gwen stayed in Julie's room that night, about to wake up in the morning and work as usual…or pack her things once more. Who knows? Maybe she would go to Omnitrix and see if they had a job waiting for her there…
GGGGG
Kevin sat on his bed. He looked miserable, glum, and completely speechless. Gwen's reaction took him completely off guard and made him extremely vulnerable.
Of course he knew about the Null Void! Of course he knew about Hex and Charmcaster! Of course he knew everything!
But Gwen's reaction…that was a different matter. Of course he wasn't going to fire her; he loved having her around. He knew she would have some reaction, maybe a little depressed, but never did he think she was going to yell at him!
It was obvious he lied to her about the whole thing. No he doesn't want to marry Charmcaster. This was the plan…he had to have lied. If anyone knew that he hated the Null Void as much as the next person, someone might suspect something is up. He knew the plan, and he had to stick with it…
He hated lying to Gwen though. All of those things he said were completely and utterly untrue. There was no possible way that what he said back there was factual. It was just all part of the plan. He wished he could take it all back; he wished he could tell her the truth to make her pain go all away…but he couldn't.
He hated seeing her face though. He was in deep. He admitted before…he did like her, and not just as friends…maybe even more than that. He had the best time of his life today with her. He knew he had feelings for her, even when Ben specifically told him not too. He was attracted to her, and he didn't even know why. Never before had he been attracted to a maid; all the women he ever was attracted to were different. All of the women he ever liked had some sort of spark to them…powers, before Hex vaporized all of them.
He was drawn to women with powers, and he didn't know why. He himself had a gift; maybe the energies connected somehow. But of course it was impossible, considering Hex killed off every magical person himself. But besides that fact, he trusted her, he would put his life on the line for her, he would protect her, and nothing would get in his way of loving her.
And there was the answer…
He loved her. That had to be the answer, what else could it have been. Why else would he feel so horrible for lying to her, why else did it kill him to see her so sad and destroyed, why else did he feel this way? He would try to make things right, even if the next few months were not going to be blissful, but he would try. Pretending to be in love with Charmcaster was not going to be easy, but if he got through the months and she was still working for him, he would be with her.
And that was something that was never going to change…he would make sure of it…
Chapter 4! Yes I know it took me a while, but I have been very busy actually. So Kevin does have a special gift to him…what a shocker. But Gwen knows…
What will happen when Charmcaster pays a visit? Ben pays another visit as well, what will happen when him and Gwen talk more? What about him and Julie? Will Gwen ever know the truth of their plan? Will Hex ever be stopped? Can Gwen show herself for who she really is? Will their plan work? Find out next chapter!
R&R
Wtncgirl09
